Design and Arts Degree Gets Positive Feedback

9 December 2014

Design and Arts Degree Gets Positive Feedback

An NZQA panel visit to Whanganui UCOL as part of the accreditation process for the proposed new design and arts degree was very positive. At the end of the visit, the panel gave feedback to staff about how impressed they were with the involvement of the community into the development of the degree, the passion of teaching staff and the standard of the documentation presented.

UCOL Executive Dean of Humanities and Business, Steve Sorsby, said the panel spent two days asking lots of questions about the structure and content of the degree, and the graduates it would produce.

“They were very impressed with the work that staff had put into preparing for their visit, and commended us on the community input and stakeholder engagement into the development of the degree. This includes the formation of a special iwi advisory group by Te Puna Matauranga to contribute their views and knowledge to this new programme, which was extremely beneficial and ensures a strong Whanganui influence throughout the degree. We are very keen to keep this approach going once the degree is accredited. The panel also commended teaching staff, and gave us some good recommendations for further improvement that we will follow up.

“We are thrilled with how it has all come together so far, and expect the remainder of the accreditation process to be straightforward. We are taking applications for enrolment for this proposed degree already, and we have had an encouraging number of applications said Steve.

Students can choose from three majors – visual arts, textiles/fashion design or graphic design. A broad range of electives within those majors are also on offer, such as kiln formed glass, illustration, animation, raranga weaving and textile print.

Employment opportunities for Bachelor of Design and Arts graduates are exciting and diverse, and depending on the students chosen major could include: graphic designer, practicing artist, fashion designer, gallery curator, videographer, animator, marketing career, movie industry careers, television careers, product design, , costume design, theatre and prop design, photographer, art or design administration and management, secondary and tertiary teaching.

The start date for the proposed degree is 9 March 2015. Interested people can visit the UCOL Information Centre on Rutland Street or phone Wanganui campus on 965 3800.

ENDS

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