The programme provides a systematic and coherent introduction of knowledge to the creative industries so that students develop the creative thinking and practice linked to the dynamic and divergent employment needs of the creative industries.

Graduates will have developed the confidence and ability to generate authentic, creative ideas. They will have a sound understanding of collaborative interdisciplinary practice alongside a specialisation, in the form of a major, in Fashion Design, Graphic Design, or Visual Art. The degree is designed to develop student abilities to generate solutions and products in project teams, developing entrepreneurial skills in non-profit and profit enterprise.

GRADUATES WILL MEET THE BROAD, GROWING AND CHANGING NEEDS OF THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES THROUGH BEING ABLE TO:
Creative Thinking Skills
* Explore creativity; and the process of having authentic ideas that have value
* Demonstrate capability to be flexible and responsive
* Apply creative thinking, divergent thinking and idea generation to find practical and innovative solutions
* Apply critical and reflective thinking to the design process
* Reflect and critique self, peer and groups and apply to learning and development of self and projects
* Understand the forms of research in creative arts
* Apply independent research skills and problem solving approaches relevant to the creative industries
* Apply an understanding of the relationships between theory and practice
* Develop own practice as a creative endeavour

Industry Practice
* Hold experience of real world environments with hands on industry involvement
* Utilise current and emerging industry technologies
* Utilise a broad range of creative skills
* Develop an area of specialization within the creative discipline
* Create and define briefs and apply the creative process to enable solutions that are applicable and have value.
* Apply ethical and professional practices to the creative industries
* Contribute effectively in a team, group and work environment
* Display professional attitude, confidence and the soft skills needed to be successful in the creative industries
* Use effective and appropriate oral and written communication
* Display artistic authenticity, integrity, independence
* Display and apply initiative
* Integrate sustainability into creative practice
* Apply entrepreneurial skills within the creative industry
* Market, perform and present creative ideas and solutions effectively
* Demonstrate effective project management
* Identify and engage confidently with an audience

Graduates of this programme may be eligible to apply for entry into a variety of further tertiary education and training programmes relating to this field of study, offered by a number of tertiary education providers, for example:

* Master of Design Thinking UCOL
* Master of Arts (Visual arts, Design, Music) Wintec
* Post Graduate Diploma in Art and Design AUT
* Master of Philosophy Creative Technologies AUT
* Master of Creative Technologies AUT
* Master of Arts Management AUT
* PG Dip Design; Fine Arts or Arts Massey
* Master of Fine Arts MFA Massey
* Master of Design Unitec
* Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary or Secondary)

Note: an MoU for articulation in UCOL's Master of Design Thinking is in progress.

Academic Criteria
University Entrance or Certificate in Art and Design (Level 4)

Portfolio
BCI applicants are required to submit a portfolio when they apply for the programme. Applicants' design skills will not be evaluated as we will teach these skills in the degree. However, the portfolio will show applicants' creative ideas, originality, curiosity and imagination, and how they can use this within creative visual work.
A portfolio containing 10 pieces of work is required. The pieces should include finished pieces and pieces still under development. This should include work in progress or work developed during planning a project as well as finished work to help us understand applicants' creative-thinking process.

Pieces might include:
* Drawings
* Workbook / ideas / sketches
* Computer-generated images
* Photography (analogue/digital)
* Websites
* Film / moving image / animation
* Painting
* 3D work / Sculpture
* Fashion drawing / design
* Textile / apparel
* Digital story-telling
* Any work that demonstrates a passion for the creative industries
Applicants can submit portfolio as printed copies of work, as digital files or a combination of both.
Originals should not be submitted. Pieces can be photographed and submitted as digital files, with individual works clearly labeled. The portfolio will be accompanied by a short statement of the work, written by the student (200 word min.) describing its purpose and process of production.

Entry onto the programme will be based on portfolio content, indicating capacity and desire to engage in the creative process.
English Language Requirements 1 2
International applicants for whom English is not their first language will be required to show evidence of language competency, issued within the last two years, before being eligible to enrol in any non-English programme. The level of competency required is outlined in Rule 18 and Appendix 2 of the NZQF Programme and Accreditation Rules 2013 and below under the title English Competency.

International applicants who have English as their first language, or one of their first languages, must have either:
* Completed all primary education and at least 3 years secondary education at schools where English was the language of instruction.
* Completed at least 5 years of secondary education at schools using English as the language of instruction.
Applicants who cannot provide evidence that supports the above criteria must provide evidence of English language competency before being eligible to enrol.

For domestic applicants for whom English is not their first language evidence of language competency may be required.
1 Before enrolling international students into a programme of study the Polytechnic will ensure that the student has authorised entry into Aotearoa New Zealand and that the programme is approved for accepting International students. (Extract from policy)

2 Refer NZQA website English Proficiency Outcomes for International Students for whom English is not their First language, March 2013

English Competency

Level 7 degree IELTS Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 or completed Certificate in Foundation Studies (ESOL) L4 OR A score of Level 7 in the University of Waikato Language Institute - Certificate of Attainment in Academic English or meets a relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined in Rule 18 and Appendix 2 of the NZQF Programme and Accreditation Rules 2013

Literacy Requirements
Students are expected to have the literacy skills required to meet the academic needs of the degree. Evidence of this may be required.

Special Admission
The polytechnic will consider students for special admission who do not satisfy the standard academic entry requirements of a programme but who in the opinion of the Programme Coordinator are capable of achieving the programme outcomes. This includes applicants over 20 years, who do not meet the academic criteria, but have experience and aptitude for creativity.

Student Oversubscription
Students are accepted on a first in first served basis. In the event of oversubscription, students will be waitlisted until another cohort can be run.