BDes - Bachelor of Design

Overview
Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates
Regulations
Schedule/Programme Rules
Degree Plan
Graduate Profile

The world is changing, almost faster than we can keep up with. While we can’t accurately imagine future realities, we can develop skills that will help us adapt to them.

The Bachelor of Design uses a combination of case studies and real-world project briefs to enable your experimentation in making and prototyping. You will investigate the potential practical, social, political and environmental impacts of different design outcomes, using both digital and material technologies. Your learning will be supported by research academics and specialists drawn from industries relevant to contemporary design.

In your first year of study, we’ll introduce design methods, processes and rationale. You will also investigate how design both drives and responds to social needs in contemporary and historic contexts.

You can choose to focus on one or two design themes, or you can mix and match courses to suit your experience and developing interests.

We recommend you choose WTRENG 100 - Waipapa Taumata Rau: Engineering and Design in Aotearoa New Zealand as one of your General Education courses.

You can also complete your BDes alongside another discipline as part of a conjoint degree. This means that you can undertake two undergraduate programmes at the same time.

Conjoint options - Conjoint programmes let you pursue two undergraduate bachelors degrees at the same time.

Learn more about conjoints

Undergraduate study in Design will prepare you to be proactive in a world of expanding job futures and divergent ways of working. Companies will take advantage of emerging market potentials at an early stage through their comfort with disruptive technologies and the application of varied creative approaches to solve problems and identify opportunities. People who are flexible, adaptable and able to explore more than one way of doing things will be highly sought after for business growth. Recently, many new roles have emerged for designers. It’s an exciting time to enter this rapidly expanding field. As well as being able to launch your own entrepreneurial exploits, you’ll be suited to existing organisations that integrate contemporary design into their business practices.

Design strategist
Experience designer
Innovation manager
Interface designer
Product designer
Service designer
Interaction designer
Information designer

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

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Year Fees Applicable

Domestic Student Annual Fees

International Student Annual Fees

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Semester	Application Closing Date	Semester Start Date	Semester End Date
2027 Semester One	08 December 2026	01 March 2027	28 June 2027

1 - 1

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 in the University Calendar and the related Programme and Course Limitations and selection criteria.

New Zealand Secondary School Qualifications

You are guaranteed entry to this programme if you meet these requirements.

First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard .
You must also meet the rank score for this programme. Not sure about your rank score? Use our rank score calculator.
You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
Some programmes have additional requirements, such as an interview, portfolio or references.

Guaranteed rank score, subject and other requirements

If your rank score is slightly lower than the guaranteed score, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available. If you don’t meet the requirements, you may be able to apply under our Undergraduate Targeted Admission Schemes.

Qualification and Score required

National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) - 180
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) - 190
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) - 27

New Zealand Tertiary Qualifications

You can transfer from another NZ tertiary institution, or another University of Auckland qualification, if you meet these requirements.

You must have completed one semester of successful bachelors degree study at a New Zealand tertiary institution, or one year of successful study as part of an acceptable sub-degree qualification from a New Zealand tertiary institution.

These are the minimum grades required to be considered for entry to this programme. If your grades are slightly lower, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available.

3.0 - Grade Point Average (GPA) Calculate your Grade Point Average

3.0 - Grade Point Equivalent (GPE) Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent

Transfer of Credit

You can apply for transfer of credit for tertiary courses completed elsewhere as part of your Application for Admission. For more information, see External transfer of credit.
If you have completed study at another New Zealand University, get an estimate of the transfer credit you may be eligible for, using our Transfer Credit Calculator.
See information about prior tertiary study requirements

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

See if you meet the criteria for the Undergraduate Targeted Admission Scheme (UTAS).
Bridge your educational gap with a preparation and foundation programme.
If you are under 20, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for discretionary entrance.
If you can demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and maturity, we offer admission to applicants under 16.

If you are an international applicant whose first language is not English, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.

If you are a domestic applicant, you will generally be considered proficient in English.

6.5 - IELTS Academic score required

No bands less than - 6.0

See alternative English language requirements

International Secondary School Qualification

If your qualification is not in the table below, you will need to have one of the following

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) with a minimum total score of 27
General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level with a minimum total score of BCC
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) with a minimum total score of BCC

Your CIE/GCE A level score is calculated on the best three academic subjects and General Studies cannot be included. You must have completed a minimum of three A-level subjects.

