Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at Massey University is a research-led postgraduate qualification centred on advanced creative practice, experimentation and critical enquiry. Massey describes the programme as having a collective philosophy, bringing students from a broad range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary fine-arts practices together for rigorous discussion and exploration. Students may work across fine arts, design and photography and can engage with gallery environments, public spaces and communities.

Key benefits include:

• Development of greater conceptual depth, technical skills and independent creative practice.
• Opportunities to explore interdisciplinary and experimental approaches.
• Exposure to Indigenous perspectives and research methodologies.
• Engagement with contemporary social and political issues through creative practice.
• Opportunities to develop skills in arts publishing, curatorial practice, event and performance practices.
• Access to specialist facilities including 3D fabrication, textiles, printmaking, photography darkrooms, digital printing, editing suites, motion capture, green-screen, audio recording, digital fabrication, exhibition and testing spaces.
• Teaching and research involvement from practising artists, writers and curators with national and international research profiles.
• A pathway to further doctoral-level research through a PhD. 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The current MFA is structured into two parts over 180 credits.

Part One — 60 credits

Students select:

• Research Methods: 15 credits
• Project Development: 30 credits
• A 400-level or 700-level College of Creative Arts elective: 15 credits.

Current Research Methods options include:

• 293731 Contextualising Creative Enterprise Practice Part 1 — 15 credits
• 293732 Creative Practice Research Methods — 15 credits
• 298730 Maori Research Methodologies for Creative Practice — 15 credits.

The research-methods courses cover areas such as creative-practice research methods, theory, critical and enterprise frameworks, tikanga, ethics, matauranga toi Maori and approaches to positioning one's creative practice.

The Project Development component includes:

• 213729 Fine Arts Research and Development: Honours — 30 credits
• Plus a 15-credit 400-level or 700-level College of Creative Arts elective.

The Fine Arts Research and Development course focuses on content, context, methodology and critical dialogue in contemporary art, with students developing a substantial research project through critically reflexive practice.

Part Two — 120 credits

The second part is the major independent research and creative component.

Students choose a 120-credit thesis option:

• 197810 Thesis — 120 credits; or
• 197811 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 — 60 credits, followed by
• 197812 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 — 60 credits.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The current regulations state that the Master of Fine Arts is awarded without a formal specialisation.

However, the programme supports a broad range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary creative practices. The current programme description specifically references:

• Fine arts
• Design
• Photography
• Curatorial practice
• Arts publishing
• Performance and event practices
• Community and public-space practice
• Interdisciplinary creative practices
• Indigenous perspectives and research methodologies
• Contemporary social and political concerns.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 9 master's qualification.
• 180-credit structure completed over 1.5 years full-time.
• Wellington-based creative arts study.
• Selected-entry admission based on academic background, portfolio and interview.
• Strong emphasis on research-led creative practice.
• Large community of artists and creative-practice researchers.
• Access to specialist art, design, digital and fabrication facilities.
• Opportunities to work across disciplinary and interdisciplinary practices.
• Incorporation of Indigenous perspectives and research methodologies.
• 120-credit final thesis/creative project.
• Possibility of graduating with Merit or Distinction under the qualification regulations.
• Massey's College of Creative Arts – Toi Rauwh?rangi is currently listed by Massey as being in the global top 200 for Art & Design in the QS World University Rankings.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that MFA graduates progress into diverse careers across both private and public sectors, including:

• Fine art
• Design
• Technology
• Business
• Writing
• Education.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

For 2026–2027 applicants, the most important current points are:

• MFA admission is selected entry rather than automatic admission based solely on academic qualifications.
• A portfolio and interview are mandatory parts of the selection process.
• Official transcripts from universities other than Massey must be supplied.
• The current qualification is 180 credits and 1.5 years full-time.
• The qualification is awarded without a formal specialisation.
• The programme is currently listed at Wellington campus and open to international students studying on campus in New Zealand.
• For Semester One 2027 entry, the MFA application deadline is 29 November 2026.
• The International Creative Excellence Masters Degree Scholarship closes 15 October 2026.
• The Aotearoa-based Fibre Innovation Research Masters Scholarship closes 10 November 2026.
• The Postgraduate International Study Grant for 2027 specifically includes the MFA

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student intending to study the MFA on campus in Wellington, the relevant New Zealand immigration route is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand states that applicants must generally:

• Have an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Have sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or hold an acceptable scholarship.
• Demonstrate sufficient living funds or have an acceptable sponsor.
• Meet health requirements.
• Meet character requirements.
• Demonstrate genuine intentions to study in New Zealand.
• Have appropriate medical and travel insurance.
• Demonstrate arrangements/funds for leaving New Zealand at the end of the stay.