About Bachelor Of Screen Arts in Southern Institute of Technology

Make your dream of a career in the creative sector a reality through inter-disciplinary study in film, animation and the visual arts.

The Bachelor of Screen Arts is a three year full-time programme intended for students interested in the exciting arena where creative arts meet digital technology. The programme has a core of subjects, which branches into two major strands - digital film (from script to finished product) and animation (limited only by your imagination).

The programme aims to provide solid technical skills while expanding creative skills adaptable to a rapidly changing industry.  In ten years time, the technology we use today will be obsolete, however skills in storytelling, character development, research and critical thinking, are enduring, irrespective of future technology.

A wide range of subjects are covered, including video production and editing, screenwriting, 2D and 3D animation, stop motion, motion graphics, and business and legal skills.

SIT’s screen arts students have access to industry standard cameras, computers and software (not just educational packages).

Another drawcard for our screen arts degree is the productive and supportive creative learning environment in which you will receive specialist advice and guidance from our dedicated and qualified staff. 

Invercargill’s location is ideal as students get the opportunity to work with production companies in Queenstown and Dunedin. A very high percentage of our graduates are now employed in the industry, both in New Zealand and overseas.

Career Opportunities

When you complete the programme you will have the broad range of skills necessary for an industry that increasingly asks for people with a multidisciplinary approach. Depending on the specialisation chosen, you will be able to look for work in areas as diverse as video editing, screenwriting, directing, as well as other film/television production roles or numerous roles within the 3D animation, 2D animation and motion graphics industries.  The real strength of the programme is that graduates will have had some experience in many of these areas, a quality that will become increasingly important as technologies converge.

The third year of the programme features a major project. For film students this may be a short film, while animation students will complete a major animation project of a similar scale and complexity

SIT often collaborates with industry. An example of this was the Disney film 'Pete's Dragon' and the 'Goodbye Pork Pie" remake, where SIT had several student interns working, giving them the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in the film industry.

Satisfactory Completion

In order to be awarded the Bachelor of Screen Arts the student will have been credited with all required papers and electives as specified in the schedule of papers (360 credits).

The overall programme of study for every candidate requires 360 credits for successful completion of the degree.

Every candidate is required to pass 120 credits at Year One.
Every candidate is required to pass 120 credits at Year Two.
Every candidate is required to pass 120 credits at Year Three.
Individual papers may have specific pre-requisites or other knowledge/skill requirements, which must be satisfied by all students.

School Leavers

University Entrance - NCEA Level 3 - three subjects at Level 3, made up of:

14 credits each, in three NZQA University Entrance approved subjects, and

Literacy – 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of five credits in reading and five credits in writing, and

Numeracy – 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of specified achievement standards through a range of subjects, or a package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 – all three required)

Mature Applicants

Be at least 20 years of age when the programme begins and provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience; or completion of an external or overseas qualification which is considered to be the equivalent of any of the above qualifications, as approved by the Head of Faculty.

Special Admission

Notwithstanding the above admissions categories, in exceptional circumstances, an applicant below the age of 20 who can show evidence of ability to succeed in the programme may be considered for admission, provided the applicant has successfully completed an approved course or programme which is deemed to prepare graduates for the required academic standard for entry.

An applicant who does not meet academic criteria, may be provisionally admitted to enrol in one or more Year One papers, provided he or she meets the requirements above. Upon successful completion of the papers, the student may apply for special admission or admission by mature entry.

Additional Criteria - Portfolio Requirements

Applicants are required to submit a portfolio of their work with their application as follows:

Animation major:

• Portfolio: examples of free-hand drawing (x10)
• Elective portfolio/show reel: examples (images) of your latest artwork, (anything from painting to animation). We also look for potential in drawing and the ability to adapt between traditional methods and computer based work.
• Prior Learning: evidence of prior learning e.g. academic transcripts.
• Statement: hand written statement, one A4 page outlining your interests and goals within the programme (e.g. why are you choosing animation as a career?).
• Referees: contact details for two people who know you well e.g. teacher or employer.
• Interview: a time will be arranged for you to meet with the programme manager or appropriate staff member following the assessment of your application.
• Innovation and Imagination: We are also looking for maturity, originality and the ability to develop interesting and engaging storytelling.

Film major:

• * Portfolio One: examples of films online e.g. a playlist or collection on Youtube or Vimeo. This should showcase the applicant’s skills and experience in filming and editing regardless of whether a documentary, scripted or experimental approach is utilised.

  * Portfolio Two: Students should also submit at least 10 examples of photographic work that illustrates their photographic skills. We will be looking at both the technical and artistic ability in the photographs, everything from exposure through to composition of the submitted images.

  * Prior Learning: evidence of prior learning e.g. academic transcripts.

  * Statement: hand written statement X 1 A4 page (outlining your interests and goals within the programme e.g. why are you choosing film as a career).

  * Referees: contact details for two people who know you well e.g. teacher or employer.

  * Interview: a time will be arranged for you to meet with the programme manager or appropriate staff member following the assessment of your application.

  * Innovation & Imagination: We are also looking for maturity, originality and the ability to develop interesting, imaginative and engaging storytelling.

  Portfolio One: examples of films online e.g. a playlist or collection on Youtube or Vimeo. This should showcase the applicant’s skills and experience in filming and editing, regardless of whether a documentary, scripted or experimental approach is utilised.
• Portfolio Two: Students should also submit at least 10 examples of photographic work that illustrates their photographic skills. We will be looking at both the technical and artistic ability in the photographs, everything from exposure through to composition of the submitted images.
• Prior learning: evidence of prior learning e.g. academic transcripts.
• Statement: hand written statement - one A4 page outlining your interests and goals within the programme (e.g. why are you choosing film as a career?)
• Referees: contact details for two people who know you well e.g. teacher or employer.
• Interview: a time will be arranged for you to meet with the programme manager or appropriate staff member following the assessment of your application.
• Innovation & imagination: We are also looking for maturity, originality and the ability to develop interesting, imaginative and engaging storytelling.

Language Requirements

 Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate of at least 80 percent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having passed an NZQA approved English Proficiency Assessment, or one of the following tests of English language competence in accordance with the NZQA rules below:

• IELTS test – Academic score of 6, with no band score lower than 5.5
• TOEFL Paper-based test (pBT) – Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE)
• TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) – Score of 60 (with a writing score of 20)
• University of Cambridge English Examinations – FCE, or FCE for schools, or CAE, or CPE with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill
• NZCEL – Level 4 with the Academic endorsement
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PtoE (Academic) score of 50
• City & Guilds IESOL – B2 Communicator with a score of 66

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate below 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English must provide evidence that they:

1. Have gained NCEA Level 3 and met New Zealand University Entrance requirements or
2. Hold a bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, The Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America or
3. Have achieved a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, CELTA or
4. Have achieved one of the English Language competence tests  specified  above

Southern Institute of Technology Highlights

New Zealand Living Expenses

You'll require between $20,000 and $25,000 a year ($380–480 per week) for housing/rent, food, transportation, phone bills, internet usage, and entertainment, in addition to your tuition and insurance fees. The average living expense will be the same for everyone, regardless of their tuition or course price. Please keep in mind that these are only suggestions; the Immigration New Zealand requirement is $15,000 per year including return travel or an additional $2,000.