GCE ‘A’ Level requirements apply to ‘A’ Level qualifications examined by bodies such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA and Pearson Education Limited taken outside of New Zealand.

Please note:

We do not offer direct entry from secondary school in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, or United Arab Emirates. Foundation or tertiary qualifications are required. See foundation programmes for international students or prior tertiary qualifications requirement below.

All other countries/qualifications will be assessed on application.

Country	Qualification	Grade	Notes

			<p>You must have completed a minimum of <strong>three A-level subjects</strong>. Your CIE/GCE A level score is calculated on the best three academic subjects and General Studies cannot be included.</p><p>This covers GCE and Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level subjects from: Edexcel, AQA, OCR, CCEA, WJEC, Cambridge International and the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB). Scores are calculated on the best three academic subjects. General Studies cannot be included. Only H2 Level academic subjects are considered for GCE A Level taken in Singapore. </p>


			<p><strong>Ontario Secondary School Diploma</strong> (OSSD) or a High School Diploma equivalent which includes university preparatory courses and English. A minimum overall average of 65 percent is required; grading systems vary from province to province.</p><p><strong>British Columbia Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma</strong> with at least five Bs in acceptable grade 12 courses.</p><p><strong>Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel</strong> (CEGEP – Quebec General and Vocational College) with at least 60 percent across 6 subjects including English, taken in the first year of the CEGEP programme.</p><p>Completion of a Canadian Secondary School Diploma is required. All applicants must achieve an overall average score (listed in the table) based on their academic Year 12 courses. For the Ontario Secondary School Diploma this is the best six Grade 12 University Preparation (4U), College Preparation (4C), or University/College Preparation (4M) courses including grade 12 English-intensive subjects including Biology, Classical Studies, Economics, English Language (must be 4C, 4M or 4U English if Ontario), English Literature, History, History of Art, Geography. For all other provinces’ High School Diploma qualifications (excluding Quebec) admission will be based on the best five academic Grade 12 courses including Grade 12 English or English-intensive subjects, and any other subjects required for the programme. </p>

			<p><strong>Fiji Year 13 Certificate Examination</strong> (Fiji Form 7 Examination) with a minimum aggregate score of 250 over four subjects, including 50 percent in English – Fiji Ministry of Education Official Results.</p><p><strong>South Pacific Form Seven Certificate</strong> (SPFSC) with a minimum of three ‘B’ grades, and grade 5 or better in PSSC English and grade 6 or better in PSSC mathematics.</p><p>Aggregate of best four academic subjects (including English). No subject should be below 50%.</p>
			<p><strong>Hong Kong Diploma in Secondary Education</strong> (HKDSE) with an aggregate score of at least 15. </p><p>Scores are calculated as an aggregate of 5 subjects from Category A and/ or Category C subjects (Category B subjects are excluded). The 5 subjects must include the 4 Core subjects in Category A and the best elective subject from either Category A or C. The subject level of 1 is equal to 1 point up to 5 points for the level of 5, and 6 for 5* and 5**. If extended Mathematics is taken with Core Mathematics, the scores may be combined and averaged as one score.</p>
			<p>12 years of schooling and an overall average of 75 percent in the <strong>All-India Senior School Certificate</strong> (AISSC),<strong> Indian School Certificate</strong> (ISC), <strong>Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal State Board Examinations</strong> with a minimum of 70 percent in English.</p><p>From Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board, Bengaluru and West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education: All applicants must achieve an overall average of 75% with a minimum of 70% in English. The scores are calculated on the best four academic subjects excluding local languages and non-academic subjects.</p>
			<p>12 years of schooling and an overall average of 80 percent in <strong>all other Higher Secondary State Board Examinations </strong>with a minimum of 75 percent in English.</p><p>All applicants must achieve an overall average of 80% with a minimum of 75% in English. The scores are calculated on the best four academic subjects excluding local languages and non-academic subjects. Applicable to all other examinations boards.</p>







