New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 6) - Ceramics

Entry criteria

For those under 20 You must have a Level 5 qualification in the same or related field, or equivalent knowledge and skills demonstrated through a portfolio.

See information about portfolio requirements below.

Special entry may be possible for those that supply evidence of ability to succeed in the programme.

For those over 20; There are no minimum academic entry requirements.

International requirements and equivalence

To enter Otago Polytechnic's undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees, you need to have achieved a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to New Zealand's NCEA levels (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).

This information is available by country on our Equivalent academic entry requirements page.

English Language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide: New Zealand University Entrance OR Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 (academic, no band score lower than 5.5) achieved in one test completed in the last two years, OR Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for internationally recognised proficiency tests and proficiency outcomes for international students).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Your portfolio

If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places, we'll need to use selection criteria.

You'll need to submit a portfolio, supporting documents and a letter of motivation.

Find out how to do this below.

What to include in your portfolio We require examples of your artwork and the ways that you develop your ideas.

Your examples need to show us your working processes and your ability to use a range of materials.

If you have been working in the NCEA system, please send us twelve (12) examples of your finished works and of your working processes from your folders.

If you have not been working in the NCEA system, please send us six (6) examples of finished work and six (6) pages of sketches or workbook pages.

Please submit your portfolio digitally if you can.

Please do not submit originals as we do not return application folders.

If you have trouble submitting your portfolio digitally when you are applying online, please email ebsart@op.ac.nz If you need to send us your portfolio in an A4 folder, please send it to: Dunedin School of Art Otago Polytechnic Riego Street Private Bag 9010, Dunedin Again, please don't send us originals.

Thank you.

We are looking forward to seeing your artwork.

Writing requirement Please also include a double-spaced letter of not more than one page (300 words) explaining why you want to come to art school and what your experiences of art may have been to date.

This may include all or some of the following: > why art is important to you, the community and the wider world > your expectations for your own future after your studies > art galleries you may be familiar with > artists whose work you may know > art skills you may have already gained.

If you have any questions regarding your portfolio, or need any advice, please contact artoffice@op.ac.nz Want your existing skills recognised?

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process.

You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe.

Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.