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 Screen Arts – GradDipSCA
The Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts is an opportunity for people who have already completed a degree to add an additional subject area to their learning.
You’ll be studying with other screen arts students in courses at 200, 300 and 400 level across these majors offered in the Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours. These are:
- Animation
- Factual Production
- Film Production
- Game Development
- Immersive Media
- Media Technology
- Visual Effects
Working in a production focussed environment, you’ll respond to briefs that combine creative studio practice, storytelling, professional practice and portfolio development, using industry-standard production facilities, studios and labs.
Entry requirements
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 enter the Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts you will:
- have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent
- demonstrated equivalent practical, professional and/or scholarly experience.
You will also need to provide the following:
- a portfolio of work to show you are at the standard necessary to undertake work up to 300-level and beyond
- copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
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.
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 or 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 Screen Arts
Structure of the Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
The Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts is awarded without a specialisation.
Courses and specialisations
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
- Compulsory course courses – 60 credits
- Compulsory course selection – 30 credits
- Subject courses – 30 credits
Ensure that overall you have at least 75 credits at 300 level.
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.
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.
View full course details15 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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course details15 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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course details30 credits from
Course code: 289302 Major Project Innovation Lab 15 credits
Students will engage in ideation, analysis, and research of creative work within the stated parameters of an advanced project brief. Students will develop and prepare pitch presentations individually and in small groups, demonstrating the viability of the proposed ideas. Students will then apply problem-solving skills to organise these ideas into a pre-production package appropriate to their role and area of expertise.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289303 Major Project Development 15 credits
Students engage in technical prototyping, technical ideation, and practical experimentation associated with preparing for Major Project production and post-production studio courses. Techniques are project and discipline-specific and may include developing new technologies and learning pipeline-specific methods and tools.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289323 Screen Production Development 15 credits
Students work in trans-disciplinary teams assisting in the production of advanced projects. Students take on assistant production roles that support various scheduled production tasks, and reflect on the development of their own practice.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsSubject courses
Course code: 289291 Creative Arts Special Topic 2E 15 credits
This course focuses on a particular aspect or aspects of creative arts. Offerings change from year to year and the course may not be offered in a particular year.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289292 Creative Arts Special Topic 2F 15 credits
This course focuses on a particular aspect or aspects of creative arts. Offerings change from year to year and the course may not be offered in a particular year.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289341 Advanced Audio 15 credits
Gain an advanced knowledge and understanding of creative and technical processes, including sound and music recording, editing, and mixing. Students will also advance their knowledge of audio production for interactive platforms.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289390 Creative Arts Special Topic 3C 15 credits
Centering on a particular aspect of creative arts at an advanced level, this course focuses on projects which result in professional standard outputs that demonstrate creativity and/or innovation. Offerings change from year to year and the course may not be offered in a particular year.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289391 Creative Arts Special Topic 3D 15 credits
This course focuses on a particular aspect or aspects of creative arts. Offerings change from year to year and the course may not be offered in a particular year.
View full course detailsFees and scholarships
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, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Fees Free website.
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.
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Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz