Te Kura Pāpāho | School of Media Arts Creative Showcase
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Master of Arts
with endorsements in Design, Music and Performing Arts, Contemporary Art and Communication
BM0501
Course details
-
Feb 2027Jul 2027Sep 2027
- One year
- Full-time or Part-time
- $9,561*
- You may qualify for fee-free study under the Fees Free Policy
- Level 9
- Available for International Students. International Fee Guideline
- Hamilton City Campus
Summary
This Master's is a research programme designed to advance students’ creative, academic, and professional capabilities. Students will undertake a substantial, independent research project within their chosen area of communication, visual design, spatial design, moving image, fashion design, music, performing arts and theatre, or contemporary art practice. The programme equips students to conduct high‑level inquiry, deepen their expertise, extend their practice, and to make informed, impactful contributions within their academic or professional discipline.
Our Master's students will receive supervision for both the practical and theoretical components of their studies. Additional supervision is available from external representatives in a student's professional field and/or for students wishing to utilise kaupapa Māori methodologies in their research. Students will have frequent formal and informal meetings and critiques with other staff and students to discuss their work, helping them to analyse, evaluate, and articulate their research practice. We provide a learning environment that is supportive, positive, varied, and active, encouraging input from staff and students equally.
Facilities in the School of Media Arts are made available to students based on the nature and requirements of their projects, including studio spaces, fabrication workshops, and industry-standard digital environments. Various test spaces, exhibition sites, and tutorial rooms are used for scheduled classes and for formative and informal reviews of work. Technical staff maintain facilities and equipment and are available to assist students with practical and logistical issues in their studies.
What you will learn
Students will study one module: Research Project.
This research project consists of studio-based practice and a written dissertation. Students are required to develop and implement a research methodology which synthesises and amplifies previous and concurrent experience. The module is preceded by the development of a research proposal that refers to appropriate contextual discourses, artist models, and creative methodologies. Projects occur within a structured supervisory framework to facilitate the planning and implementation of original research and scholarship in the student's selected field.
View programme modules
Note: No value in the pre/co-requisite columns means there are no pre/co-requisites for that module.
Career/further opportunities
Graduates of the Master of Arts move into a wide range of professional and creative careers, including professional studio artists, musicians, composers, sound designers, filmmakers, digital designers, advertising creatives, copywriters, freelance journalists, and educators. Many progress into further tertiary study at Doctorate level.
The qualification also supports graduates already working in creative or professional roles to advance their careers by producing a major body of work such as a solo exhibition, album, or theatre script that raises their professional profile; or by building the industry networks and reputation needed to take the next step. For secondary school teachers, completing the Master's can lead to increased remuneration.
Beyond technical and creative skills, graduates leave with strengthened research, communication, and critical thinking skills that are transferable across any career path and valued by employers well beyond the creative industries.
About the faculty
This programme is offered by the School of Media Arts, which provides innovative, interdisciplinary education that prepares students for careers in the creative industries.
Experienced staff and state-of-the-art facilities help you develop a unique range of skills and the ability to apply them in the professional world.
Book a tour, learn more about the Wintec School of Media Arts, our media arts industry connections, check out examples of student work, and talk to staff about what to expect while studying at Wintec.
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Entry criteria
General Academic Admission
a) Applicants are required to have gained:
i) a Bachelor with Honours degree in a relevant field; or
ii) a Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant field with a minimum of a B grade average or equivalent; or
iii) work related experience equivalent to a corresponding Bachelor with Honours degree. Candidates will be required to demonstrate a high order of knowledge of their principal subject of study, including analytic writing, and a disposition towards original research; or
iv) a tertiary qualification (degree or diploma) completed in no less than three years, and have achieved sufficient standing as a practising artist, designer or musician, or in the field of communication. The Media Arts Postgraduate Programme Committee will determine whether the work submitted by applicant candidate in support of their application is of a standard equivalent to Bachelor with Honours degree level. Candidates will also be required to submit a curriculum vitae confirming they have achieved a substantial record of exhibitions, publications or performance in public venues or formats; or have gained professional experience, demonstrating advanced knowledge or performance, in their chosen specialisation; or
v) a corresponding Bachelor degree and have completed four or more years of successful art, design, music or communication teaching at tertiary or secondary level.
b) All application documentation submitted for assessment must be in English.
c) Candidates may be required to study a pre-requisite module in Research Methodology prior to admission should they not be able to demonstrate having acquired research skills to the appropriate level.
Selection criteria
a) Every candidate will be required to present a synopsis of their proposed research project for consideration and approval by the Media Arts Postgraduate Programme Committee. Candidates may be asked to meet and discuss their proposed project with potential supervisors.
b) Any applicant for the Master of Arts who is not a previous graduate of Wintec’s Bachelor of Media Arts Honours programme will be required to submit a portfolio of recent work which demonstrates the nature and quality of their practice.
English language requirements
Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 6.5, with no individual band score lower than 6.0; or equivalent.
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Pathways
To check what you need to gain direct entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.
Your first day
Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.
Are you new to this programme? Book a visit with one of our Kaiāwhina, where you can bring your whānau to get prepared, tour the Campus, and step into your first day with confidence.
Semester 1 2026
Date: Monday 23 February 2026
Time: 11am-1pm
Venue: Gallagher Hub, Events Room 1 & 2, City Campus
Semester 2 2026
Date: Monday 27 July 2026
Time: 11am-1pm
Venue: Gallagher Hub, Events Room 2, City Campus
Semester 3 2026
Date: Monday 28 September 2026
Time: 11am-1pm
Venue: Gallagher Hub, Events Room 2, City Campus
Prospectus (course guide)
The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.
Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus
The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.
Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus
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