The programme is particularly suitable for students who want to combine creative storytelling with technology.

NMIT describes CGI specialists as a combination of artists, programmers and storytellers, with the ability to bring digital worlds, characters and ideas to life.

Key reasons to consider the programme include:

• Industry-oriented curriculum rather than purely theoretical study.
• Training with professional animation and CGI software.
• Broad exposure to different CGI disciplines.
• Opportunity to progressively specialise through project-based courses.
• Practical project development for festivals and competitions.
• Opportunities to work under tutor guidance on real film projects.
• Development of a portfolio that can demonstrate skills to employers.
• Exposure to modelling, animation, visual effects, lighting, post-production and technical development.
• Industry input from organisations including W?t? FX, Wolf Horse, Epic Games and RocketWerkz, according to NMIT's current Computing & IT study-area page.

The degree gives students broad exposure to the major components of CGI before moving toward more advanced/project-oriented study.

NMIT currently lists the following courses:

Year 1 – Foundation / Professional Practice

• CGI501 – Professional Practice 1
• CGI502 – 3D Modelling 1
• CGI503 – Rigging and Animation 1
• CGI504 – Dynamic Effects 1
• CGI505 – Lighting and Post-production 1
• CGI506 – Technical Development 1
• CGI507 – CGI Project 1

Year 2 – Intermediate CGI

• CGI601 – Professional Practice 2
• CGI602 – 3D Modelling 2
• CGI603 – Rigging and Animation 2
• CGI604 – Dynamic Effects 2
• CGI612 – Lighting and Post-production 2
• CGI613 – Technical Development 2
• CGI614 – CGI Project 2

Year 3 – Advanced CGI

• CGI702 – Advanced Modelling
• CGI703 – Advanced Animation
• CGI704 – Advanced Visual Effects
• CGI712 – Advanced Lighting and Post-production
• CGI714 – Advanced Studio Project

Major Subject Areas Explained

3D Modelling

Students develop skills for creating three-dimensional digital objects, environments and characters.

This is fundamental for:

• games;
• animation;
• film;
• visual effects;
• digital interaction.

Rigging & Animation

Students learn how digital characters/objects can be structured and animated.

This is particularly relevant to:

• character animation;
• games;
• film;
• digital storytelling.

Dynamic Effects

Dynamic effects deal with simulations and effects such as movement, environmental effects and other digitally generated phenomena.

NMIT's CGI604 course, for example, focuses on creating complex visual effects for animated film and/or game animation projects.

Lighting & Post-production

Students learn how to make rendered scenes visually effective and how to process/composite the resulting imagery.

Technical Development

This is the technical side of CGI, helping students develop problem-solving and production capabilities beyond purely artistic work.

CGI Projects

Project courses allow students to bring different skills together to produce completed work.

Advanced Studio Project

The final-stage studio project provides an opportunity to demonstrate higher-level CGI capability in a substantial project.

Disciplines / Specialisation Areas

The current programme structure gives students broad exposure across CGI and then allows them to go deeper into areas of interest through project courses.

Key areas include:

• 3D Modelling
• Animation
• Rigging
• Dynamic Effects
• Visual Effects
• Lighting
• Post-production
• Technical Development
• CGI Studio Production

Career Outcomes

NMIT's current programme information identifies career opportunities such as:

• Animator
• CGI Artist
• Game Designer
• Digital Interaction
• Special Effects

The programme can also support career directions in:

• 3D modelling;
• character animation;
• visual effects;
• lighting;
• post-production;
• motion graphics;
• game development;
• film and television;
• digital media;
• technical CGI;
• simulation;
• digital interaction;
• creative technology.

Potential Job Titles

Depending on the student's portfolio and specialisation, graduates could target roles such as:

3D Artist

Creates three-dimensional models and digital assets.

3D Animator

Creates movement and animation for characters, objects and environments.

CGI Artist

Produces computer-generated visual content for multiple industries.

VFX Artist

Creates digital visual effects for film, television, games and advertising.

3D Modeller

Builds digital models for characters, environments, products or games.

Game Artist / Game Designer

Creates visual assets and contributes to interactive game experiences.

Lighting Artist

Creates digital lighting and visual atmosphere for rendered scenes.

Technical Artist

Works between creative artists and technical/production teams.

Post-production Artist

Works with compositing, rendering and finishing processes.

Career Industries

The skills can potentially be applied across:

• Film
• Television
• Animation studios
• Video games
• Advertising
• Digital media
• Product visualisation
• Interactive media
• Simulation
• Architecture/visualisation
• Education/media production
• Creative technology

Latest Updates – 2026/2027

1. 2027 programme intake is now published

The current programme page lists 22 February 2027 as the main Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 start date, plus 19 July 2027 starts for Year 1 and Year 2.

2. NMIT's 2027 domestic prospectus continues to list BCGI

NMIT's 2027 prospectus continues to list:

Bachelor of Computer Generated Imagery – Level 7 – Nelson – 3 years – February/July – NZ$8,392 domestic annual fee.

3. International 2026 fee is NZ$26,576

The current international prospectus lists NZ$26,576 per year for BCGI.

4. Industry engagement remains a key feature

NMIT's current Computing & IT page identifies industry input from W?t? FX, Wolf Horse, Epic Games and RocketWerkz.

5. BYOD is not mandatory

NMIT's current support guidance specifically confirms that BCGI students do not have to bring their own device, although specifications are provided for students who want their own machine.

6. NMIT continues to offer international student support

International students can receive help with:

• accommodation;
• budgeting;
• homesickness/culture shock;
• doctor visits;
• insurance;
• enrolment;
• visa-related processes;
• general settlement.

Visa Requirements for International Students

A student coming from India to study this three-year bachelor's degree will generally need an appropriate New Zealand student visa, normally the Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to Immigration New Zealand's assessment.

Key requirements can include:

• Offer of Place from an approved education provider;
• evidence of tuition funding/payment as required;
• evidence of sufficient living funds;
• acceptable insurance;
• passport/identity documentation;
• health requirements where applicable;
• character requirements where applicable;
• evidence that the applicant genuinely intends to study;
• compliance with visa conditions.

Funding Evidence for Visa

Immigration New Zealand says acceptable financial evidence can include, depending on circumstances:

• bank funds;
• scholarship evidence;
• education loan documentation;
• fixed-term deposits;
• acceptable sponsorship;
• Financial Undertaking for a Student. 

International Student Support at NMIT

NMIT provides dedicated support beyond ordinary academic services.

International students can get assistance with:

• accommodation;
• financial planning/budgeting;
• homesickness;
• culture shock;
• medical appointments;
• insurance claims;
• academic matters;
• enrolment;
• visa processes;
• general settlement.

Recommended Application Documents for an Indian Student

A prospective Indian BCGI applicant should prepare:

• Valid passport
• Class 10 certificate and marksheet
• Class 12 certificate and marksheet
• Academic transcripts
• IELTS Academic result or accepted English evidence
• Certified English translations where documents are not in English
• Previous tertiary qualification documents, if applicable
• CV, if requested
• Portfolio/project examples if requested
• Passport-size photograph where required
• Financial documents for visa
• Education-loan documents, if applicable
• Scholarship documentation, if applicable

Who Is This Programme Best Suited For?

The BCGI would be particularly suitable for an international student who:

• enjoys art and technology;
• wants to work in animation or visual effects;
• is interested in games;
• enjoys 3D modelling;
• likes storytelling through digital media;
• wants to learn professional CGI tools;
• wants to build a strong creative portfolio;
• is interested in film/TV production;
• enjoys solving technical creative problems;
• wants a career combining creativity + computing + visual storytelling.