Design Subject regulations
Discover the world of Design, where creativity meets practicality, while form and function are explored equally. Our Design programmes nurture your understanding of human needs and desires, unleashing your creative prowess in prototyping, developing, crafting, and evaluating impactful solutions. Blend analytical, and technological skills, with creative and imaginative abilities through well-rounded and engaging tertiary study to lead you to a rewarding career path.
There are four Design majors offered in the Bachelor of Design and three Design subjects offered in the Bachelor of Design with Honours. These majors are Communication Design, Industrial Design, Interface Design, and Media Design. Building on these Undergraduate qualifications we offer Graduate and Postgraduate study through the Master of Design as well as the PhD in Design.
Other qualifications
Prescriptions for:
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PGDipDes and MDes To complete a PGDipDes, students must complete 120 points at 500 level. Typically, the programme corresponds to 120 points of taught papers as would be taken by MDes students.
To complete a MDes, students must complete 180 points at 500 level, including DSIGN581 (30 points). Students not wishing to complete a research-led MDes degree could take DSIGN591 (30 points) if DSIGN581 is in their programme of study, or could take DSIGN592 (60 points). The remaining papers should be chosen from appropriate 500 level taught papers. A research-led MDes degree would include either a 90 point or 120 point Design Thesis.
Students should select their papers for these qualifications in consultation with the Graduate Advisor for Design in the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences.
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MPhil The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
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PhD The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
A PhD can also be presented as a PhD with Publication or a PhD with a Creative Practice Component.
Design papers
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
COMPX225
Introduction to Databases and Web Development
This paper provides a broad overview of the principles and technologies used in creating Web Applications, with practical experience of client-side... |
15 | 27B (Hamilton) & 27B (Tauranga) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
DSIGN532
Information Visualisation
This paper aims to provide applied skills in information visualisation techniques, a familiarity with the underlying concepts, and an understanding... |
15 | 27A (Hamilton) |
|
DSIGN551
Design Project Management
This paper covers the management of design projects in the studio. It is intended for those aiming for a future senior position in a design studio... |
15 | 27A (Hamilton) |
|
DSIGN581
Research Methods
This paper aims to introduce students to the assumptions underlying the different methodologies and methods for performing research in design and... |
30 | 27A (Hamilton) |
|
DSIGN589
Directed Study
Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. |
15 | 27A (Hamilton) & 27B (Hamilton) |
|
DSIGN590
Directed Study
Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. |
30 | 27A (Hamilton) & 27B (Hamilton) |
|
DSIGN591
Design Dissertation
Write a dissertation to present the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, based on a research topic negotiated with a supervisor... |
30 | 27X (Hamilton) |
|
DSIGN592
Design Dissertation
Design Dissertation paper for the Master of Design. Present the findings of a study, based on a research topic and methodology negotiated with a... |
60 | 27X (Hamilton) |
|
DSIGN593
Design Thesis
Write a dissertation to present the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, based on a research topic negotiated with a supervisor... |
90 | 27X (Hamilton) |
|
DSIGN594
Design Thesis
Write a dissertation to present the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, based on a research topic negotiated with a supervisor... |
120 | 27X (Hamilton) |
|
MEDIA501
Critical and Creative Approaches to Research
This paper identifies the constraints and freedoms of research methods, and places a strong emphasis on research as an intellectual, theoretical, and... |
30 | 27A (Hamilton) |
|
MEDIA504
Design and Aesthetics
MEDIA504 focuses more tightly on contextual and practical aspects related to art history, criticism and design. You will be exposed to relevant... |
30 | 27B (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
DSIGN800
Design MPhil Thesis
Thesis for the MPhil in Design. |
120 | 27X (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
DSIGN900
Design PhD Thesis
PhD in Design paper. |
120 | 27I (Hamilton) & 27J (Hamilton) & 27K (Hamilton) & 27X (Hamilton) |
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COMPX225 Introduction to Databases and Web Development
This paper provides a broad overview of the principles and technologies used in creating Web Applications, with practical experience of client-side...
Points 15 -
DSIGN532 Information Visualisation
This paper aims to provide applied skills in information visualisation techniques, a familiarity with the underlying concepts, and an understanding...
Points 15This paper covers the management of design projects in the studio. It is intended for those aiming for a future senior position in a design studio...
Points 15This paper aims to introduce students to the assumptions underlying the different methodologies and methods for performing research in design and...
Points 30Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff.
Points 15Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff.
Points 30Write a dissertation to present the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, based on a research topic negotiated with a supervisor...
Points 30Design Dissertation paper for the Master of Design. Present the findings of a study, based on a research topic and methodology negotiated with a...
Points 60Write a dissertation to present the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, based on a research topic negotiated with a supervisor...
Points 90Write a dissertation to present the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation, based on a research topic negotiated with a supervisor...
Points 120This paper identifies the constraints and freedoms of research methods, and places a strong emphasis on research as an intellectual, theoretical, and...
Points 30MEDIA504 focuses more tightly on contextual and practical aspects related to art history, criticism and design. You will be exposed to relevant...
Points 30 -
-
DSIGN900 Design PhD Thesis
PhD in Design paper.
Points 120
2027 Subject regulation information current as at 13 Aug 2026 01:00am