Why Study/Key Benefits

The NZ Certificate in Digital Media and Design is a foundation-level qualification offered by Media Design School at Strayer (MDS) in Auckland. It is intended for students who want to explore digital creativity, build foundational design skills and prepare for further study at bachelor’s level.

Key benefits include:

• Develop introductory skills in branding, visual communication, web design and multimedia.

• Explore different areas of digital design before choosing a more specialised degree.

• Build early portfolio pieces that can help demonstrate creative development when applying for further study.

• Learn in a studio-style creative environment, with access to MDS facilities and digital learning resources.

• Choose between on-campus and online study options, according to the programme page.

• Use the qualification as a pre-degree pathway; it is not itself a bachelor’s degree.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The programme contains four components, each worth 15 credits, for a total of 60 credits.

Graphic Design — 15 credits
Introduces colour theory, typography, layout and composition. Students develop design concepts in response to briefs and learn to use tools such as Adobe Illustrator and InDesign.

Web Design — 15 credits
Covers front-end web design, basic HTML and CSS, digital interfaces and responsive design. Students learn to develop and present digital outcomes.

Motion Design — 15 credits
Introduces motion graphics, animation, timing, movement and the production process from concept and storyboard through to rendering. Tools include Adobe After Effects and Media Encoder.

Portfolio Design — 15 credits
Develops skills in selecting, organising and presenting creative work. Topics include visual storytelling, layout, audience engagement, self-promotion and professional communication.

Across these components, students practise creative processes such as discovery, concept development, iteration, prototyping and presentation in response to project briefs.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The certificate is a general foundation programme rather than a qualification with formal majors. Its main study areas are:

• Graphic design and visual communication.

• Web and front-end digital design.

• Motion graphics and animation.

• Portfolio development and creative presentation.

Programme Highlights

• A short, 18-week full-time foundation qualification.

• Four practical components, each worth 15 credits.

• Project-based learning in design, web and motion media.

• Development of an initial creative portfolio.

• No portfolio is required for admission to this certificate.

• On-campus and online study options are listed by MDS.

• The qualification can provide a foundation for further design study, subject to the admission requirements of the next programme.

• Students need a suitable device capable of running the software required for their course. MDS provides hardware recommendations through its course requirements information

Career Outcomes

MDS primarily positions this qualification as preparation for further study rather than as a professional degree in its own right. The programme can help students develop introductory skills relevant to areas such as:

• Junior graphic design and visual communication support.

• Basic web and digital content design.

• Entry-level motion graphics and multimedia support.

• Creative portfolio development for further study.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The programme page lists start dates of 22 February 2027 and 19 July 2027.

• The published international tuition fee is NZD 14,386.20. Confirm the final fee and any additional charges in the offer of place before paying.

• International students must be at least 18 at programme commencement, even though the general domestic age requirement is 16.

• Academic IELTS 5.5 overall with no band below 5.0, or an accepted equivalent, is specified for this certificate.

• A portfolio is not required for admission to this qualification.

• Students must have a suitable device for the software required by the course.

• The online option is advertised, but students intending to study from overseas should confirm delivery arrangements and whether their intended mode of study requires or supports travel to New Zealand.

• MDS operates under the name “Media Design School at Strayer”. The programme details in this report come from MDS’s own course page; no separate programme-specific information from IPU was established in this research.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students planning to study on campus in New Zealand will generally need to consider the Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to Immigration New Zealand’s eligibility and course requirements.

• Offer of place: You must have an offer from an approved education provider. The offer needs to state the course, duration and study mode, along with other required course information.

• Tuition fees: You must show that you have paid, can pay, or are exempt from paying the required tuition fees. Immigration New Zealand generally requires evidence for one course or one year of study, whichever is shorter.

• Living costs: For tertiary study lasting less than one year, the current published requirement is NZD 1,667 per month. The visa application must also account for tuition fees and outward travel separately. Ask Immigration New Zealand how it will assess the required funds for the specific course dates.

• Insurance: You must have acceptable medical and travel insurance for the relevant period of stay.

• Health and character: You must meet immigration health and character requirements. Medical examinations, chest X-rays or police certificates may be requested depending on your circumstances.

• Genuine study intentions: You must show that you genuinely intend to study and comply with visa conditions.

• Outward travel: You must provide a ticket out of New Zealand or evidence that you can pay for one.

• Visa cost and processing: Immigration New Zealand currently lists the visa cost from NZD 850 and says 80% of applications are processed within seven weeks. These figures can change and are not guarantees for an individual application.

• Work rights: The visa may allow eligible students to work up to 25 hours per week and full-time during scheduled holidays, depending on the conditions actually granted. Do not assume work rights are automatically included; check the approved visa conditions.

• Application timing: Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least three months before intended travel.