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 2023 Intake 13 • 02 • 23 Preferred Application Deadline 27 • 01 • 23
View full calendarDuration
1 year full-time in Auckland
Qualification
Bachelor's Degree with Honours (Level 8)
Costs
Domestic $8,640 + $300 Student Services Levy International $27,000 + $300 Student Services Levy All 2023 fees are subject to change and regulatory approval.
View full fees
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.
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
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
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.
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.
Continue reading
Dr Yolunda Hickman
Programme Leader, Fine Arts Postgraduate ProgrammesYolunda Hickman completed her MFA at Elam in 2013 and is a current Doctoral candidate there with a focus on the visual semiotics and limitations of communication systems.
Continue reading
David Cowlard
Programme Leader, BFA Photo MediaDavid is a documentary and editorial photographer, digital producer, writer and field recordist.
Continue reading
Richard Maloy
Programme Leader, BFA Fine ArtsRichard completed his MFA from the University of Auckland in 2001. He employs a multi-disciplinary practice including; sculpture, photography, installation plus more.
Continue reading
Lynnemaree Patterson
Programme Leader, Certificate in Arts + DesignLynnemaree received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Whitecliffe College in 2005. Prior to that she taught Expressive Arts in Papua New Guinea.
Continue reading
Henry Symonds
Senior Lecturer, School of Fine ArtsHenry Symonds completed his undergraduate studies at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town.
Continue reading
Christina Read
Senior Lecturer, School of Fine ArtsChristina Read emigrated from the United Kingdom in 2003. She has an MFA from Elam School of Fine Art, University of Auckland.
Continue reading
Noel Ivanoff
Senior Lecturer, School of Fine ArtsNoel completed his undergraduate studies at the School of Art, Otago Polytechnic before completing a certificate in advanced studies at St Martins School of Art in London.
Continue reading
Leon Mitchell
Programme Delivery Coordinator, BFALeon graduated from Whitecliffe College in 2006 with a BFA majoring in Photography.
Continue reading
Caryline Boreham
Lecturer, School of Fine ArtsCaryline 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.
Continue reading
Dr Julia Teale
Lecturer, School of Fine ArtsDr Julia Teale gained her PhD from the University of Auckland and her MFA at the University of Cape Town, Higher Dip Fine Art, Technikon Natal.
Continue reading
Matt Dowman
Lecturer, School of Fine ArtsMatt Dowman received his BFA from Whitecliffe in 2002, and a MFA with honours from Auckland University’s Elam School of Fine Arts in 2004.
Continue reading
Rose Meyer
Lecturer, School of Fine ArtsRose Meyer gained a Master of Fine Art with First Class Honours in 2015 and a Post Graduate Diploma of Arts Management with Distinction in 2017 at Whitecliffe College.
Continue reading
Jill Sorensen
Lecturer, School of Fine ArtsJill completed her undergraduate studies in 1991 at the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales, Australia and gained an MFA with First Class Honours.
Continue reading
Glen Snow
Lecturer, School of Fine ArtsGlen gained his Master of Fine Arts at the Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland University, in 2012.
Continue readingWhere 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
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.