Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours)
Advance your creativity and imagination further and prepare for your professional creative life or progression to postgraduate levels of study.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) programme is a stand-alone postgraduate qualification, directly following on from the Level 7 Bachelor of Fine Arts programme.
Duration
1 year full-time in Auckland
Qualification
Bachelor's Degree with Honours (Level 8)
Costs
2021 Domestic $9,041 + $300 Student Services Levy 2021 International $27,000 + $300 Student Services Levy All 2021 fees are subject to change and regulatory approval
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Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) Course Outline
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) programme has a purpose to consolidate the learning and achievements of the BFA undergraduate study through the realisation of a sustained practice-based research inquiry and to prepare students for a professional life as creative practitioners in the wider-arts and design industries. Students often undertake the Honours qualification to develop foundations for further research in a higher degree, it allows entry into a Master of Fine Arts (or equivalent), or where conditions are met, directly into a Doctorate programme.
The one-year Honours degree is taught within and across the four subject pathways of Fine Arts, Photo Media, Graphic Design, and Fashion Design. Students undertake three courses of study across two semesters: Studio Research, Critical Contexts, and Research Methods. The three courses work to integrate and consolidate contextual, theoretical, and practice-based learning and research towards a primary measurable outcome of two integrated parts: a presentation creative research outcomes and an accompanying exegesis.
Graduates of the BFA Honours programme are:
- Intellectually and creative independent, and able to critically understand, evaluate, and generate new and complex ideas, forms, and knowledge.
- Skilled in material, visual, and academic research and inquiry and adept at exploring ideas through making.
- Capable of producing significant creative outcomes in academic contexts and formats as well as those appropriate to their chosen creative profession.
- Confident and knowledgeable, with a significantly developed understanding and appreciation of a range of fine art and creative processes, practices, and professions.
- Articulate and communicative, and able to present and critically frame creative and theoretical research and inquiry in a range of models (oral, written, visual).
- Able to adapt and critically situate creative outcomes and practice to succeed in a changing professional environment and make a significant contribution to a chosen field of creative practice.
Key Information for Students
NZ Government key information link for students, that provides more information to support your decision making for this programme
Admission Requirements
Domestic Student Entry Requirements:
- Completed application form
- Successful completion of an undergraduate qualification equivalent to NZQF Level 7
- A GPA of their final undergraduate year (Level 7 credits) of B - and above (GPA of 4)
- A portfolio that reflects your skills and potential to successfully complete the programme
- A letter of intent or declaration of research interests
- Academic writing ability which reflects the potential for successful study at the graduate level (candidates may use their letter of intent or research declaration or examples of previous academic writing to meet this requirement)
- An interview is required for all applicants
International Student Entry Requirements:
- Completed application form
- Passport copy
- Minimum Age: Students must turn 18 within their first year of study at Whitecliffe
- IELTS Academic overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 or equivalent
- Successful completion of an undergraduate qualification equivalent to NZQF Level 7
- A GPA of their final undergraduate year (NZQF Level 7 credits) of B - and above (GPA of 4)
- A portfolio that reflects your skills and potential to successfully complete the programme
- A letter of intent or declaration of research interests
- Academic writing ability which reflects the potential for successful study at the graduate level (candidates may use their letter of intent or research declaration or examples of previous academic writing to meet this requirement)
- An interview is required for all applicants
Faculty
Matt Ellwood
Head of School - Fine ArtsMatt Ellwood completed his undergraduate studies at Auckland University’s Elam School of Fine Arts and has a PGDip in Teaching from Auckland College of Education.
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Christina Read
Programme Leader - Fine ArtsChristina Read emigrated from the United Kingdom in 2003. She has an MFA from Elam School of Fine Art, University of Auckland.
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Caryline Boreham
LecturerCaryline holds an MFA from the University of Auckland and was the recipient of the 2010 Elam School of Fine Arts Post Graduate Photography Prize. Working predominantly in the mediums of photography, video and sound, her practice is concerned with an ongoing exploration of the built environment with a particular interest in how people inhabit and interpret their surroundings. Caryline’s work has been exhibited and published in New Zealand, Australia, North America and Europe. Internationally she has received nominations for the Prix Pictet Photography Prize in 2013 and 2016; with her work being featured in the 2017 Prix Pictet ‘Space’ publication. Her work is held in public and private collections including the Wallace Arts Trust Collection.
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Dan Arps
LecturerBio coming soon
Oleg Polounine
Fine Arts TechnicianOleg studied at the Elam School of Fine Art where he got his master’s in 2011 (1st class honours). Oleg manages Whitecliffe’s Tech Bay and helps students with their art.
Where could this programme take you?
A BFA Honours from Whitecliffe is a great step towards a professional career as an artist, or to continue study towards a Masters Degree. A fine arts training also prepares graduates for a wide range of careers, giving them essential skills for a modern jobs market: the abilities to think creatively and flexibly; to work independently or collaboratively; to respond constructively to criticism, and to participate in intelligent debate. Our emphasis on business skills – such as budgeting, marketing, career management and public relations – also prepares graduates for some of the more pragmatic aspects of life after study. The most important things we do for our students are preparing them for lifelong creative work, and helping them develop the attributes that will make them leaders within their communities. And as the creative industries continue to grow, we find that more and more of our graduates are carving out unique career paths.
Jobs related to this programme
Designer
Exhibiting Artist
Curatorial Assistant
Gallery Manager
Arts Administrator
Art Consultant
Set Design and Construction
Conservator
Art Project Manager
Textile Design
Branding
Art Direction
Creative Direction
Talk to our team
If you would like to ask us a question or request more information, please detail your enquiry using the form below. If you would like you can contact us directly on 0800 800 300, email us or use the contact us form.