Duration
Full-time: 3 years
Next start date
2026 Semester One – 2 March
2027 Semester One – 1 March
Available locations
City
Points
360
Programme type
Undergraduate

Programme overview

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 Arts, Commerce, Engineering (Honours), or Science.

Programme structure

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, 303, 304 (165 points)
  • Nine elective courses from your chosen design themes: DESIGN 210-243 (135 points)
  • One Waipapa Taumata Rau course (15 points)
  • One General Education course (15 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 General Education course.

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
  • Code:
    WTRENG 100
    Name:
    Waipapa Taumata Rau
    Type:
    Core 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 303
    Name:
    Design Research Practice
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    DESIGN 304
    Name:
    Advanced Design Methods Capstone
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    45 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

2025 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

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.

  1. First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard.
  2. You must also meet the rank score for this programme. Not sure about your rank score? Use our rank score calculator.
  3. You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
  4. 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
  • Qualification
    IB International Baccalaureate
    Score required
    27

Read more about entry requirements for New Zealand secondary school applicants.

Tertiary qualifications

If you've studied at a tertiary institution, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You can transfer from another tertiary institution, or another University of Auckland qualification, if you meet these requirements.

Minimum grade requirements

These are the likely grades required, but they do not guarantee entry. Applicants may require higher grades to gain entry to this programme.

Further requirements

You must have completed one semester of successful bachelors degree study at a New Zealand tertiary institution, or one year of successful study as part of an acceptable sub-degree qualification from a New Zealand tertiary institution.

Transfer of Credit - You can apply for transfer of credit for tertiary courses completed elsewhere as part of your Application for Admission. For more information, see External transfer of credit.

If you have completed study at another New Zealand University, get an estimate of the transfer credit you may be eligible for, using our Transfer Credit Calculator.

See information about prior tertiary study requirements

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

My highest qualification is from this country or region:

Secondary school qualifications

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

You need to have one of the following:

  • International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum total score of 24.
  • General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level. You must have completed a minimum of three A-Level subjects. 
  • Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). You must have completed a minimum of three A-level subjects.

GCE ‘A’ Level requirements apply to ‘A’ Level qualifications examined by bodies such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA and Pearson Education Limited taken outside of New Zealand.

Minimum grade, subject and other requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place. Your CIE/GCE A level score is calculated on the best three academic subjects and General Studies cannot be included.

  • Qualification
    IB International Baccalaureate Diploma
    Score required
    27
    Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.0

    No bands less than 5.5

    See alternative English language requirements

  • Qualification
    GCE A Level/CIE General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level
    Score required
    BCC
    Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.0

    No bands less than 5.5

    See alternative English language requirements

Tertiary qualifications

If you've studied at a tertiary institution, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You can transfer from another tertiary institution if you meet these requirements.

You need to have the following:

One year successful bachelor-degree level study at a recognised university (or similar institution) overseas. 

See information about prior tertiary study requirements

Minimum grade requirements

These are the likely grades required, but they do not guarantee entry. Applicants may require higher grades to gain entry to this programme.

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

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

How much does a Bachelor of Design cost per year?

2025 fees

Domestic students
NZ$9,583.20*
International students
NZ$46,883*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $9.24 per point, estimated at $3,326.40 for full-time study (360 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

See course fees for each faculty

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

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

Key dates

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2025
8 December 2024

How to apply

Applying for an undergraduate programme? Check out our step-by-step guide.

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

Conjoints available for this programme

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

Where could this programme take you?

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
  • Innovation manager
  • Interface designer
  • Product designer
  • Service designer
  • Interaction designer
  • Information designer

Further study options

See all study options

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.

Key Information for Students

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Experience the University

Two Design students stand inside the fabrication lab on campus talking with each other.

Take a 360° tour with Design students

Enjoy a 360° virtual tour of some of the Design Programme spaces on campus.

Do you need help?

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923 5025
Outside Auckland
0800 61 62 63
International
+64 9 373 7513