Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts – GradDipSCA

Develop your technical skills and learn to think like a professional in the screen arts sector.

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 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:

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.

Prerequisites: 289303

View full course details

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 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 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.

Prerequisites: 289.218 or 289.227 or 289.222 or 289.230 or 289.226 or 289.219

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Course 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.

Prerequisites: 289.204 OR 289.206 OR 289.223 OR 289.218 OR 289.219 OR 289.222 OR 289.226 OR 289.227 OR 289.230

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Course 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.

Prerequisites: 289303

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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 15 credits

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

Prerequisites: 298263

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Subject 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.

Prerequisites: Appraisal Required

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Course 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.

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Course 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.

Prerequisites: 289340

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Course 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.

Prerequisites: Appraisal Required

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Course 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.

Prerequisites: Appraisal Required

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Fees 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.

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 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.

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