Master of Design
Course details
About the course
The Master of Design (MDes) is an advanced degree focusing on design theory, technology and original research. It builds on the unique combination of design skills developed during the Bachelor of Design (BDes). A central aim of the Master of Design is to allow you to specialise in your chosen area of the design and creative practices industry and prepare you for the next steps in a career in academia or industry. The Master of Design provides an opportunity for you to undertake taught courses, design research, and develop your understanding of advanced design theory and practice. You will be supported to plan, develop and carry out a large scale design research project. Research topics are tailored to suit your interests, providing an opportunity for you to hone a particular aspect of design further, which could be a pathway to your chosen career. You will also have the full support, guidance and expertise of your supervisor during your research project. During your Master of Design at the University of Waikato you will collaborate with other students and academics, and have opportunities to work with members of the professional design industry.
About the provider
The University of Waikato, located in the central North Island cities of Hamilton and Tauranga, is an internationally recognised tertiary institution offering degree programmes designed to produce job-ready graduates. Each year, the University provides more than 2,000 industry placements and internship opportunities, believing its students benefit from the chance to put the theory they have learnt in classrooms, into practice in a real-world employment environment. When students choose to study at waikato, they gain a globally recognised education. In 2019, the QS World University Rankings placed the University of Waikato 266th in the world, an improvement of 135 places in five years. The University is also in the top 5% of all globally ranked institutions for research impact, meaning their research is among some of the most influential in the world.