New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4)

This programme consists of 60 credits.

COMPULSORY COURSES

Art/Design History (15 Credits)
Gain an introduction to national and international art/design practice including key historical principles, contexts and conventions.

Creative Methodology (15 Credits)
Learn to develop technical and conceptual creative skills through the selection and application of tools, techniques and processes appropriate to a directed art/design brief.

ELECTIVE COURSES COURSES (Choose two)**

Visual Arts Studio (15 Credits) (Whanganui campus)
Gain knowledge and experience of working in two and three-dimensional forms and, through a variety of visual arts mediums, explore physical, and conceptual space.

Fashion Design (15 Credits) (Whanganui campus)
Gain technical and conceptual skills within the specialisation of fashion design. During your studies you'll explore garment construction methods, and apply principles of fashion design in response to a brief; use digital illustration as a means of generating and developing work; and demonstrate and apply an understanding of health and safety practices associated with the studio environment.

Graphic Design (15 Credits) (Palmerston North or Whanganui campus)
Gain technical and conceptual skills within the specialisation of graphic design. During your studies you'll gain an understanding of specific design software; apply principles of graphic design in response to a brief, and explore and describe the use of visual communication within a graphic design context.

Photography (15 Credits) (Palmerston North or Whanganui campus)
Gain technical and conceptual skills within the specialisation of photography. During your studies you'll gain an understanding of specific photography software; apply tools, techniques and processes in response to a brief; research, explore and describe the use of visual communication within a photography context; and apply a problem-solving approach to image production for a variety of photographic imaging projects.

Digital Media (15 Credits) (Palmerston North or Whanganui campus)
Gain technical and conceptual skills within the specialisation of digital media. During your studies you'll gain an understanding of specific digital media software and principles in response to a brief; research, explore and describe the use of visual communication within a digital media context; and demonstrate and apply a problem-solving approach to image production for a variety of digital media imaging projects.

^{** Available elective courses may vary between campuses.} 

• Bachelor of Design and Arts
• Postgraduate Diploma of Design
• Master of Design

Fully equipped Art and Design Home Room, specialist Mac Design Labs, printmaking facilities, Fashion and textiles studio, photography and lighting studio, wood and metal working workshop.

To be eligible for entry to the programme, applicants must hold at least one of the following:

NCEA Level 2 (including Literacy 10 credits at Level 1 and Numeracy 10 Credits at Level 1) 

OR

Equivalent academic achievement

OR

On a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Executive Dean.

For more information about NCEA Credits see the UCOL NCEA explained page.

English language proficiency

International learner applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (ie combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

Under 20 years of age

The programme can be studied full-time or part-time, and may require learners to engage with evening classes and activities.

Applicants for the New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4) may be required to attend a conversation with UCOL staff. The purpose of the conversation is to provide information to the applicant, to gauge motivation and support, and preparedness for study, and to inform teaching staff of the needs of the student.

From time to time study may include field trips of one or more days in length, and in those instances there may be additional costs incurred by the learner. In these instances learners will be informed of the schedule and associated costs well ahead of time and the programme lecturers will endeavour to ensure the costs and arrangements are appropriate.

Learners need to be aware of the physical requirements for operating in professional studio environments. Learners will be advised to put any special needs or requirements in writing and advise the Programme Leader before the programme begins.

The availability of specific elective courses may be subject to the campus and the number of students enrolling in courses.

Work experience
There are no work experience hours for this programme.

Timetable
Your personalised timetable will be available just prior to classes starting, and will comprise a weekly commitment of:

• 19 hours of lecturer supported learning in class
• 17 hours of self-directed learning (your own time spent working to complete your assignments)

If you choose to do part-time work, we recommend a maximum of 10 hours a week.

Recognition of prior learning
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a learner believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Te Pūkenga Academic Statute and other relavant policies and procedures.

Application checklist
It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

• National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)
• Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)
• Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme
• Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).

Previous Related Programmes

The New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design Level 4 supersedes and takes the best from the following programme of study, which is no longer offered:

• Certificate in Art and Design
  

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020, and Universal College of Learning, a business division of Te Pūkenga is accredited to teach it.