Thanks for Applying to MDS!

A basic portfolio should include 6-10 pieces of artwork you are proud of. It can be anything that shows off your skills and passion - sketches, designs, paintings, photography, modelling, sculpturing and beyond. We suggest you mix it up a little bit, to show that you're willing to explore and learn new things.

If the portfolio seems a little intimidating, or you're unsure of what to submit, you can complete ONE of the tasks in the design brief instead.

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.

For more ideas and guidelines, visit our YouTube channel. 

Certified copies of official transcripts of results and certificates/awards from previous schools, tertiary colleges, training courses and universities attended within the past year.

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.  

• CV or Resumé of education and work history.

• 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.

For more ideas and guidelines, visit our YouTube channel. 

Certified copies of official transcripts of results and certificates/awards from previous schools, tertiary colleges, training courses and universities attended within the past year.

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.  

• CV or Resumé of education and work history.

• 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.

For more ideas and guidelines, visit our YouTube channel. 

Certified copies of official transcripts of results and certificates/awards from previous schools, tertiary colleges, training courses and universities attended within the past year.

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.  

• CV or Resumé of education and work history.

• 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 this programme, we don't require a portfolio. BUT...

• If you're under 20...

We will need certified copies of official transcripts of results and certificates/awards from previous schools, tertiary colleges, training courses and universities attended within the past year.

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...

...and you're studying NCEA: We will look up your NCEA results. You won't need anything further, unless we ask.

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

Once your application has been approved, you will need to supply a certified copy before you can start class.  

• If you're over 20...

...and have not achieved University Entrance (UE), you may need to complete a maths test with a score of 50% or higher. The test is online, and consists of 50 multiple choice questions. If this is required, we will reach out and let you know.

• CV or Resumé of education and work history.

• 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 this programme, we don't require a portfolio. BUT...

• If you're under 20...

We will need certified copies of official transcripts of results and certificates/awards from previous schools, tertiary colleges, training courses and universities attended within the past year.

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...

...and you're studying NCEA: We will look up your NCEA results. You won't need anything further, unless we ask.

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

Once your application has been approved, you will need to supply a certified copy before you can start class.  

• If you're over 20...

...and have not achieved University Entrance (UE), you may need to complete a maths test with a score of 50% or higher. The test is online, and consists of 50 multiple choice questions. If this is required, we will reach out and let you know.

• CV or Resumé of education and work history.

• 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.

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.

Instead of a Letter of Intent - we ask that students wishing to apply for our GDCT programmes fill out our customised questionnaire. This helps us to find which stream will best suit your needs to get you the outcomes that you desire. 

You can download the questionnaire to fill out HERE.

• 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.