Designed around four, week-long seminars per year, the programme is delivered by faculty and guests that are nationally and internationally respected artists, critics, writers, and curators.
According to their interests and proposed direction of study, students are assigned two supervisors to support their studio practice as it develops from Semester to Semester in order to best support their direction and research throughout the programme.
The MFA programme prepares artists for a professional career working within a diverse field of contemporary art practices across local and international contexts.
The Master of Fine Arts is a full-time, two-year (year one at level 8, year two at level 9), distance programme with some in person seminars enabling enrolled artists to live and work anywhere in New Zealand. Designed around four, week-long seminars per year, the programme is delivered by faculty and guests that are nationally and internationally respected artists, critics, writers, and curators. According to their interests and proposed direction of study, students are assigned two supervisors to support their studio practice as it develops from Semester to Semester in order to best support their direction and research throughout the programme.
The MFA programme prepares artists for a professional career working within a diverse field of contemporary art practices across local and international contexts. The interdisciplinary structure and philosophy support artists in understanding how art and artworks operate in the world, and through regular critique, supervisory guidance, seminar participation, and a focus on exhibition and publication practice, assists them to develop their individual approach to practice and research.
July 2025 Intake
21/07/2025
February 2026 Intake
16/02/2026
2 Years
Low Residency
Auckland City Symonds Street Campus
Fees indicated are for 1st year of study. 2nd Year fees may vary.
All 2025 fees are subject to change and regulatory approval.
Domestic $10,504 + $300 Student Services Levy
International $27,000 + $300 Student Services Levy
Further study options:
Level 10 Doctoral degree
Master of Fine Arts
NZQA Level 9 (240 credits)
The MFA programme prepares artists for a professional career working within a diverse field of contemporary art practices across local and international contexts.
The interdisciplinary structure and philosophy support artists in understanding how art and artworks operate in the world, and through regular critique, supervisory guidance, seminar participation, and a focus on exhibition and publication practice assists them to develop their individual approach to practice and research.
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Natalie Cooper’s fine arts work was exhibited as part of Whitecliffe’s End-of-Year Exhibition, highlighting her creative growth and dedication to artistic expression. ...
Master of Fine Arts
Kerin Casey’s MFA installation, presented at Whitecliffe’s End-of-Year Fine Arts Exhibition, explores themes of broken promises, change, and fragile narratives. Throu ...
Master of Fine Arts
Natasha Boshkovski’s work Code of Silence navigates the difficulties of a family member’s gradual memory deterioration. ...
Natasha Boshkovski
Applicants must
International applicants must
The vast majority of our team have extensive experience within their respective industries. This is key in helping us ensure our graduates have the real-world skills they need for a successful career and bright future.
Anton Maurer is an artist and educator, with a practice grounded in lens-based media.
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Christina Read’s artwork is bright, playful, and vulnerable. The UK-born Tāmaki-based artist ...
David Cowlard is a senior lecturer with specialist teaching experience in lens-based practices, d ...
Glen Snow gained his Masters at Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland (UOA) in 2012. H ...
Lynnemaree has worked in a range of positions at Whitecliffe and is currently a lecturer and a Cr ...
Matt Dowman received his BFA from Whitecliffe in 2002, and a MFA with honours from Auckland Unive ...
Matt Ellwood is an artist and educator with more than 25 years of professional experience in the ...
Noel completed his undergraduate studies at the School of Art, Otago Polytechnic before completin ...
Richard Maloy completed his MFA from the University of Auckland in 2001. He employs a multi-disci ...
Rose Meyer gained a Master of Fine Art with First Class Honours in 2015 and a Post Graduate Diplo ...
Caryline Boreham is an artist and educator whose recent work blends a photography practice with a ...
