Graduate Diploma in Design Innovation
Course details
| NZQF Level | 7 |
|---|
About the course
Study Design at an advanced level to upgrade your skills and expand your Bachelor's degree.
Dive deeper into design
Complete a short qualification to study a new area of design, add depth to your previous study, prepare for a Master’s, or learn the latest in the industry to develop your career.
Study 120 points of undergraduate courses at 200 and 300 level from the Bachelor of Design Innovation (BDI). You can choose your courses to tailor your programme of study to your interests and goals.
You can apply for the GDipDI at any time and start in any trimester.
The Graduate Diploma in Design Innovation (GDipDI) could suit you if you:
- have an undergraduate degree in design or a related field and want to explore a new discipline and diversify your skills
- want to meet the entry requirements for a design Master’s—after completing a BDI or another related degree such as fine arts
- have design industry experience and want a short qualification to upskill or change career
- want to refresh your design skills—exploring new tools and technologies, and engaging in critical design discourse
- aren’t ready to study a Master’s but want to study incrementally towards one.
Build your diploma
You can choose to specialise in one of the following areas or do an interdisciplinary diploma.
Animation and Visual Effects—Pakiwaituhi me ngā Mariko Ataata
Bring stories to life on screen through animation, VFX, and virtual reality by blending creativity with technology.
Communication Design—Hoahoa ā-Whakakōrero
Bring a fresh design perspective to surfaces, screens, and physical and virtual spaces, exploring topics like graphic design, typography, branding, illustration, and visual narrative.
Design for Social Innovation—Hoahoa mō te Auahatanga ā-Papori
Define the pressing issues for people and the planet today—and design products, systems, or services to solve them.
Fashion Design Technology—Hangarau Hoahoa ā-Kākahu
Learn skills in emerging technologies to create fashion designs that solve challenges and improve lives.
Game Design—Hoahoa ā-Kēmu
Develop the design-thinking and professional studio skills you need to create compelling games and work in creative industries.
Industrial Design—Hoahoa ā-Ahumahi
Design and develop the physical objects or products that shape the world and our interactions.
Interaction Design—Hoahoa ā-Pāhekoheko
Create digital systems and interfaces that improve aspects of human life.
Media Design—Hoahoa ā-Arapāho
Explore the possibilities of emerging technologies before they enter the mainstream and consider how we can harness them.
Part-time study options
You can choose to complete the 120 points part-time over 1.5 to 2 years to allow flexibility with other work or personal commitments.
Get the postgraduate Architecture and Design Innovation handbook
Find out more about your study options. Fill in a form to download our Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation handbook.
Download the handbook
Scholarships
You can look for scholarships based on your level of study, subject area, and background.
International scholarships
Many scholarships are available for international students at Victoria University of Wellington. They can help with tuition fees and with accommodation costs.
Support for students
Victoria University of Wellington is a welcoming place with great student support. There are all sorts of resources available to help you make the best of your time at university.
Financial support
You can get support to stay on top of your finances by downloading our money management resources or by meeting with one of our student finance advisers.
We can show you how to manage your student loan or allowance, and help you sort out your budget. For students facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for support from the Hardship Fund. Depending on your situation, you might also be able to get government or community support. Talk to a student finance adviser Financing your study
Work opportunities
Work as a research assistant
You may be able to work as a research assistant while you study. These are fixed-term, short contracts where you assist an academic on a specific research project.
Find out more about current research in the School of Design. Research groups
Work as a tutor
The School of Design Innovation has a number of vacancies for marking, teaching assistant and tutoring roles for undergraduate core courses. The School looks for current postgraduate students, and senior undergraduate students with good passes in appropriate 200-level or 300-level courses. Contact the School to show your interest.
Industry connections
The School of Design Innovation has industry connections and partnerships with a range of national and local organisations. There are a range of industry awards available for student excellence. Industry associations and partnerships Industry awards
Further postgraduate study
The Graduate Diploma prepares you for further study. You could study for a Master’s or a PhD. For example, the GDipDI can help you meet the entry requirements for the Master of Design Technology if you studied the BDI in an area other than Game Design, Media Design, or Animation and Visual Effects.
