Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Computing (Advanced User) (Level 4)
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
4
Credits
60
NZSCED
080904
Management and Commerce > Office Studies > Text processing
and office tools
DAS classification
278
Computing and Information Technology > Computing
Qualification developer
Institute of IT Professionals New Zealand (IITP) and NZQA
National Qualifications Services
Next review
December 2019
Approval date
April 2015
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide Aotearoa New
Zealand organisations and communities with people who have
attained advanced computing user skills, and can be employed in
a wide range of roles.
Graduates will be capable of using digital technologies to produce
and process information, and operate effectively with a range of
skills that will be internationally relevant. They will be capable of
performing a wide range of computing related tasks under broad
guidance in a work environment, and may demonstrate selfmanagement and some responsibility for the performance of
others.
This qualification may build on existing skills and may recognise
the achievement of relevant knowledge and skills of those already
employed. This qualification can complement other qualifications
in specific industries.
Graduate profile
Graduates will be able to:
Outcome Statement
 Use digital tools to access, filter, combine and manipulate data
to efficiently extract, organise, integrate and share relevant
information, and produce specified outcomes in a variety of
settings.
Qualification Reference 2593
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
 Investigate, plan, design and create solutions integrating the
use of several different applications to meet the requirements of
specified briefs.
 Use critical thinking skills, problem solving and decision making
techniques to analyse problems, make informed decisions, and
identify solutions.
 Communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues and
stakeholders in a range of contexts, to maintain relationships
and achieve objectives.
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 Use digital technologies and systems securely, legally and
ethically when gathering, storing, accessing and sharing
information.
 Explore and evaluate current and emerging trends in the use of
digital tools and digitally stored and transmitted information to
support operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Education pathway
This qualification provides a pathway into a range of higher level
qualifications. This may include further study in a variety of
areas at Level 5 or above, such as the:
- New Zealand Certificate in Information Technology (Level 5)
[Ref: 2595],
- New Zealand Diploma in Information Technology Technical
Support (Level 5) [Ref: 2596],
- New Zealand Diploma in Information Systems (Level 5) [Ref:
2597]
- New Zealand Diploma in Web Development and Design
(Level 5) [Ref: 2598]; or the
- New Zealand Diploma in Business (Administration and
Technology) (Level 5) [Ref: 2459].
This qualification may also equip learners to attempt optional
industry certifications at the appropriate level.
This qualification is designed as an open entry qualification, and
also provides an education pathway from:
- NCEA Level 2 or Level 3
- New Zealand Certificate in Computing (Intermediate User)
(Level 3) [Ref: 2592]
- New Zealand Certificate in Business (Administration and
Technology) (Level 3) [Ref: 2452]
Employment pathway
This qualification will equip graduates with proficiency in a range of
transferable advanced digital technology user skills which will
assist them to obtain positions in which they can work under broad
guidance in a range of industries, and/or to prepare for promotion.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification may be awarded by any education
organisation with an approved programme towards this
qualification accredited under section 250 of the Education
Act 1989.
The graduate will be awarded the qualification by the
education organisation when the accredited and approved
programme has been successfully completed.
The formal document certifying the award of this qualification
will display the full qualification title, date of award, the NZQF
logo and may also include the name and/or logo of the
qualification developer or programme owner or other awarding
education organisation.
Evidence requirements for assuring
New Zealand qualifications can be obtained through different
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© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
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consistency
programmes, pathways, and education organisations. The
process of ‘assuring national consistency of graduate
outcomes’ will be coordinated by NZQA, with a focus on
comparing graduates from different programmes and
education organisations in relation to the qualification
graduate outcomes.
All programme owners and education organisations
arranging training or delivering approved programmes
leading to the qualification must engage with arrangements
for assuring consistency, including participating in the
relevant consistency review event and covering actual and
reasonable related costs.
Detailed information regarding arrangements for managing
consistency will be published and updated via the NZQA
website. For more information, please visit:
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/consistency-ofgraduate-outcomes/ and download the guidelines.
Evidence for consistency
Each education organisation is responsible for preparing a
summary self-assessment report which uses evidence to
demonstrate how well its graduates meet the graduate
profile outcomes at the appropriate threshold. Each
education organisation decides what specific evidence it will
provide.
The core evidence requirements for assuring consistency
must include:
Qualification Reference 2593
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015

Effective internal and external moderation systems and
processes, including results relating to graduate
outcomes. This may also include evidence of meeting
requirements for external industry certifications and
associated consistency demands where appropriate
e.g. Certified/Authorised Partner Program (such as
Microsoft, CompTIA, etc.)

