Postgraduate study in Design
Design is gaining currency in businesses and organisations of all types as a powerful route to radical innovation, competitive advantage and transformational change.

What can you study in Design?
The Design Programme offers a Postgraduate Certificate, taught and research masters and a PhD in Design. Postgraduate study in Design suits people with a background in design or those coming from other industries such as health, engineering, science or finance.
Design is gaining currency in businesses and organisations of all types as a powerful route to radical innovation, competitive advantage and transformational change. Advanced study in Design is an opportunity to develop critical thinking, explore custom methodologies, experiment with creative solutions and strengthen a design practice that is strategic, viable and sustainable. No matter which industry you're working in, design skills could be what takes you and your organisation to the next level.
Our postgraduate programmes centre around the critical values of social responsiveness, interdisciplinarity and entrepreneurship while exploring the methodologies and practices associated with contemporary design. Advanced tools and technologies associated with machine learning, gaming, automation, mixed realities and smart devices are explored to develop a refined design practice that is relevant across all sectors of industry and community.
Research methods and models include:
- Case studies analysis
- Human factors research
- Human-centred design
- Co-design
- Gamification
- Human-computer interaction
- Systems thinking
- Prototyping
- Implementation and evaluation
Our postgraduate programmes will prepare you as a future design leader able to adjust and contribute to constantly changing local and international contexts.
Courses
Explore the courses you can take in Design.
Scholarships and awards
Help and advice
Enrolment support
Our friendly staff will provide you with advice on planning your degree and enrolling in your courses. Contact our Student Hubs.
If you would like to find out more about studying Design, you can contact a Postgraduate Adviser:
Adviser for Postgraduate Certificate in Design, Master of Design
Aaron Fry
Email: aaron.fry@auckland.ac.nz