Why Study/Key Benefits

• Develop practical creative skills across visual arts, fashion and textiles, glass arts, and digital design.

• Build a foundation in art and design media, history, creative processes, and practical techniques.

• Learn from lecturers who are active designers and exhibitors in New Zealand and internationally.

• Work on creative briefs that develop research, experimentation, problem-solving, and the ability to communicate visual ideas.

• Benefit from UCOL’s community and industry connections, including links with NZ Glassworks and the Designers Institute of New Zealand (DINZ).

• Progress to further study, including the Bachelor of Design and Arts, Postgraduate Diploma of Design, or Master of Design.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The qualification consists of 120 credits, including 90 credits of compulsory courses and 30 credits of electives.

Compulsory courses:

• Visual Language – 15 credits: art and design elements, visual culture, theoretical ideas, critical evaluation, academic research, essay writing, and oral presentations.

• Art/Design LAB 1 – 15 credits: creative processes, responding to briefs, research, experimentation with materials, 2D and 3D visual language, critique, and the social context of creative practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Art/Design LAB 2 – 15 credits: further development of conceptual and practice-based design processes, research, materials, and 2D and 3D techniques.

• Design Practical 1 – 15 credits: art and design production processes, industry-standard software, printing technologies, print preparation, and project management.

• Art/Design History 1 – 15 credits: the historical development of art, design, and fashion, including cultural and social contexts and local Indigenous culture.

• Drawing 1 – 15 credits: perceptual and technical drawing skills, and historical and contemporary drawing practices.

Elective courses:

Students complete 30 credits from one elective area:

• Glass Arts: Glass Arts 1 and Glass Arts 2, covering 2D and 3D glass processes, materials, colour, surface, composition, research, and studio safety.

• Design Media: Design Media 1 and Design Media 2, covering typography, publication and information design, page layout, time-based media, motion graphics, special effects, and industry-standard software.

• Visual Arts: Visual Arts 1 and Visual Arts 2, covering 2D and 3D art-making, materials, composition, visual aesthetics, research, and contemporary art practice.

• Textiles/Fashion: Textiles/Fashion 1 and Textiles/Fashion 2, covering fashion design processes, concept development, pattern-making approaches, fabrics, garment suitability, textile techniques, and practical equipment.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The programme offers elective study in four areas:

• Glass arts.

• Design media.

• Visual arts.

• Textiles and fashion.

Programme Highlights

• Practical studio-based learning supported by modern facilities and specialist equipment at UCOL Whanganui.

• Opportunities to explore both 2D and 3D creative processes.

• Exposure to industry-standard design software, printing technologies, and production workflows.

• Creative briefs encourage students to develop individual visual styles and apply research to practical work.

• The UCOL School of Creative Industries is a corporate member of DINZ.

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

• Industry connections include NZ Glassworks and stakeholders across fine arts, fashion, and graphic design.

• No compulsory work-experience hours are listed for this programme.

 

Career Outcomes

UCOL identifies career opportunities in areas including:

• Object design.

• Visual arts practice.

• Gallery practice.

• Commercial glass studios.

• Craft production.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), and UCOL is accredited to deliver it.

• Students who successfully complete the Level 5 diploma may apply for cross-credit into Year 2 of UCOL’s Bachelor of Design and Arts (Level 7). Admission and credit recognition remain subject to UCOL’s assessment.

• Further study pathways listed by UCOL include the Bachelor of Design and Arts, Postgraduate Diploma of Design, and Master of Design.

• Students may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning, including cross-credit, credit transfer, and assessment of prior learning. Applications are assessed individually.

• Some field trips may involve additional costs; students are advised of arrangements and costs in advance.

• Students working in professional glass studio environments should be aware of the physical requirements. Any special needs or requirements should be provided in writing to the Programme Leader before the programme begins.

• Additional materials costs listed by UCOL include approximately NZD 200 for drawing and stationery supplies, approximately NZD 15 for a USB flash drive, and up to NZD 300 for glass supplies, depending on personal preferences and course choices.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this programme in New Zealand will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to their individual circumstances and immigration requirements.

Key requirements and conditions published by Immigration New Zealand:

• Offer of Place: Applicants must have an offer of place from an approved education provider.

• Tuition fees: Students must show that they can pay the required tuition fees or have an acceptable scholarship or other funding arrangement.

• Living costs: For tertiary study lasting one year or more, students must show access to at least NZD 20,000 per year. For study shorter than one year, the requirement is NZD 1,667 per month.

• Visa fee: The Fee Paying Student Visa currently costs from NZD 850.

• Processing time: Immigration New Zealand states that 80% of applications are processed within 7 weeks. Processing times can vary.

• Visa duration: The visa can allow a stay of up to 4 years, depending on the course, fees paid, passport validity, and individual circumstances.

• Work rights: Eligible students may be allowed to work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during scheduled holidays, depending on the conditions recorded on their eVisa.

• Holiday work: Immigration New Zealand requires evidence of the course and scheduled holidays. A course must have a value of 120 credits for the relevant scheduled-holiday full-time work provision. This diploma is listed as a 120-credit programme, but this does not automatically grant work rights; the student's eVisa conditions determine what work is permitted.

• Insurance: Students must have acceptable medical and travel insurance for the required period of their stay.

• Genuine study and financial evidence: Applicants must provide evidence of sufficient funds, genuine access to those funds, and their intention and ability to leave New Zealand at the end of their authorised stay.

• Application timing: Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least 3 months before intended travel.