Course details

Summary

Initial studies in this subject deal with the pragmatic processes and components of graphic design, with a focus on typography. Advancing studies become more self-motivated as students define areas of research that interest them. Seminars given by staff, visiting professionals and other students address current issues in graphic design and help students locate their interests within the tradition and trajectory of contemporary design.

Students are introduced to current technology throughout their courses. Alongside digital processes and artefacts, students are also encouraged to investigate other more traditional processes, such as screen printing.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a prestigious qualification that will give you a broad knowledge in visual arts, multimedia and design before you specialise in your studio subject of choice. The four-year degree makes use of purpose-built facilities and students enjoy being part of a supportive community of practitioners.

Qualification structure and duration

The Bachelor of Fine Arts requires a total of 480 points:

• Fine Arts Intermediate Year (120 points)
• your specialist studio subject (270 points)
• courses from the Bachelor of Arts or other degrees (including some compulsory Art History and Theory or Cinema Studies courses) (75 points).

Further study

• Postgraduate options include:
• Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours
• Master of Fine Arts
• Postgraduate Diploma in Art Curatorship

A UC Fine Arts degree is accepted as an entry qualification to postgraduate studies in other tertiary institutions in New Zealand and overseas. UC graduates have been accepted into the best graduate programmes in the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada, the United States and Australia.

Career opportunities

Students majoring in Graphic Design have positions as graphic designers, professional artists, consultants, illustrators, publishers, marketers, advertisers, lecturers and art teachers.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Bachelor's degree.

Specific entry requirements

To apply for admission to the Intermediate Year (first year) of the BFA directly from school, you need to:

• achieve NCEA Level 3 Visual Arts in one or more subjects; and
• have at least 14 credits in each of two other NCEA Level 3 subjects (that are not practical art subjects) is also strongly recommended; or
• the equivalent standards in other qualification frameworks.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.