Type of qualification
Level of study
Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.
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 Master of Creative Enterprise – MCE
Take your creativity to the market
You’ll learn about a range of creative roles. You will then develop innovative commercialisation models to take your creative work to the marketplace.
With taught courses in critical studies and enterprise, as well as an individual creative project, the MCE emphasises entrepreneurship and innovation. You’ll be encouraged to explore the commercial applications of your work.
Your projects will focus on building a sustainable career in the creative sector. You will learn practical skills in areas such as lighting and sound design, studio production, software development and audio-visual content, depending on your area of focus.
If you have a creative idea you want to develop and commercialise, the Master of Creative Enterprise will equip you with the tools to see your creative vision from development through to commercialisation.
Get the full picture
Further study
You may be able to further develop the work you do in the MCE as part of a PhD.
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
Master of Creative Enterprise 180 credits
To enter the Master of Creative Enterprise you will:
- have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree with a B average in the highest level courses of your degree, or
- demonstrated equivalent practical, professional and/or scholarly experience.
You will also need to provide:
- a portfolio of creative works
- a written expression of interest
- copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
We recommend you attend a consultation with the Master of Creative Enterprise coordinator to discuss the application process and requirements.
In your expression of interest (no more than 2 pages), tell us about:
- your creative practice, interests and intention;
- the project you intend to develop;
- an indicative research area it falls within; and
- how you may want to take it to market.
Master of Creative Enterprise 120 credits
You will have been awarded or qualified for a relevant honours degree or a Postgraduate Diploma in Design in a relevant creative discipline.
You will also submit:
- a research proposal for your intended thesis project
- a portfolio of your creative work.
- 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.
Research Proposal for the 120 credit MCE
Your research proposal must cover:
- what your creative practice, interests and intentions are
- examples of past work accompanied by a summary explaining what it is, your motivation (why), and how it was produced
- Indicate the project you intend to develop in MCE, and the field or research area it falls within.
- Explain ‘why’: what is the motivation/need/opportunity/demand drivers?
- Outline how are you going to develop your creative work, and how it could develop over a year?
- Indicate the target market where you intend to commercialise your work, and how you would commercialise your creative work?
- If applicable: a list of specialist equipment, software or facilities needed to complete the project.
Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit
Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit.
- Look for information under ‘Student Progression’ in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
- Contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
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.
Maximum time limits for completion
There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.
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 Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate 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 Master of Creative Enterprise
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
What you’ll study
The Master of Creative Enterprise is structured into six courses spread over three semesters (full-time), with both taught and supervised components.
The three courses in your first semester cover broad critical perspectives, commercialisation and viability, and pre-production. To stay in the programme, you will need to achieve a B grade average in these three courses.
In your second and third semesters you’ll focus on the supervised 90-credit project while also completing two double-semester 15-credit taught courses in applied critical perspectives and advanced creative enterprise. You’ll produce a critical written exegesis and commercial strategy, along with your MCE Project.
Get the full picture
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
180 credits
- Part One compulsory courses – 90 credits
- Part Two thesis – 90 credits
Advanced entry: Those who have already completed specified qualifications in advance of the minimum entry requirements may be able to complete this degree in 120 credits.
This is a parts-based qualification. This means there are regulations around your completion of Part One before progressing to Part Two, etc.
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 One (Choose 90 credits from)
Course code: 293701 Prototype and Synopsis 30 credits
Students prepare an early prototype and synopsis or equivalent concept that is relevant to their creative endeavour. This culminates in the preparation of a proposal for the Major Project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 293702 Commercial Viability 15 credits
An exploration of approaches to commercialisation that are intrinsic to professional practice in creative disciplines, in this course, students learn how to create an effective value proposition as part of their creative strategy. Students learn research methodologies, including market and competition analysis, to test market viability via theoretical tools relating to new ideas and innovation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 293703 Contextualising Creative Enterprise Practice Part 2 15 credits
A further development of strategies and skills specific to creative enterprise, resulting in actionable insights that contribute to taking creative projects as close as possible to market. Students will be expected to demonstrate a plan, and execute appropriate stages, for the commercialisation of their Major Project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 293730 Critical Frameworks for Creative Practice 15 credits
An exploration of a broad range of cross-disciplinary approaches and critical frameworks that students can apply to critique and analyse their own creative practice. Students will learn to frame their creative practice as part of an ideological/artistic movement and develop reflexive and analytical skills through engagement with texts and case studies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 293731 Contextualising Creative Enterprise Practice Part 1 15 credits
An exploration of advanced critical and enterprise frameworks, and ways they may be applied to creative practice. Students work towards a proposal of a plan to take their Major Project to market, along with a text through which their Major Project is critically framed.
View full course detailsPart Two (Choose 90 credits from)
Course code: 293810 MCE Thesis Project 90 credits
In this course students produce a creative work through practical, critical and technical enquiry.
View full course detailsCourse code: 293811 MCE Thesis Project Part 1 45 credits
In this course students produce a creative work through practical, critical and technical enquiry.
View full course detailsCourse code: 293812 MCE Thesis Project Part 2 45 credits
In this course students produce a creative work through practical, critical and technical enquiry.
View full course detailsFees 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
- Cat Pausé Postgraduate Scholarship
- Massey University Master's Research Scholarship
- Massey University Postgraduate Overseas Research Grant
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.
Related study options
Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours – BFA(Hons)
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Certificate in Creative Arts – CertCreativeArt
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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
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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.
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.
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