Why Study/Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Design (Game Animation) at Ara is designed for students who want to combine visual storytelling, animation and game development. It develops creative and technical skills for producing animated content, game assets and interactive experiences.

Key benefits include:

• Studio-based learning with practical creative projects.

• Development of both 2D and 3D animation skills.

• Training in character creation, world-building, storyboarding and visual narrative.

• Exposure to game engines, interactive environments and structured production pipelines.

• Opportunities to work on client projects, placements and industry-engaged activities.

• A substantial self-directed major project and portfolio development.

• Culturally informed creative practice grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te ao M?ori.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The current Ara programme page lists the following Game Animation courses. The subjects are arranged across Levels 5, 6 and 7.

Year 1 – Level 5

• Digital Design Skills (BDCC501) – 15 credits

• Aotearoa Creative Contexts (BDCC502) – 15 credits

• Modernity and Postmodernity (BDCC503) – 15 credits

• Visual Story Telling (BDGA501) – 15 credits

• Animation Principles (BDGA502) – 15 credits

• Image Making for Sequential Art (BDGA503) – 15 credits

• Game Development (BDGA504) – 15 credits

Year 2 – Level 6

• Critical Contexts (BDCC601) – 15 credits

• Practice as Research (BDCC602) – 15 credits

• Professional Studies (BDCC603) – 15 credits

• Narrative Development (BDGA601) – 15 credits

• Production Studio (BDGA602) – 15 credits

• Sequential Art and Animation Studio (BDGA603) – 15 credits

• Studio Production Pipeline (BDGA604) – 15 credits

Year 3 – Level 7

• Work Integrated Learning (BDCC701) – 15 credits

• Portfolio (BDCC702) – 15 credits

• Major Project (BDCC703) – 30 credits

• Advanced Skills Studio (BDGA701) – 15 credits

• Pre-production Studio (BDGA702) – 15 credits

Disciplines/Specialisations

The programme is the Game Animation specialisation within Ara's Bachelor of Design. Its main subject areas include:

• Game animation and development

• 2D and 3D animation

• Visual storytelling and sequential art

• Character, world and concept-art development

• Storyboarding and pre-production

• Narrative development

• Game design and player experience

• Interactive media and game engines

• Production workflows and studio pipelines

• Professional practice and portfolio development

Programme Highlights

• A Level 7 bachelor's degree with a three-year full-time structure.

• 360 credits in total.

• A combination of creative design foundations, animation, game development and professional practice.

• Studio-led learning and practical project work.

• Development of a portfolio to demonstrate creative ability and professional readiness.

• Work-integrated learning and industry engagement.

• A major project that gives students the opportunity to develop and present a substantial piece of creative work.

• The programme's approach includes culturally informed practice connected with Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te ao M?ori.

Career Outcomes

Ara lists the following career opportunities:

• Animator

• Game developer

• Game artist

• Concept artist

• Sequential artist

• Interactive media creator

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current programme page lists February 2027 as the next intake, with a start date of 15 February 2027.

• Ara has published a Game Animation-specific portfolio guidance document dated September 2026. Applicants should follow this document rather than relying on generic portfolio advice.

• The portfolio is assessed for working process, technique, composition, media and aesthetic qualities.

• Ara recommends applying between September and late January of the intended study year and applying early because the intake quota may fill.

• The 2026 Bachelor of Design handbook states that international learners are expected to maintain 100% attendance and successfully complete at least 75% of their courses to meet Ara's stated satisfactory-progress standard.

• Students are expected to attend classes, participate in learning and assessment activities, and follow classroom and studio safety requirements.

• International students are invited to attend both international student orientation and programme orientation.

• Students must follow Ara's academic-integrity requirements. The handbook says AI-generated work must not be presented as the student's own work.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students planning to study this full-time, three-year degree in Christchurch will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa from Immigration New Zealand. Ara's programme listing indicates that the qualification may be available for a student visa, but the final decision rests with Immigration New Zealand.

Applicants generally need to provide:

• An offer of place from Ara, an approved education provider.

• Evidence of tuition-fee payment, ability to pay, or an eligible scholarship.

• Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses.

• Evidence of acceptable medical and travel insurance for the required period.

• Evidence of good health and character, where required.

• Evidence of a genuine intention to study.

• Evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to purchase a ticket out of New Zealand.

• A valid passport and any additional documents requested by Immigration New Zealand.

Living-cost financial requirement

• For tertiary study lasting one year or longer, Immigration New Zealand requires evidence of NZD $20,000 for each year of study.

• For a course lasting less than one year, the requirement is NZD $1,667 per month.

• As this is a three-year degree, students should plan to show the required funds for the first year and a credible funding plan for the remaining years.

• Evidence may include bank statements, acceptable sponsorship, an education loan or scholarship.

• For applicants applying from India, only immediate family members can provide sponsorship or a financial undertaking under the South Asia rules. Immediate family includes a partner, parents, siblings, grandparents and parents-in-law.

Visa cost and processing

• Application cost: from NZD $850.

• Processing time: Immigration New Zealand states that 80% of applications are processed within seven weeks.

• Maximum possible visa length: up to four years, although the visa may be issued for a shorter period depending on the tuition paid, course dates and individual circumstances.

• Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least three months before the intended travel date.

Work rights

• Eligible student visa holders may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week during study.

• Full-time work may be allowed during scheduled holidays, depending on the course and the conditions granted on the visa.

• Work rights are not automatic. Students must check the conditions on their individual eVisa or visa approval letter before accepting employment.

Attendance, progress and insurance

• Students must attend the programme specified on their visa and make satisfactory academic progress.

• Ara's 2026 Bachelor of Design handbook states that its satisfactory-progress standard for international learners is 100% attendance and successful completion of at least 75% of courses.

• Students must maintain acceptable medical and travel insurance from the start of their course until their visa expires.