The Bachelor of Design and Contemporary Art will produce versatile graduates who are able to apply technical proficiency, professional and contextual skills and knowledge, and creative fluency in a range of creative contexts. The qualification will meet the needs of industry and the community by enabling learners to develop specialised understandings in visual art, design, and digital media practices, and apply these with confidence, adaptability, and criticality. This qualification will prepare individuals for a range of roles within the creative industries and broader community, and for future postgraduate study.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to: 1. Confidently and flexibly employ a range of specialised art and/or design skills, processes, and concepts to produce original creative outcomes. 2. Apply an understanding and demonstrate proficient use of technologies relevant for creative practice. 3. Demonstrate an understanding of historical, social, and theoretical contexts of art and design production, particularly as it pertains to Aotearoa and the Pacific. 4. Demonstrate an understanding of mātauranga Māori, tikanga Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to creative practice. Mōhiohio pono Hōtaka | Programme Factual Summary Bachelor of Design and Contemporary Art [BDCA] Programme Document Ver:1 [June 2021] 5 5. Apply an understanding of the creative industries and relevant professional practices and behaviours in independent and collaborative contexts. 6. Critically reflect on their own creative practice and the work and ideas of others. 7. Undertake independent research that supports the production, development, and evaluation of creative work. 8. Communicate effectively and professionally through visual, written, and oral modes

The BDCA leads directly higher-level study in art in design at Unitec via the Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Practice (level 8, 60 credits), Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice (level 8, 120 credits) and the Master of Creative Practice (level 9, 180 credits). Students will also be prepared for study in other programmes, such as the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (University of Auckland,
150 credits).

To be eligible for admission to this programme, all applicants must meet three admission requirements: a. Requirements for either general admission, special admission, or discretionary admission b. Any additional Programme specific requirements c. English language requirements 1.1 Whakaurunga Whānui | General Admission To be admitted to this programme all applicants must be at least 16 years of age on the date of the programme's commencement for the semester in which they wish to enrol (or provide a completed Early Release Exemption form), and meet the following requirements: A minimum of 42 credits at NCEA Level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, with 14 credits at Level 3 or higher in each of two art or design-related subjects (Design (Practical Art), Design and Visual Communication, Ngā Toi Ataata, Painting (Practical Art), Photography (Practical Art), Printmaking (Practical Art), Sculpture (Practical Art)), with a further 14 credits at Level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional domains on the National Qualifications Framework AND a minimum of 14 credits at Level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau on the National Qualifications Framework AND a minimum of 8 credits at Level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Maori; a minimum of 4 credits must be in Reading and a minimum of 4 credits must be in Writing; Or Successful completion of an appropriate qualification at Level 4 or above in an art- or design-related subject, where appropriate. Or Equivalent. 1.2 Whakaurunga Motuhake | Special Admission Applicants must have: a. attained the age of 20 years on or before the first day of the semester in which study for the programme is to commence; and b. provided to the relevant Academic Authority sufficient evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other life experience that would indicate a successful outcome in the qualification. 1.3 Whakaurunga Kōwhiringa | Discretionary Admission In exceptional cases an applicant who does not meet the general admission requirements and who has not reached the age of 20 on or before the first day of the semester in which study for the programme is to commence may apply for discretionary admission.
Students who have completed an appropriate qualification at Level 3 in an art or design-related subject may be considered for discretionary admission. In assessing whether to grant discretionary admission, the primary focus will be on the applicant's level of preparedness for study at the required level. 1.4 Whakaurunga Tautui | Programme Specific Requirements In addition to meeting the requirements for general, special, or discretionary admission, applicants must attend an interview, or submit a portfolio, or both. If an evidence portfolio is required, it will contain evidence of the applicant's ability in art and/or design. Applicants may be admitted directly to the programme without the requirement specified above at the discretion of the relevant Academic Authority. 1.5 Whakaurunga Reo Pākehā | English Language Admission Requirements Applicants must have achieved a minimum standard of English as demonstrated by a minimum of 8 credits at NCEA Level 2 in English (4 in Reading, 4 in Writing). International applicants and any Domestic applicant for whom English, Māori or NZ Sign is not their first language must also provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the Programme as demonstrated by an equivalent described in NZQA Rules and on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students web-page