Why Study/Key Benefits

The Without Specialisation pathway in Massey University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours is designed for students who want to develop an individual contemporary art practice without committing to the programme’s formal Matauranga Toi Maori specialisation. Massey describes the qualification as highly studio-based, with approximately two-thirds of study time spent in the studio. Students can experiment across different media and develop their own creative voice while studying art theory, critical thinking and professional practice.

Key benefits include:

• Freedom to develop an individual artistic practice rather than following a single media-specific specialisation.
• Extensive studio-based learning.
• Exposure to sculpture, painting, drawing, performance, installation, moving image, photography, printmaking, site-responsive work, curatorial practice and art writing.
• Collaboration with students across disciplines and year levels.
• Access to technical facilities and specialist teaching within Massey’s College of Creative Arts.
• A research-led fourth year culminating in a substantial independent practice-based project.
• Opportunities to combine Fine Arts study with electives and, where requirements are met, a minor from another undergraduate degree. 

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The qualification is parts-based, meaning students must satisfy the requirements of Part One before progressing through subsequent parts.

Part One

Students begin with foundational Fine Arts and creative-arts study.

Core areas include:

• Critical Studies
• Professional Cultures
• Core Studio
• Explorations

Examples of Critical Studies courses include:

• 133154 Music, People, Places
• 197139 Introduction to Design Localities in Aotearoa
• 237131 Art, Culture and Contexts
• 289100 Screen Arts, Creativity and Critical Thinking
• 293130 Critical Studies in Digital Worlds 1
• 298100 He Ara Tuku Iho: Taonga

These courses introduce critical thinking, contemporary art contexts, creative practice, local knowledge and emerging creative technologies.

Professional Culture options include 213170 Professional Cultures in Art, which introduces artistic practice with emphasis on ethics, Fine Arts cultures, learning and positionality.

Core Studio options include:

• 213157 Fine Arts Studio 1.1: Art Lab
• 213158 Fine Arts Studio 1.2: Media and Processes
• 298157 Toi tea 1

Students also select at least 30 credits from Explorations courses. Examples include:

• Explorations in Visualisation
• Explorations in Materials and Making
• Explorations in Generative Media Technologies
• Explorations in Modelling
• Explorations in Digital Asset Creation
• Explorations in Sound and Recording.

Part Two

Part Two develops the student’s artistic practice and critical understanding at a more advanced level.

Examples of Critical Studies options include:

• 133257 Music and Ethics
• 197239 Intersectional Design in Aotearoa

Studio and creative options develop individual practice, experimentation, critical dialogue and engagement with contemporary art approaches.

Part Three

Part Three further develops independent artistic practice and advanced critical thinking.

Examples of Critical Studies include:

• 133355 Music, Politics, Economies
• 197339 Te Taiao and Design Discourses
• 298330 Karero Tuku Iho | Cosmological Narratives within M?ori Creative Expression

Students can also select professional-culture and studio courses that support their developing artistic direction.

Part Four – Honours

The fourth year is the research-led Honours component.

The key compulsory research courses are:

• 213729 Fine Arts Research and Development: Honours – 30 credits
• 213830 Fine Arts Research Project: Honours – 60 credits

Disciplines/Specialisations

The selected pathway is Without Specialisation.

The BFA(Hons) is awarded either with or without a specialisation. The only formal specialisation currently available within the qualification is Matauranga Toi Maori. Therefore, the Without Specialisation pathway does not require students to complete that specialisation.

Within the Without Specialisation pathway, students can work across a broad range of artistic media and approaches, including:

• Painting
• Sculpture
• Drawing
• Performance
• Installation
• Moving image
• Photography
• Printmaking
• Site-responsive art
• Curatorial activities
• Art writing
• Digital and emerging creative technologies
• Material-based practice
• Interdisciplinary contemporary art.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF level 8 honours qualification.
• 480 credits.
• Four years full-time.
• Wellington campus.
• Approximately two-thirds of study is studio-based.
• Broad contemporary Fine Arts practice rather than a single-media specialisation.
• Access to painting, sculpture, drawing, performance, installation, photography, printmaking, moving image and other creative practices.
• Strong integration of art theory, critical thinking and practice-based research.
• Collaboration across disciplines and year levels.
• Fourth-year research-led Honours project.
• Opportunity to develop an independent body of contemporary art work.
• Potential to include an approved minor from another undergraduate degree.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that the BFA(Hons) prepares students for careers requiring creativity, resilience, determination, critical thinking, problem-solving and technical excellence. It can provide an entry point into professional Fine Arts practice and a range of art-related and creative-industry careers.

Potential career areas include:

• Professional fine artist
• Art education
• Arts administration
• Gallery and exhibition-related work
• Curatorial activities
• Art writing
• Creative industries
• Contemporary art production
• Creative project development
• Cultural organisations
• Freelance creative practice

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current BFA(Hons) is a 480-credit, NZQF level 8 qualification.
• The current formal specialisation is Matauranga Toi Maori; the selected pathway is Without Specialisation.
• No additional formal admission requirement is listed for the Without Specialisation pathway beyond Massey’s general university admission requirements.
• Massey recommends a Creative Review after application and enrolment.
• Progression to Part Two requires at least 75 credits at 100 level, including at least 60 credits from the College of Creative Arts.
• Progression to Part Four requires a weighted grade average of at least B- across the highest-graded 75 credits at the highest year level of study.
• The fourth-year Honours component is research-led and includes a substantial practice-based research project.
• For the International Creative Excellence Scholarship, a creative portfolio is required even though the degree itself does not impose a formal portfolio admission requirement.
• The current 2026 international prospectus lists February and July starts for the programme.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying the BFA(Hons) in Wellington, the relevant immigration route is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that:

• Visa: Fee Paying Student Visa
• Length of stay: up to 4 years
• Cost: from NZD $850
• Processing: 80% within 8 weeks
• Applicants need an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Applicants must have enough money to pay tuition fees or an appropriate scholarship.
• Applicants must have sufficient funds for living costs or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable insurance is required.
• Health and character requirements apply.
• Applicants must demonstrate genuine intentions to study and satisfy the applicable immigration requirements.