Bachelor of Design (Game Animation)
Course details
| NZQF Level | 7 |
|---|
About the course
Game animation brings together storytelling, animation and game development. You'll explore how characters, worlds and ideas come to life through animated film and interactive media, while developing practical skills used across creative production environments.
Studio-based learning sits at the heart of the experience. You'll create visual narratives, develop game assets, experiment with 2D and 3D animation, and work with industry-standard tools and workflows. As your skills grow, you'll tackle larger projects, collaborate with others and contribute to the production of animated films or playable games.
Industry engagement, work-integrated learning and a substantial self-directed project help connect your creative practice to professional contexts.
Key features
- Broad creative skillset: Combine game animation with courses from other design specialisations.
- Real-world project experience: Apply your skills through client projects, placements and industry engagement.
- Culturally informed practice: Develop creative work grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi & te ao Māori.
- Industry-aligned game production: Create assets, stories and playable experiences through structured production pipelines.
What you'll learn
- Visual storytelling and narrative development
- Character, world and story creation
- Storyboarding and pre-production processes
- 2D animation techniques
- 3D animation tools and workflows
- Sequential art and visual narrative design
- Concept art and asset development
- Game design principles and player experience
- Game engines and interactive environments
- Production pipelines and project management
- Collaborative studio practice
- Portfolio and professional practice development
Entry requirements
Academic Requirements
University Entrance as specified by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
OR New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) Open Pathway
OR a relevant qualification at Level 4 or above listed on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.
* NZQA approved subjects: see https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/understanding-secondary-quals/university-entrance/
If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), Ara will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.
Additional Requirements
In addition you need to:
- Submit a portfolio demonstrating your art/design work with your application.
- Provide the additional requirements that are specified in the Bachelor of Design Additional Requirements Form.
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.
- This may include Recognition of Prior Learning. Contact Ara for advice.
English Requirements
What if English is not my first Language?
If English is not your first language, we want to make sure that you will be successful in your chosen programme of study.
- Please provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives
- English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.
- If you are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, complete an Admission and Enrolment form and Ara will contact you regarding a free assessment.
- If you are not a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent resident, please book a PTE Academic test through the Ara Examination Centre or complete an NZQA-approved English language test in your home country.
- 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.
- What if I have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance?
- You do not need to provide additional evidence of English Language skills.
IELTS 6.0 Academic (no lower than 5.5 in any subtests).
Applicants who have achieved University Entrance requirements are not required to provide evidence of English language skills.
Selection Requirements
A selection process will take place for this programme. This will be assesed based on the portfolio provided with the application (including; working process, technique, composition, media and aesthetic).
About the provider
Ara Institute of Canterbury is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading tertiary institutes. Specialising in applied, vocational and professional training, it offers more than 150 courses from foundation to postgraduate level.
Ara caters to a diverse range of learners; from school leavers and career changers to professionals wanting to upskill and individuals seeking to re-enter the workforce.
All Ara students benefit from the Ara Advantage: relevant courses, taught by inspirational mentors in real-life learning environments. Almost every Ara programme includes work-integrated learning. Work placements, apprenticeships, industry-based projects and internships ensure students are work-ready when they graduate.
Across its six campuses, Ara’s dedicated tutors and non-academic staff support students throughout their study journey. A comprehensive range of student services - such as financial assistance, learning support, health and wellbeing services, accommodation, childcare and student events – contributes to the success of every student.
It also has six additional small community hubs which deliver free digital upskilling and personal development courses.