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Media Design School

Auckland, New Zealand · Private · Est. Not stated on the pages reviewed

Updated 28 Oct 2026

Talk to our counsellorCall usOfficial website (opens in a new tab)

Established

Not stated on the pages reviewed

Type

Private

Location

Auckland, New Zealand

Ranking

Not ranked

Photo: 111 Emergency from New Zealand, CC BY 2.0

About the university

Media Design School (MDS) is a private tertiary school in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter that teaches digital and creative technology. Its degrees cover 3D animation and VFX, game art, game programming, AI software engineering, IT, and graphic, motion and interactive design, and one-year graduate diplomas let degree holders retrain in these fields. Courses can be studied on campus or online.

Indian students mostly look at the Bachelor of Software Engineering (AI), the Bachelor of Information Technology and the graduate diplomas in creative technologies. MDS lists Indian entry rules on its international page and offers a South Asia IT Innovator Scholarship. Its course pages do not state English test scores, so ask MDS before booking a test.

Type
Private tertiary school for digital and creative technology
Campus
10 Madden Street, Central Auckland
Study areas
3D animation and VFX, AI, game art and programming, graphic, motion and UX design, IT, creative advertising
Course levels
Foundation certificates, bachelor's degrees, graduate diplomas, postgraduate design and a Master of Design
Intakes
February and July (some courses also September)
International Year 1 fees (2027 intakes)
About NZ$30,551–NZ$37,682

Rankings

    Popular courses with Indian students

    View all 9 courses with filters

    Fees for international students

    Course fees
    CourseDurationFee / year (NZD)Approx. in rupees
    Bachelor of Software Engineering – Artificial Intelligence (AI)3 years full-time (360 credits)NZ$36,612≈ ₹19.8 lakh
    Bachelor of Information Technology3 years full-time (360 credits)NZ$30,551≈ ₹16.5 lakh
    Bachelor of Software Engineering – Game Programming3 years full-timeNZ$35,551≈ ₹19.2 lakh
    Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies – Game Programming1 year (140 credits)NZ$37,682≈ ₹20.3 lakh
    Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies – 3D Animation & VFX1 year (140 credits)NZ$37,682≈ ₹20.3 lakh
    Bachelor of Art & Design – 3D Animation & VFX3 years full-time (420 credits)NZ$37,323≈ ₹20.2 lakh
    Bachelor of Media Design – Graphic, Motion & Interactive Design3 years full-time (360 credits); 2.5 years possible from a July startNZ$37,324≈ ₹20.2 lakh
    Bachelor of Creative Technologies – Game Art3 years full-time (420 credits)NZ$37,324≈ ₹20.2 lakh

    Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.

    Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Media Design School with similar universities in New Zealand.

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    Scholarships

    • UG

      South Asia IT Innovator Scholarship

      Value: 25% off Year 1 fees of the Bachelor of Information Technology

      Eligibility: International students, based in New Zealand or overseas.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)
    • PG

      Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies International Scholarship

      Value: NZ$6,000 tuition reduction

      Eligibility: International students enrolling in the Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies, based in New Zealand or overseas.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)
    • All levels

      Alumni Scholarship – International

      Value: 25% fee reduction for one year

      Eligibility: Listed for international students (based in New Zealand or overseas); as an alumni award, check the conditions with MDS.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)

    Admission requirements

    Undergraduate

    • Bachelor's degrees: Class 12 (CBSE, ISC or state board) with at least a 70% average in four academic subjects and at least 60% in English.
    • Certificates and diplomas: Class 12 with at least 55% in each subject and at least 60% in English.
    • International students must be 18 when the programme starts; design and animation degrees need a portfolio.

    Postgraduate

    • Graduate diplomas: a degree, or 4+ years of relevant professional experience; a portfolio, letter of intent and CV for creative courses.
    • Master of Design: an NZQF Level 8 honours degree, a postgraduate diploma, or a degree with professional experience in design, plus interview and portfolio.

    Documents

    • Passport
    • Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
    • Degree certificate and transcripts (for graduate diplomas)
    • Portfolio (for design, animation and game art courses)
    • Letter of intent and CV (for graduate diplomas)
    • English test result

    Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.

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    English language requirements

    English requirements
    Test or routeTypical requirement
    Test scoresNot stated on the MDS course or international pages reviewed; ask international@mediadesignschool.com.
    Class 12 EnglishMDS's India entry rules ask for at least 60% in English in Class 12.
    TipConfirm the accepted tests (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL) before you book one.

    Accommodation and living costs

    MDS has no halls of its own. Its international handbook points to student residences such as Luau Accommodation, Campus Waterview Apartments and Zest Ok Auckland, as well as flatting and homestays. It lists no prices; landlords can ask for up to four weeks' rent as bond.

    Accommodation and living costs
    ItemIn NZDApprox. in rupees

    Campus and location

    MDS is in a purpose-built, 6-star Green Star building in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct, at 10 Madden Street.

    • Main entrance on Tiramarama Way, Central Auckland.
    • Most programmes can be studied on campus or online.
    • Free counselling and mentoring for students.
    • A student card gives 20% off AT HOP public transport fares for tertiary concession holders.

    Careers and graduate outcomes

    Course pages list roles such as AI research scientist, machine learning engineer, 3D animator, compositor, technical director and systems administrator, and note that MDS graduates have worked on films including Avatar and The Hobbit. MDS publishes no graduate outcome figures on the pages reviewed. See our New Zealand guide for post-study work rules.

    Graduate outcomes
    WhatFigureSource

    Studying in New Zealand

    Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in New Zealand. Our country guide covers them in detail:

    Other universities in New Zealand

    Compare all universities in New Zealand

    FAQs

    How much does Media Design School cost for international students?

    Year 1 fees for 2027 intakes range from about NZ$30,551 (Bachelor of Information Technology) to NZ$37,682 (Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies). Fees include GST and compulsory course costs.

    What marks do I need from India?

    For a bachelor's degree, Class 12 with at least a 70% average in four academic subjects and at least 60% in English. Creative courses also need a portfolio.

    Are there scholarships for Indian students?

    Yes. The South Asia IT Innovator Scholarship gives 25% off Year 1 of the Bachelor of Information Technology, and international students on the Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies may get NZ$6,000 off.

    When are the intakes?

    Most degrees and graduate diplomas start on 22 February and 19 July 2027.

    Sources

    1. Media Design School: home page (opens in a new tab)
    2. Media Design School: courses (opens in a new tab)
    3. Media Design School: international students (opens in a new tab)
    4. Media Design School: fees information (opens in a new tab)
    5. Media Design School: scholarships (opens in a new tab)
    6. Media Design School: International Student Handbook (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
    7. Media Design School: Bachelor of Software Engineering (AI) (opens in a new tab)
    8. Media Design School: Bachelor of Information Technology (opens in a new tab)

    Official website: www.mediadesignschool.com (opens in a new tab)

    Check the latest details

    We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026. Fees, entry requirements and scholarships change every year, so confirm them on the university's website before you apply. Listing a university doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents it.

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