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 Postgraduate Diploma in Screen Arts – PGDipScreenArts
The Postgraduate Diploma in Screen Arts is an opportunity for you to upskill in creative practice, technology and theory.
With an emphasis on production, you’ll take your project through development of initial concepts and narratives to a completed and distributable work. You’ll respond to briefs that combine creative studio practice, storytelling, professional practice and portfolio development, using industry-standard production facilities, studios and labs.
This qualification will give you an introduction to postgraduate research processes and theory. You’ll push the boundaries of your screen arts practice with a research-led independent project.
Get the full picture
A PGDipScreenArts is a good fit if you:
- studied screen arts at undergraduate level
- want to develop your practice, research and analysis skills
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
The Postgraduate Diploma in Screen Arts is a selected entry qualification. This means there are extra requirements you must meet.
To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Screen Arts you will:
- have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor of Screen Arts or equivalent, with an adequate grade point average
- submit a portfolio of design work
- take part in an interview if required.
Selection is based on your academic background, portfolio and interview (if required).
You must provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
Application closing date
Applications close on 30 November, for study commencing the following year. Late applications may be accepted, subject to available spaces.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
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 Postgraduate Diploma in Screen Arts
The Postgraduate Diploma in Screen Arts has a focus on studio-based inquiry and the development of research skills. Students will work alongside those completing the honours year of the four year Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours.
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Screen Arts is awarded without a specialisation.
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 courses – 120 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.
Course code: 289701 Production Planning and Development 30 credits
Students gain a professional knowledge and develop expertise in a range of creative research practices, tools and techniques for organising large scale productions. Students will apply these skills toward planning and communicating an Advanced Production Project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289702 Screen Arts Critical Frameworks 15 credits
Students become competent in situating their work within research methodologies and principles to support their development as critically-informed creative practitioners. Students learn to frame and present their creative practice as research via the development of critical reflexive and analytical skills, and to engage in the development of a research proposal for their advanced production project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289750 Professional Cultures 4 15 credits
Develop professional skills for working on large scale productions and showing leadership. Students will be further supported in portfolio development and preparing for employment or self-employment in the creative industries. Students will also 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: 289803 Advanced Production 60 credits
Students will produce and finalise an advanced work demonstrating highly executed production standards informed by their research. Students will be required to demonstrate and sustain an professional creative and technical level of proficiency together with professional production management of workloads and deadlines.
View full course detailsCourse code: 293732 Creative Practice Research Methods 15 credits
Students will advance their understanding of approaches to creative practice research, methods and theory in relation to their specific practice orientation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 298730 Māori Research Methodologies for Creative Practice 15 credits
Students will consider tikanga and methodologies relevant to their own creative practice, which may incorporate the use of customary and/or new technologies, innovations, and knowledge. This will include developing an understanding of tikanga, ethics and accountabilities around the use of mātauranga toi Māori, mātauranga-ā-iwi, mātauranga-ā-hapū and mātauranga-a-whānau in the development of their own creative outputs. Students will be supported to locate and articulate their own creative practice in a continuum of mātauranga toi Māori.
View full course detailsCourse code: 298753 Toi Atea 4 15 credits
An advanced course to focus and refine visual language and personal tikanga through negotiated projects that explore topics of direct reference to Māori people and their communities.
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
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.
Related study options
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Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts – GradDipSCA
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Master of Design – MDes
In the Master of Design, you’ll produce innovative and responsive design work that is thoroughly grounded in design research methodologies and expertly realised.
Master of Māori Visual Arts – MMVA
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Photography – Bachelor of Design with Honours
Great photographers shake us, shift our perceptions and entice us to see things differently. Learn from leading photographers and develop your technical skills with our professional cameras and specialist studios and labs.
Postgraduate Diploma in Māori Visual Arts – PGDipMVA
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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