Top art schools in New Zealand in 2024

Introduction to art colleges in New Zealand

Geographically isolated from the rest of the world, New Zealand has a rich culture influenced by Maori, European, and Pacifica influences and pride in its clean, green environment. New Zealand also provides educational opportunities for students interested in the arts. Here are the top art schools in New Zealand. 

Why study in New Zealand?

Here’s why you must study in famous art schools in New Zealand.

Exceptional education

The QS World Rankings include every university in New Zealand. Universities in New Zealand are also internationally diverse, with over 30,000 international students studying across the country. Indeed, 20% of Victoria University of Wellington students are international students.

Then there’s the global student support network. Given the financial value that international students bring to New Zealand’s universities, they’ve built a strong and caring student welfare system to make the student experience as seamless and hassle-free as possible.

Affordable fees and scholarships

Then there’s the global student support network. Given the financial value that international students bring to New Zealand’s universities, they’ve built a strong and caring student welfare system to make the student experience as seamless and hassle-free as possible.

Natural beauty

Regarding natural beauty, New Zealand is one of the world’s most celebrated countries. Because of the dramatic open spaces and rugged countryside, it was used as a filming location for the Lord of the Rings movie series. It’s a great place to live a healthy, active lifestyle.

Culture

New Zealand has a rich cultural heritage, a crossroads of British-influenced Western ways and indigenous Mori culture, with its language and mythology. Mori culture is frequently represented in arts, crafts, and other forms in New Zealand today.

Best fine arts schools in New Zealand

Take a look at the best fine arts schools in New Zealand

The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is a public university founded in 1883. It’s a sizeable research-driven university with a focus on innovation and diversity, which makes it one from the best Fine Arts colleges in New Zealand. The degrees that students earn are recognizable around the world. The graduates are highly employable. The college offers scholarships and awards for international students who need financial assistance and is one of the best art schools in New Zealand.

Courses

• Bachelor of Visual Arts
• Graduate Certificate in Arts
• Graduate Diploma in Arts
• Master of Philosophy in Art and Design
• Master of Visual Arts
• Doctor of Philosophy in Art and Design
• Postgraduate Certificate in Arts
• Postgraduate Diploma in Arts

Rating:

#123 in Best Global Universities (tie)

Fees:

• Bachelor of Visual Arts: NZD 7,000 – NZD 9,000 per year
• Graduate Certificate in Arts: NZD 6,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Graduate Diploma in Arts: NZD 6,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Master of Philosophy in Art and Design: NZD 10,000 – NZD 12,000 per year
• Master of Visual Arts: NZD 10,000 – NZD 12,000 per year
• Doctor of Philosophy in Art and Design: NZD 10,000 – NZD 12,000 per year
• Postgraduate Certificate in Arts: NZD 6,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Postgraduate Diploma in Arts: NZD 6,000 – NZD 8,000 per year

University of Otago

The University of Otago, established in 1869, is New Zealand’s first university. The university has an outstanding international reputation for research and teaching.

Students can choose from over 200 undergraduate and postgraduate study options in health science, business, science, and humanities.

There are 21,000 students, including international students from over 100 countries. Otago University is one of the top research universities in the Asia-Pacific region, with world-class teaching and a team of expert and widely experienced faculty members.

Courses

• Bachelor of Arts (Art History and Visual Culture)
• Foundation Year (Arts)
• Master of Arts (Art History and Visual Culture)
• Master of Fine Arts
• Doctor of Philosophy in Arts
• Postgraduate Diploma in Arts

Rating:

#247 in Best Global Universities (tie)

Fees:

• Bachelor of Arts (Art History and Visual Culture): NZD 6,000 – NZD 7,000 per year
• Foundation Year (Arts): NZD 6,000 – NZD 7,000 per year
• Master of Arts (Art History and Visual Culture): NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Master of Fine Arts: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Doctor of Philosophy in Arts: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Postgraduate Diploma in Arts: NZD 6,000 – NZD 7,000 per year

University of Wellington

Victoria University of Wellington has emerged as one of the best art universities in New Zealand due to its commitment to research and innovation. You can find it in New Zealand’s capital city, with state-of-the-art facilities. For art enthusiasts, the college offers a variety of best art courses in New Zealand.

Because of the university’s central location, students have access to various national organizations, including those in politics, government, culture and heritage, the arts and filmmaking industries, and the business and scientific communities.

