Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

Overview

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at Elam is New Zealand’s foremost fine arts programme, and is among leading arts programmes internationally. Elam's unique interdisciplinary studio programme will challenge your talent and nurture it at the same time. You will gain flexibility, confidence and the edge needed to enter the art world. Elam graduates can be found in diverse careers: practising professional artists of course, but also filmmakers, teachers, fashion designers and curators.

Subject to faculty approval, you may be able to combine the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) (BFA(Hons)) with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) to obtain a conjoint degree.

Highlights

• Learn to think laterally and creatively in a unique interdisciplinary studio environment.
• Make the most of our well-designed studios, practical workshops and world-class digital media equipment.
• Be inspired by notable practising artists on staff.
• Be supported by our outstanding Fine Arts Library.
• Have the opportunity to exhibit your work at our associated galleries.

What you’ll be studying

This is an example of first-year courses that were offered in 2012:

Over the next three years you will develop in-depth theoretical knowledge of fine art through interdisciplinary studio-based instruction. You will further develop your practical and communication skills, and build a research-based practice with a view to potential postgraduate study. You will also take two General Education courses.

Note: If you have successfully completed Part III of the BFA, you may be eligible to apply for entry into the BFA(Hons) for your fourth year of study.

You can download a degree planner below, which outlines course content and programme structure in more detail. You can also find course prescriptions in the University Calendar, held in the University Library; or you can purchase one from the University Bookshop or view online.

BFA Degree Planner 2012 (120 KB PDF)
BA/BFA Degree Planner 2012  (99.5 KB PDF)
University Calendar
General Education

Further study

Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours (BFA(Hons))
Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts (PGDipFA)
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Doctor of Fine Arts (DocFA)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Specialist facilities and resources

Elam provides an extensive array of studio, workshop and digital resources, including:

• A digital media hub with photographic, video, film and audio facilities and a state-of-the-art HD suite
• Screen printing, intaglio and lithography facilities
• Photography studios, darkrooms and printing facilities
• Wood and metal workshops
• Foundry, casting and plastic fabrication workshops

The Fine Arts Library houses New Zealand's largest collection of specialist monographs and unique archival resources, as well as major contemporary and historic fine arts journals and databases. You may also have the  opportunity to show your work to the public at the George Fraser Gallery or projectspace B431, both dedicated Elam exhibition spaces.

Career opportunities

With a BFA or BFA(Hons) from Elam you could become an artist, art educator, creative director in an agency, film director, arts writer, art critic, animator, exhibition designer, art curator, art gallery director or set designer.

Applying for admission

How to apply
Scholarship opportunities
Important dates

More information

The University of Auckland Student Information Centre
Phone: 0800 61 62 63

NICAI Student Centre
Level 2, Building 421
(Architecture and Planning Building)
26 Symonds St
Auckland
Email: info-creative@auckland.ac.nz

Visit the NICAI Student Centre web page