Graduate Diploma in Designed Environments

Enhance your knowledge in a new area of the built environment. Add depth to your previous study or prepare for a Master’s.

Dive deeper into architectural studies

The Graduate Diploma in Designed Environments (GDipDE) is a 120-point qualification. It lets you study a new area of designed environments, add depth to your previous study, prepare for a Master’s, or learn the latest in the industry.

It takes two trimesters of full-time study, or usually four trimesters studied part time. You’ll study undergraduate courses from 200 to 400 level, and tailor the courses based on your previous study and to your goals.

The GDipDE is most commonly a pathway for graduates to transition their architectural studies or building science specialisation to a new area at postgraduate level. It can act as a stepping stone to Master's study.

Who can study for the GDipDE

Graduate qualifications allow you to change subject focus to a new area. This adds value to your undergraduate degree, or can be the first step to a new career or postgraduate study in that new subject area.

The GDipDE is similar to the Graduate Certificate, but is longer, includes more courses, and can lead to a Master’s.

The GDipDE 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 GDipDE if you have equivalent practical, professional, or scholarly experience—this is decided by the head of school.

Qualify for a Master’s in a new subject

The GDipDE is the main study path to a Master’s if you majored in one subject in your undergraduate study and now want to change your focus for a Master’s.

The GDipDE can help you change subjects to continue on to a:

• Master of Interior Architecture
• Master of Landscape Architecture
• Master of Architecture (Professional)
• Master of Building Science.

For example, if you majored in Interior Architecture in the BAS and now want to study for a Master of Architecture (Professional), the GDipDE gives you the chance to study Architecture courses to qualify you to apply for entry into the relevant Master’s.

Add to your skillset

The GDipDE could also suit you if you:

• want to add a new area of designed environments to your previous study to deepen or broaden your knowledge—for example, if you studied the BAS majoring in Interior Architecture, you could choose to study some courses in Landscape Architecture
• already work in the industry and want to do a few courses to learn the latest information and want to study more than the Graduate Certificate covers.

Tailor your study

Choose from the following specialist learning options in areas within the built environment.

You’ll study a combination of courses from 200 to 400 level. You’ll choose courses that fit your career goals, and can help you decide on a topic for your Master's research if you intend to do a Master of Architecture.

If you are moving from one subject to another, our student advisors can help you decide which courses to enrol 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. 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 create a long-term development plan for a city.

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 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 Diploma you could study a Master’s Degree and choose to continue study with a PhD.

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