Postgraduate Diploma in Design

This qualification is suitable for graduates who have a strong professional design background who want to extend and deepen their research skills and work on applied research projects which are self-generated or developed with industry or community partners. 

We welcome applicants from a range of design and creative backgrounds. This is a chance to view your creative area through a different lens and see how you can make it viable in a commercial environment.

Graduates of this qualification will be well-prepared for further postgraduate study such as our: 

• Master of Design, or

• Master of Design Enterprise, or

• for a career in design or design management. 

Studying part-time 

We know full-time study isn't always possible. We also offer this programme over two years part-time.

What you Study

This programme is taught in a multi-disciplinary environment which means that your design projects may be more discipline focused e.g. fashion, communication, visual arts, product, spatial design, or explore projects than span and connect disciplines such as interaction design, fashion communication, accessories, food design, multimedia projects, event and experience design to name a few.

A preliminary project proposal helps us to understand what motivates and inspires you to study at postgraduate level. It also allows us to determine if your area fits within our areas of expertise.

Studying this programme with us will bring heaps of benefits:

• Employers love our design graduates as they are industry-ready, innovative and hard working.

• We offer a boutique learning environment; small classes mean your lecturers know you by name and can support you to develop your own ‘design identity’.

• You will benefit from the expertise of award-winning staff and leading industry researchers.

• You will have access to exhibitions and international competitions to showcase your creativity.

• Local, national and international collaboration and partnerships are at the heart of our learning philosophy.

• We have extensive industry connections and strong links with international design networks including the Cumulus Association and The Designers Accord.

• Our acclaimed programmes are full of individual, team and interdisciplinary learning opportunities.

• You will enjoy studio-based learning with access to specialised equipment and spaces.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements are:

• The Bachelor of Design (discipline endorsed) Level 7 OR an equivalent qualification at bachelor level or above. Please send us certified copies of your undergraduate degree transcript and other relevant qualifications. 

• A physical or digital portfolio which demonstrates a depth of engagement with creative work relevant to your field. Please see below for more information.

• International applicants must demonstrate that they have equivalent experience/qualifications as domestic applicants.

• If English is not your first language, you must provide:

  • New Zealand University Entrance OR

  • Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 with no individual band score lower than 6.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR

  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Other requirements 

• We may decide that you need to undertake an interview and/or entry task. We'll contact you if this is necessary. 

Your portfolio

You need to provide a portfolio that consists of current and recent examples of your work that demonstrate your creative process and ability and depth of engagement in your proposed field of research.