University of Auckland

What you'll study

This conjoint degree pairs Elam School of Fine Arts studio practice with a Faculty of Science programme. Students undertake core fine arts papers in drawing, painting, sculpture, lens and time-based media, and new media, together with critical studies in art history, contemporary theory, and curatorial practice. In the science component students choose a major from available BSc subjects such as Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology, following the typical first-year science core of introductory lectures, laboratory work and quantitative methods.

Typical features of the programme include:

• Studio practice: sustained workshop, seminar and studio time developing technical skills and conceptual approaches across media.
• Critical studies: papers in art history, theory, curatorial practice and professional contexts for artists.
• Science curriculum: foundational science courses, laboratory and field work, and discipline-specific advanced papers in your chosen major.
• Research and capstone: a final-year practice-led project, exhibition or research thesis that integrates artistic and scientific perspectives.
• Electives and cross-disciplinary options: opportunities to take papers across faculties, including design, digital media, statistics and environmental studies, to support interdisciplinary projects.
• Studio facilities and labs: access to Elam studios, workshops, darkrooms, digital media labs, and Faculty of Science laboratories and field resources.

Entry requirements

Admission requires meeting the University of Auckland's general entry standard (University Entrance or equivalent) plus the specific requirements of both the Elam School of Fine Arts and the chosen science major. Applicants will typically need:

• University Entrance: the standard secondary-school university entry qualification from New Zealand or an equivalent international qualification.
• Fine arts admission: submission of a portfolio of work demonstrating sustained visual practice, a written statement, and in many cases an interview or practical assessment organised by Elam.
• Science prerequisites: evidence of achievement in relevant secondary-school subjects for the intended science major (for example, chemistry and biology for life sciences, or mathematics for physics, computer science and mathematics majors).
• English language: an approved English-language qualification if your prior study was not in English.

Because this is a conjoint degree, applicants must satisfy the admission requirements for both degrees. Selection for Elam places is competitive and portfolio quality is a major factor.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with a combination of practical creative skills and scientific knowledge that suits a wide range of careers. Typical pathways include:

• Professional artist, exhibiting and producing independent practice.
• Curator, gallery or museum professional, and arts administrator.
• Science communication, public engagement and policy roles translating scientific ideas to audiences.
• Research assistant, laboratory technician, or technical specialist in scientific disciplines aligned with your BSc major.
• Design, digital media and creative technology roles that benefit from both artistic and technical literacy.
• Conservation, environmental management or heritage roles that combine cultural practice with field science.
• Further study options including postgraduate qualifications in fine arts, science honours, or interdisciplinary research degrees.

Why study at University of Auckland

The University of Auckland offers access to Elam's well-established studio culture alongside the Faculty of Science's research-led teaching and laboratory infrastructure. Studying here gives you:

• Interdisciplinary environment: structured opportunities to develop projects that draw on both art and science, supported by supervisors across faculties.
• Facilities and resources: dedicated studios, workshops, exhibition spaces and specialist scientific laboratories and field equipment.
• Professional connections: links with galleries, research centres, industry partners and community organisations for internships, exhibitions and collaborative projects.
• City location: proximity to a vibrant cultural sector, exhibition spaces and scientific research organisations that provide platforms for practice and career development.
• Supportive learning: academic supervision, peer critique culture, and services for career development and postgraduate progression.