Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice
Course details
| NZQF Level | 9 |
|---|
About the course
The Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice enables artists, designers, photographers, animators, educators, performers, directors, producers and other creative thinkers to advance their professional careers within Unitec’s Creative Industries cultural hub.
In the first semester, a combination of taught, negotiated or studio courses allow you to tailor the learning experience to your specialist creative research interests, whether these fall into traditional (graphic design, industrial design, photography, animation, visual arts, performance) or hybrid domains (service design, experience design, design for social innovation, performance or production design, transmedia, interdisciplinary practice).
Your second semester involves conceptualising, proposing and implementing advanced creative research. You will be supervised and mentored by academic staff and/or industry professionals. Creative projects may take place on campus or be integrated into a relevant workplace.
Highlights
- Create a body of new work, improve your job opportunities, and refresh or re-orient your profession.
- Develop critical self-reflection, creative thinking and research skills by taking your practice to an advanced level.
- Work in an evolving multi-disciplinary environment where you will get exposure to a wide range of approaches, practices, and theories.
- Improve your communication and project proposal skills through studio critiques and written components.
- Learn from supervisors that include notable artists, designers, and educators.
- Enhance your creative portfolio with a significant advanced research project.
Screenwriting
Develop your craft in writing for screen at post graduate level in a practice-led environment mentored by industry specialists. Working across Certificate, Diploma or Masters Level this course offers intensive and collaborative workshop opportunities combined with individualised flexible modes of delivery towards the realisation of a significant screenwriting project. Screenwriting graduates develop strong industry connections throughout their study, taking up opportunities to write for TV and activate links with the screen community.
PGDCP (2 semesters) – Develop screenwriting and pitching skills and complete an industry standard script (short screenplay for submission).
Meet our Postgraduate Supervisors
- Dr. Cris de Groot, Senior Lecturer (Product Design, Industrial Design, Business Focussed Design, Creativity, Creative Entrepreneurship)
- Richard Fahey, Senior Lecturer (Painting, Visual Art, Ceramics, NZ Craft, Curating, Visual Art Education)
- Gina Ferguson, Senior Lecturer (Sculpture, Craft, Installation Art, Public Art)
- Allan McDonald, Lecturer (Photography)
- Emma Smith, Senior Lecturer (Painting, Visual Art, Contemporary Art)
- Dr. Leon Tan, Associate Professor (Public Art, Participatory Art, Visual Art, Visual Culture, Participatory Design, Interdisciplinary Practice)
- Jonty Valentine, Lecturer (Graphic Design, Publication Design, Contemporary Art)
- Dan Wagner, Senior Lecturer (Screen Art, Screen Education, Cinematography)
- Paul Woodruffe, Senior Lecturer (Visual Art, Public Art, Design for Social Innovation)
- Dr. Becca Wood, Senior Lecturer (Choreography, Somatic Practice, Spatial Practice, Site-Based Performance, Interdisciplinary Practice, Digital Culture)
- Dr. Vanessa Byrnes, Associate Professor (Theatre, Performance, Directing, Acting, Theory, Producing)
- Peeti Lamwilai, Lecturer (Graphic Design, Digital Design, Motion Graphics)
Upcoming Events
In School of Creative Industries we have a wide range of shows and events, discover more from:
Career Options
- Artist
- Choreographer
- Creative director
- Curator
- Digital artist
- Director
- Graphic designer
- Photographer
- Producer
- Visual artist
Annual Tuition Fees
Domestic/NZ students
$8,600(NZD)
(Approximate fees only - includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF) levy. Your final study costs depends on a number of factors including the courses you select to study. View options for funding your study and fees-free eligibility)
International students
$30,415 (NZD) (approximate fees for 120 credits)
Semester Dates
Sem 1 2026: 23 Feb – 28 Jun
Sem 2 2026: 20 Jul – 22 Nov
For course and class timings, refer to the specific course webpage.
For StudyLink purposes, please ensure your application states your earliest course start date.
Downloads and resources
Programme regulations - Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice Order a personalised brochure Scholarships and awardsStudent LifeFor Māori studentsFor Pacific studentsFor International students
Entry requirements
You must have completed at least one of the following:
- A recognised Bachelor’s degree in the same or similar discipline, with merit achievement deemed to be an average of B- or higher in all Level 7 courses; or
- A professional qualification in a relevant discipline, recognised as being equivalent to merit achievement in a Bachelor’s degree
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.
Non-Academic requirements
- A significant portfolio of professional work sufficient to enable critical reflection on your prior practice
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.
About the provider
Unitec is New Zealand’s largest institute of technology offering a wide range of work-oriented programmes and short courses. We offer leading employment-focused education at our two campuses in Mt. Albert, and Waitākere. At Unitec we think the traditional view of spending hours in a lecture theatre is out-dated. And that's why we approach learning differently. With our unique combination of world-class theory and hands-on experience, you'll get the skills to meet the changing needs of employers. And because our tutors are industry-based, they know what it takes to make it in the real world. We offer a friendly and diverse learning environment with flexible study programmes, lots of support, and hands-on experience to build the skills you need for your career and your future.