Institute of Technology or Polytechnic
Ara Institute of CanterburyBachelor of Design (Game Animation)
This course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Bachelor's Degree
Duration
3 years
Next start date
Expected Feb 2027
Campus
Christchurch - City Campus
Summary
Game animation brings together storytelling, animation and game development. You'll explore how characters, worlds and ideas come to life through animated film and interactive media, while developing practical skills used across creative production environments.
Studio-based learning sits at the heart of the experience. You'll create visual narratives, develop game assets, experiment with 2D and 3D animation, and work with industry-standard tools and workflows. As your skills grow, you'll tackle larger projects, collaborate with others and contribute to the production of animated films or playable games.
Industry engagement, work-integrated learning and a substantial self-directed project help connect your creative practice to professional contexts.
Key features- Broad creative skillset: Combine game animation with courses from other design specialisations.
- Real-world project experience: Apply your skills through client projects, placements and industry engagement.
- Culturally informed practice: Develop creative work grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi & te ao Māori.
- Industry-aligned game production: Create assets, stories and playable experiences through structured production pipelines.
- Visual storytelling and narrative development
- Character, world and story creation
- Storyboarding and pre-production processes
- 2D animation techniques
- 3D animation tools and workflows
- Sequential art and visual narrative design
- Concept art and asset development
- Game design principles and player experience
- Game engines and interactive environments
- Production pipelines and project management
- Collaborative studio practice
- Portfolio and professional practice development
Entry criteria
Academic RequirementsUniversity Entrance as specified by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
OR New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) Open Pathway
OR a relevant qualification at Level 4 or above listed on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.
* NZQA approved subjects: see https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/understanding-secondary-quals/university-entrance/
If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), Ara will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.
Additional RequirementsIn addition you need to:
- Submit a portfolio demonstrating your art/design work with your application.
- Provide the additional requirements that are specified in the Bachelor of Design Additional Requirements Form.
Applicants who are unable to evidence that they meet Academic entry requirements, but who can demonstrate acquired skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, may be approved for alternative entry.
- This may include Recognition of Prior Learning. Contact Ara for advice.
What if English is not my first Language?
If English is not your first language, we want to make sure that you will be successful in your chosen programme of study.
- Please provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives
- English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.
- If you are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, complete an Admission and Enrolment form and Ara will contact you regarding a free assessment.
- If you are not a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent resident, please book a PTE Academic test through the Ara Examination Centre or complete an NZQA-approved English language test in your home country.
- IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.
- What if I have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance?
- You do not need to provide additional evidence of English Language skills.
IELTS 6.0 Academic (no lower than 5.5 in any subtests).
Applicants who have achieved University Entrance requirements are not required to provide evidence of English language skills.
Selection RequirementsA selection process will take place for this programme. This will be assesed based on the portfolio provided with the application (including; working process, technique, composition, media and aesthetic).
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