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.

Key dates

February 2024 Intake 19 • 02 • 24

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Duration

1 year full-time in Auckland

Qualification

Bachelor's Degree with Honours (Level 8)

Costs

Domestic $8,882 + $300 Student Services Levy
International $27,000 + $300 Student Services Levy
All 2024 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 is a stand-alone postgraduate qualification, directly following on from the Level 7 Bachelor of Fine Arts programme.

Whitecliffe BFA(Hons) students consolidate the learning and achievements of the BFA undergraduate study through the realisation of a sustained practice-based research inquiry to prepare students for professional life in the creative industries. Students often undertake the Honours qualification to develop foundations for further research in a higher degree, pathwaying into a Master of Fine Arts (or equivalent), or where conditions are met, directly into a Doctorate programme.

Students undertake two courses of study across two Semesters: Studio Research and Critical Contexts. Both courses work to develop and integrate contextual, theoretical, and studio-based learning centred on student's in-depth research projects. The BFA(Hons) programme culminates in a final exhibition or presentation of studio research outcomes and an accompanying written research summary.

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Graduates of the BFA Honours programme are able to:

  • Critically analyse and adapt relevant conceptual, critical, and theoretical frameworks to independent studio-based research
  • Frame, refine, and resolve complex ideas through advanced research methodologies in creative contexts
  • Generate and present bodies of work to a professional industry standard, evidencing a contextually informed sustained inquiry
  • Reflexively innovate creative practice to connect and confidently contribute to wider contemporary discourses
Claudia Mc Nulty

Key Information for Students

NZ Government key information link for students, that provides more information to support your decision making for this programme

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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


BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Requirements:

This programme has Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) requirements, the following specifications will support you to be successful in your studies.

Required IT Specifications:

Minimum Hardware requirements

  • Mac - Intel processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later
    OR 
  • MacBook Air with M1 Chip 
    OR 
  • Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later 
  • 16 GB RAM    
  • 500 GB SSD or higher hard drive with 10GB free space minimum    
  • Wireless capability 802.11n dual-band    
  • Up-to-date antivirus software    

Minimum Operating System     

  • Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later; LTSC versions are not supported
    OR     
  • Apple macOS Mojave (version 10.14) or later 
  • Internet and data plan.    

Not Supported:    

  • Chromebooks    
  • Windows X or Windows S OS    
  • Tablets (except Windows Surface Pro or iPad Pro)   
  • Macbook Pro (preferred)
    AND dedicated GPU (Graphics card)
  • May use Apple iPad Pro for drawing. 
BFA (Hons) End of Year Exhibitions

Where could this programme take you?

Many of our graduates have gone on to be successful exhibiting artists, both in New Zealand and overseas. However, a Fine Arts degree also prepares graduates for a wide range of careers, giving them essential skills for the modern job market: the ability to think creatively and flexibly; to work independently or collaboratively; to respond constructively to criticism, and to participate in intelligent debate. Our graduates are proven self-starters, many of whom become self-employed or owners of successful small businesses within the creative fields.

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

Find out more about career opportunities

Talk to our team

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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.

Apply Online

Apply online today to study at New Zealand's leading private Arts, Design Fashion and Technology school, producing the highest quality graduates and shaping exceptional creative citizens.