Bachelor of Design (Honours)

About the programme

If you have already achieved excellence in your undergraduate degree, this intensive postgraduate qualification is your chance to further your understanding of design research methods and professional design practice through advanced research and engagement with contemporary thinking.

It's taught in a multi-disciplinary environment which means that your design projects can focus on one discipline e.g. fashion, communication, visual arts, product, spatial design, or span and connect disciplines such as interaction design, fashion communication, accessories, food design, multimedia projects, event and experience design (to name a few).

Graduates of this programme are eligible to apply for our:

• Master of Design, or
• Master of Design Enterprise, or
• may choose to gain employment in a design creative lead role.

Studying part-time

We know full-time study isn't always possible. We also offer this programme part-time over two years.

Entry

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements are:

• The Bachelor of Design (discipline endorsed) Level 7 OR an equivalent qualification at bachelor level or above, with an overall grade of B+ or higher in your final year, Level 7 courses. Please send us certified copies of your undergraduate degree transcript and other relevant qualifications.
• A physical or digital portfolio that demonstrates a depth of engagement with creative work relevant to your field. Please see below for more information.
• Commencement of your Honours study must occur within five years of the successful completion of your undergraduate degree. Exceptions require the approval of the Postgraduate Coordinator based on advice from the relevant academic leader and the supervisor.
• International applicants must demonstrate that they have equivalent experience/qualifications as domestic applicants.
• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 with no individual band score lower than 6.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for a list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Other requirements

• We may decide that you need to undertake an interview and/or entry task. We'll contact you if this is necessary.

Your portfolio

You need to provide a portfolio that consists of current and recent examples of your work that demonstrate your creative process and ability and depth of engagement in your proposed field of research.

Find out what you need to include in your portfolio, what we're looking for, and how to submit it here. 

Selection process

An interview panel consisting of the Postgraduate Coordinator and relevant postgraduate supervisors will interview and select applicants. Where there are more applicants than places, candidates will be prioritised on the basis of:

• strength of academic record
• breadth and depth of their portfolio
• an entry task that validates existing skills and knowledge.

Applicants who do not meet the entry or selection criteria will be directed to a path of study to help prepare them for application in the future.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of prior learning including Cross Credit or Credit Transfer is offered for up to 60 credits in this programme. This process will normally apply to a student who has completed formal study at an equivalent level at Otago Polytechnic or another institution.

Advanced Standing is available for up to 60 credits of this programme through the process of Assessment of Prior Learning. Students may use a combination of formal and informal learning experiences to support their application.

Please note: the Major Research Project is not eligible for credit recognition.