Institute of Technology or Polytechnic

Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT)
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NZ Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 5)

This course is available

On-Campus

Level of Study

Diploma

Duration

1 year

Next start date

Expected Feb 2027

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Summary

The project-based learning approach in the diploma places you at the centre of the learning experience and allows for the embedding of theory and practice within the project context. The aim of project-based learning is to facilitate your development of knowledge, creative skills and research skills by beginning the learning journey on any given topic with questions, problems or provocations to be addressed or resolved.

There are four projects at Level 5. These projects are largely prescribed, involve both individual and group learning and include the key foundational creative skills, techniques and theory.

As a graduate of this qualification you will be able to:

  • Produce practice-based creative works from a critically engaged personal standpoint informed by contemporary and historic contexts.
  • Apply broad knowledge and practical and conceptual skills in the production of arts, craft and/or design work.
  • Use investigative tools with creative processes, methods and technologies to develop responses to a brief and solve problems.
  • Use research to support the development of ideas and to inform own work within conventions and contexts in arts, craft and/or design.
  • Critique own work and the work of others, communicate in a range of situations and present own resolved work in simulated contexts.
  • Apply professional practices to manage projects/briefs within defined guidelines and select potential education and employment pathways in arts, crafts and/or design.

Subject areas include:

  • Drawing technology
  • Graphic Design: Adobe Creative Suite industry standard software including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, After-Effects (dependent on projects)
  • 3D Design / Sculpture: wood, clay, metal, plastics
  • Spatial, Object and Architectural Design
  • Printmaking: silkscreen and press printing
  • Painting: acrylics, oils, new media

Entry criteria

Entry Requirements

The academic entry requirement for the NZ Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 5) is either:

  • University Entrance, as defined by the NZQA; or
  • Evidence regarded as sufficient by the Discipline Leader of the capability to undertake and complete the programme of study; or
  • At the discretion of EIT, where the applicant is over 20 years of age and demonstrates the capability to undertake and complete the programme of study.

All applicants are required to attend an interview (and may bring whānau support).

Applicants must provide a hand-written letter of application and a portfolio of work that represents their level of achievement at the interview.

English Language Entry Requirements

All applicants must demonstrate an acceptable level of English language fluency prior to acceptance in the programme.

For international applicants, ways in which English language fluency may be demonstrated include the following:

Successful study of a programme in which English was the language of instruction (subject to the conditions in the EIT Database for English Language Proficiency (DELP)).

Completion of a New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 4 with any endorsement).

IELTS Academic score of 6, with no band score lower than 5.5, achieved in a single test within the two years preceding enrolment.

Accepted international equivalents to the above IELTS scores, achieved in a single test within the two years preceding enrolment (see equivalency tables in the DELP).

Entry with Credit

For information and enquiries about Recognition of Prior Learning and Cross Credit please contact Nigel Roberts, Programme Coordinator, on 06 830 1155, nroberts@eit.ac.nz.

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