Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies – 3D Animation & VFX

Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies – 3D Animation & VFX is a postgraduate (master's) course in arts, design & media at Media Design School in Auckland, New Zealand. It takes 1 year (140 credits), with intakes in February; July (Foundation 3D stream also September).

Media Design School is a private institution. Read the full course description, modules and entry rules on the official course page.

Tuition for international students is NZ$37,682 a year, about ₹20.3 lakh.

International course fee NZ$37,681.90, shown for 2027 intakes. Needs a degree or 4+ years of relevant experience, plus a portfolio.

Living costs for New Zealand as a whole: NZ$20,000–27,000 a year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.

Job roles

• Film director
• Film/video editor
• Television/film/video producer
• Animator
• Location manager
• VFX artist

Employers hiring for these roles worldwide

• Disney
• Netflix
• Warner Bros. Discovery
• BBC
• Sony
• Wētā FX
• Wētā Workshop
• DNEG
• Endemol Shine Group
• ProSiebenSat.1

General entry requirements at Media Design School for master's courses. Some courses ask for more, so check the course page.

• 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.

For this course: Not listed on the course page; ask MDS.

Need a score? IELTS and PTE coaching is available with us.

This course starts in: February; July (Foundation 3D stream also September).

1. 1Check the entry requirements and the deadline on the official course page.
2. 2Take IELTS, PTE or the test the university accepts, if you need one.
3. 3Prepare your documents: transcripts, statement of purpose, recommendation letters and CV.
4. 4Apply on the university's application portal and pay any application fee.
5. 5Accept your offer, meet any conditions and pay the deposit.
6. 6Apply for your student visa for New Zealand, then arrange accommodation.

• 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

• South Asia IT Innovator Scholarship

  UG

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

  International students, based in New Zealand or overseas.

  Official page

• Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies International Scholarship

  PG

  Value: NZ$6,000 tuition reduction

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

  Official page

• Alumni Scholarship – International

  All levels

  Value: 25% fee reduction for one year

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

  Official page

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.

Arts, Design & Media courses at other universities in New Zealand

• Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary) (Level 7)New Zealand Skills and Education College40 weeks including breaks (120 credits) · NZ$35,500 / year
• Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) (Level 7)New Zealand Skills and Education College40 weeks including breaks (120 credits) · NZ$35,500 / year
• Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)New Zealand Tertiary College1 year full-time (120 credits, Level 8) · NZ$38,000 / year
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood Education)New Zealand Tertiary College1 year · NZ$33,600 / year
• Master of DesignUniversal College of Learning18 months full-time (180 credits) · NZ$27,982 / year
• Master of Architecture (Professional)University of Auckland2 years · NZ$58,258 / year

More courses at Media Design School

• Bachelor of Software Engineering – Artificial Intelligence (AI)3 years full-time (360 credits) · NZ$36,612 / year
• Bachelor of Information Technology3 years full-time (360 credits) · NZ$30,551 / year
• Bachelor of Software Engineering – Game Programming3 years full-time · NZ$35,551 / year
• Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies – Game Programming1 year (140 credits) · NZ$37,682 / year
• Bachelor of Art & Design – 3D Animation & VFX3 years full-time (420 credits) · NZ$37,323 / year
• Bachelor of Media Design – Graphic, Motion & Interactive Design3 years full-time (360 credits); 2.5 years possible from a July start · NZ$37,324 / year

We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026 from the university's own pages. Fees, entry rules and intakes change every year; confirm them on the official course page before you apply. Listing a course doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents the university.

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