Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Media Technology major focuses on the development of new technologies for the screen and creative technology sector.
• Students develop practical software and hardware production skills and learn how to take ideas through prototyping, testing and development into finished creative technology products.
• Applications can include online distribution, lighting systems, game controllers, performance capture, virtual production, production workflow solutions, custom audio systems, interactive and kinetic set design, and media exhibition.
• The programme combines creative practice with technical development, giving students experience with industry-standard production, modelling and CAD software.
• The wider Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours is strongly practice-focused, with substantial project work, professional practice, portfolio development and a final-year research-informed creative project.
• Teaching includes current and former professionals associated with organisations such as W?t? FX, W?t? Workshop, Paramount Pictures, Disney, Universal Studios, Park Road Post, TVNZ, PikPok, SKY, A44 Games and the BBC.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme develops progressively over four years:

• Year 1: foundations in creative skills, technologies, professional practices and concepts.
• Year 2: deeper specialisation production work, smaller individual works and collaborative production projects.
• Year 3: further development of specialist skills and larger collaborative production/project work.
• Year 4: Honours-level, research-informed creative project, with an optional industry internship.

Media Technology major – 180 credits:

• 289113 Introduction to Media Technology – 15 credits
  • Principles and concepts of media technologies
  • Creative and basic technical skills for media technology development and production.
• 289213 Media Technology Production – 15 credits
  • Application of industry-standard tools
  • Creative and technical development
  • Aesthetics and form.
  • Prerequisite: 75 credits at 100 level from the College of Creative Arts.
• 289223 Media Technology Project – 15 credits
  • Further development of media technology tools and processes
  • Practical project-based application.
  • Prerequisite: 289213.
• 289303 Advanced Practice Exploration – 15 credits
  • Role-specific creative and technical exploration
  • Advanced equipment, techniques and processes
  • Preparation for major projects and industry.
  • Entry requires the specified 200-level prerequisites.
• 289333 Screen Arts Major Project – 30 credits
  • Advanced collaborative production
  • Professional technical and creative standards
  • Project planning, schedules, deadlines and production management.
• 289701 Production Planning and Development – 30 credits
  • Creative research practices
  • Production planning and organisation
  • Development and communication of an Advanced Production Project.
• 289803 Advanced Production – 60 credits
  • Production and finalisation of an advanced work
  • Research-informed creative and technical practice
  • Professional production management and delivery.

Disciplines / Specialisations

Media Technology is one of the recognised single majors within the Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours.

The current BSA(Hons) regulations list these single majors:

• Animation
• Documentary and Factual
• Emerging Creative Technologies
• Film Production
• Game Development
• Immersive Media
• Media Technology
• Visual Effects

Programme Highlights

• Four-year, 480-credit honours qualification.
• NZQF Level 8.
• Media Technology major worth 180 credits.
• Full-time, on-campus study in Wellington.
• Strong emphasis on practical creative technology and screen production.
• Access to studios, motion-capture facilities, immersive technology labs, electronics labs, digital and physical fabrication facilities, 3D printers, laser cutters and high-end computer labs.
• Industry-standard production, modelling and CAD software.
• Opportunities to develop technology for virtual production, performance capture, interactive environments and media exhibition.
• Fourth-year Honours project designed to produce a substantial professional creative output.
• Optional industry internship in the final year.
• Industry-connected teaching staff and professional networks.

Career Outcomes

Massey specifically identifies career opportunities including:

• Set production specialist
• Creative technologist
• Interactive web developer
• Game developer
• Game tester
• Lighting systems operator
• Media artist
• New technology quality assurance
• App developer
• UX designer
• Digital developer
• Product developer.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• From 2026, entry into the final Honours year requires a minimum B- average across the highest 75 credits of the student's highest year level, meaning the best 75 credits from Year 3.
• The Media Technology major remains a 180-credit specialisation within the 480-credit BSA(Hons).
• Students must meet prerequisite requirements before progressing into higher-level Media Technology courses.
• Not every elective or special-topic course is necessarily offered every year; Massey notes that some offerings can change from year to year.
• A Creative Review is encouraged after application/enrolment but is not stated as a formal admission requirement.
• No portfolio, audition or interview is listed as an additional admission requirement on the current programme page.
• Professional registration requirement: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

Since Media Technology is an on-campus programme in Wellington, an international student coming to New Zealand to study it will normally need an appropriate New Zealand student visa.

The relevant route is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa. Immigration New Zealand currently states that this visa:

• Costs from NZD 850.
• Can be granted for up to 4 years.
• Has 80% of applications processed within 8 weeks.
• Requires an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Requires evidence of sufficient tuition funding or an acceptable scholarship.
• Requires evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Requires acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Requires applicants to meet health and character requirements.
• Requires genuine study intentions and evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay