Auckland University of Technology

What you'll study

This diploma emphasises hands-on studio practice alongside contextual study. Typical programme components include:

• Foundation drawing and design — observational drawing, composition and visual thinking.
• 2D media — painting, printmaking and mixed-media approaches.
• 3D media — sculpture, assemblage and basic processes for building in three dimensions.
• Photography and digital media — analogue and digital capture, image editing and time-based works.
• Art history and theory — introductions to contemporary art, Aotearoa/New Zealand art, and kaupapa Māori and Pacific perspectives.
• Professional practice and portfolio development — exhibition-making, artist statements, documentation and preparing work for audiences and applications.

Learning is delivered through studio workshops, practical demonstrations, tutorials and seminars. Assessment is primarily by project-based coursework and culminates in a public exhibition or curated presentation of work.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a secondary school qualification or an equivalent recognised credential and demonstrate creative potential. Entry typically requires:

• A completed application to Auckland University of Technology.
• A portfolio of recent creative work that shows visual thinking and practical skills; guidance on portfolio content is provided by the faculty.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy at a level appropriate for diploma study and, for international applicants, demonstration of English language proficiency in line with university policy.
• Some applicants may be invited to an interview or assessment to discuss their practice and study goals.

Career prospects

Graduates gain practical studio skills, a curated portfolio and professional awareness that support a range of pathways. Common next steps include:

• Progression to undergraduate degrees in visual arts, design or creative practice.
• Employment in galleries, museums or arts organisations as gallery assistants, technicians or exhibition staff.
• Roles in creative industries such as set design, photographic assistant, digital content creation, arts administration and community arts programmes.
• Independent studio practice, including commissioning, residencies and participation in local and regional exhibitions.

Why study at Auckland University of Technology

AUT offers a practice-led, city-centre learning environment with well-equipped studios, specialist workshops and digital facilities. The school places importance on contemporary and bicultural perspectives, integrating kaupapa Māori and Pacific arts approaches into teaching. Students benefit from staff who are practicing artists and from connections to Auckland's vibrant arts sector — galleries, exhibitions and professional networks — which support transitions into work or further study. The programme also creates clear pathways into AUT's undergraduate visual arts degrees for those seeking to continue their study.