New Zealand - Degrees and Courses

UNIVERSITY COURSES

Undergraduate degree

Bachelor's degrees are conferred after three years, honors degrees after four years and professional degrees take upto six years. The curriculum for a degree course consists of units, papers and courses. In each subject lectures, tutorials and where required library work has to be completed. In each subject there are usually first-year (stage 1 or 100-level), second-year (stage 2 or 200 level) and third-year (stage 3 or 300 level) courses. A second-year course may be commenced only after prescribed passes in the subject at stage 1 and a third-year course only after passing 12th.

Courses in colleges of education:

Colleges of education offer a variety of course options:
Diploma of education (3 years)
Bachelors degree in education (4 years)
Postgraduate diploma for secondary teachers (1 year)
Higher diploma of teaching/advanced diploma of teaching for practicing

Graduate diploma

This is a one-year, full-time course of study for graduates. It does not always require its students to have prior learning or experience in the subject matter of the diploma.

Postgraduate diploma

A one-year's full-time study, designed for graduates, which builds on the subject matter in the academic field of the previous degree.

Master's degree

Post graduation is of two years duration after a graduate degree. However, after honors course, Masters Degree can be completed in a year's time. At the Master's level, study can be pursued as a taught course or through research.

The Master's degree is open to those who have completed a Bachelor's degree. The course of study is usually one or two years of full-time study or its equivalent in part-time study. The work required normally builds upon the prior knowledge gained in the major part of the Bachelor's degree, and most or all of it is in that discipline. It is at a more advanced level. That is normally reflected in the content of the work; in the mode of teaching which is likely to emphasize seminar presentation; and in provision of research experience for the candidate. A thesis is an account of a substantial piece of research. Many Masters' degrees include a thesis component, and in some cases, particularly those which are taken after a four-year Bachelor's (Honors) course, the degree may be thesis-only. However increasingly, Masters' degrees by papers, or papers plus research, are becoming available. The successful student is expected to show, as the title implies, a real grasp of the subject, demonstrated by an understanding of the discipline, a capacity to reflect upon it, and an ability to undertake research into it.

Doctorate

The main doctorate offered by New Zealand universities is the PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy. This, of course, is not offered merely in the subject Philosophy, but in the wide range of subjects universities offer. Almost invariably, a student is required to prepare under supervision a substantial thesis that represents original research into an approved topic normally carried out over a minimum of three full-time years.

Candidates prepare a thesis on the conduct and results of their research. This is marked by a panel of examiners including at least two external to the University. In most cases this is followed by an oral examination of the thesis and the candidate's knowledge in the area before the degree is awarded. Admission to PhD study requires a first or good second class honors Bachelors degree, or a Masters degree at first or good second class honors standard or comparable qualifications. Acceptance is also subject to the availability of staff for supervision, and appropriate facilities.

Research in New Zealand universities

New Zealand university faculty is involved in a high level of research activity which has been recognized the world over. The teacher, involved in research and interesting findings, brings to the students unique dimensions in terms of classroom instruction and inspires students to enquiry and discovery.

Research by New Zealand University covers a wide spectrum and forms a vital aspect of university teaching. Research is the principal characteristic which distinguishes universities from other tertiary education institutions. New ZealandNew Zealand universities. Further evidence is provided by the large number of awards and distinctions achieved by New Zealand research leaders. maintains a high level of research activity, the caliber of which continues to be internationally recognized. The proof of this research quality is theimpressive list of publications; many of them refereed journals, which emanate from New Zealand Universities. Further evidence is provided by the large number of awards and distinctions achieved by New Zealand research leaders.

Foundation Studies

Foundation Studies is a one year full-time academic program designed to prepare students from non-English speaking backgrounds for university study in New Zealand. A graduate of Foundation Studies has a university entrance qualification, recognized by all New Zealand universities and widely accepted by Australian universities.