The GDipDI can also help you decide on a topic for your Master's research.
Find out about your postgraduate options:
Wellington connections
Wellington is Aotearoa New Zealand’s thriving capital city. It’s a cultural and creative hub of fashion, design, literature, art, theatre, live music, coffee, and food. Wellington is home to our incredible national museum, Te Papa, as well as to large design events like the World of Wearable Art (WOW) exhibition. Wellington is also a world leader in digital innovation and creative technology, with a thriving game community and industry.
The School of Design Innovation has close links to ‘Wellywood’s’ world-leading film and visual effects industry, including Weta Digital, Weta Workshop, Stone Street Studios, and Park Road Post Production. We even have a satellite campus in the heart of the film precinct—the Miramar Creative Centre.
Wellington is also the heart of government, policy, and public service in New Zealand. You’ll be studying close to government departments—where you might work to influence change.
School of Design Innovation opportunities
During your study, you’ll have opportunities to:
- listen to guest speakers from local industries
- get experience in the local film industry
- submit your creations to exhibitions and competitions.
The School of Design Innovation has numerous industry associations and partnerships in both the local and international markets.
Entry requirements
Domestic entry requirements
Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related subject area.
English language requirements
You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
About the provider
Victoria University of Wellington, full name Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, was founded in 1897 and is one of New Zealand’s largest and most prestigious universities. The University is located in the heart of New Zealand’s vibrant capital city and its three city campuses are all within easy walking distance of one another, as well as local attractions, shopping districts, and cafés.
The University’s central location gives students access to a
variety of national organisations in the areas of business, government,
politics, culture and heritage, the arts and filmmaking industry, as well as
the science and technology communities. Wellington is a compact city where
students can easily explore nature trails, beaches, galleries, museums, and
events. It is multicultural, safe, friendly, and has a reputation for great
food and coffee—it regularly ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities.
Victoria University of Wellington at a glance
- Top 1% of the world's universities for research quality and teaching
- 170+ subjects
- 20 undergraduate programmes and 180 postgraduate programmes
- 40+ research institutes and 4 libraries
- 3,000 of our 17,000 students are international students, from 120+ countries
- 130+ clubs and societies
- 5+ stars from the latest QS Stars Rating of Excellence
- #1 in New Zealand for research intensity (in the latest assessment of the Performance-Based Research Fund)
- Wellington School of Business and Government is one of an elite group of commerce faculties worldwide that hold the Triple Crown of international accreditations of EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA
- Top 2% of the world’s universities (QS World University Rankings 2026)
- Top 100 in the world in 7 subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
Graduate outcomes*
- Of the graduates who responded that they are currently working full time, 91% were employed prior to or within 6 months of degree completion.
- 67% were in full-time employment.
*Based on those who completed the 2023–2024 Graduate Destinations Survey.
Entry requirements
To study at Victoria University of Wellington, international students need:
- a good command of the English language
- a good record of academic achievement.
Entry requirements are provided under each programme. The University considers each student’s academic and English-language background when assessing applications. If a student doesn’t meet entry requirements, our team can help them meet their study goals.
If a student doesn’t meet the entry requirements for:
- English language - Students can apply for our English for Academic Purposes programme
- Undergraduate study - Students can apply for our Foundation Studies programme
- Postgraduate study - Students can talk to us to help build a pathway to their degree
The University offers complete support for students through a range of wellbeing and learning services. These include a specialised international team that is dedicated to supporting students during their studies, which helps international students meet new friends and settle into university and Wellington life.
Some of the support services include:
- dedicated international student orientation and events
- a free arrival meeting service at the airport
- the International Buddy Programme, where you get paired with a ‘buddy’ from the get-go
Students can make the most of the many opportunities to get
involved in different communities, embrace new experiences, and develop skills
for their future careers. The university encourages all students to develop
strong global citizenship skills through their studies and extracurricular
programmes such as the Kitea
Impact Programme, which is also free to join.