New Zealand Diploma in Photography (Level 6)

Enrol in the NZ Diploma in Photography (Level 6) to develop skills for complex design challenges in photography. Learn to conceptualise, plan, and produce a comprehensive body of work using specialised creative, technical, and software skills. You'll also learn to evaluate work critically, work independently, present professionally, and apply ethical and business practices in studio and location settings.

Campus
SIT Online
Qualification
Diploma
Level
6
Credits
120
Duration

One year full-time or four years part-time

Dates
TBC
Fees
This programme qualifies for SIT Zero Fees. Terms and Conditions apply. Click here for more information.
Tuition Fees

Zero tuition fees

Direct Material Costs

$8.00 per credit (incl. GST)

International Fees

$100 per credit (incl. GST). See International.

Course Outline

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

  • Apply problem solving skills to a range of complex design challenges within a photographic context
  • Conceptualise, plan and produce a body of photographic work
  • Apply specialized conceptual, creative and technical skills in photographic imaging
  • Apply specialized knowledge of software technologies relevant to a range of photographic applications and genres
  • Contextualise own photographic practice and evaluate the work of others
  • Work independently to meet complex project briefs.
  • Present work in a manner that engages with others
  • Apply professional, ethical and business practices within photographic location and studio environments
Course Content

NZDP601 Advanced Digital Photography (15 credits)

This paper steps beyond the fundamentals of digital photography, teaching students robust skills of conceptualisation, planning and production to create meaningful photographic work. 

NZDP602 Professional Post-Production (15 credits)

This paper equips students with the skills to investigate the concepts, planning, and production of artistic photography. 

NZDP603 Art Photography (15 credits)

This paper equips students with the skills to investigate the concepts, planning, and production of artistic photography. 

NZDP604 Commercial Photography (15 credits)

Students will learn skills to work in the world of commercial photography, dealing with clients, problem solving, and working independently to complete briefs to the agreed specifications.  

NZDP605 Photographic Context (15 credits)

This paper gives students the skills to contextualise their own and other’s photographic practice and evaluate stylistic approaches through investigation and hands on photographic experimentation. 

NZDP606 Advanced Professional Practice (15 credits)

This paper teaches students applied ethical and professional business practices including: business planning, copyright, pricing, and understanding considerations relating to te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) in Aotearoa New Zealand, for studio and location photography.

NZDP607 Professional Portfolio (15 credits)

This paper expands student’s knowledge and skills in the use of applied conceptual, creative, and technical skills in the creation of a professional photographic portfolio. 

NZDP608 Exhibition (15 credits)

This paper explores the presentation and promotion of work through the sharing of students’ professional photographic portfolios. 

Application Criteria

Applicants for this programme of study should have a keen interest and aptitude in photography, as evidenced by the portfolio of images required to be submitted for assessment by any applicant new to the programme of study.

Prior to enrolment, candidates must have completed the New Zealand Diploma in Photography (Level 5) or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills in the same or a related field.

School Leavers

Applicants should be a minimum of 18 years of age, and have attained NCEA Level 3.

Mature Applicants

Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at Level 5 or above in a related discipline and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate.  Personal commitment and a belief in one’s own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.

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 Bachelors’ 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 - 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

Additional Information

Equipment Requirements

  • Students entering the New Zealand Diploma in Photography programme are required to have access to a digital SLR or mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera with manual controls for the duration of the course. Point-and-shoot cameras and smartphones are not suitable for this course.
  • Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop (CS5 or later) is required.
  • A tripod
  • Students, with the exception of those receiving course-related costs from StudyLink for equipment purchase, must have the required equipment and software prior to commencing the programme.

All SIT Online courses require you to have a computer and internet access. Students are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT Online communications. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system. Once you have been accepted into a programme you will receive an Important Information Booklet that includes information that you can use to familiarise yourself with our online Blackboard learning environment. From the intake start date you will have access to the online course materials to work through.

Facilitator Assistance: During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (weekdays only). All students are required, within the first two weeks of an intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study. Students who have not emailed their facilitator or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2nd week of an intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme. Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fees Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.

All students will get an official academic transcript on successful completion of their programme of study which will be posted or given at Graduation.  After each intake is finished, it is suggested that students check their results on MySIT.

We recommend students new to SIT Online read through the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website for further study and enrolment information.

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