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Fortean Film Festival 2021 Paris Independent Film Festival 2021
Qualification

Degree, NZQF Level 7

420 credits (1.2 EFTS a year)

Start Dates
Course Fees (Year 1. See fees information.)
Domestic $10,200.00 NZD
International $33,500.00 NZD
Admission Requirements

NCEA Level 3, CIE or IB University Entrance or Level 4 or higher Qualification from related discipline (not required for students 20+)

Full details including discretionary entrance based on Level 2 Excellence Endorsement can be found here.

Study On Campus or Online

Portfolio Requirements

General Portfolio

(3D models or visualisations favoured)

Study Options

Study on campus Study online

Exclusive Industry Partners

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Unity

MDS is the only Unity Authorised Training and Certification partner in the country.
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Houdini

Houdini

MDS is a Houdini certified school

What is 3D Animation & VFX?

Create the impossible

The Bachelor of Art and Design focuses on the technical and soft skills that you’ll need in the post-production side of the film industry. Specialise in the visual effects subject matter areas of compositing, modelling and technical studies or 3D animation and, in your final year, you’ll be working on an industry-level production using contemporary visual effects techniques in order to create an amazing, state-of-the-art short film.

This programme is available both online and on-campus.

Why choose a Bachelor of Art and Design?

Imagine living in a country with a local studio that worked on Lord of the Rings and not studying how to make films. Explosions, scenery and strange creatures are integral to a great blockbuster, which is where you, dear animator, will be able to steal the show. Our industry-trained faculty will help you develop your skills on an immersive level where you will master modelling, rendering, lighting, and technical direction. In 2023 we were ranked by Animation Career review as the #1 Animation College in New Zealand. Check out some of internationally recognised short films, animated by our students that have snatched professional awards away from big-budget short films. Don’t just talk the talk, we’ll let you walk it.

 

Lilly - Student film created at Media Design School
Create award winning films shown around the world!
#1 in NZ
We have been consistently ranked the #1 Animation School in New Zealand by Animation Career Review since 2019
Animation Career Review, 2024
20 awards
Since 2020, our films have earned a total of more than 20 trophies, with many more nominations, finalists and honourable mentions on top
Animation Career Review, 2024
18 festivals
In 2023, our two films have been recognised by over 18 international festivals, with many more still pending

Course Outline

What you'll cover in this course

During the first year, you will learn foundation art skills and achieve proficiency in both industry-standard technical tools and visual effects software. This exciting immersion includes an introduction to modelling, animation, rigging and visual effects.

Component Name Credits Toggle
Animation and Rigging
15
Foundation 3D
25
Traditional Art and Design for 3D
15
Digital Art I
15
Digital Art II
15
3D Modelling
15
3D Rendering
15
Foundation Mini-Project
10
Design Principles and Practice I
15

Entry Requirements

NCEA

You are advised to take a combination of traditional and digital art subjects (these could include Art, Digital Technologies, Digital and Visual Communications, or Ngā Toi).

CIE

You are advised to take at least one Art-related subject.

IB

Your IB Diploma must include an arts-related subject. A portfolio showcasing your design skills is also required.

International Students

To apply for this degree, you'll need a minimum qualification of NCEA University Entrance or CIE (University of Cambridge International Examination) or IB (International Baccalaureate) or equivalent overseas secondary school qualification or have completed one year of tertiary study from recognised institution.

Please Note: Entry requirement may vary based on your country of citizenship. Please refer to our International Page for entry requirements at mediadesignschool.com/international-students. If you country is not on the list, please email international@mediadesignschool.com for further information.

All international students must be 18 years of age when the programme commences (on- campus or online). International applicants can start their application before they turn 18 years of age.

You may be eligible for discretionary entrance if you have:
- An Excellence Endorsement in art/design subjects at Level 2, AND
Literacy and Numeracy requirements (i.e.: 10 credits in Maths at Level 1 and 10 credits in English at Level 2 (5 reading/5 writing))

You may be eligible for Special Admission if you:
- Are over 20 years old
- Have relevant or applicable experience and a portfolio

Click the title for more info!

Quotas

Please note, quotas may apply to some programmes. Where demand exceeds the number of available places, applicants who meet entry requirements will be admitted on a first-come-first-served basis.

Language Requirements

As an international student, you'll need to prove you have sufficient English language skills in order to complete this course. We'll be looking for Academic IELTS overall score of 6.0 (minimum) with no band less than 5.5, or equivalent test result.

We accept a range of internationally recognised English Language proficiency test. Find out more on the NZQA website or download the NZQA list HERE.

Portfolio Requirements

How to prepare your portfolio

Things you could include:

    •     Pencil drawings and illustrations
    •     Painting
    •     Photography
    •     Graphic or Digital design
    •     3D models or visualisations
    •     Concept art and characters
    •     Video or moving images

For more information about how to build your portfolio, head over to our portfolio tips page.

Entry & portfolio requirements for the Bachelor of Art and Design (3D & VFX)

Portfolio type:

General Portfolio

File format:

PDF, Website URL or JPGs

BYOD Requirements

BYOD Requirements

Before you begin your study with us, you will need to have a suitable device that has the functionality to run the programmes required for your course.

Follow this link to find course-specific requirements and recommendations, along with links to more information about hardware specifications. We have prepared these recommendations to help our students equip for flexible, blended learning.

Careers & Industry

Our Graduates have gone on to work on blockbuster films including Avatar and The Hobbit, with student short films created as a part of the course receiving international accolades. Our graduates are in demand for their experience working on major projects within a studio-like environment.

Here are some of the roles the Bachelor of Art & Design will help you to work towards:

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3D Animator

Create character animations and visual elements for films, TV shows, advertisements, or video games. Apply your specialised skills in modeling, rigging, and animating to bring characters and environments to life in a professional setting.
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Compositor

Be responsible for integrating live-action footage with 3D elements, effects, and animations. Ensure that all visual components blend seamlessly to create polished final shots for films, TV, and digital media.
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Technical Director

Bridge the gap between the creative and technical aspects of production. TDs specialise in areas such as rigging, lighting, or pipeline development, ensuring that all technical processes run smoothly. Be responsible for creating and maintaining tools, scripts, and workflows that artists rely on to deliver high-quality work. Troubleshoot issues, optimise performance, and collaborate closely with artists and developers to meet the project’s technical demands by blending your creative understanding and strong technical skills in coding, scripting, and software development.

Student Success Stories

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Meet the Faculty

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