Courses

• Animation and Visual Arts
• Art History
• Design for Social Innovation
• Design Technology
• Fashion Design and Technology
• Industrial Design
• Interactive Design
• Media Design
• User Experience Design
• Architecture 

Rating:

#495 in Best Global Universities (tie)

Fees:

• Animation and Visual Arts: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Art History: NZD 6,000 – NZD 7,000 per year
• Design for Social Innovation: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Design Technology: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Fashion Design and Technology: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Industrial Design: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Interactive Design: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Media Design: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• User Experience Design: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Architecture: NZD 8,000 – NZD 9,000 per year

University of Canterbury

The University of Canterbury is a public university founded in 1873. It ranks among the top 1% of universities in the world. It has more than 13,450 students, including 2,168 international students from over 100 countries. Canterbury University has a long academic excellence, research, and innovation tradition. The college provides best art courses in New Zealand. However, only a few are associated with design.

Courses

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting)
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (Sculpture)
• Master of Fine Arts (Painting)
• Master of Fine Arts (Sculpture)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Art Curatorship
• Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts

Rating:

#466 in Best Global Universities (tie)

Fees:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting): NZD 6,000 – NZD 7,000 per year
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (Sculpture): NZD 6,000 – NZD 7,000 per year
• Master of Fine Arts (Painting): NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Master of Fine Arts (Sculpture): NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Postgraduate Diploma in Art Curatorship: NZD 6,000 – NZD 7,000 per year
• Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts: NZD 6,000 – NZD 7,000 per year

Massey University

Massey University is a public university founded in 1972. It is one of the country’s premier institutes and is ranked the fifth-best global university in New Zealand. It has a 91% graduation rate. Every year, around 5,000 international students from all over the world attend Massey University. It is very proud of its long history and academic standing.

Massey University provides a variety of student support services. Each campus assists international students. The Academic Advice team at Massey University helps students select the best programs for their careers and make informed decisions.

Courses

• Animation
• Art and Photography
• Visual Communication Design
• Web
• Game and Interactive Design
• Fashion and Textile Design
• Sand partial and Industrial Design

Rating:

#598 in Best Global Universities (tie)

Fees:

• Animation: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Art and Photography: NZD 6,000 – NZD 7,000 per year
• Visual Communication Design: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Web: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Game and Interactive Design: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Fashion and Textile Design: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year
• Spatial and Industrial Design: NZD 7,000 – NZD 8,000 per year

Job opportunities after arts studies in NZ

Graphic Designer: Graduates with expertise in design software and visual communication can work as graphic designers, developing visual concepts for digital platforms, branding, and advertising, among other media.

Web designer/developer: Graduates in the arts who are knowledgeable in web design and development can work on making websites that are both aesthetically pleasing and useful for companies and organizations.

Animator: Creating animated content for movies, TV shows, websites, and mobile applications, animators can find work in the entertainment sector, advertising, gaming, and multimedia production.

Art Director: In publications, newspapers, product packaging, and film and television productions, art directors are in charge of the visual aesthetic and images. To make sure the layout and design complement the overall creative concept, they supervise their work.

Curator/Art Gallery Manager: Graduates with an interest in art history and curation might work as curators or gallery managers, where they are in charge of gathering, organizing, and showcasing artwork for public displays.

Fashion Designer: Graduates with training in fashion and textile design can pursue careers as fashion designers, designing apparel, accessories, and shoes for mass-market, ready-to-wear, and haute couture markets.

Key takeaways

• New Zealand’s natural beauty and rich culture are why students prefer to study in this country.
• All universities in New Zealand take top ranks in QS World Rankings.
• The country welcomes over 30,000 international students from all over the globe.
• Bachelor of  Fine Arts, Master’s of Fine Arts, Visual Arts, and Fashion Design and Technology are among the courses offered by the best fine arts schools in New Zealand.

Did you find this blog helpful? Do share your thoughts and perspectives in the comments section below. For more information on the top art schools in New Zealand, please contact us by clicking here. We would be happy to assist you with your queries.

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FAQs

Q1. Is it cheaper to study in New Zealand or Australia?

Answer- You can determine the cost of living by the length of the course and the university to which you apply. However, if you’re wondering whether Australia or New Zealand is a better place to study in terms of cost, New Zealand is a better option.

Q2. How much do artists make in NZ?

Answer- In New Zealand, the average artist’s salary is $51,773 per year or $26.55 per hour. Entry-level salaries begin at $40,950 per year, with the most experienced workers earning up to $85,800 per year.

Q3. Is New Zealand worth studying?

Answer- International students can find the course of their choice and explore different areas of research based on their interests at these universities. New Zealand also provides students with a safe and secure environment. Aside from that, the government here looks after international students and their well-being.