Fine Arts BFA

University of Auckland

New Zealand, Auckland

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Home/New Zealand/Auckland /University of Auckland/Fine Arts BFA

University of Auckland

New Zealand , Auckland

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Credit point

360 Points

Campuses

City

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines3-Mar-2025

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 year(s)

Tuition Fee

NZD 39,410 / year

Next Intake 3-Mar-2025

Fine Arts BFA

About

Artists are storytellers, change-makers, disruptors and creators who shape our culture and enrich our society.

At Elam, you will develop skills in creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and entrepreneurship. These skills will prepare you to make an impact in businesses and other organisations, in all areas of the creative industries and in the wider community.

The BFA gives you the freedom to bring your ideas to life by exploring, researching, and experimenting in a wide range of creative mediums and technologies. Our teachers and specialist technicians will support and guide your making, allowing you to refine your skills and produce artworks of high calibre.

Browse contemporary art projects by our Fine Arts students.

You can also study the BFA alongside another discipline as part of a conjoint degree, which means you can take two undergraduate programmes at the same time. You can do a conjoint with Advanced Science (Honours), Arts, Commerce, Communication, Design, Engineering (Honours), Global Studies, Health Sciences, Law (including Law (Honours), Music or Science.

Find your voice at Elam School of Fine Arts and secure the skills you'll need to develop a meaningful creative practice.

Because our programme is flexible, you'll build a pathway of study that feels right for you. But whatever you choose, you'll learn in three key areas:

Creative artistic practices
Research themes
Creative careers

Study in these three areas makes up your artist toolkit and sets you up for a lifetime of creative thinking and making.

While studying, you'll have opportunities to explore a range of practices such as art writing; ceramics; curatorial practices; digital media; drawing; installation; moving image; nga toi taketake; painting; performance art; photography; print sculpture; social and public art; sound art and more.

In your final year, you will complete a capstone fine arts project and associated research essay.

The broad structure of the programme is:

Seven core courses: FINEARTS 110, 111, 112, 113, 320, 321, 322 (165 points)
Two elective courses from FINEARTS 220-236 (30 points)
Two elective courses from FINEARTS 240-250 (60 points)
Two General Education courses (30 points)
Additional elective courses from this degree (up to 75 points)
Additional elective courses from other bachelors degrees (up to 45 points)

Learn more about Fine Arts courses.

Most students need to take one or two General Education courses.

Students should also be aware of the University's Academic English Language Requirement.

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 110

Name:

Introduction to Fine Arts Technologies

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Code:

FINEARTS 111

Name:

Fine Arts Studio 1

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

30 pts
Code:

FINEARTS 112

Name:

Fine Arts Studio 2

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

30 pts
Code:

FINEARTS 113

Name:

Ideas and Contexts for Creative Practice

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

General Education course

Type:

General Education course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

General Education course

Type:

General Education course

Points:

15 pts

Year 2 120 points

Name:

Elective course

Type:

Elective course

Points:

30 pts
Name:

Elective course

Type:

Elective course

Points:

30 pts
Name:

Elective course

Type:

Elective course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective course

Type:

Elective course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective course

Type:

Elective course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective course

Type:

Elective course

Points:

15 pts

Year 3 120 points

Code:

FINEARTS 320

Name:

Creative Practice Research Methodologies

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Code:

FINEARTS 321

Name:

Fine Arts Studio 3: Capstone Project

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

45 pts
Code:

FINEARTS 322

Name:

Research Essay Making Sense of Practice

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective course

Type:

Elective course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective course

Type:

Elective course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective course

Type:

Elective course

Points:

15 pts

Subjects available in this programme

Fine Arts

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

2023 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

New Zealand Outside New Zealand

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.

First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard.
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

These are the indicative entry requirements, and more detailed information will be provided soon. The following scores will guarantee you entry. Please note that we encourage you to apply even if you don't think you will achieve these scores.

Qualification

NCEA National Certificate of Educational Achievement

Score required

150
Qualification

CIE Cambridge International Examinations

Score required

150
Qualification

IB International Baccalaureate

Score required

26

Disciplines

Creative Arts and Industries

Requirements

Entry Requirements

You will typically need to have completed one of the following to meet the minimum equivalent University Entrance standard:

One semester of successful bachelor degree study from a New Zealand tertiary institution.
One year of successful study as part of an acceptable sub-degree qualification from a New Zealand tertiary institution.
One year successful bachelor-degree level study at a recognised university (or similar institution) overseas.

If you have finished secondary school you may already meet the minimum acceptable equivalents of the University Entrance Standard, see New Zealand Secondary School applicants, or Overseas Secondary School applicants.

If you are applying for admission based on prior tertiary study you must meet admission, programme and undergraduate English language requirements. To see the entry requirements (by country) for your intended programme(s), visit Find a study option.

Career

Businesses and organisations hire creatives to address challenges, discover opportunities and bring new possibilities to life. The job market is constantly changing, and the diversity of career opportunities available to graduates is growing. Success as a creative practitioner extends beyond the world of contemporary art, with graduates finding employment in advertising, communication design, marketing, fashion, filmmaking, architecture, business, journalism and many more areas.

Jobs related to this programme

Art Director
Artist
Creative Project Lead
Creative Strategist
Educator
Filmmaker
Visual Designer
Writer

Further study options

Master of Fine Arts
Doctor of Fine Arts
Doctor of Philosophy

See all study options

Nikau Hindin

Since graduating, Nikau has built a successful career as a contemporary artist, exhibiting internationally and reviving the ancient art of making aute.

Nikau's story

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

NZD 39,410 / year

How to Apply

Register for a new account:
- Click ‘Sign up for a new account’ below the Password field.
- A confirmation message will ask you to confirm sign up for a new account. Select ‘Confirm’.
- The 'Register for a new account' page will appear. Enter your email address, name and a password and click ‘Register’ (After accepting the IT Acceptable Use Policy and Disclaimer).
- On the next page provide your contact details, date of birth, citizenship and ethnicity. Please also indicate if you have a disability so we can better meet your needs.
Complete all your Application for Admission sections, including:
- ‘Academic History’: Enter all qualifications you completed or are currently completing.
- ‘Programme Selection’: Select your intended programme.
- Upload any documents requested (e.g. transcripts from your prior study)
Submit your application.
- Ensure you have read the Declaration section. Click, ‘I Agree’ and ‘Submit application.’