Next Steps for Your Application

To apply for Foundation Studies, you’ll need to have:

• NCEA Level 2, or
• An international equivalent qualification.

If you don’t meet these requirements, your application will be assessed by the Programme Coordinator to determine your eligibility.

If you are applying from a non-English speaking country, you must supply results from an Academic IELTS of 5.5 with no band lower than 5.0 or equivalent score from another recognised English language test.

Your general portfolio should include between 12 - 20 pieces  of work that best represent who you are as a creative person. We recommend including a range of media and styles to showcase your exploration of styles, passion and willingness to learn.

An outline of what you could include and how to present your portfolio can also be found HERE.

If you’re under 20 and have completed (or are completing) NCEA, we can usually find your transcript directly through NZQA – so you don’t need to send it yourself.

• If you’re still completing High School, your Offer of Place will be conditional on University Entrance (UE). We’ll automatically check your results once they’re released.
• If you’re 20 or older, you don’t need UE to apply for our Bachelor’s programmes.
• If you’re under 20 and applying through Discretionary Entrance (based on Year 12 results), you can read more here or email our team for advice.

If you’re studying International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge (CIE), please email a copy of your transcript, or provide your school and candidate number, to domestic@mediadesignschool.com.

You can also meet UE requirements by completing a Level 4, 60-credit qualification.

If you’re applying for Cross-Crediting or Recognition of Prior Learning from previous tertiary study, please send your official academic transcript, along with course descriptors and learning outcomes.

• CV or Resumé of education and work history.
• Certified copies of official transcripts of results and certificates/awards from previous schools, tertiary colleges, training courses and universities you may have attended.
• If you are applying from a non-English speaking country, you must supply results from an Academic IELTS of 6.0 with no band lower than 5.5 or equivalent score from another recognised English language test.

Your general portfolio should include between 12 - 20 pieces of work that best represent who you are as a creative person. We recommend including a range of media and styles to showcase your exploration of styles, passion and willingness to learn.

An outline of what you could include and how to present your portfolio can also be found HERE.

If you’re under 20 and have completed (or are completing) NCEA, we can usually find your transcript directly through NZQA – so you don’t need to send it yourself.

• If you’re still completing High School, your Offer of Place will be conditional on University Entrance (UE). We’ll automatically check your results once they’re released.
• If you’re 20 or older, you don’t need UE to apply for our Bachelor’s programmes.
• If you’re under 20 and applying through Discretionary Entrance (based on Year 12 results), you can read more here or email our team for advice.

If you’re studying International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge (CIE), please email a copy of your transcript, or provide your school and candidate number, to domestic@mediadesignschool.com.

You can also meet UE requirements by completing a Level 4, 60-credit qualification.

If you’re applying for Cross-Crediting or Recognition of Prior Learning from previous tertiary study, please send your official academic transcript, along with course descriptors and learning outcomes.

• CV or Resumé of education and work history.
• Certified copies of official transcripts of results and certificates/awards from previous schools, tertiary colleges, training courses and universities you may have attended.
• If you are applying from a non-English speaking country, you must supply results from an Academic IELTS of 6.0 with no band lower than 5.5 or equivalent score from another recognised English language test.

Your general portfolio should include between 12 - 20 pieces of work that best represent who you are as a creative person. We recommend including a range of media and styles to showcase your exploration of styles, passion and willingness to learn.

An outline of what you could include and how to present your portfolio can also be found HERE.

If you’re under 20 and have completed (or are completing) NCEA, we can usually find your transcript directly through NZQA – so you don’t need to send it yourself.

• If you’re still completing High School, your Offer of Place will be conditional on University Entrance (UE). We’ll automatically check your results once they’re released.
• If you’re 20 or older, you don’t need UE to apply for our Bachelor’s programmes.
• If you’re under 20 and applying through Discretionary Entrance (based on Year 12 results), you can read more here or email our team for advice.

If you’re studying International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge (CIE), please email a copy of your transcript, or provide your school and candidate number, to domestic@mediadesignschool.com.

You can also meet UE requirements by completing a Level 4, 60-credit qualification.

If you’re applying for Cross-Crediting or Recognition of Prior Learning from previous tertiary study, please send your official academic transcript, along with course descriptors and learning outcomes.

• CV or Resumé of education and work history.
• Certified copies of official transcripts of results and certificates/awards from previous schools, tertiary colleges, training courses and universities you may have attended.
• If you are applying from a non-English speaking country, you must supply results from an Academic IELTS of 6.0 with no band lower than 5.5 or equivalent score from another recognised English language test.

For the Bachelor of Software Engineering programmes, entry requirements differ slightly from our other Bachelor’s degrees. A portfolio is not required, but we’ll need to review your academic background or, in some cases, ask you to complete a maths test.

If you’re under 20 and have completed (or are completing) NCEA, we can usually find your transcript directly through NZQA, so you don’t need to send it yourself.

• If you’re still completing High School, your Offer of Place will be conditional on University Entrance (UE). We’ll automatically check your results once they’re released.
• If you’re 20 or older, you don’t need UE to apply.
• If you’re under 20 and applying through Discretionary Entrance (based on Year 12 results), you can read more here or email our team for advice.

If you’re studying International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge (CIE), please email a copy of your transcript, or provide your school and candidate number, to domestic@mediadesignschool.com.

If you’re over 20 and haven’t achieved University Entrance, you may need to complete our online maths test. The test includes 50 multiple-choice questions. If this applies to you, we’ll be in touch with the details.

