Bachelor of Creative Media

Whether you’re a future graphic designer, up-and-coming photographer, videographer, or budding art enthusiast, this programme equips you to become part of the next generation of industry creatives.  

This degree’s multi-disciplinary approach encompasses graphic design, illustration, photography, video/film, and 3D modelling through a selection of inspiring and innovative projects that explore the intersection of technology and creativity. 

The knowledge and skills associated with these specialities are now an integral part of many employment opportunities driving innovation, solution sourcing, and business. 

Complete the third year of your degree by immersing in the “Workhub” with real clients - getting truly ready for industry. This work-integrated learning component comprises 380 hours of work experience. You will learn how to apply concept creation, logic, imagination, intuition, critical thought, and reasoning, to the creation of meaningful outcomes for clients in the workplace. You will develop a multidisciplinary approach in the context of cultural and ethical influences, enabling you to contribute to the creative industries in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world. 

Check out our Creative Workhub website.

Why do you study at UCOL and this programme? Because we are here to help achieve your dream!

This programme comprises 360 credits.

YEAR ONE

Semester one: To start with, we will help set you up for study and enable you to see the types of careers available in direct relation to the content of the degree. You will explore each creative area – illustration, photography, filmmaking, design and 3D/animation - creating a core of information for all media development.

Alongside this, you will learn various digital technologies required for creative industries. This occurs through projects and exploring a way to communicate through the subject of visual language. You will grow with a creative community and share alongside students your image progress, and receive one-on-one feedback from lecturers.

Semester two: A step up from semester one. You will take that knowledge and expand to the next step. Staircase learning. This will continue through your favourite subjects - from illustration, photography, video/filmmaking, design and 3D/animation. Create projects that use these subjects through classes while learning more ways to communicate about arts and with others. A community of arts-focused truly starts to evolve. Starting to introduce to presenting and understanding and practising the art of communication, which is key to our industries.

Visual Language (Semester 1) (15 Credits)

Learn the fundamentals of composition within visual practice through the principles of gestalt, colour theory, colour psychology and terminology.

Digital Technologies (Semester 1) (15 Credits)

Learn appropriate selection and application of processes and techniques associated with current digital technologies.

Creative Media 1 & 2 (Semester 1 & 2) (30 Credits each)

Gain introductory skills in a range of practices such as design, photography, video/filmmaking, illustration, 3D/animation and visual journalism. Start by exploring each specialisation and then choose three workshops a week (or more). Start developing a professional persona within the creative industry.

Contextual Studies (Semester 2) (15 Credits)

Gain an introduction to a range of theories and issues that are relevant to the contemporary creative media industry, learn the conventions of academic writing, and be able to present information formally through essay and verbal delivery.

Digital Technologies 2 (Semester 1) (15 Credits)

Learn how to apply high-quality visual techniques and processes supported by research, critical development and experimentation to communicate and present your ideas.

YEAR TWO

Semester one: Now choose two specialist areas – from illustration, photography, filmmaking, design and 3D/animation. Create projects that use these subjects through the workshops as co-ordinated multimedia or specialised subjects whilst completing a whole-semester personal project and implementing communication strategies.

Semester two: Hone a strong skill set in your specialisation areas. This is the first stage, where you are gently introduced to the “Workhub” and start working with real clients. Slowly and steadily, you work on business skill sets and understand how to be a freelancer, employee, or business owner. Also, this year, you are learning the soft skills needed regarding communication and managing yourself to succeed.

Creative Media 3 & 4 (Semesters 1 & 2) (30 Credits each)

Workshop-based skill development with exploration in problem-solving. Apply informed problem-solving and critical reflection to the creation and production of creative media outputs. Gain knowledge of current professional creative industry techniques, standards, practices, protocols and responsibilities. Develop advanced conceptual and perceptual skills, and problem-solving techniques and learn how to justify your creative media choices, from ideation to final resolution.

Critical Studies 1 (Semesters 1 & 2) (30 Credits)

Further your understanding of the relationships between theory, research and professional creative practice by exploring research concepts and methodologies that support an appreciation of cultural and historical influences surrounding contemporary creative media practices.

Industry Practice (Semester 2) (15 Credits)

Explore and understand what business looks like in the creative industries and how you can use your skill set to enhance your employment prospects. Undertake 80 hours of work experience to develop skills and attributes associated with professional business and marketing practices in the creative industries.

Visual Communication (Semester 2) (15 Credits)

Learn how to take the content of year one and further improve your understanding and implementation of visual language. This includes the development of conceptually based compositions and projects that consider the relationships between author, intent, image, audience, and context.

YEAR THREE

This is the hardest and the best year. You are concentrating on significant projects now. Your skill sets are becoming very refined, and your communication and problem-solving are getting stronger. You're learning to negotiate with clients in the work hub, think in a solution-based manner, and create seriously cool work in the commercial industry of arts with nonprofit organisations, UCOL and partnerships that support UCOL and our students.

You also work all year on a project for you that is well-researched and is for your portfolio. Being a year-long project enables you to explore and grow. The work forms an exhibit at the end of the year. Family and friends join in and celebrate your degree success. Next year, you will be off to gain employment in areas you love. What a better career could there be? Of course, we are biased.

Critical Studies 2 (Semesters 1 & 2) (30 Credits)
Produce a resolved multidisciplinary creative media project underpinned by a sound research process that addresses current and developing industry trends.

Industry Immersion 1 & 2 (Semester 1 - 30 Credits, Semester 2 - 45 Credits)

This is where all your study and work come together. Work as teams and individuals in "The Workhub" with real clients on real jobs - 120 hours of work experience.