Results of end-user surveys and actions taken or
proposed from feedback. This includes consultation with
graduates and employers to obtain destination
information and end-user feedback specifically
assessing the graduates against the graduate profile
(e.g. employment, progression, further study)

Samples of assessment materials and learners
assessments/work (e.g. portfolios of work)

Relevant External Evaluation and Review (EER) data,
including programme/qualification completion data and
course results

Comparison of the application of credit transfer and
recognition of prior learning arrangements to graduate
outcomes and/or qualifications

Documenting any action taken to improve quality and
consistency of assessment.
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The core evidence requirements for assuring consistency
may include:

Consultation with graduates and employers to obtain
destination information and end-user feedback (e.g.
employment, progression, further study)

Evidence of any benchmarking activities.
Consideration of internal quality assurance processes
and external reviews, including relevant feedback from
programme developers (i.e. may include reviewing,
comparing, and evaluating the assessment process,
tools and evidence contributing judgements made by a
range of assessors against the same graduate
outcomes; evidence of appropriate skills and knowledge
of staff in relation to the teaching and assessment).
Credit transfer and recognition of
prior learning arrangements
Education providers must have policies and procedures in
place for managing credit transfer, and assessing recognition
of prior learning and recognition of current competency.
These policies and procedures, and information about
associated fees, must be available to the learner prior to
enrolment.
Information on and evidence of the application of the credit
transfer and recognition of prior learning arrangements by
accredited providers must be made available for
benchmarking as part of the evidence requirements for
assuring consistency.
Credit transfer will be automatic where assessment standards
on the Directory of Assessment Standards are used within
approved programmes of study or training leading to this
qualification.
Minimum standard of achievement
and standards for grade
endorsements
The minimum standard of achievement required for the
award of the qualification will be the achievement of all the
graduate outcomes in the graduate profile.
There are no grade endorsements for this qualification.
Entry requirements (including
prerequisites to meet regulatory body
or legislative requirements)
There are no mandatory prerequisites for this qualification.
Learners enrolling are recommended to hold the New Zealand
Certificate in Computing (Intermediate User) (Level 3) [Ref:
2592] or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience.
International students must have an appropriate level of
English proficiency for the level at which they intend to study.
Details of English language entry requirements are contained
in the NZQF Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules
2013 (Appendix 2). E.g. IELTS Academic score of 5.5, with no
band score lower than 5; or the New Zealand Certificate in
English Language (General, Workplace, or Academic) (Level
4) [Ref: 1883].
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© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
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Qualification conditions
Overarching conditions relating to the qualification
Conditions for programme
structure
Programmes may be designed to extend the professional capabilities of
advanced users of technology for either employment or further study.
This qualification is intended to explore more advanced use of
productivity software and other tools and technical devices.
Programmes may provide opportunities for specialising in particular
areas. For example programmes may be contextualised for financial,
scientific, medical, insurance, banking, agri-business, travel, education
or other IT environments.
Professional practice must be an integral part of the curriculum and
delivery. It is expected that programmes have professionalism both
purposefully taught and integrated with technical content. Here,
professional practice includes the 'soft skills' of communication, team
work, interpersonal skills, and ethical principles.
Programmes must reflect industry best practice and maintain currency
with amendments to, and replacements of, relevant legislation,
regulations, Australia/New Zealand standards (AS/NZS), and security
responsibilities.
Conditions for programme
context

Current legislation and regulations can be accessed at
http://legislation.govt.nz

Current AS/NZS standards can be accessed at
http://standards.co.nz

The Information Technology Code of Practice - Guidelines of good
and acceptable practice for IT professionals and organisations
operating in New Zealand can be accessed at
http://iitp.nz/about/ethics, as can the Code of Professional Conduct.
Programme design and delivery, and assessment, where applicable,
will be conducted in and for the context of real or realistic organisations
and/or settings; and be relevant to current and/or emerging practice. A
simulated approach (such as case study) is also appropriate for this
qualification.
Programmes leading to the award of this qualification must identify the
context, and must justify the allocation of credits to graduate profile
outcomes within the programme, in light of the requirements of the
context and conditions.
The graduate capabilities must clearly align with the definition of a
Level 4 graduate on the NZQF. See the NZQF level descriptors for
further information.
Programmes may be developed based on Māori principles and values,
and are intended to enable Wānanga to meet obligations under the
Education Act (1989, section 162(4)(b)(iv)).
Consideration should be given to bicultural, multicultural, and gender
issues when designing programmes.
Other conditions
Principles and practices of literacy and numeracy are inherent and are
recommended to be embedded within programmes leading to this
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qualification.
Some programme content could also be aligned with industry
certifications.
There is a preference for including open and vendor neutral standards,
protocols and technologies where possible.
Programmes are expected to focus on current and emerging digital
tools and technologies.
The separate specified outcomes may be integrated into one larger
project.
Glossary:

