- Duration
- Full-time: 1 year
- Part-time: Varies
- Next start date
- 2025 Semester Two – 21 July
- 2026 Semester One – 2 March
- 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.
You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.
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
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
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
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Do you need help?
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Need to speak to someone?
You can phone us directly.
- Auckland
- 923 5025
- Outside Auckland
- 0800 61 62 63
- International
- +64 9 373 7513