Photography
Study photography and gain the practical skills to master your artistic talent. Our qualifications set you up for jobs in many different creative roles.
There are a few ways to start your study in photography. The path best suited for you depends on your interests or previous experience in this area.
Get started
If you want to get a taster of photography among other creative disciplines, start with our level 5 or 6 diplomas. You will harness a wide range of skills in photography, videography, film, camera expertise, lighting, post-production and more while working on client projects. This path will lead you to become an expert content creator with various skills. You’ll be able to assemble a professional portfolio to help showcase your talent and support your career growth.
Specialise with Bachelor of Visual Arts
Our Bachelor of Visual Arts provides a dedicated pathway to becoming an art creator. You can choose photography as a studio discipline during your study to understand the principles and history of photography as you learn about the different photographic approaches. You’ll learn at our renowned Dunedin School of Art, New Zealand’s oldest art school, which is celebrated for producing some of New Zealand’s most successful working artists.
Master your art
Delivered at our Dunedin School of Art, our postgraduate qualifications allow you to grow as an artist through original research. These qualifications emphasise critical thinking, writing and art practice.
Photography qualifications
Art, Design
Through workshops, real-world projects and engagement with industry professionals, you’ll develop technical industry skills across a variety of areas such as camera expertise, lighting, videography, post-production and editing. You’ll also start to build your professional skills so can feel confident when responding to briefs and working to deadlines.Duration
1 Year Full-time
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Career potential
Broadcasting, Camera Operator, Content Creator, Editor, Filmmaker, Post-Production
Art, Design
With a focus on self-initiated projects, entrepreneurship and live briefs from real clients, this programme is a mentored beginning to work. Build technical photography and videography skills alongside business capabilities to work with clients. You will graduate with a professional, industry-ready portfolio to help showcase your talent.Duration
1 Year Full-time
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Career potential
Content Creator, Digital Designer, Photographer, Videographer
Art
Our Bachelor of Visual Arts will set you up for an exciting and diverse range of creative professions. During your first year, you will study core art courses, methodology, and art history. You will then choose a studio discipline to develop your talent in your chosen passion. The eight studio disciplines include ceramics, electronic arts, jewellery and metalsmithing, print, photography, painting, sculpture and textiles.Duration
3 Years Full-time
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Career potential
Art Educator, Curator, Practicing Artist, Researcher
Art
If you already hold a degree and would like to develop your fine arts skills, this qualification offers you the chance to carry out an intensive course of study in your chosen discipline.Duration
1 Year Full-time
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Career potential
Art Educator, Curator, Practicing Artist, Researcher
Art
Ideal if you want to develop research skills in studio and theory, or pursue further postgraduate study. By the end of the programme, you will produce a body of critically engaged studio work, supported by a conceptual research paper.Duration
1 Year Full-time
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Career potential
Art Educator, Curator, Design Researcher, Practicing Artist
Art
If you want a taster of postgraduate study in arts, this programme is for you. You will develop studio work and write an essay on an aspect of related research methodology.Duration
6 Months Full-time
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Career potential
Art Educator, Curator, Design Researcher, Practicing Artist
Art
The perfect opportunity to undertake practical and theory-based guided art research. Develop and display mastery of the professional, technical and conceptual skills through an original exhibition and associated writing. The Master of Visual Arts is a logical extension to this programme if you decide to continue your study journey.Duration
1 Year Full-time
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Career potential
Art Educator, Curator, Design Researcher, Practicing Artist
Art
This degree is suitable for you if you want to become a professional arts practitioner. You will carry out original research culminating with a public exhibition and dissertation.Duration
2 Years Full-time
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Career potential
Art Educator, Curator, Design Researcher, Practicing Artist
Art
Deep dive into practical- and theory-based research through this advanced qualification. In semester one, you will develop studio work, an oral seminar paper and an essay for critical feedback. You will build on this work in semester two by producing an original exhibition and an extended 7,500-word essay.Duration
1 Year Full-time
Delivery
Distance, On campus
Location
Dunedin
Career potential
Art Educator, Design Researcher, Lead Designer , Practicing Artist
Studio Disciplines
We teach across eight specific studio areas: Ceramics, Electronic arts, Jewellery and Metalsmit...
Discover the Dunedin School of Art
Get a taste of what it’s like to study this field at Otago Polytechnic:
- See all qualifications offered
- Meet your lecturers and find out what makes them leaders in their chosen area
- Hear about our latest news and events
- Learn first-hand what it’s like to study with us from real students and graduates
- Read about our postgraduate research and projects
Short courses
Develop new skills, refresh familiar ones, or simply enjoy doing what you love!
Contact us
If you’re not sure what to study and would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.
