Programme overview
The Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Practice enables artists, designers, photographers, actors, dancers, choreographers, directors, producers and other creative practitioners to advance their professional careers through a one-semester course of study. Students undertake creative project and negotiated studies courses over the semester under the supervision of an expert in the field. Whether in traditional (graphic design, industrial design, publication design, photography, animation, visual arts, dance, acting, performance) or hybrid domains (service design, experience design, design for social innovation, performance or production design, transmedia, interdisciplinary practice) students pursue a practice-based programme of learning tailored to individual interests and backgrounds.
Highlights
- Create a body of new work, improve your job opportunities, and refresh or re-orient your profession.
- Develop creative thinking and research skills through applied practice.
- Improve your communication and project proposal skills through studio/project critiques and written components.
- Learn from supervisors that include notable artists, designers, and educators.
- Enhance your creative portfolio with a small independent or collaborative project.
Screenwriting
Develop your craft in writing for screen at post graduate level in a practice-led environment mentored by industry specialists. Working across Certificate, Diploma or Masters Level this course offers intensive and collaborative workshop opportunities combined with individualised flexible modes of delivery towards the realisation of a significant screenwriting project. Screenwriting graduates develop strong industry connections throughout their study, taking up opportunities to write for TV and activate links with the screen community.
PGCCP (1 semester) – Upskilling or refresher on screenwriting, including basics of funding, pitching and submitting.
Further study
Students can staircase into the Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice (PGDCP) or Master of Creative Practice (MCP) programmes if admitted into the PGDCP or MCP no later than 3 years from completing the award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Practice(PGCCP) qualification. Staircasing involves cross-crediting 60 credits from the PGCCP towards the PGDCP or MCP programme, and completing the remaining requisite credits.
For more information about these specialised courses contact Post Graduate Discipline Leader Becca Wood
Meet our Postgraduate Supervisors
- Dr. Cris de Groot, Senior Lecturer (Product Design, Industrial Design, Business Focussed Design, Creativity, Creative Entrepreneurship)
- Richard Fahey, Senior Lecturer (Painting, Visual Art, Ceramics, NZ Craft, Curating, Visual Art Education)
- Gina Ferguson, Senior Lecturer (Sculpture, Craft, Installation Art, Public Art)
- Dr. Bobby Hung, Senior Lecturer (Street Art, Graffiti, Public Art, Visual Art, Visual Culture, Education)
- Allan McDonald, Lecturer (Photography)
- Emma Smith, Senior Lecturer (Painting, Visual Art, Contemporary Art)
- Dr. Leon Tan, Associate Professor (Public Art, Participatory Art, Visual Art, Visual Culture, Participatory Design, Interdisciplinary Practice)
- Jonty Valentine, Lecturer (Graphic Design, Publication Design, Contemporary Art)
- Dan Wagner, Senior Lecturer (Screen Art, Screen Education, Cinematography)
- Paul Woodruffe, Senior Lecturer (Visual Art, Public Art, Design for Social Innovation)
- Dr. Becca Wood, Senior Lecturer (Choreography, Somatic Practice, Spatial Practice, Site-Based Performance, Interdisciplinary Practice, Digital Culture)
- Dr. Vanessa Byrnes, Associate Professor (Theatre, Performance, Directing, Acting, Theory, Producing)
- Peeti Lamwilai, Lecturer (Graphic Design, Digital Design, Motion Graphics)
Upcoming Events
In School of Creative Industries we have a wide range of shows and events, discover more from:
Admission requirements
What you will need to study this programme.
Domestic students
Academic requirements
You must have completed at least one of the following:
- A recognised Bachelor’s degree in the same or similar discipline, with merit achievement deemed to be an average of B- or higher in all Level 7 courses;
- A professional qualification in a relevant discipline, recognised as being equivalent to merit achievement in a Bachelor’s degree.
- University Entrance Literacy: 8 credits at Level 2 or above in English or Māori (4 in Reading, 4 in Writing); or
- Evidence of English language proficiency as outlined in the NZQA Rules on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students Web-page.
Non-Academic requirements
- A significant portfolio of professional work sufficient to enable critical reflection on your prior practice
Don’t meet these Academic requirements?
- If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify. Simply apply online, and we’ll discuss your next steps.
- If you don’t meet the above criteria, special or discretionary admission may apply; your eligibility will be determined at the interview.
For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 292 KB)
Courses and timetables
For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2025; please check back again soon.
