| Qualification: | Diploma |
| Level: | 5 |
| Dates: | 2024 Intake 4: 29 July to 22 November - Applications Close 15 July 2024 2025 Intake 1: 10 February to 6 June - Applications Close 27 January 2025 2025 Intake 2: 17 March to 11 July - Applications Close 3 March 2025 2025 Intake 3: 23 June to 17 October - Applications Close 9 June 2025 2025 Intake 4: 28 July to 21 November - Applications Close 14 July |
| Duration: | One year full-time Up to four years part-time Intakes are 17 weeks long |
| Location: | |
| Credits: | 120 |
Develop your photography skills with the New Zealand Diploma in Photography (Level 5). This introductory course will immerse you into the world of photography and help you develop essential skills for the industry or your hobby.
This diploma will provide the base that you need in digital photography and post-production to progress to advanced studies or employment in the photography industry.
You will learn:
Compulsory
NZDP100 Introduction to Digital Photography (15 credits)
This paper provides in introduction to digital camera operation and contemporary photographic practice. ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ will explore core principles including; framing, composition, manual controls (exposure, aperture, ISO, and focus) and lighting, as well as introducing modern postproduction workflow tools and techniques.
NZDP101 Introduction to Digital Post Production (15 credits)
This paper introduces students to the use of industry standard software applications (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud suite) in the creation and manipulation of digital images.
NZDP102 Photographic Design (15 credits)
This paper introduces the fundamentals of design theory and enables students to explore the practical application of design principles across photographic media.
NZDP105 Digital Photography (15 credits)
(Macro lens or adaptor required)
This paper offers students the opportunity to refine their knowledge of digital photography, particularly with regard to the conscious incorporation of photographic tools, utilizing, advanced manual control, lens selection, and concepts such as narrative, and movement to tell the story of the image.
NZDP106 Digital Post Production (15 credits)
This paper explores the use of industry standard software applications (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud suite) in the correction and manipulation of digital images.
NZDP107 Professional Practice (15 credits)
This paper provides students with the skills and knowledge required to undertake professional photographic work with a focus on small photographic business operation, administration, understanding commercial photography genres (wedding, photojournalism, food, studio, and sports photography), and research of image production ethics, relevant legislation (e.g. Copyright Act, intellectual property) and principles (e.g. Treaty of Waitangi).
NZDP108 Digital Photography Portfolio (15 credits)
This paper provides students with the skills and knowledge to develop a unified portfolio of images that work creatively and within pre-defined boundaries.
Electives - choose one paper from the following
NZDP103 Auteur Studies (15 credits)
This paper explores seminal figures in the history of photography and provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding of photographic aesthetics and techniques through research and re-creation.
NZDP104 Media and Imagery (15 credits)
This paper dives into the deep history of photographic imagery and aims to increase student awareness and ability to contextualize the images to which they are exposed, and understand the influence on the viewer. ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ will investigate and critique existing works and engage in projects to apply this understanding.
SIT Zero Fees Scheme
International Fees
$25000
Unsure which one is for me? Check Fees Eligibility Check my options
Graduates of the New Zealand Diploma in Photography (Level 5) will have the skills and knowledge to work in junior technical or assistant roles in the photographic sector.
Recent graduates of the New Zealand Diploma in Photography (Level 5) have started their own photography businesses, however many graduates have chosen to use the course to develop and mature their knowledge and skills for personal photography goals.
Applicants for this programme of study should have a keen interest and aptitude in photography, as evidenced by the portfolio required to be submitted for assessment by any applicant new to the programme of study. The portfolio should consist of 5-6 images showing the applicant’s skills in a variety of subjects and genres.
School Leavers
Applicants should be a minimum of 18 years of age, and have attained NCEA Level 3.
Mature Applicants
Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at Level 3 or above in a related discipline and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate. Personal commitment and a belief in one's own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.
English Language Requirements
Applicants, 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 achieved one of the following:
NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or
an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or
Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA), or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL); or
Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, AustraliaÂ, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of a Bachelor ‘s Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters’ Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or
Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment.
Diploma at Level 5
Full Time study
Full time study is completing 4 papers (60 credits) per intake. ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ studying full time can complete the Diploma in two intakes. Full time acceptance into the programme is at the Programme Manager’s discretion.
Part Time study
The number of papers selected per intake will depend on work, family, and other commitments. Each paper will require between 8 and 10 hours of study per week. The recommended maximum number of papers per intake, compared to working hours, are:
This is a guide only and will differ depending on individual circumstances.
Approved Transition Plan for Diploma in Digital Photography to NZ Diploma in Photography
| Paper in DDP qualification | Equitable Paper in NZDP qualification |
| DDP103 | NZDP100 |
| DDP106 | NZDP101 |
| DDP108 | NZDP102 |
| DDP111 | NZDP103 |
| DDP203 | No equitable paper |
| DDP206 | No equitable paper |
| DDP207 | No equitable paper |
| DDP231 | No equitable paper |
| DDF101 | No equitable paper |
| DDF105 | No equitable paper |
| DDF109 | No equitable paper |
| DDF110 | NZDP104 |
| No equitable paper | NZDP105 |
| No equitable paper | NZDP106 |
| No equitable paper | NZDP107 |
| No equitable paper | NZDP108 |
Equipment Requirements
All SIT2LRN courses require you to have a computer and internet access. ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT2LRN communications. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system. Once you have been accepted into a programme you will receive an Important Information Booklet that includes information that you can use to familiarise yourself with our online Blackboard learning environment. From the intake start date you will have access to the online course materials to work through.
Facilitator Assistance: During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days only). All students are required, within the first two weeks of an intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study. ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ who have not emailed their facilitator or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2nd week of an intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme. Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fees Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.
All students will get an official academic transcript on successful completion of their programme of study which will be posted or given at Graduation. After each intake is finished, it is suggested that students check their results on .
We recommend students new to SIT2LRN read through the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website for further study and enrolment information.
Please use the following checklist to ensure that all relevant information and documentation has been included. Remember, your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide us with. Processing of your application will be delayed if we need to come back to you for missing information.
What is the Zero Fees Scheme?
The Zero Fees Scheme means we do not charge tuition fees. However, there is a Student Direct Material Cost that you need to pay. The administration fee is for processing your application and the Student Direct Material Cost gives you secure access to Blackboard our online learning environment and to student support services throughout your study with us.
Who qualifies for the Zero Fees Scheme?
Instructions to help you with your application:
If you are a new student ...
Attach supporting documents as required and outlined on the previous page.
What happens next?
To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Diploma in Photography (Level 5), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:
Please Note: ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.
For those wishing to pursue further study, SIT offers
Bachelor of Screen Arts (where students can specialise in either animation, digital filmmaking, digital content creation or fashion digital technology)
Assessments for this course typically include essays and practical assessments. There are no external exams for this course.
For more information on required and recommended textbooks for this course please refer to the textbook list here.