Master of Visual Arts
Interested in postgraduate study in visual arts? The Master of Visual Arts is an interdisciplinary research degree for creative professionals.
This postgraduate art and design degree is highly flexible and caters for visual arts graduates and students from a variety of other creative backgrounds. You can tailor your studies to suit your art practice and professional interests.
You'll work within our supportive visual arts studio environment where you'll be involved in group discussions and critique of each other’s work. You have access to individual studio spaces, supervisory support and well-equipped specialist art and design facilities. Your design research will contribute to diverse and emerging dialogues around visual arts and creative practice.
Download programme guides
Minimum entry requirements
- Bachelor of Visual Arts or equivalent with a B grade average or higher in the courses at level 7 or above
- In exceptional circumstances, an applicant who does not meet the requirements above, but who has an appropriate combination of academic and professional experience may be considered for admission
International student entry requirements
Other requirements
- Applicants may be required to submit a portfolio of work and attend a selection interview
Admission is based on the submission of a proposal outlining the territory of exploration, and the nature of the project to be undertaken by the applicant. It is useful and usual for potential applicants to make an appointment to discuss their interests, before submitting their proposal.
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher; or equivalent
Download application documents
As part of this programme you complete a 120-point thesis, which can be either a practice-based or a more theoretical research project in an area of visual arts. You also develop an understanding of research methods and ethics, and complete a number of elective courses.
Specialist research areas in the Master of Visual Arts include:
- Craft practices
- Drawing
- Installation
- Interactive technologies
- Lens-based
- Moving Image
- Painting
- Participatory practices
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Performance
- Social art practices
- Sound
- Sculpture
- Temporal practices
- Video
Year 1
Semester 1 courses
- ARDN800 Te Ao Mahora Creative Practice Research Design (15 points)
- ARDN808 Contextual Review (15 points)
- Plus two elective courses
Semester 2 course
- VSAR999 Thesis (120 points) (continued into your second year)
Enrolment in a thesis is subject to achieving at least a B- average in coursework courses and approval of research proposal.
Year 2
Semester 1 course
- VSAR999 Thesis (120 points) (continued from the previous year)
Elective courses
2025 elective course offerings
- VSAR800 Visual Arts Studio A (15 points)
- VSAR801 Visual Arts Studio B (15 points)
The following courses are not offered in 2025
- ARDN801 Ethics in Research (15 points)
- ARDN802 Directed Studies Project (15 points)
- ARDN803 Reading Paper (15 points)
Study planner for this programme
Download our study planner to see in which semester courses are offered and what your studies could look like in the Master of Visual Arts.
Master of Visual Arts study planner
Ready to enrol in your courses?
Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for more info on a specific course use our course search.
More details about courses in the Master of Visual Arts
Email the Postgraduate Coordinator
Enrolment in courses is subject to meeting all requirements and availability of courses.
Student work
Check out a selection of award-winning student work from Master of Visual Arts students.
Master of Visual Arts gallery
($10,028 tuition fees + $1,192 student services levy)
($44,900 tuition fees + $1,192 student services levy)
- Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
- International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.