Why Study/Key Benefits

The New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4) is designed for creative students who want to explore different artistic disciplines, develop technical skills and discover their individual creative style.

Key benefits include:

• Develop practical and conceptual skills in art, design and creative problem-solving.

• Explore different materials, techniques and creative processes.

• Choose from specialist areas such as visual arts, fashion design, graphic design, photography and digital media, subject to campus availability.

• Learn from experienced lecturers, designers and practising artists.

• Develop a portfolio of creative work through studio-based projects.

• Understand New Zealand's cultural and creative industries.

• Build a foundation for entry-level creative employment or further study in art, craft and design.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The programme consists of two compulsory courses and two elective courses.

1. Compulsory courses

Art/Design History – 15 credits

Students are introduced to national and international art and design practices.

Topics include:

• Historical principles of art and design.

• National and international creative practices.

• Historical and cultural contexts.

• Art and design conventions.

• Understanding the development of creative disciplines.

Creative Methodology – 15 credits

This course develops technical and conceptual creative skills.

Topics include:

• Creative processes and methodologies.

• Selecting appropriate tools and materials.

• Applying techniques and processes to creative work.

• Developing technical skills.

• Responding to directed art and design briefs.

• Creative problem-solving and concept development.

2. Elective courses – choose two

Visual Arts Studio – 15 credits (Whanganui)

Topics include:

• Two-dimensional and three-dimensional art forms.

• Working with different visual arts materials.

• Exploring physical and conceptual space.

• Developing practical and conceptual visual arts skills.

Fashion Design – 15 credits (Whanganui)

Topics include:

• Garment construction methods.

• Fashion design principles.

• Developing design concepts in response to a brief.

• Digital illustration for generating and developing ideas.

• Health and safety practices in a studio environment.

Graphic Design – 15 credits (Palmerston North or Whanganui)

Topics include:

• Graphic design principles.

• Design software and digital tools.

• Visual communication.

• Responding to graphic design briefs.

• Developing technical and conceptual design skills.

Photography – 15 credits (Palmerston North or Whanganui)

Topics include:

• Photography software.

• Photography tools, techniques and processes.

• Visual communication through photography.

• Image production and editing.

• Creative problem-solving for photographic projects.

• Responding to photography briefs.

Digital Media – 15 credits (Palmerston North or Whanganui)

Topics include:

• Digital media software.

• Digital media principles.

• Visual communication in digital media.

• Digital image production.

• Technical and conceptual development.

• Creative problem-solving for digital media projects.

Disciplines/Specialisations

Students can develop their creative interests through the following study areas:

• Glass Arts.

• Visual Arts.

• Design Media.

• Textiles/Fashion Design.

• Graphic Design.

• Photography.

• Digital Media.

Programme Highlights

• Practical, studio-based learning across art and design disciplines.

• Choice of two electives to develop a particular creative interest.

• Access to specialist learning facilities, including:

  • Fully equipped Art and Design Home Room.

  • Specialist Mac Design Labs.

  • Printmaking facilities.

  • Fashion and textiles studio.

  • Photography and lighting studio.

  • Wood and metalworking workshop.

• Learning from lecturers and creative professionals with national and international exhibition experience.

• Opportunities to develop creative work through community partnerships.

• UCOL School of Creative Industries is a corporate member of the Designers Institute of New Zealand (DINZ).

• UCOL students and graduates have received prizes in the DINZ BEST Awards.

• Industry connections across fine arts, fashion and graphic design.

Career Outcomes

UCOL describes the programme as preparation for entry-level positions in the arts and creative industries or further study in art, craft and design.

Potential employment areas include:

• Visual arts and creative practice.

• Graphic design.

• Photography.

• Fashion and textile design.

• Digital media.

• Creative studio work.

• Art and design production.

• Creative industries and community arts.

Graduates develop the ability to:

• Apply creative processes in a studio environment.

• Respond to art and design briefs.

• Use appropriate tools, techniques and materials.

• Develop creative concepts and solve design problems.

• Understand professional practices and conventions in art, craft and design.

• Produce work that reflects an understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand's cultural sector.

Further study pathways identified by UCOL include:

• Bachelor of Design and Arts.

• Postgraduate Diploma of Design.

• Master of Design.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

Current programme information:

• UCOL lists the next published intake for both campuses as 19 July 2027 to 26 November 2027.

• The programme can be studied full-time or part-time.

• Some classes or activities may take place in the evening.

• Applicants may be asked to attend a discussion with UCOL staff before admission.

• Field trips may form part of the learning experience and could involve additional costs.

• Students must be prepared to work in professional studio environments.

• Students with special physical or learning requirements should notify the Programme Leader in writing before the programme begins.

• There are no compulsory work-experience hours.

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), cross-credit and credit transfer may be considered individually.

• Elective availability depends on the campus and the number of students enrolled.

Additional equipment and study requirements:

• Students are recommended to have an internet-capable device for study away from campus.

• UCOL computers are available outside scheduled classes.

• Students may need to purchase materials and equipment depending on their selected electives.

UCOL's published additional-cost information includes:

• Photography elective: 16GB SD memory card – approximately NZD $20.

• Hard drive: 1TB – approximately NZD $110. The page also mentions a minimum storage requirement for Creative Media.

• Whanganui students: one 8GB USB flash drive – approximately NZD $13.

• Palmerston North students: three 8GB USB flash drives – approximately NZD $40.

• Equipment bond: NZD $80, refundable at the end of the year if equipment is returned without damage.

• Project stationery: approximately NZD $10–$30 per project; UCOL estimates around eight projects.

• Optional A2 portfolio case: from NZD $20.

• Optional tablet for drawing: approximately NZD $180–$1,300.

• Optional computer or laptop: UCOL lists costs up to NZD $4,000.

• Adobe Creative Cloud education licence: approximately NZD $370.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this programme in New Zealand will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to Immigration New Zealand's assessment.

Main requirements:

• An Offer of Place from an approved New Zealand education provider.

• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid or that the student can pay them.

• Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses.

• Acceptable medical and travel insurance for the period of stay.

• Good health and character.

• A genuine intention to study in New Zealand.

• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of their authorised stay, such as a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase one.

Financial requirements:

• For tertiary study lasting less than one year, Immigration New Zealand requires NZD $1,667 per month for living expenses.

• Tuition fees are additional to the living-cost requirement.

• Students may provide acceptable evidence such as bank statements, qualifying sponsorship, eligible education loans or scholarship documentation.

• Prepaid accommodation may be deducted from the living-cost amount where Immigration New Zealand's conditions are met.

Visa cost and processing:

• Fee Paying Student Visa cost: from NZD $850.

• Published processing time: 80% of applications within 7 weeks.

• Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least three months before planned travel.

• Fees and processing times can change, so applicants should check the official immigration website before applying.

Work rights:

• Eligible student visa holders may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week during study, depending on the conditions printed on their visa.

• Full-time work during scheduled holidays depends on the visa conditions and course eligibility.

• Immigration New Zealand requires a course to have a value of at least 120 credits for full-time work rights during scheduled holidays.

• This programme is worth 60 credits, so students should not assume they will receive full-time work rights during scheduled holidays.

• Students must check their individual eVisa conditions before accepting employment.

Attendance and academic progress:

• Students must attend the programme specified in their visa unless they have a valid reason for absence.

• They must make satisfactory academic progress.

• Students applying for a further student visa may need to provide evidence of previous attendance and academic performance.