Foundation Studies applicants must:

• be 16 years of age or over; and
• have completed a secondary school equivalent to New Zealand sixth form (year 12), including a pass in Mathematics and English OR have an overseas entry qualification; and
• Have an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score, or a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score, which may vary across the universities
  

All universities offer courses in Humanities, Commerce and Science and generally specialize in teaching certain subjects. Some universities offer a comprehensive double qualification in association with local colleges, e.g., Bachelor in Education with diploma in teaching.

Universities offering specialist courses are:
University of Otago - Health Sciences (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Physical Education) and surveying
University of Canterbury - Forestry, Engineering, Fine Art
University of Lincoln - Agriculture, Horticulture
University of Auckland - Law, Architecture, Planning, Engineering, Medicine, Optometry and Fine Arts
University of Victoria - Architecture, Public Administration and Social Work
Massey University - Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Technology and Veterinary

Specializations - Postgraduate certificate/diplomas can be taken in special education, reading recovery, educational management, library science, information technology, guidance, English teaching (ESL), social work. The institutes offer consultancy services in education.

Academic Year - The academic year for colleges of education is from February to November with a vacation in May and August/September.

Degree programs in polytechnics

Polytechnics offer the first or even the first two years of degree courses on their campus after which a student can transfer to a university. Such conjoint options are available in subjects related to Business, Nursing, Science, etc. Full degrees are offered in Polytechnics in Accounting, Architecture, Design, Technology, Business, Commerce and Communication.

Academic Year - February to June and July to November completes the academic year. Intake is generally in February with restricted entry in July also.

Courses in private institutions

Degree, diploma and certificate courses are offered by these institutes in a range of subjects.

Academic Year - There are three systems in vogue, the 2 term, 3 semester and 4 term systems. The year begins in March and extends till November generally with a break in summer.

Why Fashion Studies?

"Fashion is a top British money-making industry and behind every successful garment is an army of people with specialist skills to make this year's look something we all want in our wardrobes. There are many jobs and lots of courses to get you into the fashion world", explains Jenny Shoben at the London Centre for Fashion Studies.

The Clothing Industry in Britain is ranked amongst the top three industries for employing the most number of people and for the multi-million pound turnover it generates each year. For the individual wanting to get 'into fashion', there are many and diverse ways. Every one is aware of the finished garment as seen at the latest International Fashion Show, or in the latest magazine, but who has thought of the variety of differing people that has brought the garment to the attention of the public. I don't just mean the Fashion Publicist and Journalist who has written and photographed the finished creation, but the less glamorous world of Pattern Cutters and Sample Machinists.

A Designer requires the expertise of such people to bring the garment to the attention of the Buyers and Merchandisers, who choose a range of garments they feel will sell in their particular store to a specific clientele. Once a design has been chosen to go into mass production, Pattern Graders are required to produce the garment in a range of sizes and Machinists will assemble the garments for the Manufacturers. Production Supervisors will ensure a quality garment is produced on time. Packed and delivered to the showroom or store, the garment must be marketed to sell well. Suitable promotion will ensure an image is created and projected to the 'right' audience.

Of course, we must not forget the Textile Designers who create the material design and weavers who make the cloth. Trimmings in the shape of buttons, lace, ribbon, etc. also have to be designed and the garment accessorised by the use of hats, scarves, bags, coloured stockings and gloves. Jewellery too makes a fashion statement and changes with the season.

Have you ever wondered how the skirt you bought in one shop matches the blouse in another and tones with a shoe in a third? Decisions on possible colours for the coming season are discussed 18 months to two years in advance and there is a general acceptance of what colours are due to be in fashion.

An important part of the fashion world is all the intelligence gathering of trends and influences which inspire and inform the coming season's fashions.

The world of fashion is constantly changing. It matters not that this season we are seen to be copying the style of the 50s, 60s or 70s. There will be a difference in mini skirt designed in 1970 and one designed in 1990. There were not so many stretch fibres used to make dresses in the 70s but now lycra and its cousins are everywhere. The silhouette, or shape of the garment is different although at an initial glance a mini skirt is still several inches above the knee and can still shock!

The fashions of Britain are known to be a source of inspiration for Designers all over the world. Certain well established foreign designers make regular trips to London and the other larger UK cities to see exactly how the youngsters on the street have put together their original style of dress.

