The Bachelor of Arts and Media is a three-year Level 7 bachelor's degree focused on creative arts, design and media.

NMIT describes it as a programme designed for students who want to develop the skills necessary to pursue a career or lifelong practice in a creative field.

The programme combines:

• Arts
• Design
• Media
• Digital technologies
• Visual communication
• Creative practice
• Research
• Professional practice

Why Study Bachelor of Arts and Media at NMIT?

Practical and studio-based learning

This is not simply a classroom-based theory degree. Students spend significant time developing creative work through studios, projects, labs and practical activities.

NMIT's Arts & Design area provides purpose-built facilities in its Creative Industries building at the Nelson Campus, including studios, workshops and equipment for practical creative learning.

Broad creative foundation

Students are exposed to several disciplines before developing their own creative direction.

Areas include:

• Photography
• Graphic design
• Image-making
• Object design
• Digital art and design
• Painting
• Illustration
• Video
• Animation
• Visual communication

Programme Structure

The programme is designed progressively over three years.

Year 1 – Foundation

The first year gives students broad exposure to creative disciplines.

NMIT lists compulsory areas including:

• Photography
• Graphic design
• Object design
• Image-making
• Communication
• Critical studies

Year 2 – Development and Specialisation

In the second year, students move beyond basic skills and develop:

• Critical design thinking
• Professional practice
• Creative specialisation
• Independent creative development

NMIT lists areas such as:

• Photography
• Object design
• Graphic design
• Image studio
• Digital art and design
• Critical studies
• Professional practice

Year 3 – Major Creative Project

The final year is focused on bringing together:

• Research
• Independent study
• Creative development
• Professional practice
• Studio practice

Major Course / Subject Areas

The current programme page lists courses including:

Photography- Students develop photographic concepts and practical photography skills.

Image- Focuses on image-making and visual communication.

Professional Practice- Develops understanding of professional creative practice and project management.

Critical Studies- Develops research, contextual understanding and critical thinking.

Digital Art and Design- Develops digital creative and design skills.

Object Design- Focuses on three-dimensional creative practice and design.

Studio- Provides space for developing and producing creative work.

Independent Study Project- Allows students to pursue a more individually directed creative project.

Critical Studies – Research- Develops research skills supporting the final creative project.

Critical Studies – Contextualisation- Helps students position and explain their creative practice within relevant artistic/design contexts.

Studio Project- The final major creative project.

Disciplines / Specialisation Areas

NMIT's broader Arts & Design area covers a particularly wide range of creative disciplines.

Digital Design

• Digital art and design
• Front-end website design
• Social media
• Digital communication

Graphic Design

• Graphic design
• Branding
• Promotional artwork

Image Making

• Drawing
• Painting
• Printmaking
• Screen printing
• Sketching

Lens-based Media

• Photography
• Video production

Object Design

• Jewellery
• Product design
• Sewing
• Sculpture

What Will Students Learn?

By graduation, students are expected to be able to:

• Produce arts and design work using practical and conceptual skills
• Think creatively
• Use research to develop ideas
• Use creative processes and technologies
• Respond to creative briefs
• Critically evaluate their own work
• Critique the work of others
• Communicate ideas effectively
• Present completed creative work
• Manage projects and deadlines
• Understand professional practice
• Identify education and employment pathways

Facilities

Students study in NMIT's purpose-built Creative Industries building in Nelson.

The facility brings creative disciplines together and provides access to:

• Studios
• Workshops
• Specialist equipment
• Digital technologies
• Creative production spaces

Career Outcomes

The 2026 NMIT International Prospectus specifically identifies career outcomes such as:

• Graphic Designer
• Videographer
• Gallery Manager
• Website Designer
• Visual Artist

Graphic Design

• Graphic designer
• Brand designer
• Visual communication designer
• Promotional designer

Digital Design

• Digital designer
• Web designer
• Social media content designer
• Digital artist

Photography

• Photographer
• Photography assistant
• Commercial photography practitioner

Media / Video

• Videographer
• Video production assistant
• Media content creator

Arts

• Visual artist
• Gallery/arts administration
• Exhibition-related roles

Object / Product Design

• Product design assistant
• Jewellery designer
• Object/creative practitioner

Additional Study Costs

Students should also budget for:

• Laptop/computer
• Creative software
• Materials
• Printing
• Art supplies
• Photography equipment where required
• Storage/media
• Transport
• Accommodation
• Food
• Health/travel insurance
• Visa costs
• Personal expenses

Student Visa

An international student coming to New Zealand for this full-time bachelor's degree would generally apply for a:

Fee Paying Student Visa

Immigration New Zealand currently states that applicants need:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider
• Evidence of tuition-fee funding/payment
• Evidence of living-cost funds or an acceptable sponsor
• Acceptable medical/travel insurance
• Evidence of meeting other immigration requirements

Portfolio Advice for Indian Students

For an Indian student applying to this degree, I would recommend preparing a portfolio containing approximately 10–20 strong examples rather than simply uploading dozens of unrelated images.

A good portfolio could include:

Graphic design

• Logos
• Posters
• Branding
• Social media designs

Fine art

• Sketches
• Paintings
• Drawings
• Mixed-media work

Photography

• Portraits
• Architecture
• Street photography
• Conceptual photography

Digital

• Digital illustrations
• Photoshop work
• Digital compositions
• Web/design concepts

Process work

• Initial sketches
• Moodboards
• Research
• Experiments
• Development stages
• Final outcome

Bachelor of Arts and Media – Key Strengths

1. Broad creative exposure

Students can explore multiple creative disciplines rather than being locked into a narrow specialisation from the beginning.

2. Strong practical component

Studio and project-based work is central.

3. Portfolio development

Students graduate with actual creative work.

4. Exhibition opportunity

The final-year project is presented through the BAM exhibition.

5. Purpose-built facilities

Students study in a dedicated Creative Industries building.

6. Industry-oriented skills

Students learn to respond to briefs, communicate ideas and manage creative projects.

7. Nelson's creative environment

The programme benefits from the city's galleries, studios and arts networks.

Bachelor of Arts and Media – Who Should Study It?

This programme is particularly suitable for students who are interested in:

• Graphic design
• Visual arts
• Photography
• Digital art
• Illustration
• Video
• Media
• Object/product design
• Creative communication
• Branding
• Website design
• Freelance creative work
• Art and design practice