A sunset view of Queenstown, New Zealand — the town and Lake Wakatipu beneath the snow-capped Remarkables mountain range.

New Zealand Applications open Closes 15 January 2027

Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies International Scholarship

The Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies is Media Design School's conversion route: a one-year postgraduate-level qualification for graduates who want to move into game development, animation, visual effects or interactive design without repeating a full bachelor's. The international scholarship attached to it is a straight NZD 6,000 tuition reduction for new, eligible non-New Zealand students with strong academic performance. For Sri Lankan graduates this is a specific and underused option. If you finished a degree in IT, computer science, multimedia, fine arts or design at a Sri Lankan university and want a credential that maps onto the creative-technology industry, a one-year graduate diploma in Auckland is faster and cheaper than a two-year Master's, and it gives you a New Zealand qualification that supports a post-study work visa application. The scholarship runs on the school's multiple annual intakes rather than one deadline a year, which gives you flexibility: 15 January 2027 for the February 2027 start, 18 June 2027 for July 2027, and 27 August 2027 for September 2027. Because the award is a fixed sum rather than a percentage, work out what proportion of the actual programme fee it covers before deciding what it is worth to you.

Multiple intakes open — applications close 15 January 2027 for the February 2027 intake, 18 June 2027 for July 2027, and 27 August 2027 for September 2027

Media Design School

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Value

NZD 6,000 tuition reduction

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Programme

Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies

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Intakes

February, July and September

info How this award actually works

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Who awards it

Media Design School — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.

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What it covers

NZD 6,000 Tuition Reduction. This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.

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Where we come in

We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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New Non-New Zealand International Student

The award is for new, eligible, non-New Zealand international students. Sri Lankan citizens qualify; there is no country shortlist restricting who may apply.

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Enrolling in the Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies

You must be entering this specific one-year programme. A completed bachelor's degree from a recognised Sri Lankan university in a relevant area — IT, computer science, multimedia, design or fine arts — is the usual entry route.

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Strong Academic Performance

Selection rests on academic performance. Attested transcripts showing a good class or GPA from your Sri Lankan degree are what carry the application.

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Fixed Sum, Not a Percentage

NZD 6,000 is a fixed reduction rather than a proportion of the fee. Check the current international fee for the programme so you know exactly what share of the cost it removes.

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English Proficiency

Postgraduate-level entry at Media Design School typically requires IELTS around 6.5 or an accepted equivalent. Sri Lankan applicants with an English-medium degree should confirm with admissions whether an MOI letter is accepted.

account_tree Application Process

Apply for the Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies

Submit your Media Design School application with attested degree transcripts, certificate, passport copy, portfolio where required, and English evidence.

Apply for the international scholarship by your intake deadline

Submit the scholarship application by 15 January 2027 for February 2027, 18 June 2027 for July 2027, or 27 August 2027 for September 2027.

Selection and award

The school assesses academic performance and applies the NZD 6,000 reduction to the tuition of successful candidates.

Pay the balance and apply for the student visa

Accept the offer, pay the reduced tuition, and apply to Immigration New Zealand for a student visa with your offer of place, fee receipt, and proof of living funds. Check the current post-study work visa rules for the graduate diploma before you commit.

Why Media Design School?

Media Design School is a specialist Auckland institution in game development, animation, visual effects and interactive design, with studio-standard facilities and close ties to New Zealand's screen industry. The Graduate Diploma is its one-year route for degree-holders switching into creative technology.

NZD 6,000

Tuition reduction

1 year

Programme length

3

Intakes a year

Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?

Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.

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