Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours
BDigiScreen(Hons)
Duration
4 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 (February)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Download Brochure
Duration
4 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 (February)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Download Brochure
Overview
The digital screen sector is rapidly growing, in areas such as virtual production, 3D storytelling, virtual and augmented reality, and more. UC's new planned Digital Screen Campus — a creative hub with international-quality workspaces, stages, studios, and more — will provide a space for film production, game development, and cross-reality technologies to come together.
The Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours (BDigiScreen(Hons)) is a 4-year professional degree focusing on storytelling using words, still or moving images, animation, and sound. During your degree, you will work on collaborative projects with other students and with industry partners to build up a portfolio of work to give you a head-start in your career.
- Build your experience in the digital media industry, with subjects ranging from filmmaking to music production to video game design.
- Project work beginning from your second year.
- Work on real-world projects with some of Aotearoa New Zealand's greatest creative minds.
- Get access to industry-level sound stages, performance capture labs, film editing studios, live streaming setups, and a virtual screen production theatre.
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For information on the enrolment process, please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
Recommended preparation
The BDigiScreen(Hons) is open to anyone who gains entry to the University and no previous experience is required. All subjects are introductory, and your first year will cover broad experiences creating content across film, gaming, and digital media industries.
Some knowledge and passion for cinema, creative writing, sound or art design, or video game development will be especially useful.
Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours – example degree structure
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Compulsory courses
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Major courses
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Courses from Arts or other degrees
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points or more.
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible. For specific course requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours.
The Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours requires a minimum total of 480 points:
- 270 points of compulsory courses
- a minimum of 390 points of Digital Screen courses
- the remaining 90 points can be from either Digital Screen courses or courses from other degrees.
At least 345 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level, and 120 points at 400-level.
The degree takes 4 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 10 years.
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours.
Majors and minors
BDigiScreen(Hons) students have the option of completing either:
- a major
- a major and a minor.
Each major has specific course requirements, but all consist of a minimum of 120 points. The fourth year of the degree is made up of compulsory courses that focus on your major subject area.
A minor consists of a minimum 75 points, including at least 45 points above 100-level, in a single subject chosen from Digital Screen, Arts, Commerce, Health Sciences, Science, Sport, or Youth and Community Leadership degrees.
Certificate of Indigenous Narrative
UC also offers the Certificate in Indigenous Narrative designed as professional development for those already in the digital media industry to upskill their Indigenous awareness and representation.
Indigenous Narrative is also offered as a minor in the BDigiScreen(Hons).
The Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours introduces you to all stages of conception, production, and publication of digital media.
You will complete at least one major subject, and can also choose to specialise in a minor subject.
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
Compulsory courses
Year 1
- DISC101 Storytelling for the Digital Screen
- DISC102 Principles of Screen Production
- MUSA126 Sound Technologies
- PROD110 Product Design Principles
- PROD121 The Game Development Process
- PROD142 2D and 3D Art for Film and Games
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Minor subjects
You may also choose to complete a minor chosen from the list below.
All majors in the degree are also available as minors.
Indigenous Narrative is a minor specially designed to accompany this degree. It teaches you an understanding of the approaches to Māori and Pasifika storytelling in digital forms, including production strategies and issues of representation.
- Learn end-to-end digital production skills, as well as foundational skills in creative design and storytelling.
- Develop a personal portfolio of digital works and practical experiences throughout your degree.
- Opportunity to gain industry contacts with collaborations and events.
- Graduates can find work as game developers, film and television producers, screenwriters, digital artists, creative directors, sound artists, animators, and more.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2024 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $7,589 |
| 2023 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $7,383 |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2024 | 120 | $38,900 | |
| 2023 | 120 | $37,213 |
Contact us
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours.
For study planning help, contact a Student Advisor.
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Kaupeka Toi Tangata | Faculty of Arts.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).