Media Design School (MDS)
Media Design School is a specialist tertiary education provider focused on creative industries and digital technology. Its programmes combine technical learning, studio-style projects and industry briefs to help students develop practical skills and professional portfolios. The school is now known as Media Design School at Strayer, reflecting its place within the US-based Strayer organisation.
1. Ranking and reputation
MDS has received recognition in specialist design and animation rankings. These rankings measure particular areas of creative education and should not be confused with general university rankings.
Ranked #4 globally for design education: MDS announced this position in the World Brand Design Society Best Design Education Rankings 2025–26, published in March 2026. The recognition was associated with student work in its Bachelor of Media Design programme.
Ranked #1 in New Zealand and #18 globally for animation: MDS reports these positions based on Animation Career Review’s 2026 animation-college rankings.
Industry recognition: Students have won awards for design projects, including work developed through live briefs with organisations such as Sony Music and Spark New Zealand.
Types of courses and study levels
MDS offers programmes ranging from foundation certificates through bachelor's degrees to postgraduate qualifications. The following categories reflect the school's published course listing.
Foundation certificates
New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4)
New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design (Level 4)
Typical duration: 18 weeks, with full-time and part-time study options advertised.
These programmes can help students develop foundational creative and digital-media skills before progressing to further study, subject to entry and pathway requirements.
Bachelor’s degrees
Bachelor of Art and Design — 3D Animation and Visual Effects
Bachelor of Creative Technologies — Game Art
Bachelor of Information Technology
Bachelor of Media Design — Graphic, Motion and Interactive Design
Bachelor of Software Engineering — Artificial Intelligence
Bachelor of Software Engineering — Game Programming
Typical duration: Three academic years. These degrees suit students seeking an undergraduate qualification in creative production, design, software development or IT.
Graduate diplomas
Graduate Diploma of Creative Advertising
Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies — 3D Animation and VFX
Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies — Game Art
Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies — Game Programming
Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies — Graphic Design
Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies — Interactive Design
Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies — Motion Design
Typical duration: One academic year. These programmes offer a focused route for students who already have relevant prior education or meet the specific entry requirements.
Postgraduate certificates, diplomas and master’s study
Postgraduate Certificate in Design — 15 weeks, weekend classes advertised
Postgraduate Diploma in Design — 30 weeks, weekend classes advertised
Master of Design — 30 weeks, weekend classes advertised
These are aimed at students who want to advance their design practice, develop their professional capabilities or undertake higher-level study. Confirm entry requirements, study mode and international availability for the chosen intake.
Number of programmes offered
The official All Courses page displayed 18 course listings when reviewed: two foundation certificates, six bachelor’s degrees, seven graduate-diploma specialisations, one postgraduate certificate, one postgraduate diploma and one master’s programme.
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) provider listing records 16 qualifications, including digital-transformation qualifications not all shown in the same course-list snapshot. The figures differ because course listings may count specialisations separately and may not display every qualification in one place.
Key highlights for international students
Specialist creative and technology education
Students can focus on animation, VFX, game art, game programming, graphic and interactive design, software engineering, AI and IT rather than studying a broad general degree.
Adobe Creative Campus
MDS identifies itself as New Zealand's first Adobe Creative Campus, giving students access to digital tools and creative learning resources.
Industry partnerships
MDS highlights its relationships with Sony PlayStation, Unity Technologies and IBM. These partnerships connect programmes with relevant software, platforms and industry practices.
Portfolio-based learning
Students work on projects, industry briefs and presentations that can help them demonstrate their capabilities to prospective employers. The value of a portfolio is particularly important in creative fields, where employers may review practical work alongside qualifications.
International admission and student support
These are key points for students planning to study at MDS from overseas.
English language: The international-student page publishes an Academic IELTS requirement of 6.0 overall, with no band below 5.5, or an accepted equivalent. Check the individual programme page for any additional requirements.
Student visa: Students must hold a valid visa that permits study at MDS and comply with its conditions. Apply through Immigration New Zealand and confirm the correct visa category and evidence requirements.
Medical and travel insurance: MDS requires international students to maintain suitable medical and travel insurance for their period of study. Its published page identifies Southern Cross StudentMax as the default option; check the current premium before budgeting.
