Duration
Full-time: 4 years
Next start date
2027 Semester One – 1 March
2028 Semester One – 28 February
Available locations
City
Points
540
Programme type
Undergraduate

Programme overview

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

In your Fine Arts component, you will study contemporary art and pursue your choice from a range of art media and practices. These include ceramics, photography, installation, sculpture, print, and more.

Contact us with enquiries.

Programme structure

The BDes/BFA usually takes four years to complete. It involves:

  • 255 points from BFA courses
  • 255 points from BDes courses
  • 15 points from General Education courses*

*15 points from any University of Auckland course

In your Design component, alongside design foundation courses and studio practice, you will also collaborate on real-world briefs with community partners. You will build your own study plan of six elective courses from our four design themes:

  • Design and Local Communities
  • Design and Global Challenges
  • Design and Business
  • Design and Emerging Technologies

You will undertake a capstone design research project in your final year, working from the initial discovery phase right through to testing and implementation.

In your Fine Arts component, you will pursue foundation technologies, critical studies and studio practice. You will develop and refine your artistic practice by choosing from a wide range of elective courses that suit your developing interests. These include courses in painting, printmaking, photography, Ngā Toi Taketake, sculpture and moving image.

In your final year, you will complete a capstone contemporary art project along with an associated research essay.

Students typically enrol in nine 15-point courses (135 points) each year if they want to complete in four years.

You will need to maintain a Grade Point Average of 3.5 each year to continue with your conjoint.

Most students need to take one General Education course.

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

For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

2026 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
    210
  • Qualification
    CIE Cambridge International Examinations
    Score required
    230
  • Qualification
    IB International Baccalaureate
    Score required
    28

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.

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.

Guaranteed grade, subject and other requirements

These are the grades required for guaranteed entry to this programme. If your grades are slightly lower, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available.

  • Qualification
    IB International Baccalaureate Diploma
    Score required
    28
    Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.0

    No bands below than 5.5.

    See alternative English language requirements

  • Qualification
    CIE Cambridge International Examinations
    Score required
    230
    Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.0

    No bands below than 5.5.

    See alternative English language requirements

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

    No bands below 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

Guaranteed grade requirements

These are the grades required for guaranteed entry to this programme. If your grades are slightly lower, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available.

Other pathways to study

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

For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

How much does a Bachelor of Design / Bachelor of Fine Arts Conjoint cost per year?

2026 fees

Domestic students
NZ$11,427.75*
International students
NZ$55,380*

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 $9.44 per point, estimated at $5,097.60 for full-time study (540 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 detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit 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.

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

How to apply

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

For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

The future of work is changing, and the skills and knowledge developed in a BFA/BDes will equip you to keep up and forge ahead. Combine problem-solving and flexibility with critical and creative thinking to approach new ways of thinking and making.

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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You can phone us directly.

Auckland:
(09) 923 5025
Outside Auckland:
0800 61 62 63
International:
+64 9 373 7513