If you’re applying for Cross-Crediting or Recognition of Prior Learning from previous tertiary study, please send your official academic transcript, along with course descriptors and learning outcomes.

• CV or Resumé of education and work history.
• Certified copies of official transcripts of results and certificates/awards from previous schools, tertiary colleges, training courses and universities you may have attended.
• If you are applying from a non-English speaking country, you must supply results from an Academic IELTS of 6.0 with no band lower than 5.5 or equivalent score from another recognised English language test.

For the Bachelor of Software Engineering programmes, entry requirements differ slightly from our other Bachelor’s degrees. A portfolio is not required, but we’ll need to review your academic background or, in some cases, ask you to complete a maths test.

If you’re under 20 and have completed (or are completing) NCEA, we can usually find your transcript directly through NZQA, so you don’t need to send it yourself.

• If you’re still completing High School, your Offer of Place will be conditional on University Entrance (UE). We’ll automatically check your results once they’re released.
• If you’re 20 or older, you don’t need UE to apply.
• If you’re under 20 and applying through Discretionary Entrance (based on Year 12 results), you can read more here or email our team for advice.

If you’re studying International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge (CIE), please email a copy of your transcript, or provide your school and candidate number, to domestic@mediadesignschool.com

If you’re over 20 and haven’t achieved University Entrance, you may need to complete our online maths test. The test includes 50 multiple-choice questions. If this applies to you, we’ll be in touch with the details.

If you’re applying for Cross-Crediting or Recognition of Prior Learning from previous tertiary study, please send your official academic transcript, along with course descriptors and learning outcomes.

• CV or Resumé of education and work history.
• Certified copies of official transcripts of results and certificates/awards from previous schools, tertiary colleges, training courses and universities you may have attended.
• If you are applying from a non-English speaking country, you must supply results from an Academic IELTS of 6.0 with no band lower than 5.5 or equivalent score from another recognised English language test.

If you’re under 20, you’ll need to meet one of the following entry requirements:

• NCEA University Entrance, or
• An international equivalent such as CIE or IB (IT-related subjects are preferred), or
• A completed Level 4, 60-credit qualification (or higher).

If you’re still working towards one of these qualifications, we can issue a conditional Offer of Place. Your full enrolment will be confirmed once your final results are released.

If you’re 20 or older and haven’t achieved University Entrance or a higher qualification, you can send us your CV or résumé. Depending on your background, you may also be invited to an interview with the Programme Coordinator.

Your general portfolio should include between 12 - 20 pieces of work that best represent who you are as a creative person. We recommend including a range of media and styles to showcase your exploration of styles, passion and willingness to learn.

An outline of what you could include and how to present your portfolio can also be found HERE.

For more ideas and guidelines, visit our YouTube channel. 

If you have a degree...

...we will need a certified copy. Documents can be certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP), or a Media Design School staff member. JP's can be found HERE.

If you're not in the position to get your documents certified right now, you can send through an uncertified copy of your documents and your application will still be reviewed. Once your application has been approved, you will need to supply a certified copy before you can start class.  

If you don't have a degree...

We will need to see your Resumé/C.V. to show your previous experience and ability to complete this Level 7 qualification.

• CV or Resumé of education and work history.

• Two Letters of Reference from previous tutors, employers or personal associates. Please note these referees may be contacted.

• If you are applying from a non-English speaking country, you must supply results from an Academic IELTS of 6.0 with no band lower than 5.5 or equivalent score from another recognised English language test.

The AdSchool task sheet is an ideas litmus test.

As opposed to other portfolio’s we will (begrudgingly) accept stick figures, as long as you can clearly display your ideas.

TOP TIP: If you say you woke up from a dream in the Hamster task… your application will go in the bin. Seriously.

• If you have a degree...

...we will need a certified copy. Documents can be certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP), or a Media Design School staff member. JP's can be found HERE.

If you're not in the position to get your documents certified right now, you can send through an uncertified copy of your documents and your application will still be reviewed. Once your application has been approved, you will need to supply a certified copy before you can start class.  

• If you don't have a degree...

We will need to see your Resumé/C.V. to show your previous experience and ability to complete this Level 7 qualification.

• CV or Resumé of education and work history.

• Two Letters of Reference from previous tutors, employers or personal associates. Please note these referees may be contacted.

• If you are applying from a non-English speaking country, you must supply results from an Academic IELTS of 6.0 with no band lower than 5.5 or equivalent score from another recognised English language test.

Your portfolio will be accepted as a:

• .PDF
• Showreel
• Website link

We require a full, professional resumé/C.V. that must also include x2 Referees or Reference Letters   

Our postgraduate programmes require completion of a relevant level 7 qualification OR a minimum 6 years of professional industry experience.  

You will need to provide proof of your completed qualification(s) (including your full transcripts) as certified copies.

Documents can be certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP), or a Media Design School staff member. JP's can be found HERE.

Once we have received the above information, we will contact you to advise you on the next step.

Please note that we cannot process your application until we have received all the above documents.  

• If you are applying from a non-English speaking country, you must supply results from an Academic IELTS of 6.5 with no band lower than 6.0 or equivalent score from another recognised English language test.

We need a certified copy that proves your age, citizenship and residency. This can be in a form of birth certificate or passport. Driver's licences won't be acceptable.

As this is a Level 8 qualification we will need you to provide proof of professional experience in the form of a CV or your Bachelor Degree.