Overseas applications: Students who are not currently residing in New Zealand are instructed to contact
international@mediadesignschool.comto connect with an approved offshore education-agent partner. The school says it accepts agent applications only from agents with a formal agreement.Qualification recognition: MDS advises international students to independently check whether a qualification will be recognised by the relevant authorities or institutions in their home country. This is especially important if the student plans to return to India for further study or employment.
Latest updates — 2026 and upcoming 2027 intakes
As of 24 October 2026, the most relevant updates are:
1. 2027 recruitment is underway. MDS is advertising February 2027 entry for Game Art, Game Programming and 3D Animation and VFX, with other programmes and intakes listed on the course pages. Students should check availability and application deadlines for their specific course.
2. Global design recognition: In March 2026, MDS announced its #4 position in the World Brand Design Society Best Design Education Rankings 2025–26. Student work from the Bachelor of Media Design received several awards.
3. Animation ranking: MDS reports a #1 position in New Zealand and #18 globally in Animation Career Review’s 2026 animation-college rankings.
4. International scholarships have published 2027 deadlines. The South Asia IT Innovator Scholarship and Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies scholarship both list a 15 January 2027 deadline for February 2027 entry. Eligible international MDS alumni can also enquire about the 25% Alumni Scholarship.
5. Recent student and industry activity: The school's news page lists a RUSH mentorship story dated 13 October 2026 and international recognition for Creative Advertising students dated 2 October 2026. These illustrate its continuing engagement with professional practice and student work.
Scholarship
South Asia IT Innovator Scholarship
25% tuition reduction
For Year 1 of the Bachelor of Information Technology
Eligible countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
This scholarship is intended for new international students with strong previous academic performance who are entering the first year of MDS's Bachelor of Information Technology. The reduction applies to tuition fees, not all study and living expenses.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants should meet the following published conditions:
Be a new, eligible international student from one of the six listed South Asian countries.
Not be a New Zealand citizen.
Apply for the first year of the Bachelor of Information Technology.
Meet all published MDS admission requirements and demonstrate strong previous academic performance.
Comply with applicable laws and relevant student-visa conditions.
Maintain good academic standing while receiving the scholarship.
Remain enrolled in the eligible programme. Changing to an ineligible programme or withdrawing can cancel future scholarship payments.
Required application documents
Prepare the following:
Academic transcript showing previous academic performance.
Letter of intent addressing:
Your interest in IT and why you want to study the subject.
Your relevant experience, background and contributions.
Why you have chosen the Bachelor of Information Technology at MDS.
Your intended career goals.
Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies International Scholarship
NZ$6,000 tuition reduction
For eligible international students entering the Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies
This award supports eligible international students with strong previous academic performance who enrol in MDS's Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies. Applicants should confirm that their intended specialisation is eligible before applying.
Eligibility requirements
Be a new, eligible international student who is not a New Zealand citizen.
Apply for the Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies.
Meet MDS's admission requirements and demonstrate strong previous academic performance.
Comply with the relevant laws and student-visa conditions.
Maintain good academic standing and remain enrolled in the eligible programme.
Required application documents
Academic transcript showing previous academic performance.
Letter of intent, explaining:
Your passion for creative technologies.
Relevant experience, background and contributions.
Why you have chosen the Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies.
Your future career plans.
Portfolio demonstrating relevant creative or technical work.
The portfolio is explicitly listed as part of this scholarship's application requirements. Ask MDS whether it has a preferred format, file size or submission method.
Alumni Scholarship — International
25% tuition reduction
For one year of eligible further study at MDS
Unlike the two scholarships above, this award is intended for international students who have already completed an eligible three-year MDS degree and want to continue into further study. It is not a general scholarship for new students arriving from overseas with a degree from another institution.
Eligible further-study programmes
The published scholarship covers one year of further study in an eligible:
Graduate Diploma (Level 7)
Postgraduate Certificate
Postgraduate Diploma
Master's programme
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must:
Be an international student.
Have successfully completed a three-year MDS degree.
Demonstrate exceptional academic performance in that degree.
Have been recognised for effective leadership skills.
Required documents and application process
The published supporting documents include:
A letter of intent covering academic achievements.
A portfolio, where required for the chosen programme.
