Duration
Full-time: 4 years
Next start date
2020 Semester One – 2 March
2021 Semester One – 1 March
Available locations
City
Points
480
Programme type
Undergraduate
Conjoint options available

Programme overview

The BFA studio programme will challenge and nurture your talent as a maker. We’ll help you gain flexibility, confidence and the edge needed to enter the art world.

We’ll challenge you to think critically and creatively in our unique interdisciplinary studio environment and offer the opportunity to share ideas and collaborate with other Elam students. You’ll be able to use our extensive workshops and facilities, and have the chance to exhibit your work at our student-run galleries.

You may choose to combine your BFA with a Bachelor of Arts. Find out more about the BA/BFA conjoint programme.

Conjoint options

Conjoint programmes let you pursue two undergraduate bachelors degrees at the same time.

Learn more about conjoints

Programme structure

In your first year, you’ll study a range of art practices and media, learning to realise your ideas, engage in problem solving and expand your conceptual thinking. You’ll be able to research topics of interest to you, and two General Education courses will give you the chance to supplement your studies in subject areas of your choice.

In second year and beyond, you will hone your creative practice through studio-based instruction and engagement with our critical studies programme.

Your making, thinking, writing, practical and conceptual skills will advance as you and your practice are continually challenged and encouraged. You will engage with current ideas in local and international contemporary art and find your place within the field.

At the end of Part III of the BFA, you may be offered a place in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) programme.

Sample programme structure

Year 1 120 points

  • Code:
    FINEARTS 101
    Name:
    Studio 1.1
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    FINE ARTS 104
    Name:
    Introduction to Critical Studies
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Name:
    Elective taught course
    Type:
    Elective taught courses
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    FINE ARTS 102
    Name:
    Studio 1.2
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    FINE ARTS 103
    Name:
    Drawing and Related Practices
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Name:
    Elective taught course
    Type:
    Elective taught courses
    Points:
    15 pts

Year 2 120 points

  • Name:
    General Education course
    Type:
    General Education course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    FINE ARTS 207
    Name:
    Studio Practice 1
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    45 pts
  • Code:
    FINE ARTS 208
    Name:
    Studio Practice 2
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    45 pts
  • Code:
    FINE ARTS 204
    Name:
    Critical Studies
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts

Year 3 120 points

  • Code:
    FINE ARTS 308
    Name:
    Studio Practice 3
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    45 pts
  • Code:
    FINE ARTS 305
    Name:
    Critical Practices
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    FINE ARTS 309
    Name:
    Studio Practice 4
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    45 pts
  • Name:
    General Education Course
    Type:
    General Education course
    Points:
    15 pts

Year 4 120 points

  • Code:
    FINE ARTS 408
    Name:
    Studio 4 A
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    60 pts
  • Code:
    FINE ARTS 409
    Name:
    Studio 4 B
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    60 pts

2020 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Secondary school qualifications

If you're joining us from secondary school, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You are guaranteed entry to this programme if you meet these requirements.

  1. First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard.
  2. You must also meet the rank score for this programme. Not sure about your rank score? Use our rank score calculator.
  3. You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
  4. Some programmes have additional requirements, such as an interview, portfolio or references.

Guaranteed rank score, subject and other requirements

If your rank score is slightly lower than the guaranteed score, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available. If you don’t meet the requirements, you may be able to apply under our Undergraduate Targeted Admission Schemes.

  • Qualification
    NCEA National Certificate of Educational Achievement
    Score required
    150
  • Qualification
    CIE Cambridge International Examinations
    Score required
    150
  • Qualification
    IB International Baccalaureate
    Score required
    26

Read more about entry requirements for New Zealand secondary school applicants.

Further requirements

Selection into the BFA programme will be based on the combined strength of your portfolio and written statement.

See the portfolio guidelines tab for detailed information on submitting a portfolio and written statement. 

Tertiary qualifications

If you've studied at a tertiary institution, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You can transfer from another tertiary institution, or another University of Auckland qualification, if you meet these requirements.

Minimum grade requirements

These are the likely grades required, but they do not guarantee entry. Applicants may require higher grades to gain entry to this programme.

Further requirements

You must have completed one semester of successful bachelor degree study from a New Zealand tertiary institution, or one year of successful study as part of an acceptable sub-degree qualification from a New Zealand tertiary institution.

Selection into the BFA programme will be based on the combined strength of your portfolio and written statement.

See the portfolio guidelines tab for detailed information on submitting a portfolio and written statement. 

Transfer of Credit - You can apply for transfer of credit for tertiary courses completed elsewhere as part of your Application for Admission. If you have completed study at another New Zealand University, get an estimate of the transfer credit you may be eligible for, using our Transfer Credit Calculator.

See information about prior tertiary study requirements

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

My highest qualification is from this country:

Secondary school qualifications

If you're joining us from secondary school, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You need to have one of the following:

  • International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum total score of 24.
  • General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level. You must have completed a minimum of three A-Level subjects with at least a 'C' grade or higher. General Studies or similar general papers cannot be included.

GCE ‘A’ Level requirements apply to ‘A’ Level qualifications examined by bodies such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA, Pearson Education Limited and CIE taken outside of New Zealand.

Minimum grade, subject and other 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. Your GCE A level score is calculated on the best three academic subjects and General Studies cannot be included.

  • Qualification
    IB International Baccalaureate Diploma
    Score required
    26
    Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.0

    No bands less than 5.5.

    See alternative English language requirements

  • Qualification
    GCE A Level General Certificate of Education Advanced Level
    Score required
    CCC
    Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.0

    No bands less than 5.5.

    See alternative English language requirements

Further requirements

Selection into the BFA programme will be based on the combined strength of your portfolio and written statement.

See the portfolio guidelines tab for detailed information on submitting a portfolio and written statement. 

Tertiary qualifications

If you've studied at a tertiary institution, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You can transfer from another tertiary institution if you meet these requirements.

You need to have the following:

You must have completed one semester of successful bachelors degree study from a New Zealand tertiary institution, or one year of successful study as part of an acceptable sub-degree qualification from a New Zealand tertiary institution.

See information about prior tertiary study requirements

Minimum grade requirements

These are the likely grades required, but they do not guarantee entry. Applicants may require higher grades to gain entry to this programme.

Further requirements

Selection into the BFA programme will be based on the combined strength of your portfolio and written statement.

See the portfolio guidelines tab for detailed information on submitting a portfolio and written statement. 

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

  • Bridge your educational gap with a preparation and foundation programme.
  • If you have an offer of place from us that is conditional on meeting English language requirements, you may be considered for English Pathway courses from the University of Auckland English Language Academy (ELA)
  • If you are 20 on or before the first day of semester, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for special admission.

How much does a Bachelor of Fine Arts cost per year?

2019 fees

Domestic students
NZ$6,120 – $7,058.40*
International students
NZ$33,688*

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. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $7.06 per point, estimated at $847.20 for full-time study (120 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

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

See course fees for each faculty

Find out about financial support information

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

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Key dates

The Bachelor of Fine Arts has one intake per year, with applications due 1 October. Study commences in Semester One of the following year.

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.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2019
1 October 2018

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

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

How to apply

Applying for an undergraduate programme? Check out our step-by-step guide.

All applicants are required to submit a portfolio of creative work and a one-page written statement via the portfolio portal system Slideroom. Selection into the BFA programme will be based on the combined strength of your portfolio and written statement. 

Written statement

Your written statement should be a short piece of writing (approx. 500 words) that summarises your personal interest in fine arts and visual communication. We are interested in gaining insight into the thinking behind your portfolio of work and your personal ideas on art. Your statement may include what drives you to study at Elam. You can also present other information that you think is relevant to your application. It can be useful to indicate your current involvement in the arts as well.

Note: If you have not been studying in the past 12 months, then you should include details of relevant training, experience, employment, exhibitions, art and design-based activities, and collaborative projects you have been involved in.

Sample written statements

Portfolio guidelines: How to prepare your portfolio

There is no 'correct' way to put your portfolio together – you should make the most of the opportunity to express your individuality and show what you are capable of. The works presented should demonstrate visual sensibility, engagement with ideas, creativity, and technical skill.

The following guidelines will help you prepare a portfolio that will meet the basic requirements. The rest is up to you. 

  • Your portfolio may include up to 12 works made up of: A4-sized images/photos of your recent still artwork and/or media files of your recent moving image/performance work. 
  • It can be useful to include a variety of examples of finished work that show an ability to work in different media and with a variety of methods. This will show that you have the ability to work in a number of ways. 
  • Images of pages from your workbook/s can be very helpful to the selection panel. These images could include: evidence of ideas, thinking processes, experimentation and analysis. Two-to-three of your portfolio works could be from your workbook. The good thing about workbook pages is that they can convey a lot of information on the one page. 
  • It is a good idea to assemble workbook pages at the end of a project – you may use notes and developments you have generated during the working process. You may also want to let us know about ideas that have emerged as a result of your works. 
  • Photographs of finished work need to represent the work accurately. For example, a photograph of a sculpture that shows it clearly sitting in space conveys more information than a closely cropped image that shows a detail of part of the object. 

Here are some sample portfolios to help with your BFA application. 

Sample portfolio 1
Sample portfolio 2
Sample portfolio 3 
Sample portfolio 4 
Sample portfolio 5
Sample portfolio 6
Sample portfolio 7


 

Where could this programme take you?

Elam graduates commonly find employment in the public sector and private organisations. They also work as practising artists or entrepreneurial creatives. As the business world looks to innovators, the capabilities developed through a creative education are becoming highly sought-after.

Jobs related to this programme

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

Further study options

See all study options

Student career planning service

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

Key Information for Students

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923 5025
Outside Auckland
0800 61 62 63
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+64 9 373 7513