Institute of Technology or Polytechnic
Ara Institute of CanterburyBachelor of Design (Visual Art)
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
Explore visual arts through drawing, printmaking, photography, three-dimensional work and digital processes. Studio projects encourage you to test materials, develop ideas and discover the approaches that best support your creative practice.
As your work progresses, you’ll consider cultural contexts, audiences, sites and the role of the body in art. You’ll also work on an industry or community brief, refine your professional portfolio and complete a substantial self-directed creative project.
Key features- Creative freedom across disciplines: Choose electives from other specialisations to broaden your skills and creative perspective.
- Real-world creative experience: Complete industry or community-based projects that strengthen your confidence and work-readiness.
- Culturally grounded practice: Explore Te Tiriti and te ao Māori perspectives throughout your creative development.
- Broad studio experience: Experiment with drawing, printmaking, photography and three-dimensional practice before refining your direction.
- Drawing across analogue and digital media
- Printmaking and reproductive image-making
- Analogue and digital photography
- Three-dimensional materials and processes
- Design principles and visual composition
- The human body in creative practice
- Site, scale and spatial context
- Hybrid and mixed-media approaches
- Practice-based research methods
- Visual arts in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Professional, ethical and business practice
- Portfolio development and presentation
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).
Disclaimer
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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.