Application checklist
We're pleased you're intrigued.
Applying can sometimes be scary, and we get that you might be worrying about what you need to sort in order to join, so we've made a little checklist for what we need from you to get you in the door.
Have a read through below so you can get familiar with everything you'll need to take your first steps. When you're ready, uploading your docs is easy. We do it through Dropbox and when the time is right, we'll send you a link by email.
We believe that the only way to predict the future is to make it, so follow the light of your bright career in creative technology!
Required Documents
Required Documents
Letter of Intent
Your 250+ word Letter of Intent will help us find out what you want to learn and whether our qualifications will cater to what you want to do and where you want to go. You might think we're looking for the perfect student, but we actually want to find you the perfect tertiary!
Please include in your Letter of Intent:
- Why you are interested in the qualification you applied for.
- What is your motivation for studying this qualification?
- Why did you choose MDS as your preferred tertiary provider?
- What your future career goals are.
- Your relevant training and experience (if any)
First impressions count, so make sure to spellcheck!
*Not required for Micro Credentials or the Graduate Diploma of Creative Advertising
Valid Identification
We need a certified copy that proves your age, citizenship and residency. Typically this will be your Passport or Birth Certificate. Driver's licences won't cut it - sorry!
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. Not applicable for international students.
Other Requirements
Additional Documentation
Programme Specifics
Applicants need to have NCEA Level 2 (or International equivalent); Candidates without NCEA Level 2 (or international equivalent) will be assessed by the Programme Co-ordinator
International Students ONLY
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.
General Portfolio
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.
Transcripts and Certifications
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.
International Students ONLY
- 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.
General Portfolio
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.
Transcripts and Certification
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.
International Students ONLY
- 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.
General Portfolio
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.
Certification and Transcripts
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.
International Students ONLY
- 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.
Transcript OR Maths 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.
International Students ONLY
- 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.
Transcript OR Maths 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.
International Students ONLY
- 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.
What You'll Need
NCEA University entrance or International equivalent CIE/IB grades (preferably information technology subjects)
Have successfully completed a Media Design School qualification, Level 4 or higher
Have successfully completed a qualification from another discipline, Level 4 or higher
We may provide discretionary entry to applicants over 20 years of age - contact us for more details. An interview may be scheduled with the Programme Coordinator.
General Portfolio
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.
Degree OR Resumé
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.
International Students ONLY
- 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.
AdSchool Creative Brief
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.
Degree OR Resumé
- 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.
International Students ONLY
- 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.
Professional Portfolio
Your portfolio will be accepted as a:
- Showreel
- Website link
Resumé
We require a full, professional resumé/C.V. that must also include x2 Referees or Reference Letters
Degree
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.
International Students ONLY
- 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.
Valid identification
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.
CV or proof of Bachelor Degree
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.
Stuck?
If you have any questions, and cannot find an answer on this page please do not hesitate to contact your Course and Careers advisor by calling us on (09) 303-0402 or emailing:
Domestic Students: domestic@mediadesignschool.com
International Students: international@mediadesignschool.com
Good luck with your application, and we look forward to welcoming you to Media Design School - the #1 awarded digital design school in Asia-Pacific.