Bachelor of Design and Contemporary Art

The Bachelor of Design and Contemporary Art is the key to turning your creativity and innovation into an exciting career in the art and design industry. With hands-on teaching and learning at the heart of this degree programme, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your practice through making and creating while developing the technical skills and expert knowledge you’ll need to land your dream job. Your first year of study will involve lots of discovery and experimentation. From there, you’ll build a specialist area of practice that draws inspiration from your unique creative abilities and lived experiences, while remaining ever-focused on learning through doing. You’ll be supported every step of the way by a team of expert professionals. They’ll help you develop the knowledge and skills required to excel in the industry, motivate you to step outside your creative comfort zone, consider different cultural perspectives – and try something new. In your second semester, you’ll choose an area of practice within one of our three specialisations– Visual Art and Design – and gain key skills and experiences in that area through studio projects, diverse technical workshops and in-depth contextual discussions. Here are some of the areas of practice you can choose to focus on: It’s our job to ensure that when you walk across that graduation platform, you’re prepared and work-ready. Meeting the demands of the art and design industry and carving a thriving career means developing the right skills – and that’s exactly what you’ll do in this degree programme: In Aotearoa New Zealand, design is the largest sub-sector in the creative industries, employing almost half of all creative professionals in the Auckland region. It has grown four times faster than the total Auckland economy. Aotearoa New Zealand is experiencing a growth period in art sales, and work produced by emerging practitioners is highly desirable. There is a dynamic range of cultural and commercial practice within the arts sector. The skills that you’ll learn in this programme will not only provide a solid foundation but also help you excel in the world of art and design. As of 2021, it’s estimated that employment for designers in Aotearoa New Zealand will increase over the next five years, keeping career prospects for graduates high. In this degree, designers and artists are taught to be dexterous and adaptive to meet the needs of the dynamic industry. By developing skills and experience in a specialised area, you can apply for more specialist roles, and as you continue to build your portfolio, you’ll be well set to take on more senior roles or contracting work. Keen to push your creative boundaries even further? Then you might want to consider one of our postgraduate programmes: , and programmes.

You must have completed at least one of the following: Successful completion of an appropriate qualification at Level 4 or above in an art- or design-related subject, where appropriate; or NCEA requirements are a minimum of 42 credits achieved at NCEA Level 3 or higher, including: 14 credits in two art or design-related subjects 14 credits from two (maximum) other subjects (approved or non-approved courses) 14 credits achieved at NCEA Level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pāngarau. And meet one of the English entry requirements; University Entrance Literacy: 8 credits at Level 2 or above in English or Māori (4 in Reading, 4 in Writing); or Evidence of English language proficiency as outlined in the NZQA Rules on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students Web-page . Don’t meet these Academic requirements? If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify. Simply apply online, and we’ll discuss your next steps. If you don’t meet the above criteria, special or discretionary admission may apply ; your eligibility will be determined at the interview. Non-academic requirements When you apply for this programme, you’ll need to provide proof of your identity (ID) and other documents such as academic certificates – please have these handy when you’re ready to apply. As part of your application, you may also be asked to present a portfolio of work and/or attend an interview.