Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design was established in 1982 and is New Zealand’s leading private Arts and Design Tertiary Institution. All qualifications conferred by Whitecliffe are New Zealand Qualification Authority approved. The spacious, secure and modern campus is located in Parnell, which is a few minutes walk from Central Auckland.
Whitecliffe is a dedicated Arts and Design tertiary institution
with a roll of 450 students in both postgraduate and undergraduate
studies who thrive in the supportive and encouraging environment. Of
this number, currently 7% are international students.
The Faculty at Whitecliffe are experienced lecturers and tutors who are artists and designers in their own right. Whitecliffe graduates are acknowledged for their innovation, individuality of design and for their creative thinking skills. One of the most important things to know about Whitecliffe is that although all required technical skills are included in the programmes students are also expected to have a unique point of view and to produce and design individual work.
Whitecliffe is recognised for its support of all students and in particular, international student welfare is overseen by the International Student Coordinator.
International students are integrated into the main student body, however Whitecliffe Faculty and International student support staff are aware of the particular issues faced by students who are studying away from home. Whitecliffe provides social opportunities for International students to meet and to get to know the staff who oversee their welfare.
Venturing into tertiary study at a new institution can feel rather daunting at times. Whitecliffe provides facilities, services, support and advice to help you adjust and to provide you with a positive and successful learning experience. One of the strengths of Whitecliffe is that we have a small and supportive community. It does not take very long for students to find their way around the campus and get to know staff and fellow students by name.
Whitecliffe is New Zealand's Art School of First Choice
Whitecliffe is the most prestigious art and design Tertiary institution in New Zealand. Whitecliffe is widely viewed as the ART SCHOOL OF FIRST CHOICE by New Zealand students and secondary school teachers.
New Zealand students compete each year for the restricted number of domestic places available at Whitecliffe so International students at Whitecliffe have the benefit of studying alongside the best of New Zealand students.
Please Note: The number of available international places is not restricted by Whitecliffe or by the New Zealand government.
Whitecliffe is Government Funded
Whitecliffe is recognised and funded by the New Zealand Government.
Whitecliffe is New Zealand owned and operated
Whitecliffe was established in 1982 and is the only privately owned, degree conferring art and design institution in New Zealand that is New Zealand owned.
Whitecliffe Programmes
Whitecliffe offers a range of programmes designed to suit students’ creative aspirations. Entry points are also designed to fit with student experience and education background.
PRE – DEGREE
This programme is offered over one full academic year (with English language assistance in Semester One) or over18 weeks (starting each July in Semester Two)
The Foundation programme is for students who do not have, (or need to improve) their portfolio.
UNDERGRADUATE
• BFA
Completion of Year One gives students the required grounding to make an informed choice of BFA major. The Whitecliffe BFA programme produces designers, photographers and artists who are equipped to take their place at the leading edge of the International art and design community.
For information on the Application process
POSTGRADUATE
Central Campus Location
Whiteliffe is located in Parnell, Auckland. The campus is 2 kilometres from the very centre of the CBD and is therefore close to all the amenities offered by beautiful Auckland - New Zealand’s largest, and most cosmopolitan city.
Whitecliffe is a Category One Institution
New Zealand has a well established international reputation for high quality education and for rigorous review of Education providers by The New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA)
NZQA is highly confident in the educational performance of Whitecliffe and has awarded Whitecliffe the highest grading of Category One.
Click here to read the full NZQA External Evaluation Report on Whitecliffe
High Course Completion Rates
Whitecliffe course completion and pass rates average 80% which is the highest for any arts and design programme in New Zealand. Whitecliffe has a 90% success rate with job placement for design students who graduate with an advanced qualification (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
Exit Qualifications
Whitecliffe offers EXIT qualifications after successful completion of each year of the Bachelor of Fine Arts. This enables students who do not complete the four year degree to be awarded a NZQA recognised Certificate or Diploma qualification.
BFA Year One Certificate of Arts and Design
BFA Year Two Diploma of Arts and Design
BFA Year Three Advanced Diploma of Arts and Design
BFA Year Four Bachelor of Fine Arts
Support of International Students
Whitecliffe has an established record of supporting International students for whom English is a second language. Academic writing and research support is available at every level of the programme. One on one tutoring and mentoring can be negotiated with specialised, dedicated Whitecliffe faculty employed to oversee student progress.
Diverse cultural backgrounds
International students at Whitecliffe come from over fifteen different countries including China, Canada, England, India, Japan, Korea, New Caledonia, Pacific Islands, Russia, USA and Vietnam,
Whitecliffe faculty and staff are also drawn from diverse cultural backgounds, such as Japan, China, India, United Kingdom, Pacific Islands, South Africa and Europe.
Ethnicity is valued at Whitecliffe and students are encouraged to refererence their cultural heritage in their art and design work.
Internationally recognised qualifications
As with other highly respected private arts and design institutions around the world such as the Royal College of Arts in London, the Art Institute in Chicago, Pratt Institute and Parsons in New York City, The Otis School of Art and Design in Los Angeles, and the Rhode Island School of Design all Whitecliffe qualifications conferred are internationally recognised.
Pathways to further International study
Whitecliffe has a respected international reputation for both its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and has established pathway and study abroad arrangements to Higher Education with a number of notable universities overseas. These universities include Otis College of Arts and Design, Los Angeles, Pennsylvania State University, Montclair State University – New Jersey, The University of Michigan, The University of North Dakota, Texas Christian University – Fort Worth and Valdosta State University – South Georgia.
Whitecliffe is a dedicated Art and Design Institution
As Whitecliffe is a dedicated arts and design institution, all funding is directed to the arts and design programmes, to the campus facilities and for the benefit of all students.
In comparison with larger Institutions and Universities with multiple degree programmes there is no requirement for departments to contest for a varying portion of funding.
Exclusive Arts Therapy programme
Whitecliffe is the only institution in New Zealand that offers a Master of Arts in Arts Therapy, and a Master of Arts in Arts Therapy (Clinical). As with the Whitecliffe undergraduate BFA programme, the postgraduate degrees, including the Master of Fine Arts and the Master of Arts in Arts Management are respected by industry professionals and recognised internationally.
Whitecliffe facilities
The Whitecliffe library and research resources are specifically targeted to support students studying arts and design. Once students have entered Year 2 of the BFA they will be allocated specific individual work areas/studio spaces for the duration of the academic year. Students have access to the studios in the evenings and over the weekends. The campus buildings are secure and access is controlled by swipe card.