Media Design School

Quick Facts about Media Design School

• Type: Private
• Students: 1,300
• International: 38%
• Campus: Urban
• Tuition: $21,000 – $32,000/year
• Language: English
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
• Intakes: Fall, Spring

About Media Design School

Academics

MDS offers a diverse range of programs, including 3D Animation & VFX, Game Art, Game Programming, Graphic Design, Interactive UX/UI, Artificial Intelligence, and Creative Advertising. The school's teaching approach simulates a real-world industry environment, utilizing state-of-the-art software and technology from day one. MDS was the first in New Zealand to offer dedicated programs in 3D Animation and Game Development, and Bachelor's degrees in Cloud Computing and AI. It also holds exclusive partnerships, such as being the only school in New Zealand partnered with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's PlayStation First Academic Development Programme.

International Students

Media Design School boasts a multicultural environment with over 500 international students from more than 40 countries, enriching the academic experience and fostering cross-cultural teamwork. The school offers English-taught programs and provides support services for international students, including assistance with visa applications and finding accommodation. MDS also offers scholarships, including tuition fee waivers of up to 40% for creativity, leadership, and academic excellence.

Campus & Location

The MDS campus is located in Auckland's vibrant Wynyard Quarter, within the Innovation Precinct, offering students networking and collaboration opportunities within New Zealand's tech industry. Auckland provides a dynamic city life, and the campus itself features customized design studios, classrooms, and photo studios equipped with cutting-edge technology. Public transportation, including buses, trains, and ferries, is readily accessible, with Britomart being a central hub for connections across the city.

Career Outcomes

MDS graduates are highly sought after, with a reported employability rate of 90%. The school maintains strong industry connections, collaborating with professionals to ensure its curriculum aligns with current industry standards. Notable employers of MDS alumni include leading design, advertising, game, animation, film, television, and production studios globally. MDS also fosters a startup culture through its MDS Studios program, which nurtures students in starting their own production companies and bringing their creative ideas to market.

Information for International Students at Media Design School

Media Design School in Auckland, New Zealand welcomes international students, with 38% of the student body coming from abroad.

• 38% of students are international
• Visa support available
• On-campus work allowed
• Student housing available (~$1000/month)
• Work placement / internship opportunities available
• Teaching languages: English

Admissions Requirements for Media Design School

Here are the key admission requirements for international students applying to Media Design School:

• IELTS minimum: 6
• TOEFL minimum: 80
• Selectivity: Open (60%+)

Apply to Media Design School →

Programs at Media Design School (10 programs)

Media Design School offers 10 programs across Bachelor, Master levels.

Bachelor Programs (8)

• Bachelor of Software Engineering (Game Programming) (BSc) — 36 months · English · $31,000/yr · STEM
  A rigorous technical degree teaching C++ and engine architecture for students wanting to build the core systems of video games.
  Field: Software Engineering
  Career outcomes: Game Programmer, Software Engineer, Graphics Programmer
• Bachelor of Media Design (BA) — 36 months · English · $31,000/yr
  A versatile design degree covering graphic design, motion graphics, and interactive design for digital and print media.
  Field: Graphic Design
  Career outcomes: Graphic Designer, Art Director, Motion Designer
• Bachelor of Art and Design (3D Animation and Visual Effects) (BA) — 36 months · English · $31,000/yr
  A specialized program focusing on the technical and creative aspects of 3D modeling, character animation, and high-end visual effects for film.
  Field: Animation and VFX
  Career outcomes: 3D Modeller, Animator, VFX Artist, Compositor
• Bachelor of Creative Technologies (Game Art) (BA) — 36 months · English · $31,000/yr
  Focuses on the artistic side of game development, including environment design, character creation, and asset production for real-time engines.
  Field: Game Development
  Career outcomes: Game Artist, Environment Artist, Character Artist
• Bachelor of Software Engineering (Cloud Computing) (BSc) — 36 months · English · $31,000/yr · STEM
  Focuses on cloud architecture, infrastructure as code, and distributed systems using platforms like AWS and Azure.
  Field: Cloud Computing
  Career outcomes: Cloud Architect, DevOps Engineer, Systems Administrator
• Bachelor of Software Engineering (Artificial Intelligence) (BSc) — 36 months · English · $31,000/yr · STEM
  Explores machine learning, data science, and neural networks to prepare students for the rapidly evolving AI industry.
  Field: Artificial Intelligence
  Career outcomes: AI Developer, Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer
• Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies — 12 months · English · $28,000/yr
  A one-year intensive program for students with a prior degree looking to pivot into the creative tech or gaming industries.
  Field: Creative Technologies
  Career outcomes: Junior Designer, Content Creator, Digital Artist
• Bachelor of Digital Transformation (BA) — 36 months · English · $29,000/yr
  Combines business strategy with digital technology to help organizations navigate the modern technological landscape.
  Field: Business Technology
  Career outcomes: Digital Consultant, Project Manager, Business Analyst

Master Programs (2)

• Master of Software Engineering (MSc) — 12 months · English · $35,000/yr · STEM
  An advanced degree focusing on high-level software architecture, emerging technologies, and complex system integration.
  Field: Software Engineering
  Career outcomes: Senior Software Engineer, Technical Lead, CTO
• Master of Design (MA) — 12 months · English · $35,000/yr
  A research-led program for experienced designers to explore advanced design theory and create innovative solutions for complex problems.
  Field: Design Strategy
  Career outcomes: Design Lead, Creative Director, UX Researcher

Scholarships & Tuition at Media Design School

Annual tuition for international students: $21,000 – $32,000/year

✅ Media Design School offers scholarships for international students. Check the official website for eligibility, amounts, and deadlines.

Rankings of Media Design School

• National Ranking: #21 in New Zealand
• Ranking tier: Unranked
• Research output: Medium

Campus & Facilities at Media Design School

• Student housing available
• No sports facilities
• Disability support available
• Campus type: Urban
• Housing cost: ~$1000/month

Key Highlights

• Top ranked creative school in Oceania
• Industry partnerships with global tech giants
• Highly awarded student work internationally
• Specialized digital and creative arts degrees
• Located in Auckland's innovation precinct
• Strong focus on practical portfolio development

Accreditation

• New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)

Fields of Study at Media Design School

• 3D Animation
• Game Art
• Graphic Design
• Motion Graphics
• Interactive Design

Notable Alumni

• Blake Wood
• Lucy Lim
• Rose Heron
• Jack Close
• Zak Hawkins

Frequently Asked Questions about Media Design School

Apply to Media Design School with Abroadly

Use Abroadly's AI-powered platform to manage your application to Media Design School. Get matched to programs, track deadlines, and organize documents — all in one place.

Explore Abroadly Features | For Students | For Agencies

Visit Media Design School Official Website →

Explore More Universities

• All universities in 🇳🇿 New Zealand
• Universities in Auckland
• Browse all universities on Abroadly