For students looking for an IT degree in New Zealand, the programme you will most often find at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is the Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences (BCIS). It is AUT's main computing degree, offered through its Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences faculty, and it has several majors, including computer science, data science, and networks and security. Students who search for "information technology" at AUT usually end up here, so this guide treats the BCIS as the IT programme.
This guide covers what an international applicant needs to know: whether AUT publishes an acceptance rate, what the degree costs in NZD, the entry requirements, how to strengthen an application, English-test thresholds, and how the Post-Study Work Visa applies to graduates. For the university-wide picture, see our AUT guide.
AUT IT Acceptance Rate
AUT does not publish an acceptance rate for the BCIS, and New Zealand universities do not usually publish comparative admit rates. Entry to the BCIS is criteria-based. If you meet AUT's country-specific academic threshold and its English-language requirement, you are eligible for a place, subject to available places in the intake.
The practical implication is that the BCIS is not a competitive, capped contest in the way a US computer science master's is. The main ways applicants fall short are an academic result below the country-specific threshold or an English score below the minimum. Any acceptance-rate figure you see quoted online for this programme is a third-party estimate, not an AUT number.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
AUT publishes international tuition per 120 points, one full-time academic year. For the Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences, the figures on AUT's international fees page are:
| Cost item (NZD, per year) | Amount |
|---|---|
| BCIS tuition (120 points) | $43,900.00 |
| Student services levy | $1,259.67 |
| Total tuition and levy per year | $45,159.67 |
Across a three-year degree, that is about NZD 135,000 in tuition and levy before living costs. The BCIS is more expensive than AUT's Bachelor of Business, which is the main cost difference to plan for. Fees are reviewed annually, so confirm the current-year figure on AUT's site before you commit.
Living costs: New Zealand's student visa requires you to show sufficient funds for living costs. The amount commonly cited is NZD 20,000 per year, but we could not load Immigration New Zealand's current student visa page during this research, so verify the exact figure with the official site. Auckland is the most expensive city in New Zealand for accommodation, and third-party planning guides typically estimate NZD 20,000 to 25,000 per year for a single student. Those are independent estimates, not AUT figures.
International students are not eligible for New Zealand government student loans. AUT's international scholarships page lists options, some tied to particular faculties, so check it before you apply.
Admission Requirements
- A completed AUT application through its international process
- Academic transcripts that meet AUT's country-specific bachelor's-entry requirement
- Evidence of English proficiency that meets AUT's minimum, unless you are exempt
- Certified English translations of any documents not issued in English
- Student visa supporting documents once an offer is made
AUT lists IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall with all bands 5.5 or higher, or an equivalent test, as the English requirement for the BCIS. Because the BCIS includes a computing component, students with strong maths results may find the programme easier to settle into, but AUT does not publish a separate maths or prerequisite threshold for international applicants in the sources we reviewed, so confirm any subject prerequisite on the BCIS programme page.
How to Get Into AUT's Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences
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Pick your major early. The BCIS offers computer science, data science, and networks and security majors. Choosing one before you apply helps you match your course plan to the job you want afterwards.
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Check your country's entry threshold first. AUT sets bachelor's entry by country of qualification, so confirm your school-leaving result meets the figure for your country.
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Aim above the English minimum. IELTS 6.0 with no band under 5.5 is the programme's stated bar. Technical reading and report writing are heavy in computing courses, so a 6.5 overall gives you more room for the first year.
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Build a small portfolio before you arrive. A few personal projects in Python, web development, or data analysis, even simple ones, give you something concrete to talk about in interviews later. This is not an admissions requirement, but it is cheap to do and helps with the work-placement and internship search.
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Apply with complete documents. Submit transcripts, translations, and English results together so the file is not held up by one missing item.
English Proficiency Requirement
AUT's standard bachelor's-level English threshold applies to the BCIS: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall, with no band below 5.5. The TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and Duolingo English Test equivalents, and the validity period for each test, are set out in our AUT guide. Check the BCIS programme page for any higher requirement before booking, since some programmes set their own threshold.
Career Outcomes and Post-Study Work Visa
AUT did not publish a graduate employment rate for the BCIS that we could reliably retrieve, so we are not quoting one. The job market context is useful, though. Third-party listings describe software development, data analysis, and cybersecurity as high-demand areas in New Zealand, and some third-party salary guides place graduate and junior roles in the NZD 55,000 to 80,000 range. Treat those salary figures as indicative, since they are not from AUT or a government salary survey.
Graduates of the BCIS are typically pursuing computer science, data science, or networks and security roles, and AUT's major choice shapes the job titles you should target.
Post-Study Work Visa: The BCIS is a Level 7 degree. Under current Immigration New Zealand rules, graduates who studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks can apply for a Post-Study Work Visa of up to three years, depending on the qualification and how long you studied. The application must be submitted within three months after your student visa expires. You must also show at least NZD 5,000 for your stay. Confirm the exact duration for your enrolment length on the Immigration New Zealand site.
From 16 November 2026, eligibility expands to NZQCF Level 7 graduate diplomas completed full-time in New Zealand and to bachelor's degrees completed in New Zealand or overseas. A three-year BCIS graduate who studies full-time in New Zealand is already in the eligible group, but verify the final rules if your timeline runs close to that date.
FAQ
Does AUT publish an acceptance rate for the Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences? No. AUT does not publish a programme-level acceptance rate for the BCIS. Admission is criteria-based, so the realistic question is whether you meet the country-specific academic threshold and the English requirement.
How much does the BCIS cost for international students? AUT's published 2026 figure is NZD 45,159.67 per year for 120 points, which is NZD 43,900 in tuition plus a NZD 1,259.67 student services levy. Over three years, tuition and levy come to roughly NZD 135,000 before living costs.
What IELTS score do I need for the BCIS? AUT's requirement is IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall, with no band below 5.5, or an equivalent test score.
Can I get a Post-Study Work Visa after the BCIS? Yes, if you complete the Level 7 degree full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks and meet the other visa conditions. The visa can last up to three years depending on your qualification and enrolment length, and you must apply within three months after your student visa expires.
Do I need a computing background to apply? AUT does not publish a separate computing prerequisite for international applicants in the sources we reviewed. Meeting the standard country-specific entry threshold is the main requirement, but check the BCIS page for any subject prerequisites before you apply.
Is the BCIS a good choice for a career in software or data? It can be, since the major structure lets you focus on computer science, data science, or networks and security. Outcomes depend on the major you choose, your projects, and your internship experience, so look at the specific major's course list and AUT's own graduate destination content before deciding.