Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts – GDipFA

Massey’s Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts is for skilled graduates who want to gain new knowledge and skills in fine arts.

Type of qualification

Graduate diploma

Level of study

Graduate study

Graduate qualifications normally involve study in a different area to your first undergraduate qualification. Some are stepping stones to postgraduate-level study.

More about study levels

NZQF level 7

Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete

1 year full-time (120 credits)
Part-time available

Where you can study

Wellington campus

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students on campus in New Zealand
Note: Selected entry qualification.

Study a Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts – GDipFA

You’ll be studying with other fine arts students in courses at 200, 300 and 400-level.

In the large art studio courses you’ll have the support to work in any media in an interdisciplinary studio environment. This includes sculpture, painting, drawing, performance, installation, moving image, photography, printmaking, site-responsive work, curatorial activities and art writing.

Other study could include a range of studio courses that develop your practice further. Critical and contextual studies also help expand your knowledge of art and design discourse.

 Get the full picture

A GDipFA is a good fit if you:

  • are creative or artistic
  • enjoy the arts.

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

This is a selected entry qualification. This means there are a number of extra requirements you must meet.   

To be admitted to the Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts you will:

  • have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, or
  • have demonstrated equivalent practical, professional and/or scholarly experience.

You will also:

  • be assessed on a portfolio of work to show you are at the standard necessary to undertake work up to 300-level and beyond
  • take part in an interview if required.

Application closing date

Applications close on 30 November for study commencing the following year.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

This qualification is classified as NZQF Level 7 and requires the same English language standard as most undergraduate bachelor degrees, diplomas and certificates.

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Structure of the Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts

If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

Courses and specialisations

Key terms

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.

Credit summary

120 credits

  • Schedule A compulsory course selection – 30 credits
  • Schedule B Core Studio courses – 60 credits
  • Schedule C Elective Courses from the College of Creative Arts – 30 credits

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.

Schedule A: Compulsory options (Choose 30 credits from)

Choose 30 credits from
Course code: 197339 Transformation: Discourse in Design 15 credits

From the design of serving communities, to processes, to the necessity of embracing the health of our planet, this course encourages students to independently explore and appraise a range of ideas that critically examine how contemporary design is shaped by cultural, ethical, moral, commercial, ecological and technological complexity.

Prerequisites: 197239 OR 289200 OR 237231 OR 133257 OR 150206 Restrictions: 237330

View full course details
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

View full course details
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

View full course details
Course code: 213370 Professional Cultures in Art 3 15 credits

Learn skills and knowledge to develop sustainable art practice within Aotearoa.

Prerequisites: One of: 213270 298260 289250 197290 133280 Restrictions: 289350 298360 197390 133380

View full course details
Course code: 237331 Critical Understandings of Contemporary Art 15 credits

This course examines and appraises ideas that contribute to a critical understanding of contemporary art. Students will evaluate a range of content in relation to their own creative practice as well as the wider contemporary art world. The relation between artists and their processes and approaches will be explored through topics such as race, gender, intersectionality, decolonisation, popular culture, politics, social justice, and others.

Prerequisites: 15 credits from 237231, 289200, 150206, 133257, 197239

View full course details
Course code: 298330 Cosmological Narratives within Māori Creative Expression 15 credits

This advanced-level course delves into the intricate relationship between Māori cosmological narratives and their dynamic manifestation within contemporary Māori creative expression. Through an interdisciplinary exploration that encompasses art, design, music, theatre, and dance, students will analyse the evolving role of cosmological narratives, connecting traditional wisdom to modern artistic innovation.

Prerequisites: 1 of 150206; 237230; 237231; 133257; 289200

View full course details
Course code: 298360 Mātauranga Toi Māori 3: Creative Innovation and Community Leadership 15 credits

This course propels students into the realm of Māori Arts Innovation and Community Leadership. By synthesizing foundational knowledge with advanced theoretical frameworks, innovative artistic projects, and community leadership principles, students will refine their skills as Māori Arts Practitioners and actively contribute to the evolution of Māori arts practices within a contemporary context.

Prerequisites: one of: 213270 or 298260 or 289250 or 197290 or 133280 Restrictions: 289350 133380 197390 213370

View full course details

Schedule B: Core Studio (Choose 60 credits from)

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 213341 Fine Arts Studio 3.3: Practice 30 credits

In this studio course students will extend their art practice. In consultation with lecturers, they will devise, undertake and document a substantial individual or collaborative project. They will explore content, context, methods, and the role of critical dialogue in the production of contemporary art.

Prerequisites: 213241 Restrictions: 213300, 213351

View full course details
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

View full course details
Course code: 213343 Fine Arts Studio 3.1: Project 15 credits

In this studio course students will explore new possibilities for the production of contemporary art. They will investigate content, processes, context and critical dialogue to develop a body of work that extends their current practice.

Prerequisites: One of: 213241 or 213243 or 213244 Restrictions: 213342

View full course details
Course code: 213344 Fine Arts Studio 3.2: Public Exhibition 15 credits

In this studio course students will situate their practice by investigating the relationship between the production and dissemination of art. They will develop artwork that extends their current practice and work in a collaborative group to present this work in a public exhibition.

Prerequisites: 213241 or 213243 or 213244 Restrictions: 213342

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Course code: 298367 Toi Atea 3 15 credits

Developing visual responses to the exploration of issues (social, political, environmental, global) significant to Māori people and their communities.

Prerequisites: 298263

View full course details

Schedule C: Elective courses

Any 200 or 300 level courses from the College of Creative Arts (Prefixes: 133, 197, 198, 212, 213, 221, 222, 223, 224, 237, 289, 293, 296, 298)

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Accreditations and rankings

QS Ranking - Art & Design

College of Creative Arts – Toi Rauwhārangi ranks in the global top 150 for art and design by QS World University Rankings.

Learn more

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