The Bachelor of Visual Arts aims to provide students with theoretical and practical skills in visual arts, in order to increase their knowledge, further their qualifications and advance their careers in the fields of visual arts.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Visual Arts will be able to:
Understand the specialised body of visual arts knowledge studied, together with the ability to apply underlying principles and concepts to differing situations and issues.
Critically analyse and communicate abstract data and concepts in visual arts, incorporating well developed research skills, and problem solving skills.
Show evidence of an enhanced level of ability to work independently, as well as to work creatively in groups, and to apply intelligent solutions to issues, to both abstract and specific problems in the visual arts field.
Apply and refine knowledge and skills in practical visual arts particularly required by employers and clients within the visual arts industry sectors.
Plan and manage resources and processes relevant to the discipline studied.
Engage in strategic, sustainable development across the cultural and creative industries.

Graduates will be able to seek entry to post graduate study in a relevant field.

1. Application by Academic Qualification
a. Under 20 years of age
University Entrance - NCEA Level 3.
Three subjects - at Level 3, made up of:
* 14 credits each, in three NZQA University Entrance approved subjects and
Literacy - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:
* 5 credits in reading,
* 5 credits in writing and
Numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:
* specified achievement standards through a range of subjects, or
* package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 - all three required).

b. Application by Mature Entry (20 years of age and above)
Mature entry applicants will have achieved the age of 20 by March 1 of the first year of enrolment in the programme, and have provided evidence of relevant prior learning and experience.

2. Special Admission
Notwithstanding the above admissions categories, in exceptional circumstances, an applicant below the age of 20 who can show evidence of ability to succeed in the programme may be considered for admission, provided the applicant has successfully completed an approved course or programme which is deemed to prepare graduates for the required academic standard for entry.

3. Provisional Part-time Admission
An applicant, who does not meet academic criteria, may be provisionally admitted to enrol in one or more papers. Upon successful completion of the paper(s), the student may apply for special admission or admission by mature entry.

Portfolio Submission
Applicants for the Bachelor of Visual Arts are required to submit a portfolio of their work with their application and may be asked for a written submission also.
Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate of at least 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved an NZQA approved English Proficiency Assessment, or achieved the required score in one of the following internationally recognised English Proficiency tests within the preceding two years:

IELTS test - Academic score of 6, with no band score lower than 5.5.
TOEFL Paper-based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE).
TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) - Score of 60 (with a writing score of 20).
University of Cambridge English Examinations - FCE, or FCE for schools, or CAE, or CPE with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill.
NZCEL - Level 4 with the Academic endorsement.
Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PtoE (Academic) score of 50.
City & Guilds IESOL - B2 Communicator with a score of 66.

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate below 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English must provide evidence that they:

a) Have gained NCEA Level 3 and met New Zealand University Entrance requirements or
b) Hold a bachelor's degree of at least 3 years from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, The Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America or
c) Have achieved a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, CELTA or
d) Have achieved the required score in one of the internationally recognised English Proficiency tests (specified above) within the preceding two years.
Right of entry into programmes of study is restricted by SIT and apparent eligibility may not lead to automatic acceptance.

Applicants may be required to attend an interview, or if they live at some distance from the campus, complete a telephone or skype interview. Applicants may be required to provide copies of applicable certificates and evidence of previous achievements prior to the interview date. All enrolments in the Bachelor of Visual Arts are approved at the discretion of the Programme Manager in consultation with the Head of Faculty and teaching staff as required.