Bachelor of Applied Management

at Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus New Zealand

In our graduate diploma you will learn methods for profiling key information on the internet and consider the value of social media for internal and external communications. Other areas of study include applied computing, advanced business analysis essentials, and the latest techniques for management of information and communication technologies. We also connect you with our industry partners to put this knowledge to use in the real world on a relevant project.

This programme looks in-depth at a wide range of retail-related areas, with a focus on strategic decision making around the resources used to develop and sustain a high performing retail business. Areas covered include ownership models, channel management, human capital, technology use and adoption, customer experience and merchandising.

You'll learn how to critically evaluate management and marketing concepts in a range of retailing environments; identify and analyse opportunities for improvement; and create strategies for building and sustaining a retail enterprise.

This programme aims to develop you as an independent animator/film maker or concept artist. Core skills taught include design strategies, digital drawing, 3D modelling and animation, videography, sound design, post-production, motion graphics and concept art. In addition, you'll choose three courses from a range of electives, which will enable you to develop complementary skills in particular areas of interest.

As well as studio courses, you'll complete a group of core courses in academic subjects. These include both professional and contextual studies, which will give you developed communication skills, a background in the history and sociology of creative practices, insights into contemporary professional ethics and some business skills.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice has been designed for musicians, dramatists, performing and visual artists, designers, film makers, writers, directors and other professional creatives who wish to take their first foray into postgraduate study. It will enable you to advance your creative practice and develop knowledge and specialist skills, beyond those gained through your undergraduate degree.

As a student of this programme you'll have the opportunity to use reflection on creative and critical theory to initiate and develop an area of interest into a supervised research project within a domain of practice.

This highly practical program will equip you with the skills and theory necessary to become a radio professional. We develop your understanding of the changing media environment, your practical research skills and prepare you for a first-time position in radio or online. You'll study production and performance while operating a commercial radio station, broadcasting throughout the Canterbury region.

Our program has been strongly influenced by industry groups such as NZME, Mediaworks and The Radio Broadcasters Association. Our 24-week industry internship provides you with a highly effective link between the theoretical and practical aspects of broadcasting, and gives you a working understanding of the industry demands of working in a deadline-driven environment.

The Master of Sustainable Practice is designed for individuals who seek to lead innovative problem solving in sustainable practice. Across the range of core, project and applied research components, you'll gain advanced interdisciplinary skills and knowledge that will enable you to: critically evaluate and apply concepts of sustainable practice; work independently and collaboratively; and become a change-maker contributing to sustainable practice. You'll also develop and apply advanced understandings of the theories, driving forces and worldviews related to sustainable practice within the context of your discipline-specific knowledge.

The programme facilitates collaboration and innovation and applies an interdisciplinary framework to address complex sustainability problems. Upon completion of the programme you will be able to: advocate for, and lead change towards, more sustainable practices; apply high level research skills to plan and conduct independent inquiry projects related to sustainability in professional contexts; and be an independent learner who can utilise and undertake research to formulate solutions to sustainability issues.

This flexible degree will prepare you to succeed in business by equipping you with widely applicable, real-world knowledge and skills. You’ll develop your ability to think critically and strategically and gain valuable skills in your chosen specialty.

In your first year, you’ll develop a depth of business knowledge and skills required for any commercial context. This includes skills in management, leadership, accounting, marketing, HR, law, economics, and sustainability, as well as knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Titiri o Waitangi.

In your second year, you'll then choose a specialization to suit your desired pathway. You can also choose a second specialization, five elective courses or go on a student exchange program.

Your final year of studies involves more complex critical and strategic thinking skills. You’ll undertake a co-operative education project for a local business which will include a work placement. During this placement, you’ll apply skills learned in your chosen specialization to complete a research-informed project that solves a business problem.

Flexibility has been built into this degree, allowing you to not only to study part-time, full-time, and/or in the evenings but to choose two specializations at no extra cost and requiring no additional time. Alternatively, you can personalize your degree by including up to five elective courses (Level 5 and above, equal to 15 credits each) from any subject area of your choosing.

Specializations include: Accounting (including CA Pathway), Business Information Systems, Event Management, Human Resources, Hospitality Management, Marketing and Sales, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Project Management, Operations, Supply Chain Logistics, Strategic Management, Transformation, and Change.

Bachelor of Music covers all the skills and knowledge you need to be a multi-faceted professional musician. It’s built around collaboration - you’ll learn the foundational skills and apply them in group projects and classes that directly mirror the real world of the music industry. The programme focuses on the practical; even the ‘academic’ subjects are taught in a style that relates directly to the practical application of those subjects. More than half the programme content is practical in nature, a higher proportion than most music degrees in New Zealand. With such a focus on the practical, you’re a musician from day one at Ara.

The degree offers three pathways: Music Creation, Music Performance and Music Production. This choice lets you specialise in the area you’re passionate about, while learning alongside and working with musicians from other pathways. Your third-year capstone project allows you to design your own major project with dedicated specialist tutor support.

You will gain a solid grounding in engineering theory and principles of engineering science including design and drawing, electrical, electronics, networks, protection and programming. Working closely with professional engineers you will apply current and emerging technologies in new situations. Our courses are industry designed and during this program you will develop sound thinking and problem solving skills for work in designing and implementing engineering technology.

It is expected that graduates will attain the educational underpinnings and work ready attributes defined by the Engineering New Zealand Graduate Profile for Engineering Technicians.

IT industry partners have significant input into the structure and content of this programme to ensure that what is being taught continually meets industry needs. The first year covers a broad range of ICT topics that will provide you with a solid base of knowledge in software engineering (programming), hardware and networking, website development, IT tools and concepts and mathematics skills relevant to IT.

In years two and three you'll choose one of three specialist pathways: Information Systems, Networking and Infrastructure or Software Development. During this time you'll develop in-depth knowledge of your chosen area through a range of compulsory and elective courses. You'll also develop skills in problem solving, critical thinking, analysis, team work, project management, time management, self-reliance and communication skills. There is a strong emphasis on practical skills and work-readiness, so wherever possible, theory is integrated and applied to practical tasks.