Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies - Game Art
Why Study/Key Benefits
The Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies (Game Art) at Media Design School is a one-academic-year programme for students who already have a degree or relevant creative-industry experience and want to develop more advanced game-art skills. It focuses on creating professional-quality assets and visual elements for video games.
Key benefits include:
Practical learning in 2D and 3D game art, game design, technical art and production workflows.
Opportunities to create characters, environments, props and other assets suitable for game development.
Exposure to modern game engines, including Unity and Unreal Engine, depending on the selected learning stream.
A major project that can help students demonstrate their skills to potential employers.
Study options listed by MDS include on-campus and online study.
A potential NZD 6,000 international tuition-reduction scholarship for eligible Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies applicants; conditions and availability should be confirmed before applying.
Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics
The programme requires at least 140 credits. MDS indicates that the precise learning plan is discussed after an application, and that students select a stream based on their previous experience and intended development.
The programme page outlines three learning options.
Digital Art and 2D Game Production
Available for the February intake. This stream is aimed at applicants with digital art or design experience who want to strengthen their skills and learn to create games.
Topics include:
Digital Art: creating concept art for characters and environments, plus production-ready assets such as user interfaces.
2D Game Production: developing a 2D game from the initial pitch through prototyping to a completed project.
Game Design: game mechanics, balance, player motivation, narrative, level design and iterative design practice.
Major Project: developing an independent project or, subject to availability, collaborating with artists and programmers on a larger team project.
Media Design School at Strayer
3D Modelling and Technical Art
Available for the July intake. This option is designed for applicants with digital art or design experience who want to learn or extend their 3D production skills.
Topics include:
3D Modelling: modelling, texturing and animating assets, including props, environments and characters suitable for use in a game engine.
Technical Art: working with Unity and Unreal Engine to explore materials, lighting, visual effects and basic scripting.
Game Design: mechanics, balance, player motivation, narrative and level design.
Major Project: producing an independent project or, where available, working on a team-based game production.
Advanced 3D
Available for both February and July intakes. This stream is aimed at applicants with a basic understanding of 3D in Maya for games who want to improve their modelling and technical-art capabilities.
Topics include:
Advanced 3D: sculpting, hard-surface and organic modelling, optimisation, texturing and physically based rendering (PBR) workflows.
Advanced Technical Art: advanced work with materials, lighting, rigging and visual effects in Unity and Unreal Engine, leading to a real-time scene.
Game Design: game mechanics, balance, player motivation, narrative and level design.
Major Project: an independent project or a team-based game production, subject to availability.
Disciplines/Specialisations
The qualification is the Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies, with Game Art as the selected specialisation.
The Game Art stream focuses on the visual creation of interactive game worlds, including:
2D digital art and concept art.
Character, environment and prop creation.
3D modelling, sculpting, texturing and optimisation.
Game interfaces and production-ready assets.
Technical art, lighting, materials and visual effects.
Game design and level-design principles.
Portfolio development through a major project.
Programme Highlights
One academic year of study at NZQF Level 7.
Minimum of 140 credits.
A specialised Game Art pathway for applicants who already have a degree or relevant experience.
Three stream options, with availability depending on the intake and prior experience.
Practical development of 2D art, 3D assets, technical art and game-design knowledge.
A major project intended to help students demonstrate their creative and technical skills.
On-campus and online study options listed by MDS.
A published international tuition fee and an international scholarship of NZD 6,000 for eligible applicants.
Career Outcomes
The programme may support progression towards roles such as:
Game artist.
3D artist.
Game environment or character artist.
Technical artist.
Game designer.
Level designer.
Freelance digital artist or independent creative practitioner.
Latest Updates/Special Requirements
The current programme page lists 22 February 2027 and 19 July 2027 as the next start dates.
The listed 2027 international tuition fee is NZD 37,681.90 for Year 1.
The NZD 6,000 Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies International Scholarship is listed for eligible international applicants, including those applying to the Game Art stream.
The February and July streams differ, so applicants should identify the intended stream before choosing an intake.
Applicants should prepare a professional digital portfolio and a suitable computer for the required creative software.
MDS notes that quotas may apply to some programmes. Where demand exceeds available places, applicants who meet the requirements may be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
International Student Visa Requirements
International students intending to study on campus in Auckland will generally need to apply for the appropriate New Zealand student visa. The final decision is made by Immigration New Zealand, not MDS.
The official Fee Paying Student Visa page currently lists:
Visa cost: from NZD 850.
Processing: 80% within 7 weeks, according to the page at the time checked.
Maximum stay: up to 4 years, depending on the circumstances and visa issued.
Application timing: Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least three months before intended travel.
Core requirements typically include:
An offer of place from an approved education provider.
Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or evidence of an acceptable scholarship.
Evidence of funds for living expenses, or an acceptable sponsor.
Evidence of outward travel or sufficient money to purchase a ticket.
Acceptable medical and travel insurance for the required period.
Meeting health, character and genuine-intention requirements.
Providing the passport, required photographs and supporting financial and enrolment documents.
Living-cost funds
For tertiary study, Immigration New Zealand currently requires evidence of:
NZD 20,000 for each year of study if the course lasts one year or longer; or
NZD 1,667 per month if the course lasts less than one year.
These funds are for living expenses and are separate from tuition fees and outward travel. Prepaid accommodation may be taken into account under Immigration New Zealandās rules.
Work rights while studying
A student visa may allow work for up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time work during scheduled holidays, depending on the conditions attached to the individual visa. Students should check the exact conditions on their visa and must not assume that all student visas include work rights.
Post-study work visa
From 16 November 2026, Immigration New Zealand has announced an extension of Post Study Work Visa eligibility to qualifying Level 7 Graduate Diploma graduates who studied full-time in New Zealand for the full duration of the qualification and hold a bachelorās degree completed in New Zealand or overseas. Applicants must also meet the other requirements in force at the time of application. The visa is not automatic and should not be treated as guaranteed employment or residence.
