Master of Design – MDes

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

• Massey University entry requirements

Specific requirements

To enter the Master of Design (180 credit qualification) you will:

• Meet the University admission requirements as specified, and will:
  • Have been awarded or qualified for a relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification with a minimum grade average of at least B; or
  • Have been awarded or qualified for the Bachelor of Design with Honours with a grade of at least B across the Part Four courses, or equivalent, or
  • Have been awarded or qualified for the Postgraduate Diploma in Design with a grade average of at least B, or equivalent, or
  • Have been granted admission under the Admission with Equivalent Status regulations and demonstrate practical, professional and scholarly experience at an appropriate level;
• And have been selected into the qualification on the basis of an interview and assessment of a portfolio of relevant work.

You will also need to:

• provide a Research Statement prior to interview
• provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at universities other than Massey University.
• If English is not your first language (or the language of tuition of your prior degree), supply a current IELTS (or equivalent) score.

If you have previously completed a relevant Bachelor Honours, or Postgraduate Diploma qualification with a grade of at least a B across the 700-800 level courses, it may be possible to apply for accelerated entry into the 120 Thesis component of the degree. The selected entry criteria below remain consistent, but we will require a Research Proposal rather than a Research Statement.

Portfolio requirements

For more information about portfolio requirements, see the College of Creative Arts' postgraduate applications page.

Application closing date

This qualification has 2 intakes:

• Semester 1 (February start). Applications close 30 November for study commencing the following year.
• Semester 2 (July start). Applications close 15 May.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

• Massey University English language requirements

Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit

Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit. 

• Look for information under ‘Student Progression’ in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
• Contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

• review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
• contact us through the Enquire button on this page.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Maximum time limits for completion

There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications.  If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.