The influences of Music, Films and Theatre also have a bearing on the world of fashion. You may remember the gangster film Bonnie & Clyde which spawned a range of 'gangster clothes' that were very popular. Similarly, the Beatles' clothes were copied and there were Beatles clones everywhere at the height of their popularity.

To understand just what jobs are possible and how to get into the world of fashion, most people take a course of study. Many types of courses are available from short 'taster' courses to see if you really enjoy a subject to three and four year Designer courses covering an area of fashion which can be covered in an academic way and then a broader experience gained by working abroad for a period of time to exchange ideas and cultural differences. The fusion of ideas from Eastern and Western hemispheres continually bring forth new ideas and styles for the world's fashion market.

I wish you well if you are entering the world of Fashion and know that you will never get bored with the infinite variety of ideas that are just waiting to be turned into Fashion.

Are you ready for academic studies in the United States?

Take this quiz to find out if you are ready to study your major at a U.S. college, or if you should enroll in an intensive English language program first.

1. The idea of giving a speech or presentation in English to a class of native English speakers is…
1. Exciting! You love to practice your English!
2. A bit scary, but with preparation you will do OK.
3. Terrifying!

2. What do you think about your TOEFL score?
1. You’re pleased with your score.
2. You worry that your score may not be high enough to get into the school that you want.
3. You don’t have a TOEFL score.

3. How far along are you in the admission process?
1. You’ve already received your acceptance letter from the school of your choice.
2. You’ve requested that your transcripts be sent to the United States.
3. Admission process? What is that?

4. How do you usually make friends?
1. You enjoy starting conversations with new people, and make friends that way.
2. You meet new people through the friends you have now.
3. You meet new people through scheduled activities.

5. What kind of roommate do you want?
1. You’d like to have an American roommate!
2. You’d prefer to live with an international student from your country, but having an international student roommate from another country would be a good experience.
3. You want a roommate who speaks your native language.

6. Having to write a research paper in English is…
1. Not hard.
2. Challenging, but not scary.
3. Challenging and scary, and you will need a lot of help.

7. Your English grammar is…
1. Good!
2. Fair, but it is improving.
3. You’re not sure.

8. Do you know which U.S. school you’d like to attend?
1. Yes, and you already applied.
2. You researched on the internet, and you found 2 – 3 schools that you are interested in.
3. You don’t know. Maybe you will try one and transfer to another if you don’t like it.

9. Leaving your family, friends, and country is…
1. A little scary, but also exciting.
2. Scary! Before you go to the U.S., you already schedule a visit home.
3. Very scary! You don’t know how long you can go without seeing your friends or family.

10. Taking this quiz was…
    1. Easy! There were 1--2 words you didn’t know, but it was easy to understand.
    2. Challenging. There were many words you had to look up in your dictionary.
    3. You did not understand most of the quiz.

If you answered mostly “A”s….
You are ready for your studies in the United States! Your English is excellent, you have taken the necessary tests for international student admission, and you have done research on your school of choice. You look forward to learning about American culture and are confidant that you will do well studying and living in the United States.

If you answered mostly “B”s…
You are not as confidant with your English abilities, but you are ready to work hard and succeed. You may want to take a public speaking or accent reduction class to bolster your confidence. Enrolling in an English Language program before taking your academic classes may also be helpful; many language programs offer help with university admissions and a smooth transition to U.S. university life.

If you answered mostly “C”s…
You dream of studying in the U.S., but you’re not sure how to apply for admission to a school, or even which school you’d like to go to. You need to improve your English, and you should enroll in an intensive English language program. Most language programs offer short-term and long-term classes, which makes studying more flexible. If you miss your family and friends you will be able to return home without hurting your academic studies. An intensive English language program will also have scheduled activities that will help you make friends.

Environmental Studies

As we head toward the new millennium the important role to be played by Environmental Studies graduates in local, national and global affairs has never been more apparent.

Once perceived as being full of doom and gloom environmentalists are now dealing in solutions; they are seeking positive ways forward that will improve people’s quality of life and at the same time preserve the integrity of the natural environment upon which we all depend.

