New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 6) - Ceramics
Building on the skills gained at Level 5, you will continue to explore ceramics and develop leadership and professional practice skills to manage projects/briefs and present your work in a real-world context. From here you may choose to progress to our Bachelor of Visual Arts to broaden your skill set and career opportunities.
Domestic
On campus
Dunedin
About the programme
Continue to explore ceramics.
This programme is designed as a continuation of our New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 5) - Ceramics.
The Ceramics Studio at Otago Polytechnic is the largest in the country and the department has strong partnerships across the country. The programme is delivered on site in Dunedin and also by distance in:
- Whangārei
- Auckland
- Waiheke Island
- Hamilton
- Ōtaki
- Hawke's Bay
- Christchurch.
Upon successful completion, progress into our Bachelor of Visual Arts to broaden your skill set and career opportunities.
International
On campus
Dunedin
About the programme
Continue to explore ceramics.
This programme is designed as a continuation of our New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 5) - Ceramics.
The Ceramics Studio at Otago Polytechnic is the largest in the country and the department has strong partnerships across the country. The programme is delivered on site in Dunedin and also by distance in:
- Whangārei
- Auckland
- Waiheke Island
- Hamilton
- Ōtaki
- Hawke's Bay
- Christchurch.
Upon successful completion, progress into our Bachelor of Visual Arts to broaden your skill set and career opportunities.
What You Study
Studio courses
Studio Methods 3 and Studio Methods 4: 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.
Studio Arts 1 and Studio Arts 2: Explore and extend your technical skills and knowledge about ceramics practice. Make objects and artefacts that develop a personal concept of the medium in both functional and non-functional applications.
Complementary studio courses
Visual Language 2: Develop your knowledge of the language of ceramic practices. You’ll research and present theoretical material relevant to studio practices and production, and analyse and evaluate the content of visual images and objects. You’ll continue to develop a personal visual language in support of your studio work.
Drawing 2: Extend fundamental drawing skills while applying a range of technical and conceptual drawing approaches to the production of independent work. Use drawing as a tool for problem-solving in the studio.
Context and Professional Practice: Develop a contextual framework for discussing studio work in a historical and cultural context. You’ll use examples from a wide range of places and situations and contextualise these within the histories of visual culture in Aotearoa.
Ceramic Finishing: Develop, extend, and document your studio ceramic methods and processes, including research and reflection of glaze, application methods, and alternative technologies.
Studio Methods 3: Develop your individual ceramic studio practice and methodology. Experiment with and evaluate ceramic studio glaze and finishing processes, and learn about sustainable practice in both materials and studio contexts, including Maori considerations of ahi ka.
Studio Methods 4: Identify and utilise specific studio methods relevant to your independent practice and produce a connected collection of experimental studio works.
Studio Arts 1: Explore a range of processes for construction, glaze/finishing and firing of ceramic objects. Learn how to present studio work in a workbook and critique key materials, finishes, processes and historical relationships.
Studio Arts 2: Analyse and present a collection of independent work for exhibition.
Full-time programme structure
|
Course Title |
Level |
Credit |
|---|---|---|
|
YEAR ONE |
|
|
|
Visual Language 2 |
6 |
15 |
|
Drawing 2 |
6 |
15 |
|
Context and Professional Practice |
6 |
15 |
|
Ceramic Finishing |
6 |
15 |
|
Studio Methods 3 |
6 |
15 |
|
Studio Methods 4 |
6 |
15 |
|
Studio Arts 1 |
6 |
15 |
|
Studio Arts 2 |
6 |
15 |
|
Year One total |
|
120 |
Part-time programme structure
|
Course Title |
Level |
Credit |
|---|---|---|
|
YEAR ONE |
|
|
|
Drawing 2 |
6 |
15 |
|
Visual Language 2 |
6 |
15 |
|
Studio Methods 3 |
6 |
15 |
|
Studio Arts 1 |
6 |
15 |
|
Year One total |
|
60 |
|
YEAR TWO |
|
|
|
Context and Professional Practice |
6 |
15 |
|
Ceramic Finishing |
6 |
15 |
|
Studio Methods 4 |
6 |
15 |
|
Studio Arts 2 |
6 |
15 |
|
Year Two total |
|
60 |
|
Overall total |
|
120 |
Further study options
Workload
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 two and a half working days, or equivalent.
Study locations
On campus location
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, Onehunga - Phone: 09 634 3622
- Waiheke Community Art Gallery - Phone: 09 372 9907
- The Busy Finch, Christchurch - Phone: 021 805 330
- Taradale Pottery Club, Hawkes Bay - taradalepotteryclub.com
- Otaki Jailhouse Pots - Phone: 06 364 0688
- Waikato Society of Potters, Hamilton - Phone: 07 838 1950
- Quarry Arts Centre, Whangārei - Phone: 09 438 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
Entry requirements
For those under 20
- You must have a Level 5 qualification in the same or related field, or equivalent knowledge and skills demonstrated through a portfolio. See information about portfolio requirements below.
- Special entry may be possible for those that supply evidence of ability to succeed in the programme.
For those over 20
- There are no minimum academic entry requirements.
English Language requirements
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 with no individual band score lower than 5.5 (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.
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. 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
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
Domestic fees
International fees
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).
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.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
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.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Study Grants for international students
We have a range of Study Grants to support our international students.
Application
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.
