Design

University of Auckland

New Zealand, Auckland

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University of Auckland

New Zealand , Auckland

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Credit point

360 Points

Campuses

City

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines3-Mar-2025

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 year(s)

Tuition Fee

NZD 43,138 / year

Next Intake 3-Mar-2025

Design

About

The world is changing, almost faster than we can keep up with. While we can't accurately imagine future realities, we can develop skills that will help us adapt to them.

The Bachelor of Design uses a combination of case studies and real-world project briefs to enable your experimentation in making and prototyping. You will investigate the potential practical, social, political and environmental impacts of different design outcomes, using both digital and material technologies. Your learning will be supported by research academics and specialists drawn from industries relevant to contemporary design.

You can also study the BDes alongside another discipline as part of a conjoint degree, which means you can take two undergraduate programmes at the same time. You can do a conjoint with Advanced Science (Honours), Arts, Commerce, Engineering (Honours), Fine Arts, Global Studies, Health Sciences, Law (including Law (Honours), Music, Property or Science.

Design the future you want to live in. Explore all aspects of design thinking, making and applying. Gain conceptual and technical skills relevant to our fast-changing world.

In your first year of study, you'll be introduced to design methods, processes and rationale. You will also investigate design as a driver and responder to social needs in both contemporary and historic contexts.

Throughout your degree, you will build a personalised study plan around your Stage II compulsory courses, selecting your electives from four design themes:

Design and Local Community Practices
Design and Global Challenges
Design and Business
Design and Emerging Technologies

You can choose to focus on one or two design themes, or you can mix and match courses to suit your experience and developing interests.

In your final year, you will undertake a capstone design research project, working from the initial discovery phase right through to testing and implementation. This will be supported by a course aimed at advancing your understanding of design research methodologies. You will document your creative process in your project report.

The broad structure of the programme is:

Seven core courses: DESIGN 100, 101, 200, 201, 300, 301, 302 (165 points)
Nine elective courses from your chosen design themes: DESIGN 210-243 (135 points)
Two General Education courses (30 points)
Two additional elective courses from this degree or other bachelors degrees (30 points)

Learn more about Design courses.

Most students need to take one or two General Education courses.

Students should also be aware of the University's Academic English Language Requirement.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Sample programme structure

Year 1 120 points

Code:

DESIGN 100

Name:

Design Methods and Processes 1

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

30 pts
Code:

DESIGN 101

Name:

Design Theory and Fundamentals

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective taught course

Type:

Elective taught courses

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective taught course

Type:

Elective taught courses

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective taught course

Type:

Elective taught courses

Points:

15 pts
Name:

General Education course

Type:

General Education course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

General Education course

Type:

General Education course

Points:

15 pts

Year 2 120 points

Code:

Design 200

Name:

Design Methods and Processes 2

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

30 pts
Code:

Design 201

Name:

Creative Communities

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective taught course

Type:

Elective taught courses

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective taught course

Type:

Elective taught courses

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective taught course

Type:

Elective taught courses

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective taught course

Type:

Elective taught courses

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective taught course

Type:

Elective taught courses

Points:

15 pts

Year 3 120 points

Code:

DESIGN 300

Name:

Design Research Methodologies

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Code:

DESIGN 301

Name:

Advanced Design Methods Capstone

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

45 pts
Code:

DESIGN 302

Name:

Critical-Technical Positioning

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective taught course

Type:

Elective taught courses

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective taught course

Type:

Elective taught courses

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Elective taught course

Type:

Elective taught courses

Points:

15 pts

2023 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

New Zealand Outside New Zealand

Secondary school qualifications

If you're joining us from secondary school, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You are guaranteed entry to this programme if you meet these requirements.

First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard.
You must also meet the rank score for this programme. Not sure about your rank score? Use our rank score calculator.
You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
Some programmes have additional requirements, such as an interview, portfolio or references.

Guaranteed rank score, subject and other requirements

If your rank score is slightly lower than the guaranteed score, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available. If you don't meet the requirements, you may be able to apply under our Undergraduate Targeted Admission Schemes.

Qualification

NCEA National Certificate of Educational Achievement

Score required

180
Qualification

CIE Cambridge International Examinations

Score required

190

Disciplines

Creative Arts and Industries

Requirements

Entry Requirements

You will typically need to have completed one of the following to meet the minimum equivalent University Entrance standard:

One semester of successful bachelor degree study from a New Zealand tertiary institution.
One year of successful study as part of an acceptable sub-degree qualification from a New Zealand tertiary institution.
One year successful bachelor-degree level study at a recognised university (or similar institution) overseas.

If you have finished secondary school you may already meet the minimum acceptable equivalents of the University Entrance Standard, see New Zealand Secondary School applicants, or Overseas Secondary School applicants.

If you are applying for admission based on prior tertiary study you must meet admission, programme and undergraduate English language requirements. To see the entry requirements (by country) for your intended programme(s), visit Find a study option.

Career

Undergraduate study in Design will prepare you to be proactive in a world of expanding job futures and ways of working. Companies will take advantage of emerging market potentials at an early stage through their comfort with disruptive technologies and the application of varied creative approaches to solve problems and identify opportunities. People who are flexible, adaptable and able to explore more than one way of doing things will be highly sought after for business growth. Recently, many new roles have emerged for designers. It’s an exciting time to enter this rapidly expanding field. As well as being able to launch your own entrepreneurial exploits, you’ll be suited to existing organisations integrating contemporary design into their business practices.

Jobs related to this programme

Design strategist
Experience designer
Information designer
Innovation manager
Interaction designer
Interface designer
Product designer
Service designer

Further study options

Postgraduate Certificate in Design
Master of Design
Doctor of Philosophy

See all study options

Anneka Calder

Design and Science conjoint student Anneka moved from Christchurch to Auckland to study, and says design is what you choose it to be.

Read Anneka's story

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

NZD 43,138 / year

How to Apply

Register for a new account:
- Click ‘Sign up for a new account’ below the Password field.
- A confirmation message will ask you to confirm sign up for a new account. Select ‘Confirm’.
- The 'Register for a new account' page will appear. Enter your email address, name and a password and click ‘Register’ (After accepting the IT Acceptable Use Policy and Disclaimer).
- On the next page provide your contact details, date of birth, citizenship and ethnicity. Please also indicate if you have a disability so we can better meet your needs.
Complete all your Application for Admission sections, including:
- ‘Academic History’: Enter all qualifications you completed or are currently completing.
- ‘Programme Selection’: Select your intended programme.
- Upload any documents requested (e.g. transcripts from your prior study)
Submit your application.
- Ensure you have read the Declaration section. Click, ‘I Agree’ and ‘Submit application.’