Duration
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2025 Semester One – 3 March
2025 Semester Two – 21 July
Available locations
City
Points
120
Programme type
Postgraduate

Programme overview

The Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts (PGDipFA) gives you the opportunity to integrate studio practice with critical studies.

The PGDipFA is open to anyone with a university degree who also has some relevant professional or industry experience. The diploma offers people who have established careers in the creative sector the chance to extend, refresh and diversify their artistic skill set. Students will bring their diverse experiences into the studio environment.

This diploma is suitable and relevant to people using their practice as part of their working life, eg. teachers, artists, designers, writers, community thinkers and civic creative specialists. You have an opportunity to learn new skills in supportive energetic studio setting and be a contributor to New Zealand’s pre-eminent, postgraduate Fine Arts environment.    

Programme structure

The PGDipFA takes two semesters to complete full time.

Students are encouraged to develop their own practice to an advanced level by working in a studio environment that’s supported by contextual study and workshop courses designed to develop new ways of making.

The first semester involves a discipline specific focus that is then followed by a second semester where students combine study into research methodologies with a larger individual studio project. 

Learn more about the postgraduate Fine Arts courses.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Sample programme structure

120-point PGDipFA - Taught (option 1)

Semester 1 60 points

  • Code:
    FINEARTS 761
    Name:
    Contemporary Practice 1
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    FINEARTS 763
    Name:
    Theories of Practice 1
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    FINEARTS 770
    Name:
    Research Methodologies - Level 9
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts

Semester 2 60 points

  • Code:
    FINEARTS 758
    Name:
    Creative Practice Methodologies
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    FINEARTS 759
    Name:
    Studio
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    45 pts

Sample programme structure

120-point PGDipFA - Taught (option 2)

Semester 1 60 points

  • Code:
    FINEARTS 764
    Name:
    Contemporary Practice 2
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    FINEARTS 766
    Name:
    Theories of Practice 2
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    FINEARTS 770
    Name:
    Research Methodologies - Level 9
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts

Semester 2 60 points

  • Code:
    FINEARTS 758
    Name:
    Creative Practice Methodologies
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    FINEARTS 759
    Name:
    Studio
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    45 pts

2025 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 4.0

    A Bachelor of Fine Arts

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 4.0

    A Bachelor degree from this University

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

You must have a grade point average of 4.0 or higher across 75 points of Stage III courses within your Bachelor degree.

If you completed your Bachelor of Fine Arts degree more than three years prior to your proposed commencement of the PGDipFA, then you may be required to provide a portfolio. We will contact you directly if this is required as part of your application.

You must have a grade point average of 4.0 or higher across 75 points of Stage III courses in your University of Auckland Bachelor degree.

You must also have relevant professional experience applicable to the field of Contemporary Art Practice / Fine Arts. Once you have submitted your Application for Admission, you will then need to submit your application portfolio using SlideRoom. Your portfolio is comprised of:

Creative Works

A selection of up to 12 works that demonstrates visual sensibility, creativity, technical skill and gives an overall impression of your interests. Your works could include, but are not limited to, the following media: painting, photography, sculpture, design, workbook pages, creative writing samples, recordings of performance, moving image, and/or audio works.

Written Statement

Your written statement should address your reasons for wanting to participate in the programme and how you see this contributing to your future career aspirations. Your statement should be approximately 500 words in length.

Practice-based Curriculum Vitae (CV)

This should cover your previous art training, experience, and practice. Include all exhibition(s), art and design-based activities and collaborative projects.It could also include involvement in relevant community activities and details of any academic and/or professional awards / prizes.

Other pathways to study

If you have a GPA of 3.5 across 75 points at Stage III, then you could seek entry into the PGCertFA as a pathway to the PGDipFA or 180-point MFA degrees.

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 4.0

    A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree 

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 4.0

    A Bachelor degree

  • Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.5

    No bands less than 6.0

    See alternative English language requirements

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

You must have completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (or equivalent) with a grade point equivalent of 4.0 or higher.

You may be required to provide a portfolio as part of the assessment of your application, and we will contact you directly if this is needed once you have submitted your Application for Admission.

You must have completed a Bachelors degree at a recognised university (or similar institution), with a grade point equivalent of 4.0 or higher.

You must also have relevant professional experience applicable to the field of Contemporary Art Practice / Fine Arts. Once you have submitted your Application for Admission, you will then need to submit your application portfolio using SlideRoom. Your portfolio is comprised of:

Creative Works

A selection of up to 12 works that demonstrates visual sensibility, creativity, technical skill and gives an overall impression of your interests. Your works could include, but are not limited to, the following media: painting, photography, sculpture, design, workbook pages, creative writing samples, recordings of performance, moving image, and/or audio works.

Written Statement

Your written statement should address your reasons for wanting to participate in the programme and how you see this contributing to your future career aspirations. Your statement should be approximately 500 words in length.

Practice-based Curriculum Vitae (CV)

This should cover your previous art training, experience, and practice. Include all exhibition(s), art and design-based activities and collaborative projects.It could also include involvement in relevant community activities and details of any academic and/or professional awards / prizes.

Other pathways to study

If you have a GPE of 3.5, then you could seek entry into the PGCertFA as a pathway to the PGDipFA or 180-point MFA degrees.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

How much does a Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts cost per year?

2025 fees

Domestic students
NZ$10,892.40*
International students
NZ$50,327*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $8.88 per point, estimated at $1,065.60 for full-time study (120 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

See course fees for each faculty

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Key dates

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2025
8 December 2024
Semester Two 2025
4 July 2025

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

We welcome any questions you may have about postgraduate study in Fine Arts. 

Contact our Postgraduate Adviser:

Simon Ingram
Email: s.ingram@auckland.ac.nz

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

There are three common areas where Elam graduates find employment – public sector, private organisations, or as a practising artist or entrepreneurial creative. As the business world looks to innovators, the capabilities developed through a creative education are becoming highly sought-after.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Animator
  • Art curator
  • Art director (TV/film)
  • Art writer or critic
  • Artist
  • Creative director in an agency
  • Designer
  • Educator

Further study options

See all study options

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

For Creative Arts and Industries specific career advice, visit Creative Careers.

Key Information for Students

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