New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 5) - Ceramics programme

• Creativity and imagination.
• The ability to think laterally and independently.
• To be motivated and have a good work ethic.
• Confidence and the ability to accept criticism.
• To be adaptable and open to new ideas.

• NCEA Level 3 including:
  • 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three NZQA approved university entrance subjects, and 
  • 10 Literacy credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing, and
  • 10 Numeracy credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:
    • specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects OR
    • package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627- all three required
• OR a Level 3 qualification in a related field 
• OR equivalent academic achievement.  
• In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not meet the academic entry requirements may be granted entry to the programme where they supply evidence of their ability to succeed on the programme.

• International students will be individually assessed to ensure they have an acceptable level of secondary school achievement. Click here to see your country's equivalent entry criteria. 
• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Additional requirements 

• You will need to submit a portfolio. This must be no larger than 2MB if you are applying online. Please see the section below for more information about the portfolio requirements. 

If you have studied art at tertiary level previously you may be able to cross credit some subjects. Please email artoffice@op.ac.nz for more information. 

You must supply certified copies of proof of identity, academic records, proof of residency (where appropriate) and curriculum vitae.

Early applications are preferred as some areas have limited placements.

Portfolio requirement

• We require examples of your artwork and the ways that you develop your ideas. Your examples need to show us your working processes and your ability to use a range of materials.
• If you have been working in the NCEA system, please send us twelve (12) examples of your finished works and of your working processes from your folders.
• If you have not been working in the NCEA system, please send us six (6) examples of finished work and six (6) pages of sketches or workbook pages.
• Please submit your portfolio digitally (2MB file size limit if you are applying online) or in an A4 folder. Please do not submit originals as we do not return application folders.

Thank you. We are looking forward to seeing your artwork.

Writing requirement

Please include with your portfolio:

1. An essay or written text of at least a page (300 words). You may include writing produced for any of your NCEA subjects or if you don't have these, you may write a new piece on any topic of your choice. Please note: If you have a bachelor’s or higher-level degree, please submit evidence of your qualification(s) instead of an essay or written text. 

2. A double-spaced letter of not more than one page (300 words) explaining why you want to come to art school and what your experiences of art may have been to date. This may include all or some of the following:

> why art is important to you, the community and the wider world
> your expectations for your own future after your studies
> art galleries you may be familiar with
> artists whose work you may know
> art skills you may have already gained.

If you have any questions regarding your portfolio, or need any advice, please contact artoffice@op.ac.nz

Material costs in addition to those provided vary according to individual projects. As an indication, you may borrow up to $1,000 in addition to your student allowance for programme-related costs (domestic students only).

We also offer the New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 6) which Level 5 graduates may wish to transition into to complete further study. The successful completion of the Level 6 programme can then be a step towards our Level 7 Bachelor of Visual Arts degree.

Distance 
A distance option is offered, where suitable arrangements can be made, for you to study in your own area with supervision from an appropriate approved local ceramist. You are required to have access to an appropriate computer, as well as the operating skills to access our online services, as we monitor the course and deliver the Glaze Practical (Level 5), Art Craft History/Theory and Drawing from Otago Polytechnic.

Onsite location

• Dunedin School of Art - Phone: 03 477 3014 or 0800 762 786

Offsite locations

• Auckland Studio Potters - Phone: 09 634 3622 
• Waiheke Community Art Gallery - Phone: 09 372 9907
• The Busy Finch (Christchurch) - Phone: 021 805 330 
• Hawkes Bay https://www.taradalepotteryclub.com/
• Otaki Jailhouse Pots - Phone: 06 364 0688 
• Waikato Society of Potters  (Hamilton) - Phone: 07 838 1950
•  Also delivering soon in Whangarei at Quarry Arts Centre, Phone 009 438 1215

This programme is made up of four studio-specific courses and complimentary courses that add to the students understanding of the history and theory of art making, as well as drawing, specific technical glaze methods and research methods. 

Studio Courses

Studio Methods 1 and Studio Methods 2: Be introduced to the core skills needed in the development of art work in this medium. Through a variety of studio techniques, you will learn how to transfer ideas into clay. Technical research and exploration of material in response to a given brief is key to this part of the course.

Ceramic Arts 1 and Ceramic Arts 2: Explore and extend your technical skills and knowledge about Ceramics practice. Make objects and artifacts that develop a personal concept of the medium in both functional and non-functional applications.

Complimentary Studio Courses

Visual Language 1: Become familiar with the language of art and design. Formal art/design elements will be considered alongside key theoretical ideas which inform contemporary practices of visual and oral culture. You will be required to evaluate and critique visual culture, research theoretical texts and apply your research to write an academic essay and craft an oral presentation.

Drawing 1: Gain the technical skills and a variety of media which are vital to the production of works in Drawing and Design while broadening your understanding of the visual arts. You will be introduced to analytical aspects of observational drawing and, under direction, you will develop and complete a series of specific technical drawing exercises.

Art/Craft Theory and History 1: Enjoy being introduced to a variety of ways of thinking and writing about the visual arts in a historical context. This course also tracks the significance of art throughout history in relation to different cultural and social structures, including local indigenous culture.  

Glaze Practical 1: Through online learning and studio technical research, you will be introduced to the specifics of Glaze formula and recipe. You will make, test and evaluate glaze finishing methods in studio outcomes.

A full-time programme entails five full working days, or equivalent. Where you are working at a contracted provider, the rules of the local area facility will apply. 

A part-time programme entails 2.5 working days, or equivalent. 

Student loans and allowances are for domestic students only. For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website. It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful. 

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, enquire about our recognition of prior learning process at Capable NZ. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification. 

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