New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 6)
Course details
| NZQF Level | 6 |
|---|
About the course
Enhance your technical and creative skills through independent studio work in your chosen field of photography, image, object, and digital design.
This Level 6 diploma builds on your creative experience from the Level 5 programme, allowing you to expand your technical expertise and develop an independent body of work. You’ll deepen your understanding of professional practice, refine your creative direction, and gain the confidence to exhibit, collaborate, and engage with industry professionals.
With opportunities for guest workshops, real-world projects, and end-of-year showcases, this programme supports your growth as a creative practitioner and prepares you for employment or further study in the Bachelor of Arts and Media.
What you'll learn
Upon successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:
- Apply a broad range of specialised technical skills and technologies to design, produce, and present creative work in a selected area of arts, craft, or design
- Apply knowledge of historical and contemporary arts, craft, or design movements to inform and strengthen your creative practice
- Apply professional business practices and creative processes - including discovery, conceptualisation, review, iteration, prototyping, and presentation - to independently manage projects in response to complex briefs
- Apply knowledge of the elements and principles of your chosen creative field to review and quality-assure creative work critically
Courses offered
After exploring all disciplines at Level 5, you’ll now have the opportunity to focus on the creative field that inspires you most.
You’ll study courses in:
- Photography
- Image
- Professional Practice
- Critical Studies
- Digital Art and Design
- Object Design
- Studio
This structure allows you to refine your creative direction and develop an independent body of work, preparing you for professional practice or further study in the Bachelor of Arts and Media.
What learning is like
Students engage in a range of creative and technical practices, including:
- Digital design, illustration, and typography
- Manual camera operation and photography
- Printmaking: lino cuts, monotype, and screen printing
- Digital drawing and graphic design
- Painting and clay work
- Laser cutting
- Art and design history: both historical and contemporary
- Professional practices: understanding industry standards and workflows
- Creating a body of work and portfolio
- Holding exhibitions
- Giving and receiving feedback and critique
You’ll have opportunities to apply for funding grants, write exhibition proposals, and showcase your work at public exhibitions and events such as the End of Year Showcase, Tā Ramaroa (Light Nelson), and the New Zealand Professional Photography Awards.
Career opportunities
Graduates will be prepared to work in:
- Intermediate-level roles in arts, craft and design industries (e.g. production or design positions)
- Arts administration (theatres, museums, art galleries)
- Advertising and creative agencies
- Freelance creative practice
You may also pathway directly into the third year of the Bachelor of Arts and Media.
Unleash your creativity and begin your artistic journey with a wide range of art and design programmes.
Entry requirements
You’ll need to have completed the New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 5) or have equivalent knowledge and experience.
If you feel you have the required skills for direct entry, please contact us to discuss recognition of prior learning options.
Additional requirements
Please see the Supporting documents section for more information and form templates.
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.