Why Study / Key Benefits

The Postgraduate Certificate in Illustration (PGCertIllust) is a specialised postgraduate qualification for developing technical, artistic and professional illustration skills.

Key benefits include:

• Develop skills across traditional and digital illustration media.
• Explore visual storytelling, narrative and visual communication.
• Build a distinctive personal illustration style.
• Develop practical work through sketchbooks, portfolios and visual essays.
• Choose courses according to your interests, including illustration mediums, narrative, visual language and business.
• Suitable for professional artists seeking to upskill as well as recent graduates wanting to build a portfolio for the creative industries.
• Provides a possible pathway into UC's Postgraduate Diploma in Illustration or Master of Illustration.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The PGCertIllust consists of 60 points, with students selecting two courses from four 30-point options:

• FINA630 – Business of Illustration
• FINA631 – Illustration Mediums
• FINA632 – Language of Illustration
• FINA633 – Narrative Illustration

The programme therefore allows students to customise their certificate according to their preferred creative and professional direction.

The subject areas cover:

• Illustration business and professional practice.
• Traditional and digital illustration mediums.
• Visual language and communication.
• Narrative and visual storytelling.
• Portfolio development.
• Practical creative production.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The formal subject of the qualification is Illustration. There are no separately named majors, minors or formal specialisations in the qualification regulations.

However, students can create an individual area of focus through their choice of two courses and their portfolio/practical work.

Possible areas of emphasis include:

• Traditional illustration
• Digital illustration
• Visual storytelling
• Narrative illustration
• Children's book illustration
• Editorial illustration
• Graphic novels
• Character design
• Concept art
• Science communication
• Illustration business and professional practice

Programme Highlights

• New qualification, first offered in 2026.
• 60 points.
• 6 months full-time.
• Up to 18 months part-time.
• February or July start depending on selected courses.
• Two courses selected from four 30-point Illustration courses.
• Portfolio-based admission.
• Traditional and digital illustration options.
• Strong practical component.
• Campus and distance-learning options.
• Opportunity to develop a professional illustration portfolio.
• Potential progression to the Postgraduate Diploma in Illustration or Master of Illustration.

Career Outcomes

UC states that PGCertIllust graduates will be equipped for entry-level roles in creative industries such as:

• Publishing
• Illustration
• Entertainment
• Design
• Digital media
• Visual storytelling
• Art direction
• Education

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The PGCertIllust is a new UC qualification.

Current regulations confirm:

• Regulations came into force on 1 January 2026.
• The certificate was first offered in 2026.
• The qualification is 60 points.
• The minimum completion time is 6 months.
• The maximum completion time is 18 months.
• Portfolio selection is compulsory.
• The programme must be approved by the Executive Dean of Arts or delegate.
• Students failing up to 30 points may, with approval, repeat or substitute courses of equal weight.
• Students failing more than 30 points will be withdrawn from the qualification.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students who will study physically in New Zealand generally need a valid New Zealand student visa. UC states that international students studying in New Zealand require a valid student visa.

The current Immigration New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa has:

• Cost from NZ$850.
• Processing: 80% within 8 weeks.
• Maximum duration: up to 4 years.
• An Offer of Place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of tuition funding or a scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable health and travel insurance.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Compliance with health and character requirements.

UC normally asks for:

• Offer of Place from UC for full-time study.
• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid for one year of study or one programme, whichever is shorter.
• Valid passport.
• Evidence of NZ$20,000 per year for living expenses.
• Return air ticket or evidence of sufficient funds to leave New Zealand.
• Accommodation guarantee where applicable for students under 18.