Empowering Future Leaders
Through Innovative Education

Media Design School
Media Design School
flag New Zealand
| Established: 1998

Why Choose Media Design School?

Animation Institution in NZ with Global Top-20 Recognition

Animation Institution in NZ with Global Top-20 Recognition

Ranked #16 worldwide and #1 in New Zealand by Animation Career Review 2025, MDS pioneered 3D animation education in the Southern Hemisphere in 1998. Alumni contribute to Avatar, The Lord of the Rings, and blockbusters at Weta FX, DreamWorks, and LucasFilm Singapore.

Unprecedented 30% Scholarships for International Students

Unprecedented 30% Scholarships for International Students

From May 2025, international students receive a 30% tuition reduction across all programmes. For example, the Bachelor of Information Technology drops to just NZ$17,420/year, and creative programmes reduce to NZ$23,450/year. This saves you up to NZ$35,000 (₹17.5 lakhs) over three years, making MDS highly competitive compared to institutions charging double.

NZQA Category 1 Status Confirms Exemplary Performance

NZQA Category 1 Status Confirms Exemplary Performance

MDS holds "Highly Confident" status from NZQA—the highest tier available in New Zealand. This independent verification confirms the school’s exceptional track record, highlighted by a sustained 93% graduate employment rate within 6 months.

Located Inside New Zealand's Innovation Precinct

Located Inside New Zealand's Innovation Precinct

MDS is the only education provider located in Wynyard Quarter—New Zealand’s designated innovation hub housing IBM and major tech startups. You will study in a NZ$50M, 6-star Green Star facility, networking daily with employers, attending industry talks, and stepping directly into a pipeline of over 50 surrounding studios.

Three-Year Post-Study Work Visa & Residency Pathway

Three-Year Post-Study Work Visa & Residency Pathway

Bachelor graduates receive a 3-year open work visa, allowing you to work for any employer in any industry. With New Zealand's skilled migrant pathway requiring just 2 years of work experience (reduced from 3 as of August 2026), MDS graduates have a highly realistic, lucrative route to permanent residency.

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Course Highlights

Foundation Programmes (20 Weeks - 1 Year)

Programme

Duration

Fees/Year

Intakes

Key Feature

NZ Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4)

20 weeks

NZ$13,572

Feb, Apr, Jul, Sep, Nov

Pathway to bachelor degrees; NZQF Level 2 equivalent entry

NZ Certificate in Digital Media and Design

20 weeks

NZ$13,572

Feb, Apr, Jul, Sep, Nov

HTML/CSS web design, multimedia, portfolio

Digital Creativity Foundation

1 year

NZ$23,165

Feb, Jul, Nov

Eligible for 30% scholarship; taste all disciplines before specializing

Bachelor's Degrees (3 Years, NZQF Level 7)

Programme

Duration

Fees/Year (After 30% Scholarship)

Intakes

Key Feature

Bachelor of Art & Design (3D Animation & VFX)

3 years

NZ$23,450

Feb, Jul, Nov

#1 Animation NZ; Industry-level short film

Bachelor of Media Design

3 years

NZ$23,450

Feb, Jul

Real client briefs from Year 1

Bachelor of Creative Technologies (Game Art)

3 years

NZ$23,450

Feb, Jul, Nov

Create a 2D game in Week 1; PlayStation Partner

Bachelor of Software Engineering (Game Prog.)

3 years

NZ$24,885

Feb, Jul

C++ industry standard; Critical shortage sector

Bachelor of Software Engineering (AI)

3 years

NZ$24,885

Feb, Jul

IBM co-designed curriculum; Computer vision, ML

Bachelor of Information Technology

3 years

NZ$17,420

Feb, Jul

Most affordable tech programme; Full-stack dev

Graduate Diplomas (1 Year, NZQF Level 7)

Programme

Duration

Fees/Year (After 30% Scholarship)

Intakes

Key Feature

Grad Dip Creative Technologies (3D Animation & VFX)

1 year

NZ$24,885

Feb, Jul

Rapid upskilling; Industry production portfolio

Grad Dip Creative Technologies (Game Art)

1 year

NZ$24,885

Feb, Jul

Real game projects; Gaming studio pipeline

Grad Dip Creative Technologies (Interactive Design)

