Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Practice
Course details
| NZQF Level | 8 |
|---|
About the course
The Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Practice enables artists, designers, photographers, actors, dancers, choreographers, directors, producers and other creative practitioners to advance their professional careers through a one-semester course of study. Students undertake creative project and negotiated studies courses over the semester under the supervision of an expert in the field. Whether in traditional (graphic design, industrial design, publication design, photography, animation, visual arts, dance, acting, performance) or hybrid domains (service design, experience design, design for social innovation, performance or production design, transmedia, interdisciplinary practice) students pursue a practice-based programme of learning tailored to individual interests and backgrounds.
Highlights
- Create a body of new work, improve your job opportunities, and refresh or re-orient your profession.
- Develop creative thinking and research skills through applied practice.
- Improve your communication and project proposal skills through studio/project critiques and written components.
- Learn from supervisors that include notable artists, designers, and educators.
- Enhance your creative portfolio with a small independent or collaborative 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.
PGCCP (1 semester) – Upskilling or refresher on screenwriting, including basics of funding, pitching and submitting.
Further study
Students can staircase into the Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice (PGDCP) or Master of Creative Practice (MCP) programmes if admitted into the PGDCP or MCP no later than 3 years from completing the award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Practice(PGCCP) qualification. Staircasing involves cross-crediting 60 credits from the PGCCP towards the PGDCP or MCP programme, and completing the remaining requisite credits.
For more information about these specialised courses contact Post Graduate Discipline Leader Becca Wood
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
- Art director
- Artist
- Choreographer
- Curator
- Director
- Experience designer
- Filmmaker
- Graphic designer
- Performance designer
- Photographer
- Producer
- Product designer
- Sculptor
- Service designer
- Visual artist
Annual Tuition Fees
Domestic/NZ students
$4,300
(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
This programme is not open to international students - check our international study options instead.
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 Certificate in Creative Practice Order a personalised brochure Scholarships and awardsStudent LifeFor Māori studentsFor Pacific studentsFor International students
Entry requirements
And meet one of the English entry requirements;
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.