This Diploma is for ākonga (students) who are ready to operate independently in creative art environments. You will deepen your understanding of your creative kaupapa (purpose), refine your technical skills, and grow your confidence in communicating your creative vision to the world.
New Zealand Diploma in Creativity
LEVEL 6
Define your voice. Strengthen your practice. Create with purpose.
Mā te mōhio, ka mārama – Through understanding comes clarity.
Whether you’re returning to study, preparing for employment, or ready to advance your creative art practice, this programme supports you to engage critically with your work, draw influence from diverse cultures and contexts, and present your work with professionalism and cultural awareness.
New Zealand Diploma in Creativity
NZQA Level 6 | 120 credits
Delivery: Study From Home or On-Campus
Duration: 45 weeks (Full-time) | 90 weeks (Part-time)
Fees (2026): $7,044.10
Time Commitment:
This is a combination of Tutor (Kaiako) and self-directed study
- Full-time: 34 hours/week
- Part-time: 17 hours/week
NZ Diploma in Creativity (Level 6)
What you’ll learn
The art programme is built around three core components, all delivered in an integrated, non-linear structure — reflecting the dynamic nature of creativity.
1. Self
Explore and articulate your intrinsic creative motivations. You’ll develop a stronger sense of identity and purpose, build confidence in expressing your kaupapa, and engage with the cultures most meaningful to you — including Māori and Pacific Peoples. You’ll also examine creative influences from other communities and cultural contexts, integrating these into your evolving practice.
2. Materials and Processes
Experiment with materials and techniques across creative disciplines. You’ll broaden your technical skills through hands-on exploration and research, learning to test, refine, and evolve your ideas. This component supports the independent development and management of creative projects.
3. Environment, Culture and Community
Develop your ability to present your work to an audience, collaborate with external stakeholders, and navigate the expectations of professional creative practice. You’ll explore cultural intellectual property, critique work respectfully, and complete a significant creative project that reflects your values and vision.
Creativity is a continuous cycle — feedback, reflection, and revision fuel meaningful progress.
The Creative Spiral,
Jonathan Milne (2008)
Jonathan Milne (2008)
NZ Diploma in Creativity (Level 6)
Learning approach
- This art programme is delivered as one cohesive course with the three intertwined components (above).
- You’ll receive regular mentor support through documented feedback and feedforward sessions.
- Formal progress checkpoints occur at key stages: 10%, 25% (for part-time), 50%, and 75% (pre-completion).
- One-on-one guidance ensures your work stays aligned with programme outcomes while supporting your independence and growth.
How you can study
You can study through one of two flexible delivery modes, each offering a wide range of creative subjects:
On-site
Come and study at the Learning Connexion campus where you are surrounded by artists and art.
Available practical classes:
Painting, Dry Media (Drawing), Illustration, Printmaking, Digital Art, Ceramics, Mixed Media Sculpture, Hot Arts, Jewellery
Study From Home
Our Distance Delivery art programmes are perfect for anyone who can’t make it to our campus in Taita, Lower Hutt.
Available subjects:
Any material or medium that sparks your interest and is accessible to you, eg.:
Painting, Drawing, Illustration, Printmaking, Photography, Digital Art, Ceramics, Mixed Media Sculpture, Jewellery, Whakairo (Carving), Raranga (Weaving).
Media covered
During a Level 6 Diploma in Creativity, you get to experiment in the creative arts across a wide range of media. The media that you can study are partly determined by how you choose to study, but they are not limited to the core subject areas we run classes on.
If you study on site, then you choose a subject to study during the Weekday Practical Classes in the following media: Painting, Dry Media (Drawing), Illustration, Printmaking, Digital Art, Ceramics, Mixed Media Sculpture, Hot Arhttps://www2.dev.tlc.ac.nz/weekday-practical-classes/ts, Jewellery.
If you study from home, any media or subject that sparks your interest and is accessible to you can be part of your Level 6 Diploma.
Did you know?
Makers Week Classes are optional three-day intensive classes focused on developing technical skills and deepening your mastery in a chosen medium. The themes of Makers Week classes change from term to term.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
& Portfolio Entry
If you already have creative arts experience or have been working independently on your art practice, you may be eligible to enter this programme through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
To apply through RPL, you’ll need to:
- Submit a creative portfolio that shows your current skills, exploration, and interests.
- Provide a short, written statement describing your experience and creative goals.
Your portfolio doesn’t need to be perfect — it’s about showing your commitment, curiosity, and creative potential.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those who are self-taught or returning to study after time away.
Read more about recognition of prior learning and if you’re unsure whether your experience is suitable, get in touch — we’re happy to guide you through the process.
Where This Can Take You
Graduates of The New Zealand Diploma in Creativity (Level 6) will be equipped to:
- Progress to study the Diploma of Art & Creativity (Advanced) (Level 7) at TLC
- Enter creative arts industries or community-based organisations
- Work independently or on commission
- Pursue self-employment as creative practitioners
Take the Next Step
Contact our Admissions team at admissions@tlc.ac.nz for more information or to start your enrolment in a TLC art programme.
