Type of qualification
Level of study
Graduate qualifications normally involve study in a different area to your first undergraduate qualification. Some are stepping stones to postgraduate-level study.
Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
Time to complete
Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
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 need to:
- take part in an interview at which you demonstrate readiness to undertake your desired course of study
- submit a satisfactory portfolio of work to show you are at the standard necessary to undertake work up to 300-level and beyond
- provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities.
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:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Get advice button on this page.
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
- Part A compulsory courses – 90 credits
- Part B electives from Part B – 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.
Part A: Compulsory courses (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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsPart B: Elective courses
Course code: 213211 Fine Arts Special Topic II 15 credits
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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 213256 Contemporary Art Projects A 15 credits
Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 213257 Contemporary Art Projects B 15 credits
Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 213258 Contemporary Art Projects C 15 credits
Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 213259 Contemporary Art Projects D 15 credits
Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 213262 Contemporary Art Projects G 15 credits
Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 213263 Contemporary Art Projects H 15 credits
Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 213264 Contemporary Art Projects I 15 credits
Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 213265 Contemporary Art Projects J 15 credits
Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 213311 Fine Arts Special Topic III 15 credits
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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 213356 Contemporary Art Projects E 15 credits
An investigation into new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 213359 Contemporary Art Projects K 15 credits
Engagement with new thinking in contemporary art research through a specific lecturer-led project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 213360 Fine Arts Special Topic IIIB 30 credits
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.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
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.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees 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.
Related study options
Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours – BFA(Hons)
Discover how to produce work that makes people think and feel, act and react. Whatever your mode of art-making is, we’ll help you find and develop your own creative voice.
Certificate in Creative Arts – CertCreativeArt
Massey’s Certificate in Creative Arts is a flexible qualification that will introduce you to the basics of art and design - creative thinking, visual communication, specialist skills, and critical awareness.
Design – Master of Fine Arts
Embed yourself in a rich dialogue about your creative practice in Massey’s transdisciplinary Master of Fine Arts (Design) qualification, for artists and designers.
Diploma in Creative Arts – DipCreativeArts
You’ll study with art and design degree students in a range of studio and lecture-based courses covering everything from critical and contextual studies, to social media, painting, and digital fabrication.
Expressive Arts – Bachelor of Communication
If you love being creative and want to study a selection of theatre, performance, creative writing, and digital media production, and you also want great career prospects, the Bachelor of Communication (Expressive Arts) is for you.
Fine Arts – Master of Fine Arts
Embed yourself in a rich dialogue about your creative practice in Massey’s transdisciplinary Master of Fine Arts (Fine Arts) qualification, for artists and designers.
Master of Creative Enterprise – MCE
Combine research and practice to give you the skills you need to make your mark in the highly competitive creative industries.
Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts – PGDipFA
Extend your creative practice and begin your fine arts journey. Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts gives you the opportunity for advanced study in contemporary art.
Visual Communication Design – Bachelor of Design with Honours
Visual communication is one of the most universal forms of design. It is at the heart of how our world works; guiding, informing, persuading, and inspiring us every day.
Without Specialisation – Master of Fine Arts
Embed yourself in a rich dialogue about your creative practice in Massey’s transdisciplinary MFA qualification for artists and designers.
Without Specialisation – Postgraduate Diploma in Design
Go beyond your bachelor’s degree and advance your design thinking with a Postgraduate Diploma in Design.
Without Specialisation – Graduate Diploma in Design
Develop your technical skills and learn to think like a designer.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz