New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design (Level 5)

NMIT is part of Te Pūkenga

This means that you will now graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification. Read more
Locations and dates

Nelson:

16 February 2026

20 July 2026
Length

40 weeks including six weeks of study break
Total credits

120
Fees

2025: $6,864 plus $260 Student Services Levy

A Compulsory Student Services Levy applies (2025; $2.17 per credit).

Fees listed are for each year of the programme, indicative only and may vary with course selection.

View course details for individual fees.
National qualification code

NZ2636

This hands-on Level 5 diploma covers foundation skills in Image Making, Photography, Design (Object and Graphic) and Art Theory.

diploma in arts and media visual arts and design level 6

This one year programme can be taken as a stand alone qualification to give you broad, fundamental skills in arts and design. It is also the first year of the Bachelor of Arts and Media - so you can pathway easily into further study.

Through this programme you will gain the skills and knowledge for entry-level positions in production and/or design roles within arts and design industries such as designers, technicians, machinists, or salespeople.

What will I learn?

Upon successful completion of this programme you will be able to:

Apply professional practices to manage projects/briefs within defined guidelines, and select potential education and employment pathways in arts, craft and/or design
Critique your own work and the work of others, communicate in a range of situations, and present own resolved work in simulated contexts
Use research to support the development of ideas and to inform your own work within conventions and contexts in arts, craft and/or design
Use investigative tools with creative processes, methods and technologies to develop responses to a brief and solve problems
Manage projects/briefs under broad guidance, apply standard work practices, and describe potential education and employment pathways in arts, craft and/or design

Courses offered

All courses in this programme are compulsory, so you are sure to gain a good broad understanding of arts and design. You will also get a taste of each of the areas you can specialise in if you go on to further study at NMIT. You will complete a Lab and a Project course for each of the following disciplines: