Regulations for The Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts - GradDipSCA

Official rules and regulations for the Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts. These regulations apply for 2026.

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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 Screen 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 Graduate 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 Screen Arts shall follow a flexible course of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 120 credits, comprising:

(a) At least 75 credits at 300-level or above;

(b) Any compulsory courses listed in the Schedule for the qualification;

and

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

4. Notwithstanding Regulation 3, with the approval of the Academic Board or their delegate a candidate may be permitted to transfer up to 30 credits from an incomplete graduate qualification in screen arts or related programme of study to the Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts.

Specialisations

5. The Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts is awarded without endorsement.

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 Diploma 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 Screen 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.

30 credits from

Course code: 289333 Screen Arts Major Project 30 credits

Work to an advanced technical, creative and professional standard in a collaborative production environment to complete a Major Project. Students will put into production the projects developed in the Major Project Development course managing deadlines and schedules to ensure project completion.

Prerequisites: 289.303 AND one of the following: 289.302 OR 296.367 OR 296.368.

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15 credits from

Course code: 289350 Professional Cultures in Screen Arts 3 15 credits

Develop professional skills in preparation for a career in the creative industries. Tauira will be supported in developing professional communication and presentation skills and to continue to strengthen personal growth and engagement in learning at this level.

Prerequisites: 15 credits from 289250, 133280, 197290, 213270, 298260

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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

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15 credits from

Course code: 289300 Locating a Critical Screen Practice 15 credits

Tauira will engage with concepts and theories that allow them to critically understand their own works, practices, and positionalities as makers in Aotearoa New Zealand. By employing their growing understandings of media ethics, alongside theories of representation, power and ideology, tauira will embed their creative process with critical thinking and consider their roles and responsibilities as media makers and as the producers of screen media.

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

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Course code: 298330 Kōrero Tuku Iho | 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

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30 credits from

Course code: 289302 Development Lab 15 credits

This course serves as the "on ramp" for next semester's major project. Student will analyse, research and reflect on their aesthetic choices and articulate how to their craft can support their vision. Students will prepare pitch presentations individually and in small groups, explaining the intentionality of their choices and demonstrating the viability of the proposed idea. At the end of the semester, projects will be green-lit to move forward to production in second semester.

Prerequisites: 289.218 or 289.227 or 289.222 or 289.230 or 289.226 or 289.219 or 296.263 or 296.264 or 296.265

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Course code: 289303 Advanced Practice Exploration 15 credits

Students engage in creative and technical exploration through the development of role specific skills in preparation for Major Project productions and industry. These specialized, area of practice learning modules include advanced equipment, techniques and processes specific to your chosen field.

Prerequisites: 120 credits at 200-level from the Bachelor of Screen Arts, including 289.220 or 289.205 OR 120 credits at 200-level from the Bachelor of Design including 296.263 or 296.264 or 296.265

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Course code: 289323 Major Project: Production and Practice 15 credits

Students work in project-based teams to gain hands-on experience with industry-standard processes and techniques directly applicable to their major project work. This fast-paced, intensive, allow students an opportunity to test their proposed major project by creating a vertical slice or test scene from their major project.

Prerequisites: 289.303 AND one of the following: 289.302 OR 296.367 OR 296.368

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Course code: 289340 Studio and Location Audio 15 credits

Gain knowledge and understanding of audio production tools in the studio and on location. Students will also be introduced to working with interactive audio platforms and environments.

Prerequisites: 289.240 OR 289.107 OR (289.210 AND 289.211) or appraisal required

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Course code: 298367 Toi Atea 3.1: Mana Whenua 15 credits

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

Prerequisites: 298263 Restrictions: 298358

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Elective courses (Choose 30 credits from)

Any 200 or 300 level course from within the College of Creative Arts, from the following prefixes: 133, 197, 198, 212, 213, 221, 222, 223, 224, 237, 289, 293, 296, 298

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