New Zealand University

Media Design School at Strayer (MDS) is New Zealand’s leading private tertiary institution for creative technology. We provide specialized, industry-driven education in 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Game Art, Game Programming, Graphic, Motion & Interactive (UX) Design, Information Technology (IT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Creative Advertising. In the 2026 Animation Career Review, MDS was ranked #1 in New Zealand and #18 globally in the “Top 50 International Animation Schools (outside the US)” category.Established in 1998 as the first institution in the Southern Hemisphere to offer specialized 3D animation courses, MDS reached a new milestone in September 2025 by joining Strayer University, headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA, and officially becoming ‘Media Design School at Strayer’. This integration allows our students to access Strayer’s extensive global network and new educational opportunities while maintaining the highly respected creative tech curriculum New Zealand is known for.The campus is located at 10 Madden Street in the Wynyard Quarter, an innovation hub near Auckland’s downtown Viaduct Harbour. Completed in 2021, this modern campus is an eco-friendly facility that achieved a 6 Green Star rating from the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC). It serves as a vibrant space where learning and professional networking happen right in the heart of New Zealand’s tech sector. Thanks to our hands-on, project-based curriculum and strong industry connections, our graduates enjoy exceptional levels of employer satisfaction and high employment rates.

Programs Offered : Foundation (Design Basics), 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Game Art, Software Engineering (Game Programming · AI), Graphic Design, Motion Design, Interactive (UX) Design, Information Technology (IT), Creative Advertising, Postgraduate Design (Master of Digital Transformation), and more.

• Global Network : Expanded into a global creative tech education network following its acquisition by Strayer University (USA) in September 2025.
•  Industry Firsts : Launched New Zealand’s first-ever Game Programming degree and stands as the country’s only Unity Authorized Training and Certification Partner.
•  Exclusive Partnerships : The only educational institution in New Zealand partnering with the Sony PlayStation First program, allowing students to develop games directly for PlayStation platforms.
• Top-Tier Rankings : Ranked #1 in New Zealand and #18 globally in the 2026 Animation Career Review (International category).
• Creative Credentials : Recognized as New Zealand’s first Adobe Creative Campus (2024) and serves as an official Houdini Certified Training Partner.
• Global Career Success : Graduates work at world-renowned studios and tech companies, including Weta FX (NZ), ILM, DreamWorks, Pixar, Disney (USA), and Microsoft.