Master of Design
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).
Why study the Master of Design?
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.
Career opportunities
- Advertising Designer
- Interaction Designer
- Multimedia Specialist
- Design Educator
- Creative Entrepreneur
- UI/UX Researcher
Degree information
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Plan your study -
Entry requirements To enrol in the MDes you should have completed a Bachelor of Design (BDes) (or equivalent) and have achieved a B average over the course of your study.
If you are applying with an undergraduate or graduate qualification from another university you must also complete a portfolio containing ten pieces of art or design work. Please include the ID Number that you will receive during this online application process when naming your portfolio. Submit your Portfolio after you have completed an online application to enrol.
It is helpful if you can discuss the choice of your actual programme of study – that is, the courses you are going to take and the area in which you plan to write a thesis or dissertation with the graduate advisor in Design. We will go over your entire proposed graduate programme with you, not just the courses you plan to take in the first year. If you cannot come to the University in person, we can discuss your proposed programme by email or on the phone.
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Fees and scholarships Estimated fees
$8,569 - $10,266 per year
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Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 08 December 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
$46,010 (120 pts) $69,020 (180 pts)
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International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 08 December 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
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Graduate outcomes Graduates of the Master of Design will be able to:
- Integrate specialist design knowledge with insights from other disciplines to contribute unique perspectives to design innovation.
- Apply advanced creative, critical, and systems thinking to investigate, frame, and respond to complex design challenges.
- Use, integrate and develop new human‑centred and strategic design approaches to generate innovative, responsible, and future‑focused solutions.
- Plan, conduct, and evaluate research using and integrating diverse methods, contributing to new insights in design practice or scholarship.
- Communicate needs and research findings, design concepts and strategies, and recommendations with authority across diverse audiences and professional contexts.
- Prototype, test, and refine design concepts using iterative, evidence‑based, and exploratory methods suited to high‑stakes or uncertain contexts.
- Plan, manage, and evaluate strategic design projects from conception to completion, demonstrating autonomy, adaptability, and the ability to navigate organisational, cultural, and ethical considerations.
- Integrate ethical, cultural, social, and environmental frameworks into design decision‑making, demonstrating responsibility, inclusivity, and critical awareness.
- Demonstrate effective presentation skills to articulate design decisions and present solutions to a range of stakeholders and audiences.
- Demonstrate advanced, coherent, and critically informed knowledge of design theory, practice, and research, including contemporary debates, emerging technologies, and the evolving role of design in society
- Pursue lifelong learning, further research, or advanced professional development, demonstrating the capacity to adapt to evolving design practices and societal needs.
To enrol in the MDes you should have completed a Bachelor of Design (BDes) (or equivalent) and have achieved a B average over the course of your study.
If you are applying with an undergraduate or graduate qualification from another university you must also complete a portfolio containing ten pieces of art or design work. Please include the ID Number that you will receive during this online application process when naming your portfolio. Submit your Portfolio after you have completed an online application to enrol.
It is helpful if you can discuss the choice of your actual programme of study – that is, the courses you are going to take and the area in which you plan to write a thesis or dissertation with the graduate advisor in Design. We will go over your entire proposed graduate programme with you, not just the courses you plan to take in the first year. If you cannot come to the University in person, we can discuss your proposed programme by email or on the phone.
Estimated fees
$8,569 - $10,266 per year
-
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 08 December 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
$46,010 (120 pts) $69,020 (180 pts)
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 08 December 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
Graduates of the Master of Design will be able to:
- Integrate specialist design knowledge with insights from other disciplines to contribute unique perspectives to design innovation.
- Apply advanced creative, critical, and systems thinking to investigate, frame, and respond to complex design challenges.
- Use, integrate and develop new human‑centred and strategic design approaches to generate innovative, responsible, and future‑focused solutions.
- Plan, conduct, and evaluate research using and integrating diverse methods, contributing to new insights in design practice or scholarship.
- Communicate needs and research findings, design concepts and strategies, and recommendations with authority across diverse audiences and professional contexts.
- Prototype, test, and refine design concepts using iterative, evidence‑based, and exploratory methods suited to high‑stakes or uncertain contexts.
- Plan, manage, and evaluate strategic design projects from conception to completion, demonstrating autonomy, adaptability, and the ability to navigate organisational, cultural, and ethical considerations.
- Integrate ethical, cultural, social, and environmental frameworks into design decision‑making, demonstrating responsibility, inclusivity, and critical awareness.
- Demonstrate effective presentation skills to articulate design decisions and present solutions to a range of stakeholders and audiences.
- Demonstrate advanced, coherent, and critically informed knowledge of design theory, practice, and research, including contemporary debates, emerging technologies, and the evolving role of design in society
- Pursue lifelong learning, further research, or advanced professional development, demonstrating the capacity to adapt to evolving design practices and societal needs.
Practical experience
The Master of Design provides an opportunity for you to plan, develop and carry out a large scale design research project. This will enable you to collaborate with other students and academics, and to work with members of the professional design industry.
Design facilities at Waikato
Graduate Design students have a dedicated design lab space and access to all undergraduate facilities which include several labs fully equipped with Mac computers.
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