Why Study New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4)

This is a one-semester, 60-credit Level 4 qualification designed as an entry point into the creative industries. Students develop practical creative skills across 2-D and 3-D technologies, digital media, design thinking and graphic design, with opportunities to explore M?ori cultural knowledge such as the origins of t? moko. Successful students can also progress to Toi Ohomai’s Bachelor of Creative Industries.

• Level of study: New Zealand Certificate, Level 4
• Duration: 1 semester full-time, including holidays where applicable
• Credits: 60
• Campus: Windermere Campus, Tauranga, New Zealand
• Mode: On-campus/full-time study; the published timetable indicates face-to-face classes from Monday to Thursday. The course page does not list an online or blended delivery option.
• Published 2027 intakes: 22 February 2027 and 19 July 2027.

Key Benefits

• Develops practical skills rather than focusing only on theory.
• Provides exposure to 2-D and 3-D creative technologies, digital media and design.
• Builds design-thinking and graphic-design software capabilities.
• Includes creative-industry learning and design development.
• Provides experience creating a tattoo design for a client while learning about t? moko origins.
• Offers a direct further-study pathway into the Bachelor of Creative Industries at Toi Ohomai.
• Students are expected to have access to an electronic device such as a laptop, camera, phone, tablet or iPad, as well as additional art materials and resources.

Program Structure

The programme is structured around four main topic areas:

• Creative Industries – Ng? Ahumahi Auaha
• Materials and Processes – Nga Rawa me te Tukanga
• Design Development – Whakawhanake Hoahoa
• Graphic Design Studio – Taupuni Mahi Whakatauira Whakanikoniko

The published timetable is:

• Monday: Creative Industries, 9:00 am–2:30 pm
• Tuesday: Materials & Processes, 9:00 am–2:30 pm
• Wednesday: Graphic Design, 9:00 am–2:30 pm
• Thursday: Design Development, 9:00 am–2:30 pm

Part-time students can choose one or two of the listed courses, although the programme is advertised primarily as a one-semester full-time qualification. Timetables may change.

Entry requirements include the normal Level 4 admission requirements. Toi Ohomai states that domestic applicants would normally have NCEA Level 2 with passes in English/Te Reo M?ori or an equivalent educational achievement, or evidence of the ability to complete the academic and other programme requirements.

For international applicants, English-language proficiency is important. The published Level 4 requirement is IELTS General or Academic 5.5 overall with no band below 5.0, or an accepted equivalent under NZQA requirements.

Discipline / Specialisation

The course does not list separate formal majors or specialisations. Instead, students gain broad exposure to several creative disciplines:

• Visual arts and creative practice
• Graphic design
• Digital media and design
• 2-D and 3-D technologies
• Materials and creative processes
• Design development and design thinking
• Creative-industry practice
• T? moko-related cultural learning and tattoo design

Toi Ohomai categorises the qualification under Creative, Graphic Design and Visual Arts.

Programme Highlights

• 60-credit Level 4 New Zealand qualification.
• One-semester full-time programme.
• Delivered at Windermere Campus in Tauranga.
• Practical, studio-oriented learning across creative and design areas.
• Exposure to graphic-design software and design-thinking approaches.
• Learning involving both 2-D and 3-D technologies.
• Opportunity to develop creative work and industry-related skills.
• Published pathway to the Bachelor of Creative Industries after completion.
• Toi Ohomai welcomed international students from countries including India, China, Japan, the United States and European countries during its 2026 intake, demonstrating that the institute has an established international-student environment in Tauranga.

Fees: the current course page shows an indicative domestic fee of NZ$3,699, but specifically states that fees for the 2027 intakes have not yet been confirmed. Therefore, this amount should not be treated as the international tuition fee. The final fee can also vary because of course materials, GST and student levies.

For scholarships, the course page does not currently identify a course-specific scholarship. Toi Ohomai maintains a separate scholarship programme, but eligibility varies by scholarship and students should check the individual conditions before assuming an award is available to international students.

Career Outcomes

The qualification is intended to provide an entry point into creative-industry employment and further study. Listed career opportunities include:

• Junior Assistant
• Support roles within arts and creative industries
• Designer-related support roles
• Technician roles
• Machinist roles
• Sales roles within creative industries

The qualification can also provide a pathway into Toi Ohomai’s Bachelor of Creative Industries, giving students the opportunity to continue developing their creative and design skills at degree level.

Visa Requirements (International Students)

International students intending to study this course in New Zealand will generally need an appropriate student visa. Immigration New Zealand states that the Fee Paying Student Visa is the most common option for international students paying international tuition fees and studying full-time at an approved education provider.

• Students need an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of tuition-fee payment or sufficient funds/scholarship support is required.
• Students must demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses.
• For tertiary study lasting less than one year, Immigration New Zealand currently specifies NZ$1,667 per month for living costs.
• Appropriate medical and travel insurance is required.
• Students must meet health, character and genuine-intention requirements.
• A student visa may permit part-time work of up to 25 hours per week, depending on the conditions stated on the individual visa. Immigration New Zealand specifically includes full-time study toward a New Zealand qualification at Level 4 or higher among the study categories that can qualify for student-visa work rights.
• Visa conditions should always be checked on the student's actual eVisa/visa letter because work rights and other conditions can vary.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The Toi Ohomai course page was last updated on 16 September 2026.
• The currently published intakes are 22 February 2027 and 19 July 2027 at Windermere Campus, Tauranga.
• 2027 tuition fees have not yet been confirmed by Toi Ohomai. The currently displayed NZ$3,699 is the indicative domestic fee and should not be used as the international fee.
• Additional costs for art materials and resources should be budgeted for.
• Students are recommended to have access to an electronic device such as a laptop, camera, phone, tablet or iPad.
• An information meeting is part of the course-entry process, giving applicants an opportunity to understand the programme and confirm that it matches their career aspirations and experience.
• For international applicants, the published English requirement is IELTS 5.5 overall with no band below 5.0, or an accepted NZQA-recognised equivalent.
• Toi Ohomai's international application process can require certified academic records, passport documentation and English-language evidence where applicable; applicants may also be asked for an interview.
• The course is campus-based at Windermere Campus rather than advertised as an online/e-learning programme.