Canterbury Link College offers a variety of courses at a range of levels from Basic Certificate to National Diplomas. Through our strong links with local business and associated groups throughout New Zealand, we are able to offer courses teaching practical business and computing skills.

By combining New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) accreditation with a practical business curriculum, we are able to offer qualifications that are both nationally recognised and relevant to today's business world, in an environment that is modern, friendly and conducive to effective learning.

Our programmes are an ideal foundation for higher learning in university and polytechnic courses.

The courses have been designed around the premise that people learn best by doing. Students are exposed to the knowledge and skills required through a variety of methods, from text-based study to teacher directed learning, to self-study and enquiry based learning.

While the courses include a lot of 'hands on' learning, much of the content is taught as theory, for students to be able to pass their external exams.

Course Components and Quality Standards

Each module of each course is comprised of 'units'. These units satisfy our NZQA requirements and give us a vehicle by which to teach the curriculum. The assessment materials for these units are checked and moderated both internally and by NZQA to ensure that we meet the highest educational standards.

Our curriculum is also overseen by a group of Industry Advisors, to ensure that our students receive up-to-date knowledge and training, relevant for entry to current degree programmes, relevant to industry needs and in order for our graduate students to leave with the skills required in today's demanding job market.

Language Proficiency

Students are tested on entry to the diploma programmes, informally throughout the programmes and near the end of each course. We have developed comprehensive procedures to highlight individual students whose language skills are not developing to the required extent, before it becomes a problem.

Extra language tuition is offered to all students who may need it, to assist them to reach the required language standards. This tuition is available in our Business English classes, IELTS classes or as one-on-one tuition, depending on the individual needs of the student.

Study Outlines

The courses are practical and hands on, and are completed in a series of related modules. There is an average of 10 weeks per module and an average of 23 hours class contact time each week with the tutors. Tutor access time is enhanced by extra availability before and/or after classes.

Self Directed Learning (SDL) is another vital component of the courses.
This is study away from the classroom and may be done at home, in one of our computer labs after hours, at the Christchurch central library or other information centres. The tutors assist students in managing their SDL component and the student's full commitment is necessary to ensure that they meet the required competency levels.

Progression Pathways

Canterbury Link College can provide students with pathways to university level courses at Christchurch College of Education and Lincoln University. We have agreements with these and other institutions for our graduate students. This means better opportunities for our graduate students and value for money for you!