Diploma in Visual Arts Tītohu mō te Toi Ataata
Interested in visual arts? Start your university studies with our Diploma in Visual Arts Tītohu mō te Toi Ataata, explore various artmaking techniques and prepare yourself for further study.
The Diploma in Visual Arts Tītohu mō te Toi Ataata is a great choice perfect if you're not entirely sure what to expect from uni or from studying visual arts, or missed out on getting into your dream degree.
You'll take the same courses as our first-year bachelor's degree students, and study in a supportive environment with additional academic and student support. Once you've completed your diploma you can then move into Year 2 of the Bachelor of Visual Arts Te Tohu Paetahi mō Toi Ataata, which means you can still complete your chosen bachelor's degree in three years.
Download programme guides
Minimum entry requirements
If you have New Zealand qualifications
- University Entrance OR
- 42 NCEA level 3 credits, including UE literacy and numeracy, with:
- 10 credits in each of three approved subjects OR
- 12 credits in each of two approved subjects and 14 credits across two further subjects
If you don’t have University Entrance, we will work with you to help you identify which diploma courses match your interests and make sure you have the support to succeed in this programme.
If you have qualifications from another country
See entry requirements for students from other countries. Select your country from the dropdown menu.
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in Writing and a minimum of 5.0 in other bands, or equivalent
You'll become familiar with different 2D and 3D artmaking methods and processes, the history and theories of visual arts, and the importance of mātauranga Māori. You'll also develop your academic knowledge and study skills to give you the confidence for further study.
The courses you study are from the first year of the Bachelor of Visual Arts Te Tohu Paetahi mō Toi Ataata. After you've completed this diploma, you can then cross-credit your courses and transfer to the second year of our visual arts degree. Your diploma courses can also help you decide which subjects you might like to focus on later once you move into our bachelor's degree.
We'll work with you to help you identify where you want to go and what courses will help you get there.
Complete the following courses
- DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practices
- VSAR504 Core Studio
- VSAR505 Visual Arts Contexts
- VSAR506 Studio 1: Image and Mark Making
- VSAR507 Studio 1: Image and Object
And choose two from
- ARDN501 The Fundamentals of Filmmaking
- ARDN502 Introduction to Creative Business
- ARDN504 Introduction to Social and Environmental Justice
- ARDN505 Digital Fabrication I: 2D to 3D
- ARDN511 The Traveller: Site-Related Practices
- ARDN516 The Image
- ARDN517 Experimental Surface Design I
- ARDN540 Introduction to Drawing, Motion and Animation
- ARDN541 Introduction to Extended Reality
- ARDN542 Finding Your Own Voice
- DESN513 Design for Health
- DIGD506 Motion Capture
- VSAR508 Experimental Drawing: Scale and Process
- VSAR509 Experimental Moving-image: Scale and Time
Because you study the same first-year courses as our bachelor’s degree students, you can move into the second year of the Bachelor of Visual Arts Te Tohu Paetahi mō Toi Ataata once you’ve completed this diploma.
($7,289 - $7,342. tuition fees + $1146 student services levy)
($39,500 tuition fees + $1146 student services levy)
- Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
- International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
- Fees-free study may be available for domestic students
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.