Why Study / Key Benefits

The MMCT is designed to combine advanced media scholarship with practical creative production. Students work with academic staff to develop a portfolio of audio-visual and creative projects while building research and critical-thinking capabilities.

Key benefits include:

• Advanced study at the intersection of media scholarship and contemporary technologies.
• Practical development of a professional-standard creative portfolio.
• Opportunities to explore short film, documentary, animation, photography, AI, VR, scriptwriting, online content, podcasts and multimedia installations.
• Development of research, critical analysis and creative-practice skills.
• Collaborative project experience and exposure to professional creative workflows.
• Links with organisations and industry networks including W?t? Workshop, Warner Bros. International Television New Zealand, Hamilton City Council and Waikato Regional Council.
• Opportunities to develop skills relevant to rapidly changing digital and creative industries.
• A pathway towards further research, including higher research degrees in Screen and Media Studies.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The MMCT is built around Screen and Media Studies, combining research, theory and creative practice.

The core 2027 MMCT pathway comprises:

• MEDIA501 – Critical and Creative Approaches to Research – 30 points
• MEDIA504 – Design and Aesthetics – 30 points
• MEDIA507 – Theory and Research in Action – 30 points
• MEDIA508 – Creative Practice Research – 30 points
• MEDIA592 – Dissertation – 60 points.

These papers total 180 points.

However, the current MMCT regulations describe the final research component as a 90-point creative research thesis equivalent, and the University's current subject regulations also list MEDIA593 as the 90-point Screen and Media Studies Thesis. Therefore, the exact research/creative-practice pathway should be confirmed with the School of Arts for the student's intended intake rather than assuming that the older MEDIA592 pathway applies unchanged to every 2027 enrolment.

Relevant 2027 advanced papers include:

• MEDIA500 – Contemporary Media Practice – 30 points
• MEDIA501 – Critical and Creative Approaches to Research – 30 points
• MEDIA504 – Design and Aesthetics – 30 points
• MEDIA507 – Theory and Research in Action – 30 points
• MEDIA508 – Creative Practice Research – 30 points
• MEDIA514 – Advanced Documentary Practices – 30 points
• MEDIA590 – Directed Study – 30 points
• MEDIA592 – Dissertation – 60 points
• MEDIA593 – Screen and Media Studies Thesis – 90 points
• MEDIA594 – Screen and Media Studies Thesis – 120 points.

Examples of what students may work on include:

• Film
• Television and documentary
• Animation
• Photography
• Digital games and interactive media
• Sound
• Podcasts
• Online content
• Multimedia installations
• Virtual reality
• Artificial intelligence and creative technologies
• Scriptwriting
• Graphic design
• Visual culture
• Creative research and practice.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The MMCT does not currently list formal named majors or endorsements.

Instead, students develop an individual area of creative and research practice within Screen and Media Studies.

Relevant pathways/areas include:

• Screen and Media Studies
• Creative Technologies
• Creative Practice
• Film and documentary
• Animation
• Photography
• Interactive media
• AI and creative technologies
• Virtual reality
• Digital multimedia
• Scriptwriting
• Podcasting and online content
• Design and visual communication
• Media research and theory.

Programme Highlights

The programme's major distinguishing features include:

• 180-point postgraduate qualification.
• 1.5-year full-time structure.
• Strong combination of theory, research and creative practice.
• Development of a substantial creative portfolio.
• Practical work in areas such as film, animation, documentary, photography, AI, VR and multimedia.
• Advanced research training.
• Professional-standard creative production.
• Collaboration with academic staff and other creative practitioners.
• Links with significant New Zealand creative and public-sector organisations.
• Opportunity to develop a distinctive creative voice and portfolio suitable for employment or exhibition.

Career Outcomes

The University identifies career opportunities including:

• Audio-visual production
• Animation
• Creative business ownership
• Commercial freelancing
• Journalism
• Producing
• Scriptwriting
• Editing.

The programme also identifies specific Screen and Media career examples such as:

• Filmmaker
• Animator
• Podcaster
• Commercial researcher in entertainment and communication
• Scriptwriter
• Communications officer
• Media producer
• AI and VR designer.

The qualification is particularly relevant to students seeking careers in:

• Film and television
• Digital media
• Advertising and communications
• Creative technology
• Animation
• Interactive media
• Content creation
• Documentary
• Design
• Creative entrepreneurship
• Media research.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The latest 2027 information confirms several important points:

• The MMCT remains a 180-point qualification.
• All 180 points must be at 500 level or above.
• A 90-point creative research thesis and a 30-point theory paper are required under the current degree regulations.
• Up to 30 points may be taken outside the field of the degree.
• The degree can be awarded with First Class Honours, Second Class Honours (first division), Second Class Honours (second division), or without honours.

The School of Arts also recommends that MMCT applicants have:

• A relevant undergraduate major.
• At least a B average.
• A portfolio of previous written or practical work.
• Experience with software relevant to their intended projects.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying the MMCT in New Zealand will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that this visa:

• Costs from NZD 850.
• Allows study in New Zealand on an approved full-time course.
• Can be granted for up to 4 years.
• Requires an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Requires sufficient funds for tuition fees or an applicable scholarship.
• Requires sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Requires acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Requires the applicant to be in good health and of good character.
• Requires a genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Requires evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.