One year full-time
Up to four years part-time
Intakes are 17 weeks long
2024 Intake 1: 12 February to 7 June - Applications Close 29 January 2024
2024 Intake 2: 18 March to 12 July - Applications Close 11 March 2024
2024 Intake 3: 24 June to 18 October - Applications Close 10 June 2024
2024 Intake 4: 29 July to 22 November - Applications Close 15 July 2024
Fees Free
First year of tertiary study
Tuition Fee: $0 Check eligibility
SIT Zero Fees Scheme
(e.g. $700 for 100 credit course)
International Fees
$25000
Unsure which one is for me? Check Fees Eligibility Check my options
Get into video production with the New Zealand Diploma in Screen Production and learn all the basics that you need to get into the visual storytelling industry or upskill your hobby.
This introductory diploma will cover all the basics that you will need to know about screen production and help you develop necessary creative and technical skills.
You will learn:
DSP501 Introduction to Screen Production (15 credits)
This paper provides an introduction to the principles and processes of modern screen production. Students will learn fundamental digital camera skills, an understanding of the importance of lighting, sound, and other creative and technical principles that underpin good screen production
DSP502 Screenwriting (15 credits)
This paper introduces the elements of conventional film narrative, and storytelling. Students will develop their writing skills through a critical understanding of dramatic structure, story fundamentals, and the screenwriting process.
DSP503 Editing for Screen (15 credits)(Please note: This paper has an additional course related cost of $100 as we will be supplying a 1Tb Hard Drive loaded with high quality footage for your DSP503 tasks and assignments. At the completion of the paper you may retain the hard drive)
This paper deals with the practicalities and aesthetics of combining moving images. It will introduce students to fundamental postproduction tools and techniques including, non-linear editing systems, grading, and use of sound to create unity in and between scenes. Techniques include screen direction, timing, L and J cuts, and exporting in appropriate formats based on delivery requirements.
DSP504 Screen Culture and Context (15 credits)
This paper will outline the developments in screen history through the culture and context of the times, evaluating social, economic, and cultural influence on technique, genre, story, and style. It will analyse how these developments continue to influence the modern screen production industry dictating in many ways what projects are produced, where, and whose stories are told.
DSP505 Screen Business Practices (15 credits)
This paper will introduce students to screen production business practices and their use in the process of creating film projects. These will include, project inception, legal requirements, contracts, copyright, work hours and rules, the blue book, product distribution and other relevant areas of production.
DSP506 Pre-Production Planning (15 credits)
This paper will provide students with the necessary knowledge to pre-produce a narrative screen production while adhering to standard industry practices and Health and Safety legislation. It will cover project and department structure, schedules, budgets, documentation, and previsualization including artwork, and mood boards.
DSP507 Screen Production Practices (15 credits)
This paper will emphasize the critical importance of teamwork and communication in screen productions. Students will learn the value of working with and supporting other content producers, and how this can lead to the creation of works that are far more than the sum of their parts.
DSP508 Practical Screen Production (15 credits)
This paper will further develop and bring together creative, technical, and problem-solving skills learnt in previous papers. Students will create their own short film screen production using these skills and appropriate screen production processes.
Graduates of the New Zealand Diploma in Screen Production will have the skills and knowledge to work in junior technical or assistant roles in a screen production environment.
Recent graduates of the New Zealand Diploma in Screen Production have gained temporary roles on film crews, and/or used their newly developed skills for personal screen production projects.
School Leavers
All applicants should hold NCEA Level 2 or equivalent skills and knowledge, and demonstrate a keen interest in screen production, applicants are also required to submit a portfolio of their work with their application.
Mature Applicants
Applicants of 20 years of age or over, at the time of programme entry, should demonstrate an interest and aptitude for screen production which demonstrate potential for success. Examples may include completion of a programme of study at Level 2 or above in a related discipline and/ or employment in a related field for two 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.
Special Admission
Notwithstanding the above admissions categories, in exceptional circumstances, a mature aged applicant who can show evidence of ability to succeed in the programme (e.g. strong work experience/background as evidenced by CV, or referee attestations) may be considered for admission provided the applicant has successfully completed an approved course or programme, which is deemed to prepare graduates for the required academic standard for entry.
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, Australia, 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. Students 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 credits selected per intake should 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.
Students should complete the papers in numerical order. Any requests to study papers out of order should be directed to Programme Manager.
Additional information
Cross credit forms can be found at:
http://www.sit.ac.nz/Students/Academic-Support
Equipment Requirements
All SIT2LRN courses require you to have a computer and internet access. Students 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 a 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 (weekdays 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. Students who have not emailed their facilitator or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2ndweek 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.
Progress reports are sent out 6-8 weeks after the end of each intake.
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 Screen Production (Level 5), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:
Please Note: Students failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.
For those wishing to pursue further study, SIT offers
Assessments for this programme typically include essays and practical assessments. There are no exams for this programme.
For more information on required and recommended textbooks for this course please refer to the textbook list here.
Please note that textbooks need to be ordered at least 3-4 weeks prior to the commencement of your study