2025 sees the launch of a suite of Masters offerings (Master of Design, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Commercial Music and Master of Screen Arts), 180 credit programmes, where the first 60 credits of your learning includes taught components (studio, research methodologies, and an elective of your choosing), followed by a 120 credit Thesis where your creative practice research is supported by an exegetical component.
Your research can be strongly disciplinary-focussed or span fields and knowledge systems. High quality, critical research is grounded within Aotearoa New Zealand, while connecting and contributing to global conversations.
Accepted Masters applications will be based on meeting entry criteria, plus review of a portfolio of relevant creative work, a research statement (for 180 credit Master’s) or research proposal (for accelerated entry into the 120 credit Thesis component), and an interview. Fast track progression to the 120 credit Thesis component of the degree is possible for applicants with a completed an Honours qualification (or equivalent) with a B+ GPA.
All Masters qualification offer a focus on Indigenous research practices and methods, and the Master of Māori Visual Arts offers a kaupapa-led research context.
[Where Memories Sleep], Jason O'Hara, MDes 2019.
Master of Design
Produce advanced, innovative and responsive design work that is thoroughly grounded in design research methodologies, in a qualification closely developed in partnership with industry and focussed on society and the environment. Design research specialisms include, industrial, spatial, textiles, photography, fashion, concept, service and UX, interaction, visual communication, integrated, and inter-disciplinary practices. We offer an extensive array of analogue and digital technologies and fabrication facilities, staffed by highly experienced technicians, to support your innovative making.
- 12–18 months full time
- Full-time or part-time study
- Wellington-based
- Starts February or July
- Apply by 30 November (February start) or 15 May (July start)
- International students – please apply by 1 October (February start), or 1 February (July start).
[Long-Breath-Out], Rebecca Mooney, MFA, 2019.
Master of Fine Arts
Challenge and extend your creative practice in this research-driven, trans-disciplinary, critically engaged fine arts programme. Research specialisms include; performance, photography, moving image, sound, installation, participatory and socially engaged practices, drawing, painting, sculpture, art in public space, curation, art criticism and more. Interdisciplinary approaches are welcomed, and MFA students have access to laboratories, studios, workshops including darkrooms, the digital print facility, 3-D Workshop, Fab Lab, video editing suites and more.
- 12-18 months full time
- Full-time or part-time study
- Wellington-based
- Starts February or July
- Apply by 30 November (February start) or 15 May (July start)
- International students - please apply by 1 October (February start), or 1 February (July start).
Ahumairangi Recording Studio
Master of Commercial Music
Pursue creative research pathways, supported through connections and partnerships with industry and the sector. Spanning song writing and composition for games and screen-based media, music production, publishing, promotion and management, music technology, sound design and engineering, experimental practices and more. The programme is strongly industry aligned and utilises world class facilities and studios.
- 12-18 months full time
- Full-time study
- Wellington-based
- Starts February or July
- Apply by 30 November (February start) or 15 May (July start)
- International students - please apply by 1 October (February start), or 1 February (July start).
Massey's state-of-the-art virtual production volume studio
Master of Screen Arts
Develop high-quality, genre-pushing creative practice, within the broad and dynamic fields of screen arts; including options for individual and group projects across film and television, game design and development, animation and visual effects, immersive and interactive production, utilising state-of-the-art facilities including a large-scale virtual production volume, a range of industry standard cameras and production equipment, immersive media labs, a cinema with Dolby atmos, post-production facilities and more.
- 12-18 months full time
- Full-time or part-time study
- Wellington-based
- Starts February or July
- Apply by 30 November
Hally Gallo, MMVA, 2018.
Master of Māori Visual Arts
Challenge and extend your creative practice, grounded in kaupapa Māori or your indigenous cultural contexts, at Toioho ki Āpiti. Embrace customary practice alongside contemporary art methods.
- 2 years full time
- Full-time or part-time study
- Manawatū-based or by distance
- Starts February
- Apply by 30 November
[Pelagic States—Towards a Nomadic and Oceanic Practice], Sam Trubridge, PhD, 2018.
PhD
Produce a sustained piece of advanced research work in a creative arts discipline. A PhD makes an original contribution to the field through creative and written outputs.
- 3–4 years full time, 5-6 years part-time
- Full-time or part-time study
- Wellington or Manawatū-based, or by distance in New Zealand
- Starts February and July
- Apply anytime
Ahumairangi Recording Studio
Bachelor of Commercial Music (Honours)
Refine your specialist music skills with a one-year research-driven independent project. Explore your place in the ever-changing music industry, whether you’re a performer or work in the music industry.
- 12 months
- Full-time study
- Wellington-based
- Starts February
- Apply by 15 February
[Sally's Adventure], Sally Zhang, PGDipDes, 2019.
Postgraduate Diplomas
If you haven't completed an Honours degree, or don't want to commit to a full Master's programme, you can enrol in a postgraduate diploma.
- 12 months
- Full-time study
- Wellington-based, or Manawatū-based for Māori Visual Arts
- Starts February
- Apply by 30 November
Postgraduate Diploma in Design →
Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts →
Get in touch
Speak with one of our Postgraduate team members to find out more about what's available at Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts.