Graduate Certificate in Designed Environments

Enhance your knowledge of how the built environment is designed, in an area of architecture you haven't studied before.

Advance your undergraduate knowledge

Whether you're a recent graduate or already working in the industry, the Graduate Certificate in Designed Environments (GCertDE) offers you a select amount of study at an advanced undergraduate level.

The GCertDE is a 60-point qualification over one trimester of full-time study, or usually two trimesters for part-time, domestic students. You’ll study undergraduate courses from 200 to 400 level, and tailor the courses you study to your new area of interest, career goals, or specialisation.

You can learn who and what a building is for, how the structure works, and how it fits in with the surrounding landscape. You’ll also consider modern challenges such as environmental sustainability, the evolution of technology, and the changing needs of human habitation.

Who can study for the GCertDE

The GCertDE is open to students with a Bachelor's degree in Architectural Studies (BAS), Building Science (BBSc), Design Innovation (BDI), or an equivalent qualification.

You may also be able to study the GCertDE if you have equivalent practical, professional, or scholarly experience—this is decided by the head of school.

It could be a good fit if you:

• want to add a new area of designed environments to your previous study to deepen or broaden your knowledge from your undergraduate degree—for example, if you studied the BAS majoring in Interior Architecture you could study some courses in Landscape Architecture with the GCertDE
• already work in the industry and want to do a short qualification with a few courses to learn the latest information.

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

Tailor your study

For your GCertDE you’ll choose one of the following areas to study. You'll study a combination of courses from 200 to 400 level in that subject.

If you are crossing over from one subject to another, our student advisors can help you decide which courses to enroll in.

Architecture

Get the theoretical and practical knowledge to design and construct the places and spaces we use every day. Learn how to consider historical and environmental issues and solve problems using the latest materials, technologies and design systems.

Architecture History and Theory

Study historical, social and political issues across architecture. You’ll consider how and why we design buildings, and find and interpret original information from historical and archaeological sources.

Interior Architecture

Learn to apply architectural principles to the design of interior spaces in different settings. You'll develop your ability to communicate ideas using a range of media, to a range of clients with varying needs. Gain the skills required to pursue a career in furniture design, installation work and exhibition design, or as a professional interior architecture specialist.

Landscape Architecture

Get the skills to create engaging and functional outdoor spaces. You'll develop an understanding of your role as an architect in caring for the environment and enhancing it through design, with particular attention to New Zealand's landscape. In planning for future development, you'll look at things like how to manage flood risk or creating a long-term development plan for a city.

Scholarships

You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.

We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.

• Postgraduate and doctoral scholarships
• Search scholarships.

Applicable scholarships

• John Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship

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.

These contracts are decided in negotiation with academics in an area of interest.

Find out more about current Architecture research.

Work as a tutor

You may be able to tutor undergraduate Architecture courses. If you are interested in becoming a tutor, get in contact with the tutor coordinator, or staff will seek out tutors for their classes.

Industry connections

The Wellington School of Architecture has industry connections and partnerships with a range of national and local organisations.

Further postgraduate study

The Wellington School of Architecture offers a range of postgraduate qualifications, including certificates, diplomas, Master’s programmes, and PhD degrees. After a Graduate Certificate, you could carry on to study for a Graduate Diploma, a Master’s Degree or a PhD.

If you study a PhD, you’ll be supported by the Faculty of Graduate Research.