Professional Portfolio and Exhibition (Semesters 1 & 2) (15 Credits)

Use your research from Critical Studies 2 to create a portfolio to show future clients or employers. At the end of this course, you will be work-ready with a graduate exhibition at a curated gallery.

Previous Related Programme

The Bachelor of Creative Media has merged the best from the Bachelor in Applied Visual Imaging and integrated it with industry immersion to enhance a student's employability, ensuring we continue to be industry-focused for our students.

• Bachelor of Applied Visual Imaging (no longer offered)

Applicants under the age of 20 years must have University Entrance

OR

Equivalent academic achievement

OR

On a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Executive Dean

OR

Provisional enrolment defined by NZQA as being Discretionary Entrance and includes the following clauses:

• Are New Zealand or Australian citizens and Permanent Residents under 20 years of age

• Must have a minimum of 14 credits in an approved subject at Level 2 towards NCEA

• Must also have met the literacy and numeracy standards required for University Entrance

Learners accepted under the provisional admission requirements must pass all Year one courses before progressing to Year two.

In addition to the Domestic Entry Requirements, the following applies to international learners.

English Proficiency Entry Requirements:

The minimum entry requirement for international students is IELTS Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 (or equivalent, including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

Under 20 years of age

For international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020, and Universal College of Learning.

The UCOL Bachelor of Creative Media prepares learners for professional careers within creative industries that contribute to contemporary visual culture. Potential employment pathways include:

• Photography (commercial, portrait, wedding, architectural & many more)

• Graphic design/illustration (design app graphics, marketing resources, websites, user inter-phasing, concept development)

• 3D/animation (storyboard artist, illustrator)

• Visual journalism (photojournalist, documentary maker, infographics designer)

• Video (television producer, television director, documentary maker)

To find out more about possible job prospects and salaries for Designers and Artists, and Photographers, visit tahatu.govt.nz

Education pathway

• Postgraduate Diploma of Design

• Master of Design

Prospective learners should understand that the Bachelor of Creative Media requires a high level of motivation, commitment, and attendance. You need good organisational skills and a high level of initiative to generate ideas and complete project work. If you have any health issues, it is important that you declare them so that we can provide guidance and support for academic success.

Work experience

There are 380 work-integrated learning hours for this program. This is excellent for when you finish your studies and start looking for work. You can inform your future employer that you have industry experience.

Timetable

Your personalised timetable will be available just before classes starting, and will comprise a weekly commitment of:

• 20 hours of lecturer-supported learning in class

• 20 hours of self-directed learning (your own time spent working to complete your assignments)

Classes run from Monday to Friday, and there may be one evening class. If you need a timetable before arriving, please get in touch with UCOL. Learners sometimes need to earn an income to support their studies. We recommend a maximum of 10 hours per week.

Recognition of prior learning

Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a learner believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Academic Statute and other relevant policies and procedures.

Application checklist

It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

• National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)

• Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)

• Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme

• Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).

COURSE RELATED COSTS - Years 1, 2 & 3

The UCOL Bachelor of Creative Media is a multidisciplinary degree that allows students to work across a range of media, including video, design, photography, illustration, and 3D. Students should expect to allocate up to approximately $1,000 per year to support the completion of project-based assessments. A guide of expected general course related costs is outlined below.

Please note, a loan for course-related costs is available from StudyLink of up to $1000, if required.

Equipment Bond

To use equipment out of class time, a bond for the use of cameras, tripods, Wacom tablets and other equipment must be paid. All students are required to pay this, which is refundable at the end of the year if no damage to equipment has occurred.

• Equipment bond - $80

Printing

You will be provided with an initial allocation of print credits when you start the programme. Please be aware that additional top-ups will be required during your study, depending on the nature of the work you are undertaking.

Please note that this is a minimum guide.

• Video - $50

• Photography - $80 - $200

• Illustration - $50 - $100

• 3D - $50

• Design - $50 - $100

Mounting Boards/foam core

• Video - $30

• Photography - $80 - $200

• Illustration - $50 - $100

• 3D - $30

• Design - $50 - $100

Stationary (estimated, may change based on subject areas and projects undertaken)

• Visual Diaries - A minimum of two A4 books $30

• Pen / Pencils - $20

• Scissors - $10

• Glue stick - $15

• Craft knife / scalpel - $15

• Ruler $15

• Miscellaneous $30

Memory cards

• Min 1x 16GB SD card - $50

Pen drives/USB flash drives (As we move to Cloud based storage, this may not be needed for some subject areas)

• One 64GB pen drives - $30

External Hard drive (As we move to Cloud based storage, this may not be needed for some subject areas)

Creative Media work requires a significant amount of storage. A minimum 1TB external hard drive is recommended, though many students choose to purchase a 2TB drive. Please discuss with your lecturer the most suitable current options before making a purchase.

• 1TB hard drive - $200

• Cloud storage (may need additional, you do have Onedrive)

Software

UCOL supplies core function Adobe Creative Suite, however not all the specialist interactive app functionality.

If you choose to have full personal access to the Adobe Creative Suite, to gain access to additional interactive apps commonly used in industry for file sharing and design collaboration, the cost will be approximately $350.

Additional information:

Individual Lecturers may also supply a more comprehensive list of supplies needed that are specific to their class when you start.

You are not required to purchase a camera or a tablet / Wacom, or a Mac computer to study this programme, as all necessary equipment is available on campus. However, as you progress through the programme, you may choose to invest in your own equipment.

We recommend speaking with your lecturer before making any purchases to ensure you get the most appropriate advice.