Explore and develop your personal art practice within this multidisciplinary, studio-based programme at Elam School of Fine Arts. Designed to cater for all creative backgrounds, this programme is suited to those with or without previous experience in an art studio.
The BFA studio programme will challenge you 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. There you'll have 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.
Changes to the Bachelor of Fine Arts programme are currently in the formal approval process. These include more conjoint options, changes to entry requirements and other programme updates. Please note therefore that the details here relate to the current programme and are subject to change. Check this page in early September 2020 to learn about the updates to the programme.
In your first year, you’ll study a range of art practices and media, learning how to turn your ideas to realities, engaging in problem solving and expanding your conceptual thinking. You’ll be able to research topics of interest to you, and supplementing your studies in additional subject areas by choosing two General Education courses.
In second year and beyond, you will hone your creative practice through studio-based instruction and engagement with our critical studies programme.
Your 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.
Changes to the Bachelor of Fine Arts programme are currently in the formal approval process. These changes include more conjoint options, different entry requirements and other programme updates. Please note therefore that the details here relate to the current programme and are subject to change. Check this page in early September 2020 to learn about the updates to the programme.
For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.
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.
You must also meet the rank score for this programme. Not sure about your rank score? Use our rank score calculator.
You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
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
NCEANational Certificate of Educational Achievement
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.
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.
If you are under 20, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for discretionary entrance.
If you can demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and maturity, we offer admission to applicants under 16.
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 an ABB grade. 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 and Pearson Education Limited 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. Your CIE score (rank score) will be calculated based on your AS and A Level results.
Qualification
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma
Score required
26
+
Qualification
IELTS AcademicInternational English Language Testing System
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.
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.
For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.
How much does a Bachelor of Fine Arts cost per year?
2020 fees
Domestic students
NZ$6,242.40 – $7,200*
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 $7.86 per point, estimated at $943.20 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.
Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.
For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.
Key dates
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.
For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.
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. 300 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.
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.
For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.
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.
