New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 6)

New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 6)

New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 6)

Study the New Zealand Diploma in Animation Level 6 and be a part of a creative team that designs and develops rich animated storytelling experiences. You will be part of a creative team development community which values collaborative practices and creative driven solutions. You will develop practical skills in 3D and Visual Effects and animation production. Designing and developing storytelling experiences with an audience focus. You will be able to work on both solo and collaborative projects so you are exposed to a wide variety of skills and experiences which will prepare you for rewarding and creative future in the animation and screen industries.

SIT is now offering HyFlex ('Hybrid-Flexible') which combines face-to-face and online learning for the Screen Arts programme. 

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Key Details
Invercargill / Hyflex
Qualification:
Diploma
Level:
6
Credits:
120
Duration:

One year full-time

Study Modes:
Onsite or Flexible Distance
Dates:

2025 Semester 1: 17 February to 21 November
Fees:

This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.

  • NO tuition fees
  • Direct material costs of $1710

International Fees can be found here.

The New Zealand Diploma in Animation Level 5 is a one year programme that allows you to express your creativity using the latest techniques and technology.

You will engage and develop skills from day one in team work and collaboration, building critical creative problem-solving skills vital to working in the screen and animation industries. You will develop practical skills in both 3D and Visual Effects art and animation production to develop rich storytelling experiences for a diverse range of target audiences. You will be able to work on both solo and collaborative projects so you are exposed to a wide variety of skills and experiences which will prepare you for rewarding and creative future.

You will learn:

  • Character development and storytelling.
  • Modelling and Surfacing.
  • Rigging and Animation.
  • Surfacing, Lighting and Rendering.
  • Compositing and Visual Effects.
  • Studio and digital drawing.
  • Skills in communications, project management, leadership and team building.

BSA603 Cross-Disciplinary Workshops 2

Students will participate and collaborate across disciplines to engage in a series of innovative and contemporary creative industry driven projects. Students will collaborate developing skills in versatility and adaptability within a visually creative environment. Students will research and develop an analytical understanding of emerging disciplines within the creative industries. Students will research and develop communication skills in leadership, decision-making, and group dynamics.

BSA626 3D Animation Production

Students will develop and manage a story and character driven 3D project for a short film or a game cut scene. Students will research and develop a workflow management strategy to ensure an effective, quality-driven, production pipeline. Students will develop and apply a range of current best practices from the gaming and animation industries. These will include techniques such as hard and soft surface modelling, look development, rigged and dynamic animation, and traditional and Realtime rendering. Students will develop their creative thinking and analytical problem-solving skills to deliver a complex project in a time-intensive environment.

BSA615 Studio Drawing 2

Students will develop both physical and digital drawing skills. Students will explore their drawing methods by participating in a variety of group and individual exercises such as mural design, life drawing, and prompt illustrations. Students will produce a narrative-driven illustrated project, such as a graphic novel, children’s book, motion comic, manga, or comic, that distinguishes their own creative voice. Students will also examine relevant existing and emerging practises, and document project progress through self-reflective commentaries.

BSA642 Studio Digital 2

Students will extend their understanding of project-focused research through creative industries practices. Within their fields, students will develop a body of work that reflects an in-depth investigation relevant to their research focus. Students will gain an understanding of the practical and theoretical implications of proposing, developing, and resolving a creative industries project. Students will engage in historical and contemporary research relevant to their research focus. Students will demonstrate experience evaluating a range of practical and digital materials and processes to engage with target audiences. Students will also utilise documentation as a key research method.

BSA602 Audio Techniques

Students will develop an understanding of producing audio for the creative industries. Students will research and analyse historical and contemporary audio practitioners and their contributions to the evolution of the creative industry. Students will also gain creative and technical skills to effectively capture and manipulate audio for projects.

BSA627 Visual Effects Compositing 

Students will be introduced to a range of visual effects and compositing tools and techniques. Students will analyse and implement a VFX production pipeline to produce a project that contains composited elements, either individually or as groups. Students will also examine relevant existing and emerging practises, and document project progress through self-reflective commentaries.

The aim of the qualification is to provide those aiming to work in the animation industry with a foundation of specialist skills and knowledge required for employment and/or provide a base for further education in 3D animation and gaming.

Preference will be given to those applicants who have successfully completed the New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 5) or similar.

All applicants must submit a portfolio and attend an interview to be considered for admission.

School Leavers: 

University Entrance - NCEA Level 3. Three subjects – at Level 3, made up of 14 credits each, in three NZQA University Entrance approved subjects, and

Literacy – 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:

  • Five credits in reading
  • Five credits in writing, and

Numeracy – 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of

  • Specified achievement standards through a range of subjects, or
  • Package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 – all three required).

Applicants over 20 years 
Must be at least 20 years of age when the programme begins and provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience.  Preference will be given to those mature aged applicants who can demonstrate evidence of successful completion of a Level 4 qualification or higher.

Portfolio Requirements

Applicants are required to submit a portfolio of their work with their application as follows:

  • Portfolio: examples of free-hand drawing (x10)
  • Elective portfolio/show reel: examples (images) of your latest artwork, (anything from painting to animation). We also look for potential in drawing and the ability to adapt between traditional methods and computer based work.
  • Prior Learning: evidence of prior learning e.g. academic transcripts.
  • Statement: hand written statement, one A4 page outlining your interests and goals within the programme (e.g. why are you choosing animation as a career?).
  • Referees: contact details for two people who know you well e.g. teacher or employer.
  • Interview: a time will be arranged for you to meet with the programme manager or appropriate staff member following the assessment of your application.
  • Innovation and Imagination: We are also looking for maturity, originality and the ability to develop interesting and engaging storytelling.

(Please do not include any original material in your portfolio)

English Language Requirements

Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following

NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or

an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or

Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL);or

Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand,,Australia,Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or

Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment


IELTS test - Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5
TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score 5 TWE)
TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18)
Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill.
OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic)
Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42
Language Cert - C1 Expert International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS
Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than distinction in any band

* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 6), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve: -

  • A minimum of 120 credits in accordance with the Programme schedule for the New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 6).
  • The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Diploma in Animation (Level 6) full-time over one year or part-time over two years.

(Please Note: students failing to attend for 80% of timetabled programme hours may forfeit zero fees entitlement)

For those wishing to pursue further study, SIT offers:

Classes are held Monday to Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm at SIT's Downtown Campus (Don St, Invercargill).

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