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

Your workload

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.

Study locations

On campus location

• Dunedin School of Art

Online study with workshops - locations

For this programme delivery option, you'll study theory classes online and then do practical classes at any of the following 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

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.

Entry requirements   

• 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. 

English Language requirements

• 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.

Please note

• If the number of applicants exceed the number of places, we'll need to use selection criteria. You'll need to submit a portfolio, supporting documents and a letter of motivation. Please see the section below for more information about the portfolio requirements.

Your portfolio

If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places, we'll need to use selection criteria. You'll need to submit a portfolio, supporting documents and a letter of motivation. Find out how to do this below. 

What to include in your portfolio

• 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 if you can (2MB file size limit if you are applying online). Please do not submit originals as we do not return application folders. 
• If you have trouble submitting your portfolio digitally when you are applying online, please email student.administration@op.ac.nz

If you need to send us your portfolio in an A4 folder, please send it to: 

Dunedin School of Art
Otago Polytechnic
Riego Street
Private Bag 9010, Dunedin

Again, please don't send us originals. 

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

Writing requirement

Please also include 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

Cross credits

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. 

Want your existing skills recognised?

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.

Fees Free 

If you’re a domestic student and this is your first time doing tertiary study in New Zealand (over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher), you may be able to get free tuition fees for this programme. 

All the details and criteria are on the Fees Free website and you can check whether you’re going to be able to access funding by entering your National Student Number. 

If you can access it, we’ll organise your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission when you’re enrolled to study with us. This funding doesn’t include additional costs or living costs.   

Check whether you can access funding here >

Additional costs

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).

Student Services Fee

For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.

Tuition fees

The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.

A change for 2023 enrolments

When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.