All this means that there has rarely been a more exciting time to embark on a degree in Environmental Studies. These days one or another environmental issue is rarely out of the day’s headlines. In the international arena we’ve had the earth summit in New York, at the national level we’ve seen the environment become a central plank of new government policy and at the local level we’ve seen a fusion of grassroots environmental activists and local communities resisting threats to the environment and promoting viable alternatives through the framework of Local Agenda 21. All of these factors create a rapidly changing area of study which needs to engage with the real world.

Science or Social Science?

Environmental Studies (ES) degree courses have now been operating for well over twenty years. Responding to the first great rise in awareness of environmental issues, the early pioneering courses established a tradition which many other HE institutions have followed. ES takes an holistic approach to the study of the environment. This means that it has to transcend the science/social science divide, and also be prepared to accept insight from the arts and humanities. So, although a basic training in environmental sciences (ecology, geology, climatology, biology etc.) will be included, you will also get a foundation in social science (politics, economics, sociology etc.) However, it is probably only in the first year that you will encounter these traditional disciplines as separate subjects. A genuinely inter-disciplinary Environmental Studies degree will offer integrated modules in areas like waste management, rural and urban planning, ecotourism and resource management, gradually becoming more specialised as you progress to your final year. It is this wide range of areas, taught in an interdisciplinary fashion, that makes Environmental Studies such a distinct degree.

Both Environmental Science and Environmental Management degrees on the other hand will generally have a narrower remit. An Environmental Science degree can give excellent training in that specialised area, but will usually not leave much scope for exploring the social, economic, ethical and political dimensions. Environmental Science will also generally seek a science background from potential applicants. Environmental Management on the other hand takes to focus on the technical tools that can be used to minimise people’s impact on the environment. Environmental Studies, while retaining both these elements, will be broader, while still allowing students to become specialists through the sorts of modules that they select.

One way of checking whether an environmental degree is genuinely inter-disciplinary is to see if it has been accredited by the Institution of Environmental Scientists (the UK Professional Body). This is the professional body for environmental practitioners and academics, and they will only award their accreditation (giving graduates associate membership on successful completion of the degree) to courses that teach environmental studies in a truly integrated fashion.

Another important aspect of many ES degrees is their real-world focus. This is often helped by the inclusion of work experience, or by the option of a sandwich year. My own students have found that this experience definitely puts them at an advantage when they’re seeking employment. This real-world focus can also be developed through integrating your studies with work that is beneficial to the outside world, be it the community, a local authority or a business.

The highlight of any student’s ES experience is the fieldwork. Residential field weeks should be a part of all ES courses, with international sites becoming more popular. Fieldwork is absolutely essential for a Environmental Studies; to really appreciate environmental issues you need to get outside and see what’s going on.

Careers

As Environmental Studies is such a wide ranging degree there are many options available to graduates. The holistic nature of the degree makes students excellent at strategic thinking and at seeing the wider picture. Together with the academic and transferable skills which your courses will help you develop, you will be well placed in the general graduate career market. The encouraging news is that jobs that utilise your specific environmental skills are also on the increase. Local authorities, small and large businesses and a wide range of governmental and non-governmental organisations and agencies all have positions. If you choose the options on your degree wisely, you can place yourself in a position to work in any number of environmental fields. Be it in countryside management, environmental interpretation, environmental assessment and auditing, waste management and recycling, pollution monitoring and control or environmental education, to name just a few, you can play a vital role.

To succeed in these areas, and to help move towards and implement environmental solutions we need to have people that have strong interpersonal skills, that can engage successfully in conflict resolution and work co-operatively in teams, that they have a grasp of science but also an appreciation of how society, government and the economy interact. In short we need people with an excellent interdisciplinary training that has put the environment at its core. We need graduates in environmental studies.

Is American Studies The Degree For Me?

What would I need to get onto the Course?

