Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours)

About the programme

Passionate about art and eager to improve your existing abilities? Want the chance to showcase your creative work and further your career prospects?

The programme provides you with the opportunity to further develop your undergraduate experience of the history and contemporary conventions of your field. Gain a variety of transferable skills and become an effective team worker who can take risks and think laterally to solve problems. Better understanding and advanced learning, including research skills in studio and theory, will present you with higher level employment prospects in education, or the arts industry and management sectors. Alternatively, you may become a practising artist in various disciplines and media.

This research-focused visual arts programme is also ideal if you are a high achiever who intends to pursue further postgraduate study. Extend your ability to work within the Visual Arts in a way that demonstrates a systematic engagement with contemporary thinking in your chosen area. This will culminate in an exhibition and related text that portrays your intellectual rigour and professional expertise. Benefit from our unique range of workshop facilities, the guidance and support from highly-experienced lecturers and the School's focus on individual supervision and student-centred learning.

Studying part-time

We know full-time study isn't always possible. We also offer this programme part-time over two years.

Entry

Entry requirements

• You must hold a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Level 7) or any equivalent qualification at a bachelor's level or above, with an overall grade of B (70%) or higher in your final year studio and essay papers.
• Normally, commencement of Honours study must occur within five years of the successful completion of your degree. Exceptions will require the approval of the Postgraduate Coordinator.
• You must submit an annotated portfolio, curriculum vitae and a project proposal. The portfolio must be no larger than 2MB. See portfolio section below.
• Selection for admission includes an interview - see below for more info.
• If you do not hold the above qualifications, you must demonstrate appropriate ability through a portfolio and associated writings which will be approved by the Postgraduate Admissions Committee.
• International students will be individually assessed to ensure they meet the entry requirements.

We will be taking applications for a February 2023 start until 27 January 2023. Please submit all your materials by this date through the application portal.

Postgraduate interview dates

We will schedule in-person interviews on Wednesday 8 February for those in Dunedin. If you can't get to Dunedin, we will organise a time for you.##### English Language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 with no individual band score lower than 6.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Your portfolio

Your application should contain the following:

1. A curriculum vitae of no more than two pages which lists the relevant qualifications and previous exhibiting histories and references or includes any reviews or responses which are relevant.
2. An annotated portfolio with images that indicate the scope of the work to date in a focused way. These images should relate to your project proposal. See more info below.
3. A project proposal of 500-1000 words with annotated bibliography.

Annotated portfolio details

You should provide approximately 15 images of work (including images of installations where applicable). Each image should be numbered and correspond with an annotated list including information as to title, date, size, materials and position within your practice. Images should illustrate a range of work as well as development over a period of time. If available, you should attach exhibition catalogues, reviews, articles or any other material relevant to your work. 

Sending us your CV, portfolio and project proposal

• Please submit these digitally if you can.
• Please don't submit originals.
• If you have trouble uploading your documents digitally when you're applying online, please email [email protected]

If you need to send us your documents in a physical format, please send them to: 

Dunedin School of Art
Otago Polytechnic
Riego Street
Private Bag 9010, Dunedin

Please note: While all reasonable care will be taken, Otago Polytechnic does not accept responsibility for damage or loss of portfolio material.

Want your existing skills recognised?

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email [email protected] or call 0800 762 786.