Institute of Technology or Polytechnic
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT)New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 5)
This course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Diploma
Duration
6 weeks
Next start date
Expected Feb 2027
Campus
Nelson Campus
Summary
Explore your creativity and build foundational skills in image making, photography, design (object and graphic), and art theory through guided, hands-on studio practice.
This one-year programme introduces you to the core principles of art and design, giving you a broad, practical understanding of creative processes and techniques. Through guided studio projects, you’ll experiment across multiple disciplines while developing your critical thinking and communication skills.
This programme focuses on foundational, directed creative work, preparing you for further study in Level 6 or for entry-level roles in design, production, or arts-related fields such as designers, technicians, machinists, or salespeople.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this programme you will be able to:
- Apply professional practices to manage projects/briefs within defined guidelines, and select potential education and employment pathways in arts, craft and/or design
- Critique your own work and the work of others, communicate in a range of situations, and present own resolved work in simulated contexts
- Use research to support the development of ideas and to inform your own work within conventions and contexts in arts, craft and/or design
- Use investigative tools with creative processes, methods and technologies to develop responses to a brief and solve problems
- Manage projects/briefs under broad guidance, apply standard work practices, and describe potential education and employment pathways in arts, craft and/or design
Courses offered
All courses in this programme are compulsory, giving you a strong foundation in creative practice. You’ll gain exposure to all areas of specialisation, allowing you to explore each creative discipline before choosing an area to focus on at higher levels of study.
You’ll complete a Lab and a Project course across the following areas:
- Photography
- Image and Drawing
- Visual Language
- Digital Art and Design
- Object Design
- Professional Practice
- Introduction to Art and Design History
What learning is like
Students engage in hands-on, guided studio work exploring multiple creative processes and developing technical skills. You’ll spend most of your time in studios and labs, taking ideas from concept to finished work.
Opportunities to share your work through class exhibitions and community events give insight into professional practice.
Career opportunities
Graduates will have the skills and knowledge for entry-level roles such as:
- Assistant designer or technician
- Studio or production support roles
- Arts sales or administration positions
You may also continue your studies in the New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 6) or the Bachelor of Arts and Media.
Entry criteria
Academic requirementsUniversity Entrance: NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at Level 3 and 20 credits at Level 2 or higher), which must include:
- 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three approved* subjects, including at least one from the following subject list:
- Painting (Visual Art)
- Design (Visual Art)
- Photography (Visual Art)
- Sculpture (Visual Art)
- Printmaking (Visual Art)
- Graphics (Technology)
- Design (Technology)
- Textiles (Technology)
- Media Studies
- Drama
- Materials Technology
- Digital Technology
- English
- History
- Social Sciences
- Art History
as well as
- Literacy* - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing
and
- Numeracy* - 10 credits at Level 1 or above (specified achievement standards, or unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627)
OR
A qualification on the NZQF at Level 4 or above in a related discipline
OR
A qualification or examination recognised as being equivalent to the achievement of NCEA Level 3 (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination)
* NZQA approved subjects: see http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/awards/university-entrance/.
Alternative requirementsApplicants (including those over 20 years of age) who are unable to evidence that they meet Academic Requirements, but who can demonstrate acquired skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, may be approved for alternative entry by the Curriculum Manager (or delegate).
English language requirementsIf English is not the applicant’s first language, applicants will need to provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Table:
- IELTS 6.0 Academic (no lower than 5.5 in each band),
Note: Applicants who do not have evidence of English language skills and are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents may contact NMIT for an assessment.
Applicants who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance requirements are not required to provide evidence of English language skills.
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.
Other requirements PortfolioAll applicants are required to provide evidence of creative work. (see 'Creative Work')
Online studyApplicants wishing to complete their study online must have the following to be able to complete the practical aspects of the program:
- Access to a suitable workspace
- Access to materials suitable for meeting assessment requirements
Please contact us about online study options, as not all courses in this programme are available online.
Additional requirements
Please see the Supporting documents section for more information and form templates.
Disclaimer
The listings provided on the Study with New Zealand website ( Study with New Zealand ) are for information and promotional purposes only. ENZ does not endorse any of the education providers listed. The information, content and material provided in the listings is the sole responsibility of each education provider. This search is powered by StudySpy(external link that opens in a new tab).
Please note that degrees and qualifications earned via remote or distance learning are excluded from the overseas credential evaluation and recognition services provided by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE). For more information, please contact CSCSE directly: +86-10-62677800 (phone) or visit their website(external link that opens in a new tab).
You can learn more about international recognition of New Zealand qualifications on the NZQA website.