The flexible learning approach enables students to participate in classes either in person, live online, or through recorded sessions, making it possible for students anywhere across New Zealand to realise their study goals.
For James Constable, HyFlex made it possible to complete his degree while remaining connected to Christchurch’s music scene and the artists who would become central to his final-year project.
Having already completed the Diploma in Audio Production Levels 5 and 6 through MAINZ Christchurch, James saw the degree as a logical next step. “It was mostly just so I had it... [the degree] on my CV looks a lot better. My eventual goal is to work as a sound engineer at a major studio,” he says.
James spent the first semester of 2025 in Invercargill, immersing himself in campus life and gaining hands-on experience through SIT Centrestage productions. As part of the programme, he regularly operated sound for concerts in the 300-seat auditorium, handling everything from setup and microphone placement to pack-down. “It took a whole day; it was really fun and a change of pace,” he says.
He also valued the opportunity to work alongside students from other creative disciplines. “It was beneficial – it broadened my social connections and gave me cross-course contact.”
However, when completing his final-year major project to demonstrate his engineering skills, James needed access to a diverse range of musicians and performers to produce a studio portfolio comprising 12 original songs. HyFlex allowed him to return to Christchurch and continue his degree without interruption.
“Being Christchurch based allowed me to complete my course requirements… doing the final semester by distance … gave me way more flexibility by providing the opportunity to record more bands…” he says. “
Fellow graduate Santiago Ramirez Cancino, says HyFlex made degree study achievable without having to give up the life he had already established. After completing the Diploma in Audio Production through MAINZ, Santiago wanted to continue onto SIT’s degree programme but was unable to relocate for a full year.
“I didn’t want to lose the house I had, plus I had a few commitments in Christchurch, so I was able to achieve the degree more on my terms,” Santiago explains.
Having spent four years working as a Rope Access Technician, Santiago’s decision to retrain was driven by a desire to build a career around something he was passionate about while moving away from physically demanding work.
Santiago spent two months studying in Invercargill before completing the remainder of his year through HyFlex from Christchurch. His major project focused on implementing adaptive sound design for a game, requiring him to master specialist software that enabled audio to react dynamically to players.
“I had to learn a new software to put sounds into the game so they’re adaptive to the player; I enjoyed the challenge.”
While he appreciated the flexibility HyFlex provided, Santiago also valued the time he spent on campus. “The facilities were great, everything you needed was there.”
“I never had the university experience; it was quite nice to mix with other people who were studying degrees. If you’re passionate about what you want to study, it’s a good place to focus.”
Returning home, HyFlex enabled Santiago to structure study around his daily life and eliminate wasted time, such as no commute to classes. “The day was shorter studying from home.”
Santiago also credits SIT’s Zero Fees Scheme as an important factor in his study journey. “It was fantastic; I saw it as I was getting paid to study, which is amazing.”
Looking back, he has no regrets about taking the opportunity. “It helped solidify all the things I learnt in the first two years, and I’ve learned so much more. I’m glad I did it. In hindsight, it definitely was the best decision.”
For Thom O’Connor, HyFlex has enabled him to return to study more than two decades after completing his original audio production diploma.
A freelance music producer and full-time sound engineer working out of Christchurch’s Orange Studios, Thom first studied with SIT in 2001–2002. At the time, completing a degree was beyond his reach.
“Since I’d always regretted not completing it, I felt like there was some unfinished business and I wanted to get the degree to hang on the wall… I’m doing it purely for vanity!”
Today, with a career, family and busy client schedule, relocating to Invercargill for a year would be impossible. HyFlex has removed that barrier.
“100% I wouldn't be able to do this if I had to pack up for a year and move back to Invercargill, with my family and career in Christchurch… so it is entirely due to HyFlex that I'm doing it.”
Thom’s programme began with an intensive block course in Invercargill, giving him the opportunity to connect with classmates, tutors and facilities. “I met my fellow students, and I got to properly meet the tutors that I've been dealing with and that helped.”
Thom emphasises the studios at SIT Sound are world class. “…The tutors were always excellent and taught me heaps, but now there's been a huge leap in the quality of the studios, course materials and gear; it really is top-shelf equipment…”
For his studies, Thom combines both live and recorded learning options, selecting the format that best fits around professional commitments.
“The HyFlex model means I can join in the classes in real time (synchronous) which is cool. When I’m unavailable during the day, I can just log in at night and catch up on the lecture … or catch up whenever I want to (asynchronous), and when I do that, I can play it back at a higher speed or search the transcript and read over it…”
Audio Production Programme Leader, Doug Heath, states HyFlex was developed specifically to help learners who cannot relocate or put their careers on hold.
“People like Thom are one of the reasons we have HyFlex and provide the block courses,” he says. “Thom’s completing his degree from a studio in Christchurch. He didn't need the piece of paper but decided he wanted the extra knowledge.”
SIT’s HyFlex model is demonstrating how flexible delivery can expand participation without compromising access to industry-standard facilities, expert teaching and hands-on learning. And Mr Heath noted that he’s seeing some of the highest achievers in the programme studying via HyFlex.
“It shows that the right candidates are choosing the right programme. For these students who are balancing careers, families and existing commitments, HyFlex provides the opportunity to higher education that fits around their lives rather than requiring their lives to fit around study.”