Regulations for The Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts - GDipFA

Official rules and regulations for the Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts. These regulations are for the 2024 intake to this qualification.

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Qualification Regulations

Part I

These regulations are to be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, and Graduate Certificates.

Part II

Admission

1. Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts requires that the candidate will have:

(a) met the University admission requirements as specified; and will have

(b) been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent; or

(c) been assessed by Academic Board or their delegate as having equivalent practical, professional and scholarly experience at the appropriate level.

2. In all cases candidates must be selected into the Diploma following a selection process which will include the assessment of a portfolio of work submitted by the candidate and, at the discretion of Academic Board or their delegate, an interview.

Qualification requirements

3. Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts shall follow a flexible course of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 120 credits, comprising:

(a) 90 credits of core courses selected from Part A of the Schedule to the Diploma;

(b) 30 credits of elective courses selected from Part B of the Schedule to the Diploma;

(c) attending contact courses, block courses, field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials and laboratories as required.

Specialisations

4. The Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts is awarded without endorsement.

Student progression

5. In cases of sufficient merit, the Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts may be awarded with distinction if completed in one year of full-time study or three years of part-time study.

Completion requirements

6. Any timeframes for completion as outlined in the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates will apply.

7. Candidates may be graduated when they meet the Admission, Qualification and Academic requirements within the prescribed timeframes; candidates who do not meet the requirements for graduation may, subject to the approval of Academic Board or their delegate, be awarded the Certificate in Visual Arts should they meet the relevant Qualification requirements.

Unsatisfactory academic progress

8. The general Unsatisfactory Academic Progress regulations will apply.

Schedule for the Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Key terms for course planning
Courses
Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code
Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Part A: Compulsory courses (Choose 90 credits from)

Choose 90 credits from
Course code: 197388 Creative Communities 15 credits

Students from a broad range of creative practices will work together to explore conceptual and strategic dimensions of professional practice through engagement with experts from the creative sector. Students will develop an understanding of their position as creative citizens within a broader community.

Prerequisites: 75 Credits at 200 Level Restrictions: 198481, 212425, 221382, 222382, 223425, 224382

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Course code: 213341 Art Studio IIIA 30 credits

In this studio practice course students will expand content, context, methodology and the role of critical dialogue in the production of contemporary art. Study will be undertaken through a series of studio projects, media workshops, and a programme of gallery visits and guest speakers.

Prerequisites: 213242 or (213251 or 213201) Restrictions: 213300, 213351

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Course code: 213342 Art Studio IIIB 30 credits

In this studio practice course students will further expand content, context, methodology and the role of critical dialogue in the production of contemporary art. Study will be undertaken through a series of studio projects, media workshops, and a programme of gallery visits and guest speakers.

Prerequisites: 213341 Restrictions: 213300, 213351

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Course code: 213357 Introduction to Fine Arts Research Methods and Practices 15 credits

An introduction to a range of methods and practices for undertaking research in a fine art context.

Prerequisites: 213352 or 237330

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Course code: 237330 Creative Cultures & Ideas 15 credits

In this course students will explore and appraise a range of ideas that support the critical positioning of creative practices. The selected ideas will be explored through interdisciplinary engagement.

Prerequisites: 237230 or 237231

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Course code: 237331 Creative Cultures & Display 15 credits

In this course students will critically engage with a range of curatorial concepts in order to investigate modes of representation, collection, archiving, display and distribution. The course will overview key historical developments in 19th, 20th, and 21st century museum practices and examine selected cultural and ethical concerns for both community and institutional contexts.

Prerequisites: 75 credits at 200-level

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Part B: Elective courses

Course code: 213211 Fine Arts Special Topic II 15 credits

Prerequisites: Appraisal Required

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Course code: 213254 Drawing in Practice 15 credits

In this studio course students will be guided by experts, each with a focus on particular approaches and technologies of drawing. Students will experiment with these different methodologies, and critically reflect on the role of drawing within their own practice.

Prerequisites: 75 credits at 100 level from College of Creative Arts

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Course code: 213255 Drawing the Body II 15 credits

A creative response to representation of the human body through a prescribed project. Students apply a range of drawing practices and media to the development of individual work.

Prerequisites: 213155 or 197101 Restrictions: 197200

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Course code: 213256 Contemporary Art Projects A 15 credits

Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.

Prerequisites: 75 credits at 100 level from College of Creative Arts

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Course code: 213257 Contemporary Art Projects B 15 credits

Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.

Prerequisites: 75 credits at 100 level from College of Creative Arts

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Course code: 213258 Contemporary Art Projects C 15 credits

Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.

Prerequisites: 75 credits at 100 level from College of Creative Arts

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Course code: 213259 Contemporary Art Projects D 15 credits

Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.

Prerequisites: 75 credits at 100 level from College of Creative Arts

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Course code: 213260 Fine Arts Special Topic IIB 30 credits
Course code: 213261 Contemporary Art Projects F 15 credits

Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.

Prerequisites: 75 credits at 100-level from College of Creative Arts

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Course code: 213262 Contemporary Art Projects G 15 credits

Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.

Prerequisites: 75 credits at 100-level from College of Creative Arts

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Course code: 213263 Contemporary Art Projects H 15 credits

Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.

Prerequisites: 75 credits at 100-level from College of Creative Arts

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Course code: 213264 Contemporary Art Projects I 15 credits

Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.

Prerequisites: 75 credits at 100-level from College of Creative Arts

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Course code: 213265 Contemporary Art Projects J 15 credits

Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.

Prerequisites: 75 credits at 100-level from College of Creative Arts

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Course code: 213311 Fine Arts Special Topic III 15 credits

Prerequisites: Appraisal Required

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Course code: 213355 Drawing the Body III 15 credits

The development of an individual drawing project using the body as subject. A degree of innovation and experimentation is expected in both the practice of drawing and applied understanding of the representation of the human body.

Prerequisites: 213255 or 197200 Restrictions: 197301

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Course code: 213356 Contemporary Art Projects E 15 credits

An investigation into new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.

Prerequisites: 75 credits at 200 level from College of Creative Arts

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Course code: 213358 Fine Arts Internship 15 credits

A negotiated programme of study that provides students with the opportunity to gain experience and practice by working alongside visual arts professionals. Students work through self-directed inquiry and collaboration (as appropriate) towards the development of a project and assigned tasks within the professional environment. Prior approval by the course Coordinator is required.

Prerequisites: 60 credits at 200 level from the College of Creative Arts Restrictions: 213412

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Course code: 213359 Contemporary Art Projects K 15 credits

Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.

Prerequisites: 75 credits at 200-level from College of Creative Arts

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Course code: 213360 Fine Arts Special Topic IIIB 30 credits

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