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

Duration
1 Year Full-time
2 Years Part-time
Level
6
Credits
120
Fees
$9,427
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee – see Fees section for more info.

International

Duration
1 Year Full-time
Level
6
Credits
120
Fees
$23,100
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee – see Fees section for more info.

What You Study

Studio courses

Studio Arts and Methods 3: In this course you will advance your individual ceramic studio practice and methodology. Experiment and evaluate with clay, glaze and finishing processes, and learn about sustainable practice in both material and studio contexts, including Māori cultural perspectives. Present studio work in a workbook and critique key materials, finishes, processes, and concepts.

Studio Arts and Methods 4: Here you will identify and utilise specific studio methods relevant to your practice and present a connected collection of independent studio works for final exhibition

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.

Art and Craft History and Theory 2: 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.

Glaze Practical 2: Develop, extend, and document your studio ceramic methods and processes, including research and reflection of glaze, application methods, and alternative technologies.

Full-time programme structure 

Course Title

Level

Credit

YEAR ONE

 

 

Visual Language 2

6

15

Drawing 2

6

15

Studio Arts and Methods 3

6

30

Studio Arts and Methods 4

6

30

Art and Craft History and Theory 2

6

15

Glaze Practical 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 Arts and Methods 3

6

30

Year One total

 

60

YEAR TWO

 

 

Art and Craft History and Theory 2

6

15

Glaze Practical 2

6

15

Studio Arts and Methods 4

6

30

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:

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. 
International requirements and equivalence

To enter Otago Polytechnic's undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees, you need to have achieved a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to New Zealand's NCEA levels (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).

This information is available by country on our Equivalent academic entry requirements page.

English Language requirements

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 ebsart@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

Full tuition
Standard
$9,427

International fees

Full tuition
Standard
$23,100

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.

Get in touch

0800 762 786
International +64 3 477 3014
Email: info@op.ac.nz
https://www.op.ac.nz/programmes/nzqa/new-zealand-diploma-in-arts-and-design-level-6-ceramics-programme