1 year

NZ$24,885

Feb, Jul

UX/UI specialization; Emerging tech applications

Grad Dip Creative Technologies (Game Programming)

1 year

NZ$24,885

Feb, Jul

C++ game architecture; Multiplayer systems

Grad Dip Creative Advertising

1 year

NZ$24,850

Feb

Campaign creation; Auckland agency partnerships

Postgraduate Programmes (Level 8-9)

Programme

Duration

Fees (After 30% Scholarship)

Intakes

Key Feature

Postgraduate Diploma in Design

7 months

NZ$20,160–22,400

Multiple

Weekend classes allow full-time work

Master of Design

10-12 months

NZ$22,400–25,200

Feb, Jul

Personalized research project; Industry mentoring

Not sure where to start? Our team of experts can provide free end-to-end assistance

Popular Study Areas

3D Animation & Visual Effects
3D Animation & Visual Effects
Game Development & Programming
Game Development & Programming
Game Art & Design
Game Art & Design
AI & Machine Learning
AI & Machine Learning
Graphic & Motion Design
Graphic & Motion Design
Interactive & UX Design
Interactive & UX Design
Information Technology
Information Technology

Not sure where to start? Our team of experts can provide free end-to-end assistance

Book a FREE Consultation
Study Illustration

Entry Requirements

Foundation Programmes (Level 4):
  • Academic: NCEA Level 2 or international equivalent (e.g., Cambridge O-Levels, IGCSE).
  • English: Estimated IELTS 5.0–5.5.
  • Age: Minimum 16 years.
Bachelor's Degrees (Level 7):
  • Academic: NCEA University Entrance or equivalent (IB 24+ points, Indian HSC/CBSE 65%+).
  • English: IELTS 6.0 (minimum band 5.5) OR TOEFL iBT 74, PTE Academic 59.
  • Note: Tech programmes require equivalent Maths credits; creative programmes require a portfolio submission.
Graduate Diplomas (Level 7):
  • Academic: Bachelor's degree in any discipline OR 4+ years of relevant professional experience (ideal for career changers).
  • English: IELTS 6.0 (minimum band 5.5).
  • Note: A portfolio demonstrating creative or technical skills is required.
Postgraduate Programmes (Level 8-9):
  • Academic: Bachelor's degree in any discipline (for Master of Design).
  • English: IELTS 6.5 (minimum band 6.0).
  • Note: Requires a portfolio and a written research proposal outlining your creative project.

Not sure where to start? Our team of experts can provide free end-to-end assistance.

Scholarships at Media Design School

Technology Programme Scholarship (2025)
Technology Programme Scholarship (2025)

30% tuition reduction

Creative Programmes Scholarship (2025)
Creative Programmes Scholarship (2025)

30% tuition reduction

Alumni Scholarship – International
Alumni Scholarship – International

30% tuition reduction (1 yr PG)

Not sure where to start? Our team of experts can provide free end-to-end assistance.

Scholarship Illustration
Student Support Illustration

Student Support Services

Academic Support
Academic Support

Benefit from peer tutoring, drop-in writing support, technical help for programming students, and recorded lectures via the MyLearn portal.

International Services
International Services

Features a dedicated international coordinator, a 3-5 day orientation week, a buddy mentor programme, and visa/immigration guidance.

Career Services
Career Services

Offers tailored mock interviews (studio pitches), portfolio review sessions with practitioners, and direct networking events with guest speakers from top studios.

Wellbeing
Wellbeing

Provides free confidential counselling, on-campus first aid, and a 24/7 emergency support line.

Disability & Accessibility
Disability & Accessibility

Offers confidential assessments, exam adjustments, and assistive technology (screen readers, note-takers).

Student Life
Student Life

Engage with 30+ clubs (gaming, film, design), international student associations, and relax in the Level 9 student hub.

Not sure where to start? Our team of experts can provide free end-to-end assistance.

22,000+ Success Stories. You could be the next.

About PFEC Global

Beginning in 2006, PFEC Global’s expertise in student migration consultancy evolved from a single Melbourne office to a multinational presence, spanning Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India. We proudly represent international educational institutions, turning students' dreams into reality.

22,000+ Students Assisted
555+ Institutions across 11 Countries
19+ Years of Experience
12 Offices across the Globe