"American Studies" is not a school subject and therefore doesn’t spring quickly to mind for the majority of prospective students faced with a blank UCAS form. If, however, you are studying, or interested in, one or more of the following subjects, it could be the degree for you: Sociology, History, Politics, English Literature, Geography and Economics. For some courses, especially those with a high Popular Culture content, Media Studies could be useful too. Because of its interdisciplinarity American Studies is also attractive to students who have done Access courses, GNVQs and other, often broader based, alternatives to A-levels.

What will I study?

American Studies is an exciting option for students wishing to explore the life, culture and society of the world’s pre-eminent nation. The United States has such a large influence on politics and culture world-wide that the study of the social structure and the ideals that created it provides a valuable insight into many other communities. Most students who do American Studies at University find it to be intellectually stimulating and a lot of fun. The knowledge and skills they acquire help them to find jobs in a broad range of interesting careers, in the UK, the US and elsewhere.

Can I go to America?

Many American Studies programmes offer a period of time abroad at a university in the United States, selecting subjects to study in accordance with student interests and the requirements of their UK institution. This type of exchange is a great adventure and offers intellectual and cultural advantages, students study the United States while experiencing its culture directly. On some courses this study period is assessed and your grades in America will count towards your degree. Sometimes this visit affects the length of the degree, so at some Universities a BA (Hons) in American Studies may take 4 years rather than the usual 3.

Is it OK to take a Gap Year before I start?

The majority of American Studies Departments are happy, for their students to take a year out. Most would actively encourage students with exciting gap year plans, like travelling, to do that before embarking on their degree. It’s also possible for students to find interesting vacation jobs in the United States if they wish (e.g. Camp America).

What happens after a Degree in American Studies?

Students who undertake American Studies degrees have a wide range of career options. Some go onto further study either here or in the US, while many go into law, journalism, retailing, the civil service, and various aspects of the media. While there is no single set curriculum, American Studies encourages students to synthesise, analyse, frame arguments, apply data to complex problems, and work in groups. Employers find such skills useful and often welcome the breadth of educational experience gained by American Studies students.

Digital Hollywood - Film Studies in Los Angeles

Film is the great art form of the twentieth century. No other art form has had the power to speak to, captivate and inspire the entire world as movies have done for the past one hundred years. And film is just in its infancy.

As the twenty-first century approaches, opportunities in the entertainment industry abound, and the marriage between visual storytelling and technology continues to push the boundaries of what can be conceived and created in moving image art. The American entertainment community has always set the benchmark for creativity and achievement in this powerful art form.

Prior to the 1960s, the Hollywood Studios educated young filmmakers through an apprenticeship and journeyman system. As studios could no longer afford to train up-and-coming filmmakers, film schools had to take on the responsibility for training the next generation of filmmakers. Now with the rapidly evolving world of the moving image, astounding advances in technology are revolutionizing filmmaking. For example, individual film frames are being painted digitally to present seamless illusions of sinking ocean liners, skyscraper tall lizards and giant insect soldiers. The top film schools in Los Angeles respond to this changing entertainment industry and have access to its equipment, technology and talent.

In response to this digital revolution, a proliferation of training centers and new programs have recently appeared in and around Hollywood. The AFI (American Film Institute), UCLA (University of California Los Angeles), CalArts (California Institute of the Arts), USC (University of Southern California), Video Symphony, Gnomon and AFOC (the Abram Friedman Occupational Center) all offer digital media courses for film and video.

Accredited universities such as UCLA and the USC provide students with bachelor and graduate studies in history and theory, as well as creative and technical aspects, of both film and television. CalArts offers degree programs that encourage students to approach digital media from an aesthetic and experimental perspective, without focusing on the commercial side of digital media and filmmaking.

An institute such as the AFI may offer a Conservatory approach which simulates, as closely as possible, production in the real world of filmmaking. Under the mentorship of respected Hollywood filmmakers, Fellows may collaborate as directors, cinematographers, digital artists, editors, producers, and production designers to complete at least three short narrative films each during the course of study. The AFI has established the first ever Master of Arts in Digital Media, where digital artists are full collaborative partners in production, creating title sequences and special effects for the Conservatory’s actual film projects.

