Bachelor of Arts and Media
Course details
| NZQF Level | 7 |
|---|
About the course
Study art and design in an innovative environment and fuel your creativity.
Based in Te Tauihu, a region blessed with stunning natural landscapes and abundant sunshine hours, you'll be able to draw on the same creative influences that have attracted a legacy of practising artists and designers to the region for many years.
The Bachelor of Arts and Media programme provides the fundamental skills to enable graduates to move into personal practice or embark on a career in arts and design.
Grounded in academic and technical excellence, you will learn the effective use of visual language by developing extensive knowledge in painting, graphic design, animation, photography, digital video and illustration.
Take a virtual tour of the Creative Industries building
Programme overview
You will develop fundamental skills in your first year through various compulsory courses, including lens-based media, graphic design, object design, image-making and communication, and critical studies.
In your second year, you will advance your critical design thinking and professional practice while specialising in several creative areas. Courses include lens-based media, object design, graphic design and image studio.
In your third and final year of the Bachelor programme, you will complete a major project by tying together your research and independent study to present a final studio project at the end-of-year Bachelor of Arts and Media (BAM) exhibition.
What will I learn?
- To apply broad knowledge and practical and conceptual skills in the production of arts and design work, (thinking creatively)
- To use investigative tools with creative processes, methods and technologies to develop responses to briefs, (apply creative processes and methods)
- To use research to support the development of ideas and to inform your own work within the conventions and contexts of arts and design,
(research skills) - To critique your own work (critical thinking) and the work of others, communicate in a range of situations and present your own resolved work in simulated real-world situations, (communication and presentation skills)
- To apply professional practices (act professionally) to manage projects within defined deadlines (time management) and select potential education and employment pathways in arts and design.
Student work
Career pathways
- Practising Artist
- Art Teacher
- Computer Animator
- Graphic Designer
- Photographer/Videographer
- Advertising Specialist
- Gallery Associate
- Arts Facilitator
- Creative Producer
- Exhibition Designer
- Motion Graphics Designer
- Multimedia Creative
- 3D Visual Designer
Find out more about these exciting careers at careers.govt.nz
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at Level 3 and 20 credits at Level 2 or higher) which must include:
- 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three approved* subjects including at least one from the following subjects list: Painting (Visual Art); Design (Visual Art); Photography (Visual Art); Sculpture (Visual Art); Printmaking (Visual Art); Graphics (Technology); Design (Technology); Textiles (Technology); Media Studies; Drama; Materials Technology; Digital Technology; English; History; Social Sciences or Art History
as well as
- Literacy* - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing
and
- Numeracy* - 10 credits at Level 1 or above (specified achievement standards, or unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627)
OR
A qualification on the NZQF at Level 4 or above in a related discipline
OR
A qualification or examination recognised as being equivalent to achievement of NCEA Level 3 (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination)
*NZQA approved subjects: see http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/awards/university-entrance/.
Alternative requirements
Applicants who are unable to evidence that they meet Academic entry requirements, but who can demonstrate acquired skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, may be approved for alternative entry by the Curriculum Manager (or delegate).
English language requirements
If English is not the applicant’s first language, applicants will need to provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes.
IELTS 6.0 Academic (no lower than 5.5 in each band),
Note: Applicants who do not have evidence of English language skills and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, may contact NMIT for an assessment
Applicants who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance requirements are not required to provide evidence of English language skills . IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.
Other requirements
Computer literacy:
A sufficient level of computer literacy is required.*
Portfolio:
All applicants to provide evidence of creative work.**
Special Entry
In exceptional circumstances an applicant who does not meet the full entry requirements may be granted admission to the Programme on the approval of the Head of Department or delegate if he/she is confident of the applicant’s ability to successfully undertake the degree with a reasonable likelihood of success.
*COMPUTER LITERACY REQUIREMENT
This study programme involves producing work in electronic forms. Therefore, applicants applying to enter the programme without sufficient computer literacy for study at the relevant level will be expected to make use of computer facilities and/or training to develop their computer skills to a competent standard to succeed in their studies. A sufficient standard for entry would include competence using Microsoft Word or similar programme, email and the internet.
**PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENT
Portfolios should be an arts and/or design portfolio or equivalent personal portfolio.
The portfolio may include a selection of the following:
- Sketchbooks or workbooks showing the development of ideas
- Arts or design works, including both process works and finished works
- Photographs or slides or recordings relevant to the programme
- Photographic or digital records of any of the above
Portfolios will be examined for evidence of the applicant’s potential to further develop the following attributes:
- Technical skills in arts and/or design
- Design processes and/or concept development
See more about Supporting document requirements
About the provider
At NMIT, our goal is to ensure you graduate work-ready and confident in your knowledge and skills to step into a successful career. Our wrap-around support services guide you through the process of learning, teaching you skills for life and ensuring your well-being is supported so you can focus on achieving your goals.
NMIT strives to make meaningful and positive change to the businesses and members in our community. For nearly 120 years, we have stood strong as a cornerstone for high-quality tertiary education and community engagement Te Tauihu (the Top of the South).
This means when you join NMIT, you become connected to a network of industry partners and employment opportunities that can open doors for you. Our passionate tutors across multiple study areas are highly regarded and influential in their chosen fields.
Whatever path you wish to pursue, we'll do what we can to help you reach your goal. Our internationally recognised qualifications are yours for the taking, and the journey to get them can be a rewarding and uplifting experience.