NorthTec has combined forces with CPIT and Otago Polytechnic to offer a new joint degree - the Bachelor of Applied Management - starting at NorthTec next year. The new degree offers majors in Accounting and Information Systems, in addition to a general management stream. "The accounting major is in the process of being accredited to meet the ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) academic programme, subject to NorthTec meeting requirements from the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants. NorthTec expects to satisfy these requirements before the beginning of the 2011 academic year.

"Collaborating with CPIT and Otago Polytechnic to offer the new Bachelor of Applied Management degree is an exciting development for our students as it will mean that they have access to a degree which is developed and delivered across three institutions ," said NorthTec's Business Director - Commerce, Dr Mark Ewen.

Students will benefit from working on papers which have been developed across the institutions but have local industry examples which Dr Ewen believes will make the learning process stronger and more robust.

"The new degree will also include a 60-credit industry project, equivalent to a full semester of work. This will be akin to an internship for students and will hopefully give them the opportunity to prove their worth to potential employers and lead to employment opportunities after graduation." Dr Ewen said that there has been a lot of support from industry for the new degree.

Meanwhile tutors are working with individual students who are completing the current Bachelor of Business Management degree at NorthTec to either support them in finishing the qualification or facilitate their crossing over onto the new Bachelor of Applied Management qualification.