Содержание

• • About the program
  • Advantages and benefits
  • Structure of the program
  • Entry requirements
  • Career opportunities
  • Tuition cost

About the program

The Master of Information Technology (180 credits) program is developed by Whitireia Community Polytechnic & Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec), New Zealand, in collaboration with Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU), Russia.

This program is ideal for students  who are looking to upskill abroad or are considering relocating to New Zealand.

Program Duration: 1.5 years.

Students complete the first semester (six months) online at SPbPU. After completing the first semester, they can travel to New Zealand to continue their studies offline at WelTec (one academic year) and earn their Master’s degree.

Language of study: English.

Program Start Dates

• SPbPU: September 22, 2025 and March 2, 2026
• WelTec: Twice a year – February and July, depending on the completion of the SPbPU semester.
  After the current intake, students will be able to continue the program on campus in New Zealand in July 2026 or February 2027.

Advantages of the program

This joint Master’s program is specifically designed to support students’ adaptation and reduce financial burden in today’s world. It allows students to begin their studies in a familiar environment. The first semester at SPbPU offers an opportunity to assess the chosen program while saving over 40% on tuition and living costs. Nowadays, when considering additional expenses such as housing, insurance, and daily needs, the program becomes an even more cost-effective and practical option.

By choosing this program, you receive:

• Educational credentials from two countries. In the first semester, students study at SPbPU and earn a Postgraduate Certificate in Intelligent Systems (SPbPU). Afterward, they continue their studies at WelTec for one academic year and receive a Master’s Degree in Information Technology (WelTec).
• An opportunity to study the first semester online at SPbPU, significantly reducing tuition and living costs. Additionally, students have access to recorded lectures, allowing for flexible learning without drastically changing their routine. This makes it easier to transition smoothly into the next stages.
• Easier academic and cultural adaptation. The online semester helps ease this transition and minimizes stress by providing time to adjust to new methods and prepare for relocation while still studying.
• A strong student community. From the very beginning, students work on both individual and group projects. You won’t be alone — support is available. Thanks to networking and peer collaboration, the transition to life and study in New Zealand becomes much easier. All students of the joint programs have access to a private online group.
• A solid rationale for studying in New Zealand. A helpful bonus when applying for a student visa: not only will you have an offer of place, but also a statement from the university confirming your participation in a special pathway program — showing that New Zealand is expecting you.
• The right to work while studying in New Zealand. Student visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic term and full-time during scheduled breaks. This allows students to partially cover living expenses and gain valuable work experience — a key step toward post-study employment.
• The option to bring your family. Studying for a Master’s degree in New Zealand allows you to bring your partner and children. Your partner can apply for an open work visa, and your children are eligible for free schooling (as they are tied to the partner’s work visa).
• A 3-year post-study open work visa. After graduation, you will be eligible for a three-year open work visa, giving you the freedom to work for any employer in New Zealand. This is a great opportunity to gain local work experience and settle in the country.
• Maximum immigration points for New Zealand residency. When applying for residency under the Skilled Migrant Category, a New Zealand Master’s degree earns you 5 bonus points. You may also gain additional points for skilled work experience in New Zealand.

Structure of the program

First Semester (SPbPU) – 6 months, online learning

The program is designed to prepare highly qualified, globally competitive professionals with knowledge and practical skills in:

• Intelligent systems and technologies
• Information processing systems
• Intelligent automation systems
• Intelligent robotics
• Cyber-physical systems
• Applied industrial automation
• Robotics and control systems

The program is developed in collaboration with leading Russian and international companies such as Siemens, SAP, General Motors, Festo Didactic, and branches of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Subjects in the first semester (SPbPU):

1. Intelligent Systems
2. Software Development Technologies
3. Project Management
4. Corporate Information Systems
5. High-Level Design of Information Control Systems

Study format:

• Mode: Online
• Language of instruction: English
• Schedule: 3 times a week
• Sessions: 2 academic classes per day (each 90 minutes)
  • Class 1: 16:00–17:30 (Moscow time)
  • Break: 30 minutes
  • Class 2: 18:00–19:30 (Moscow time)

All lectures are recorded and available in the student’s personal account, which will be set up by the university. The personal account also provides access to all necessary study materials and literature.

Continuation at WelTec (New Zealand) – 1 academic year (2 semesters), on-campus

In New Zealand, students will undertake full-time study in the Master of Information Technology program at WelTec, focusing on practical research in areas of their interest, such as:

• Data analytics
• Cloud computing
• Business analysis and intelligence
• ICT infrastructure
• Information management
• Mobile application development
• Network design and security
• Digital forensics
• Software quality assurance
• Systems architecture

Students can choose a combination of elective subjects and will also undertake an applied research project or academic thesis in a chosen area of specialization.

Elective subjects at WelTec include:

1. Business Analysis for Information Technology
2. Business Intelligence and Data Mining
3. Cloud Computing and ICT Infrastructure
4. Network Design and Management
5. Network Security and Forensics
6. Quality Assurance and Testing
7. Systems Architecture and Technology Integration
8. Special Topic in Information Technology
9. Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
10. Topics in Cyber Ethics

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission to the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Academic Background

• A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum average grade of 50% or higher (preferably in a relevant field).
• If the Bachelor’s degree is not related to IT, applicants must provide proof of relevant work experience.
• If both the degree and work experience are unrelated to IT, then applicants must show proof of completed IT courses (e.g., in Python, C++, Java, etc.) as evidence of a career shift toward the IT field.

English Language Requirements

• While there is no entrance exam and required English language level test, it is important to understand that the entire program is taught in English. In order to complete the course successfully the recommended level is Upper-intermediate and higher.
  To receive an offer of place from WelTec and to apply for a student visa, an official IELTS TRF  is mandatory.

To Progress to the Second Stage (WelTec, New Zealand):

• You must successfully complete the first semester and obtain the Postgraduate Certificate in Intelligent Systems from SPbPU.
• An IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with no band lower than 6.0, or an equivalent internationally recognized English proficiency test

For Students Without Prior IT Experience

If you do not have an IT background, together with SPbPU we have identified three recommended online courses to help you build foundational knowledge. These courses can be free and taken on any platform. You may also choose alternative courses covering the same topics.

Recommended courses:

1. Supervised Machine Learning: Regression and Classification
2. Python for Everybody Specialization
3. Information Technology (IT) and Cloud Fundamentals Specialization

Successfully completing these or similar courses will demonstrate your readiness to transition into the IT field and help ensure success in the program.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program will be well-prepared to work in a wide range of sectors, including business, education, government, healthcare, and industry, in roles such as:

• Business Analyst
• Cybersecurity Specialist
• Database Administrator
• Information Systems Manager
• Data Analyst
• Network Administrator
• IT Security Specialist
• Software Developer
• Software Tester
• System Administrator
• Systems Analyst
• Systems Integration Specialist
• Team Leader

Tuition fees

• SPbPU – 249,000 RUB (approximately 5,000 NZ$) for semester (check the current rate). Payment to SPbSTU is processed through Kiwi Education, the official program coordinator and general partner of universities.
• WelTec – NZ$ 30,000* (check the current rate) Payment to WelTec is processed directly to the university in New Zealand Dollars.

Total program cost: approximately NZ$35,000
(In comparison, completing the full program in New Zealand would cost approximately NZ$40,300.)

*Note: Tuition fees in New Zealand are subject to change annually due to inflation.

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