Application software: software which directly enables a computer
user to carry out specific tasks (such as word processing,
spreadsheet, database, presentation), as opposed to “system
software”, which is software used to support the computer
hardware and provide services required by application software

Collaborative tools: software applications and interactive real-time
tools that help teams collaborate, including cloud based or other
collaborative environments and systems.

Consultation: involves the process of engaging with people who
may be affected by the decisions or actions, such as by discussion

Digital tools – may be both hardware (storage and display devices)
and software (programs to operate devices)

Modes of communication – written, oral, and visual; may be faceto-face or remote, audio, text-based, electronic e.g. use of social
media tools

Platform: a computing platform is whatever pre-existing
environment a piece of software is designed to run within, obeying
its constraints and making use of its facilities. Typical platforms
include hardware architecture, an operating system and runtime
libraries

Productivity software: application software used to enhance a
user’s productivity by automating tasks which were previously done
manually. This is also referred to as ‘office automation tools’ and
includes word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database and
other business applications.

Software: the programs and other operating information used by a
computer to perform its functions. Software is divided into two
categories — system software which supports and controls the
computer hardware (e.g. operating systems and utilities), and
application software which is run by end-users to perform useful
tasks.

Systems Software: computer software designed to operate and
control the computer hardware and to provide a platform for running
application software. System software can be separated into two
different categories — operating systems and utility software.
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© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
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Specific conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
1
Use digital tools to access,
filter, combine and
manipulate data to
efficiently extract,
organise, integrate and
share relevant
information, and produce
specified outcomes in a
variety of settings.
Programmes must include:
Credits 20

Web and image editing software;

Desk top publishing;

Specialist IT applications, such as financial, scientific, medical,
insurance, banking, agri-business, travel, education.
2
Investigate, plan, design
and create solutions
integrating the use of
several different
applications to meet the
requirements of specified
briefs.

Applying digital tools and advanced techniques across a range of
software applications, including integration and sharing of data
across multiple applications;

Customising productivity software to optimise usage – word
processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database;
Programmes may include:
Programmes must include:

Research and stakeholder consultations to determine requirements
and recommend solutions;

Using project planning tools and techniques.
Credits 10
3
Use critical thinking skills,
problem solving and
decision making
techniques to analyse
problems, make informed
decisions, and identify
solutions.
Programmes must include:

Problem solving, logic and reasoning skills;

Research and analysis to make sense of data;

Statistical analysis applications.
Credits 10
4
Communicate clearly and
professionally with
colleagues and
stakeholders in a range of
contexts, to maintain
relationships and achieve
objectives.
Programmes must include:

Exploring ways of connecting with others using a variety of
collaborative tools and platforms;

Applying appropriate etiquette and professional practice for online
social media and networking;

Distinction between modes of communication and interpretation of
messages.
Credits 10
5
Use digital technologies
and systems securely,
legally and ethically when
gathering, storing,
accessing and sharing
information.
Credits 5
Programmes must include:

Awareness of the permanence and transparency of all activities confidentiality, privacy, standard professional conventions,
copyright;

Secure access and practices, identification and management of
risks;

Compliance with legislations and industry best practice, and
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awareness of potential impact of legislative changes.
6
Explore and evaluate
current and emerging
trends in the use of digital
tools to support
operational efficiency and
effectiveness.
Credits 5
Transition information
Replacement information
This qualification replaced the National Certificate in Computing (Level 4)
[Ref: 0236]
Learners currently enrolled in programmes leading to the replaced Ref: 0236 may either complete the
requirements by 31 December 2018 or transfer to this qualification [Ref: 2593] or the New Zealand
Certificate in Information Technology Essentials (Level 4) [Ref: 2594].
The last date for entry into programmes leading to the replaced qualification is 31 December 2017.
The last date to meet the requirements of the replaced qualification is 31 December 2018, at which time it
will be designated as discontinued.
It is the intention of the qualification developer that no existing learner should be disadvantaged by these
transition arrangements. Any person who considers they have been disadvantaged may contact NZQA
National Qualifications Services.
Qualification Reference 2593
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
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