AUT - A Degree - What's it good for?

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A Degree - What's it good for?

A degree is a requirement for some occupations, e.g. primary and secondary teaching, occupational therapy, accounting. Some occupations don’t require a degree to enter the field; however a degree also gives you the potential to earn a higher income. On average, workers with degrees are paid more and are less likely to be unemployed.

AUT degrees are career-focused, meaning that students learn specific knowledge and skills needed by employers in that industry. As well as acquiring knowledge and theories, AUT students can apply these to practical work experiences or projects while studying.


What benefits do you gain from an AUT degree?

  • Become information literate
  • Gain a thorough understanding of the relevant body of knowledge
  • Become intellectually independent
  • Become skilled in communication, problem-solving and critical analysis
  • Use relevant technologies
  • Learn how to work collaboratively
  • Make informed decisions
  • Bring ethical analysis to practice
  • Be able to challenge the status quo and promote change
  • Bring a forward looking dimension to your chosen career

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What do employers want from university graduates?

Employers both in New Zealand and internationally look for similar attributes from university graduates. The 2006 Employer Survey conducted by the Victoria University Career Development and Employment Centre reported that these attributes include:

  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Strong verbal communication skills
  • Strong written communication skills
  • Flexible and adaptable “can do” attitude
  • Sound academic achievement
  • Self-motivated/self-starter
  • Team player
  • Energy and enthusiasm
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical and conceptual skills

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What do you gain from the university experience?

As well as gaining the skills, knowledge and credentials, studying a degree is a great foundation because of the added value of the university experience. Higher education institutions are a significant venue for discussion of ideas and influencing social change.

The conversations you have both inside and outside the classroom expand your knowledge. The critical thinking skills you develop give you the ability to broaden your worldview, consider other perspectives and make decisions. Increased communication, interpersonal skills and ability to work well with others enables you to build support networks and influence others.

Assignments, classroom activities and extracurricular experiences with other students through campus events, clubs and social activities serve to increase your self-confidence. According to international research and census data, the university experience can also help you develop the following qualities and outcomes:

  • Lead others and know when to follow
  • Be less authoritarian
  • Work well under pressure
  • Adapt to change
  • Remain calm and be flexible when things don’t go as planned
  • Take action even when there is a risk of failure
  • Learn from mistakes
  • Develop a more optimistic view of past and future personal progress
  • Make better decisions as a consumer
  • Work with people from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds
  • Have more hobbies and leisure activities
  • Be more knowledgeable and interested in world affairs
  • Experience enhanced social status
  • Have increased economic and job security
  • Improve health and quality of life for you and your children

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What are the different types of qualifications at AUT?

Undergraduate

  • Bachelor degree
    The first degree you study at university. In New Zealand it is generally equivalent to 3 or 4 years of full-time study. It is referred to as undergraduate, because you haven’t yet graduated. At AUT, bachelor degrees focus on a particular discipline, e.g. Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Communication Studies. While studying a bachelor degree you may enrol in subjects and practice areas, e.g. Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching), Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery).

  • Conjoint degree
    At AUT you can study a combined degree in certain disciplines, e.g. Bachelor of Business combined with Bachelor of Sport and Recreation, Bachelor of Applied Science combined with Bachelor of Computer and Information Science.


Pre-degree

  • Certificate
    A certificate is a good option if you do not meet the entry requirements for a degree. Generally a one year programme, you will gain basic knowledge of the discipline and develop academic skills for study at degree level, e.g. Certificate in Social Sciences, Certificate in Health Care Support.

  • Diploma
    Generally 1-2 years in duration, a diploma may prepare you for a role in the industry or for study at the degree level. Examples are Diploma in Electrotechnology, Diploma in Interpreting and Translation.

Graduate

  • Graduate certificate and graduate diploma
    These are short programmes (1 semester or 1 year full time) for students who already have a bachelors degree. A graduate certificate or graduate diploma enables you to expand your skills and knowledge in another discipline or subject area. Examples are Graduate Certificate in Arts, Graduate Diploma in Career Development.

Postgraduate

  • Bachelor with honours degree
    An honours degree is the first step into postgraduate study and is designed for academic students who are interested in getting a taste of research by spending a year focusing on a specific area. Honours study involves three papers and a research project at level eight, and is the more traditional route to master’s level study. An honours year also opens up the possibility of doctoral study.

  • Postgraduate certificate and diploma
    Postgraduate diploma and certificate courses run full time for six months (certificate) or a year (diploma), with part-time options. Both postgraduate certificate and diploma study provide development within your current profession by advancing your specialty discipline, knowledge and/or practice.

  • Masters degrees
    There are two types of masters degrees offered at AUT: Mphil and Masters (named).

    Master of Philosophy (Mphil)
    The Mphil is a one-year research only masters degree of an applied or professional nature. The degree allows a student to complete a one-year research topic that can provide a pathway to doctoral studies. You undertake a research project under the guidance of a supervisor, usually a lecturer or researcher with specialist knowledge in the broad area of your research topic.

    Masters (named) degrees
    There are a number of Masters degrees across a range of disciplines. They may take one of three forms: research only, coursework only, combination of research and coursework.

  • Doctoral degrees
    AUT offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and professional doctorates (named doctorates). To gain a doctorate you are required to complete a research project that makes an original contribution to knowledge within a field, and to an international standard. You are allowed to take three to four years full-time or up to six years part-time.

    Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
    A PhD programme consists entirely of research. You enrol in a thesis, which may be focused on any topic, question or problem for which AUT can provide an expert supervisor.

    Professional doctorates
    With a professional or named doctorate you focus your research on professional practice within a specific discipline, e.g. Health. The programme includes some taught papers and a thesis which makes up at least two thirds of the qualification.

For details about the degrees and other qualifications offered at AUT, visit study areas.

For further information about the different level of qualifications in New Zealand visit KiwiQuals.

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Last updated: 19 Jul 2010 10:53am

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