Academics

Pedagogical Framework

At Marist International College, we reject the industrial model of education. We do not mass-produce graduates; we cultivate individual thinkers. Our academic framework is built on the “Trilateral Pillar” system: Critical Inquiry, Technical Mastery, and Ethical Leadership. This ensures that a Computer Science graduate understands sociology, and a Design graduate understands business strategy.

Senior Secondary School (Years 11–13)

Preparing the mind for higher learning.

Our Senior School is not merely a path to graduation; it is a pre-university environment. We deliver the New Zealand Curriculum through the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) framework, but with a significantly elevated expectation of independent thought.

  • STEM Excellence: Our Year 13 Calculus and Physics cohorts consistently operate at a Scholarship level. We utilise a “flipped classroom” model where students engage with lecture material prior to class, using contact time for complex problem-solving and laboratory work.
  • Humanities & Arts: From English Literature to Classical Studies, we demand high-level rhetoric and analytical writing. Students are taught to deconstruct texts and construct compelling arguments, a skill set vital for university success.
  • The Bridging Advantage: High-performing Year 13 students have the exclusive opportunity to audit first-year undergraduate lectures in Commerce or Design. This exposure demystifies the tertiary environment and allows for a seamless transition into our degree programmes.

Undergraduate Faculties

1. School of Computer Science & Intelligent Systems Degree: Bachelor of Computer Science (BCompSc) This is not a standard IT degree. It is a rigorous exploration of computational logic and artificial intelligence.

  • Core Modules: Data Structures & Algorithms, Discrete Mathematics, Object-Oriented Software Engineering, and Neural Network Fundamentals.
  • Industry Integration: Located in Wellington, the tech hub of the South Pacific, our students undertake compulsory internships in their second and third years. We partner with local SaaS companies to provide real-world “Sandbox” projects where student code is deployed in live environments.

2. Faculty of Art, Design & Interactive Media Degree: Bachelor of Creative Technologies (BCT) Merging the disciplines of Fine Arts and Digital Design, this programme creates visual communicators for the 21st century.

  • Studio Culture: Students have 24-hour access to our Dufferin Street studios, equipped with industry-standard Wacom Cintiqs and render farms.
  • Curriculum: The course moves from the fundamentals of typography and colour theory in Year 1 to advanced 3D Modelling, Motion Graphics, and User Experience (UX) Psychology in Year 3.

3. School of Economics & Commerce Degree: Bachelor of Commerce (Global Markets) We teach economics as a social science. Students analyse how fiscal policy, human psychology, and scarcity interact to shape our world.

  • Specialisations: International Trade Law, Econometrics, and Asian-Pacific Business Strategy.
  • The Trading Floor: Students gain access to our simulated trading terminal, using real-time market data to understand volatility, risk management, and portfolio diversification.

Graduate School of Management

Programme: Master of Strategic Leadership Designed for professionals looking to accelerate their careers, this seminar-based programme focuses on the “Soft Hard-Skills”: Negotiation, Change Management, and Corporate Governance. The curriculum is built around case studies, requiring students to dissect historical business failures and successes to derive actionable strategic insights.