UCLA Extension, AFI’s Professional Training Division, Video Symphony, DHIMA, Gnomon and AFOC offer non-degree digital media/tools training programs. At these centers, students learn how to use specific imaging software packages on various hardware platforms. These training centers are frequented by novices who want to take their first ride on a computer, as well as the most seasoned professionals who are upgrading their skills.

Regardless of where you choose to study digital media in Los Angeles, you will discover that most of your teachers are working professionals, a unique and rewarding aspect of studying in a region which is populated with talented filmmakers. Whether you are looking for a scholarly, aesthetic or professional approach to the study of digital media, Los Angeles has the appropriate training for you. The best school will provide the environment and tools necessary to allow your creativity and skills to flourish. It will be the place where you will find your vision and learn to give it full expression.

Why Fashion Studies?

"Fashion is a top British money-making industry and behind every successful garment is an army of people with specialist skills to make this year’s look something we all want in our wardrobes. There are many jobs and lots of courses to get you into the fashion world", explains Jenny Shoben at the London Centre for Fashion Studies.

The Clothing Industry in Britain is ranked amongst the top three industries for employing the most number of people and for the multi-million pound turnover it generates each year. For the individual wanting to get ‘into fashion’, there are many and diverse ways. Every one is aware of the finished garment as seen at the latest International Fashion Show, or in the latest magazine, but who has thought of the variety of differing people that has brought the garment to the attention of the public. I don’t just mean the Fashion Publicist and Journalist who has written and photographed the finished creation, but the less glamorous world of Pattern Cutters and Sample Machinists.

A Designer requires the expertise of such people to bring the garment to the attention of the Buyers and Merchandisers, who choose a range of garments they feel will sell in their particular store to a specific clientele. Once a design has been chosen to go into mass production, Pattern Graders are required to produce the garment in a range of sizes and Machinists will assemble the garments for the Manufacturers. Production Supervisors will ensure a quality garment is produced on time. Packed and delivered to the showroom or store, the garment must be marketed to sell well. Suitable promotion will ensure an image is created and projected to the ‘right’ audience.

Of course, we must not forget the Textile Designers who create the material design and weavers who make the cloth. Trimmings in the shape of buttons, lace, ribbon, etc. also have to be designed and the garment accessorised by the use of hats, scarves, bags, coloured stockings and gloves. Jewellery too makes a fashion statement and changes with the season.

Have you ever wondered how the skirt you bought in one shop matches the blouse in another and tones with a shoe in a third? Decisions on possible colours for the coming season are discussed 18 months to two years in advance and there is a general acceptance of what colours are due to be in fashion.

An important part of the fashion world is all the intelligence gathering of trends and influences which inspire and inform the coming season’s fashions.

The world of fashion is constantly changing. It matters not that this season we are seen to be copying the style of the 50s, 60s or 70s. There will be a difference in mini skirt designed in 1970 and one designed in 1990. There were not so many stretch fibres used to make dresses in the 70s but now lycra and its cousins are everywhere. The silhouette, or shape of the garment is different although at an initial glance a mini skirt is still several inches above the knee and can still shock!

The fashions of Britain are known to be a source of inspiration for Designers all over the world. Certain well established foreign designers make regular trips to London and the other larger UK cities to see exactly how the youngsters on the street have put together their original style of dress.

The influences of Music, Films and Theatre also have a bearing on the world of fashion. You may remember the gangster film Bonnie & Clyde which spawned a range of ‘gangster clothes’ that were very popular. Similarly, the Beatles’ clothes were copied and there were Beatles clones everywhere at the height of their popularity.

To understand just what jobs are possible and how to get into the world of fashion, most people take a course of study. Many types of courses are available from short ‘taster’ courses to see if you really enjoy a subject to three and four year Designer courses covering an area of fashion which can be covered in an academic way and then a broader experience gained by working abroad for a period of time to exchange ideas and cultural differences. The fusion of ideas from Eastern and Western hemispheres continually bring forth new ideas and styles for the world’s fashion market.

I wish you well if you are entering the world of Fashion and know that you will never get bored with the infinite variety of ideas that are just waiting to be turned into Fashion.