			<p>The score is an aggregate of Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, Mathematic scores in the redesigned SAT Reasoning Test (available from March 2016) or the Critical Reading and Mathematics sores in SAT Reasoning Tests taken prior to March 2016. To be considered for entry, applicants must submit a SAT result and a High School Diploma with transcripts from a United States regionally accredited high school with above average grades.</p><p><strong>American College Testing (ACT)</strong>: is also acceptable and is assessed on a case-by-case basis. To be considered for entry, applicants must submit the results of their ACT test results and a High School Diploma with transcripts from a United States regionally accredited high school with above average grades. </p>
			<p><strong>General Education Development (GED) Certificate</strong> from an acceptable GED body, plus a minimum Advanced Placement exam (AP) aggregate score of 8 across all AP exams (minimum of 2 exams and a maximum of 4), or an <strong>ACT </strong>composite score of 24, or a minimum <strong>SAT</strong> Reasoning Test result of 1160 (aggregate of Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Mathematic scores in SAT Reasoning Tests taken from March 2016 or the Critical Reading and Mathematics scores in SAT Reasoning Tests taken prior to March 2016).</p><p>Scores are calculated as an aggregate across all AP exams (minimum of 2 exams and a maximum of 4). Minimum grade of 3 is required in each exam. Results must be US College Board examined and certified. To be considered for entry, applicants must submit AP exam results and a High School Diploma with transcripts from a United States regionally accredited high school with above average grades.</p>
			<p><strong>High School Diploma</strong> from a USA-based high school, plus a minimum Advanced Placement exam (AP) aggregate score of 8 across all AP exams (minimum of 2 exams and a maximum of 4), or an ACT composite score of 24, or a minimum <strong>SAT </strong>Reasoning Test result of 1160 (aggregate of Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Mathematic scores in SAT Reasoning Tests taken from March 2016 or the Critical Reading and Mathematics scores in SAT Reasoning Tests taken prior to March 2016). Please note that a US High School Diploma completed through home schooling, distance correspondence, online, or at a school located outside of the US, will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.</p><p><br></p>
			<p>Complete the <strong>National High School Graduation Examination</strong> (Kỳ Thi Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông Quốc Gia) with an overall pass and achieve a minimum GPA of 8.0/10.0 in each of the best four subjects (both mandatory and elective) (excluding National Defence and Security Education) in Grade 12, as indicated on the <strong>High School report</strong> (Học Bạ Trung Học Phổ Thông).</p>

International Tertiary Institution Qualification

You can transfer from another tertiary institution if you meet these minimum requirements.

You will need to have one year successful bachelor-degree level study at a recognised university (or similar institution) overseas.

See information about prior tertiary study requirements

3.0 - Grade Point Equivalent Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

3.0 - Grade Point Average Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Transfer of Credit

You can apply for transfer of credit for tertiary courses completed elsewhere as part of your Application for Admission. For more information see External transfer of credit.

You could be eligible for another programme or check out these alternative pathways:

Bridge your educational gap with a preparation and foundation programme.
If you have an offer of place from us that is conditional on meeting English language requirements, you may be considered for English Pathway courses from the University of Auckland English Language Academy (ELA)

Please note that while regulations and course outlines for future academic years may be displayed or made available in advance, they remain subject to change. Official, final approved programme regulations for the upcoming academic year will be available when the University Calendar is published in late October of the preceding year. Any information available prior to Calendar publication should be treated as provisional.

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Note: This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Engineering and Design.

1 A student enrolled for this degree must follow a programme of the equivalent of six full-time semesters and pass courses with a total value of 360 points, unless credit is granted under the Admission Regulations and/or the Credit Regulations.

2 A student must pass courses with a total value of 360 points as listed in the Bachelor of Design Schedule.

3 A student who is required to meet the Academic English Language Requirement, as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic English Language Requirement, of the University Calendar, may substitute an academic English language course approved by the Senate or its representative for 15 points of General Education.

4 a A student is exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules who has:

either

(i) completed an undergraduate degree at a tertiary institution

(ii) been admitted to this degree having completed 240 points or more of degree-level study at another tertiary institution.

b A student who has been exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules must substitute 30 points from courses approved by the Academic Head.

c A student admitted to this degree, who has completed between 120 and 235 points inclusive of degree-level study at another tertiary institution, or who has completed a minimum of 50 points of study towards this degree in one semester at an overseas institution, either through an overseas exchange programme or through prior approval under the Credit Regulations, must pass:

(i) 15 points from courses offered in the General Education Schedules

and

(ii) a further 15 points from courses approved by the Academic Head.

d A student who has been fully or partially exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules is nonetheless required to complete the Academic Integrity course.

5 Special arrangements apply where this degree is taken as a component degree of an approved conjoint combination. The specific requirements and a complete list of the conjoint degrees available are set out in the Conjoint Degrees section of the University Calendar.

6 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.