Flexible learning options

All programmes offered by NMIT are under a Te Pūkenga review to ensure they are portable, consistent and aligned with the industry's needs while keeping our learners' success and wellbeing at heart.

As part of Te Pūkenga, we will be able to offer unified programmes which give learners the flexibility to study the same high-quality qualification and content at campuses across Aotearoa.  Learning that fits around life, rather than having to fit life around learning. 

As the unified programme changes are introduced, learners will have more access to high-quality learning in the workplace as well as on campus. It will become easier to move between learning in the workplace, on-campus and online. 

It will also be easier to transfer to another part of New Zealand to learn, without it affecting the qualifications learners are training for. 

Industries will be more involved in setting the standards for what learners study, to make sure they gain the relevant skills that employers want. 

There will also be more support to help learners achieve their goals.

People living in remote parts of New Zealand will have more opportunities to learn online. 

Blended learning study options are offered in the majority of our programmes to provide ākonga with an integrated learning experience. 

This may mean that ākonga only need to be on-campus for a short time and can self-direct the rest of their study via Moodle, our online platform. 

Our programmes can also incorporate the above learning styles with on-site workplace training. Ākonga can then apply the physical tasks that are a part of their job to their learning.

Alternatively, many of our programmes include real-life interactive study opportunities which may lead to the building of industry relationships or employment. This may include:

• visiting workplaces and interacting with the owner and staff to see how their business works and what they look for in employees
• research projects with industry leaders like the Cawthron Institute(external link) or Bragato Institute(external link)

Full-time study is the standard way in which programmes are delivered. Ākonga are required to commit the required time to study in order to succeed. Full-time learning constitutes on-campus study, online learning or studying as part of a work placement. 

Programmes that enable part-time learning allow ākonga to complete their chosen course of study over a longer time period. This gives learners the flexibility to study while managing other commitments. Depending on the programme, part-time options can include a duration of 1-5 years.

Micro-credentials(external link) are small, stand-alone qualifications that certify the achievement of specific skills or knowledge.  A micro-credential can help people attain industry-specific skills to enter the workforce quickly. They can also help employers to retrain and upskill staff in response to changes in the workplace. 

Micro-credentials are much shorter courses than traditional programmes, typically running for just a few weeks. They can be created with flexible learning options to make them suitable to fit study around work or family commitments.

You can find most of our micro-credentials in the main study options, but we also have two micro-credentials that can be delivered through your workplace.

• Leadership for Primary Industries (Level 4)
• Project Management for Primary Industries (Level 4).

Training Schemes(external link) are made up of NZQA-approved courses but do not lead to an NZQA qualification. Upon completion, ākonga receive a Training Scheme award.

Some programmes do allow you to cross-credit associated training schemes within a certain timeframe so ākonga can study any remaining courses and fully complete a qualification. 

Short courses(external link) are an excellent way to learn new skills while not having to commit to full-time learning.

NMIT has a range of creative and practical short courses available on-campus, online(external link) and off-campus(external link)(external link).

NMIT carries out teaching and learning across four campuses located in Nelson, Richmond, Blenheim and Woodbourne.

Some of our programmes are delivered entirely online or have the option to study online but may have workshops or some on-campus classes, allowing you the freedom to learn and manage other life commitments. 

With some of our programmes, you will study mostly online, but some practical on-campus learning may be required.

Online students communicate with tutors via Moodle, SKYPE and online forums. 

Off-campus(external link) learning allows ākonga to complete their studies without the need for on-campus activity. The programmes where distance learning is offered are fewer than other programmes with flexible learning options. However, the distance learning option allows ākonga to study their chosen programme through a range of off-site setups. 

While some of our programmes incorporate workplace training as part of their delivery, NMIT also works with employers to deliver bespoke workplace learning. 

View more information on the Business and Employers page.