PGDipFA - Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts

Overview
Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates
Regulations
Schedule
Degree Plan
Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

The Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts (PGDipFA) gives you the opportunity to integrate studio practice with critical studies.

The PGDipFA is open to anyone with a university degree who also has some relevant professional or industry experience. The diploma offers people who have established careers in the creative sector the chance to extend, refresh and diversify their artistic skill set. Students will bring their diverse experiences into the studio environment.

This diploma is suitable for and relevant to people using their practice as part of their working life, e.g. teachers, artists, designers, writers, community thinkers and civic creative specialists. You have opportunities to learn new skills in supportive energetic studio settings and you'll be a contributor to New Zealand’s pre-eminent, postgraduate Fine Arts environment.

The PGDipFA takes two semesters to complete full time.

Students are encouraged to develop their own practice to an advanced level by working in a studio environment that’s supported by contextual study and workshop courses designed to develop new ways of making.

The first semester involves a discipline specific focus that is then followed by a second semester where students combine study into research methodologies with a larger individual studio project.

Learn more about the postgraduate Fine Arts courses.

There are three common areas where Elam graduates find employment – public sector, private organisations, or as a practising artist or entrepreneurial creative. As the business world looks to innovators, the capabilities developed through a creative education are becoming highly sought-after.

Animator
Art curator
Art director (TV/film)
Art writer or critic
Artist
Creative director in an agency
Designer
Educator

MFA - Master of Fine Arts

DocFA - Doctor of Fine Arts

PhD - Doctor of Philosophy

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

For Creative Arts and Industries specific career advice, visit Creative Careers.

Key Information for Students

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Other qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained from another tertiary institution, view our entry requirements.

University of Auckland minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

Taught (120 point) - 4.0 Grade Point Average

A Bachelor degree from this University

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

You must also have relevant professional experience applicable to the field of Contemporary Art Practice / Fine Arts

Once you have submitted your Application for Admission , you will need to submit your application portfolio using SlideRoom.

Your portfolio is comprised of:

Creative Works

A selection of up to 12 works that demonstrates visual sensibility, creativity, technical skill and gives an overall impression of your interests. Your works could include, but are not limited to, the following media: painting, photography, sculpture, design, workbook pages, creative writing samples, recordings of performance, moving image, and/or audio works.

Written Statement

Your written statement should address your reasons for wanting to participate in the programme and how you see this contributing to your future career aspirations. Your statement should be approximately 500 words in length.

Practice-based Curriculum Vitae (CV)

This should cover your previous art training, experience, and practice. Include all exhibition(s), art and design-based activities and collaborative projects. It could also include involvement in relevant community activities and details of any academic and/or professional awards / prizes.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

You must completed a bachelors degree from this University with a GPA of 4.0 or higher in at least 60 points above stage II.

If you do not meet the above entry requirements but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes.

Year Fees Applicable

Domestic Student Annual Fees

International Student Annual Fees

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

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Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Semester	Application Closing Date	Semester Start Date	Semester End Date
2026 Semester One	08 December 2025	02 March 2026	29 June 2026
2026 Semester Two	08 June 2026	20 July 2026	16 November 2026

1 - 2

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

The regulations for this postgraduate diploma are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

1 In order to be admitted to this postgraduate diploma an applicant must have:

a (i) completed the requirements for a Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher, or the equivalent completed prior study

(ii) completed the requirements for a Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II

and

b demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Programme Director that they have the necessary skills and experience to undertake this postgraduate diploma. This will normally require the submission of a portfolio and may require an interview.

2 Equivalence in Regulation 1 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

3 In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine that an applicant has at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.

4 A student admitted to this postgraduate diploma must:

a pass courses with a total value of 120 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Postgraduate Diplomas

and

c not exceed 160 points for the total enrolment for this postgraduate diploma.

5 A student admitted to this postgraduate diploma must complete the requirements as listed in the Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts Schedule.

6 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

7 A student who has passed courses towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Fine Arts may apply to reassign those courses to this postgraduate diploma provided that the postgraduate certificate has not been awarded.

8 This postgraduate diploma may be awarded with Distinction or Merit as specified in the General Regulations – Postgraduate Diplomas.

9 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.