National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries
Entry requirements
There are various ways to gain entry to the National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries (NICAI). It all depends upon your background and what qualifications you have when you apply.
You must meet certain standards of English language proficiency. You will meet these standards if English is your first language or if you have a New Zealand University Entrance qualification (from NCEA, for example).
If English is not your first language you will be required to provide satisfactory evidence of your proficiency in English. This could take the form of an IELTS or TOEFL score or, for entry to undergraduate programmes, the Foundation Certificate in English For Academic Purposes (FCertEAP).
More information about IELTS and TOEFL scores.
If you need to improve your English skills, Diagnostic English Language Needs Assessment (DELNA) is a free service that helps to identify your level of English and guide you to the most appropriate English language support.
To be admitted to the University, school leavers must have a University Entrance qualification – NCEA, Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), International Baccalaureate (IB) or another recognised equivalent qualification. You must also meet the specific requirements for the programme(s) you wish to apply for. For more information and subject tables, please refer to the main University web page:
Entry requirements for domestic applicants
Applicants for all NICAI’s undergraduate programmes are ranked. The table below shows the rank scores and other requirements you will need for admission. These additional requirements (written statements, curriculum vitae, portfolios, interviews and auditions) are part of NICAI's Supplementary Application process.
| 2012 NICAI undergraduate admission requirements for school leavers who are New Zealand and Australian citizens and permanent residents. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programme | NCEA Level 3 | CIE | IB | Other requirements |
| Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) | Students who meet the University Entrance Standard will be selected on the basis of their academic performance and portfolio of creative work. Note the subject requirements below. | Portfolio. An interview may be required. | ||
| Minimum 16 credits in one subject from Table A and a minimum of 16 credits in one subject from Table B. | One subject from Table A and one subject from Table B | 29 | ||
| Bachelor of Dance Studies (BDanceSt) | Students who meet the University Entrance Standard will be selected on the basis of their CV and an interview. An audition may also be required. | Applicants may be asked to demonstrate performance skills at an audition. A CV plus interview will be required. | ||
| Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) | Students who meet the University Entrance Standard will be selected on the basis of their portfolio of creative work. | Portfolio. An interview may be required. | ||
| Bachelor of Music (BMus) - Classical Performance, Jazz Performance, Popular Music majors | 140 | 130 | 24 | An audition is required for applicants taking the major in Classical Performance, Jazz Performance or Popular Music. |
| Bachelor of Music (BMus) - Composition, Musicology majors | 140 | 130 | 24 | A statement of musical background/experience is required for applicants taking the major in Composition or Musicology. |
| Bachelor of Planning (BPlan) | 230 | 240 | 30 | Written statement of intent. |
|
Conjoint programmes Applicants must meet all the entry requirements for both programmes. |
||||
| Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Fine Arts (BA/BFA) | 210 | 210 | 29 | Portfolio. An interview may be required. |
| Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Music (BA/BMus) | 210 | 210 | 29 | An audition is required for applicants taking the major in Classical Performance, Jazz Performance or Popular Music. A statement of musical background/experience is required for applicants taking the major in Composition or Musicology. |
| Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Music (BCom/BMus) | 210 with a minimum of 16 credits in each of three subjects from Table A and/or Table B | 210 with three subjects from Table A and/or Table B | 29 | An audition is required for applicants taking the major in Classical Performance, Jazz Performance or Popular Music. A statement of musical background/experience is required for applicants taking the major in Composition or Musicology. |
| Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Science (BMus/BSc) | 230 | 240 | 29 | An audition is required for applicants taking the major in Classical Performance, Jazz Performance or Popular Music. A statement of musical background/experience is required for applicants taking the major in Composition or Musicology. |
| Please also read the information on NICAI's Supplementary Application process at the link below. | ||||
Please contact the International Office for information on:
- entry for international students studying at New Zealand secondary schools
- entry through international colleges and foundation programmes
- entry for international students outside New Zealand
- English language requirements
- fees information
- how to apply.
If you have not yet completed Year 13 study beyond 1 June, but have gained exceptional results at Year 12 level (NCEA Level 2 or higher) and wish to attend The University of Auckland, you may be eligible to apply for Discretionary Entrance. You will be assessed on the basis of your academic background and an adviser's recommendation.
You must be under 20, be a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident*, and not be otherwise qualified for entrance to university. Discretionary Entrance is not available to international students.
Please note that the Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) programme does not accept Discretionary Entrance applicants, and that eligibility for Discretionary Entrance does not guarantee admission to other NICAI programmes.
* Australian applicants' most recent year of schooling must have been in New Zealand.
For more information, please see the main University web page Discretionary Entrance
