Frequently asked questions

Are there any pre-requisites?

No, anyone is eligible to join this course.

What have your alumni gone on to do?

Our foundation course equips students with a strong set of skills and knowledge to step into all kinds of work within the design industry, such as renovation or build projects, or entry level design roles in kitchen, bathroom, lighting and furniture showrooms, for example. Some have enrolled in design degree study from this course, some have undertaken their own unique renovation projects, started their own ceramics or textiles practice and much more.

I have no previous art or design experience. Will this course be suitable?

Yes, this course is open to all levels and it’s incredible how our students skills grow in this area.

What sort of computer skills do I need to have?

Basic computer skills are helpful if students wish to complete the two year course and successfully graduate, however it is possible to complete all assignments by hand. We offer supportive Photoshop and SketchUp courses for beginners as electives alongside the core course. Learning photoshop is recommended for those enrolling in the second year.

Do you offer distance/online learning?

At this stage we do not offer online learning. We have had students travel to us from as far as Hamilton, Tauranga and Whangarei, and have found this manageable. Our course’s point of difference is our combination of in class learning and industry visits and the unique opportunity that comes with this.

How much homework/coursework is there per week?

It depends on how far through the term you are. There is homework which mostly forms part of the assessment you hand in at the end of term. While it greatly depends on the individual skill level of the student, this is a part time course, therefore students would likely spend 10-15 hours, sometimes more, per week on coursework and assessments. It also depends on how much effort you wish to put in and remember it’s 100% an option to just attend classes and enjoy taking it all in, without doing assignments!

Can I enrol in one term at a time?

No, courses can only be enrolled in a full year at a time.

I will be away for some of the year. Will this affect my learning and passing the course?

Students are required to attend at least seven out of the ten classes per term. If you will be away for longer than this you must negotiate this with the school in advance and this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Is this course NZQA accredited?

As we are a private school we have not sought NZQA accreditation, however over the years we have produced hundreds of graduates and are well regarded in the industry.

Can I attend classes and not do the assignments?

Yes, this is called the Attendance Pathway. Students will take part in the course by attending lectures, industry visits and participating in classroom discussions without submitting assignments.