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Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

Both Design and Engineering are focused on finding the best solutions for current challenges and potential futures. In the BDes/BE(Hons) conjoint, you can bring the two disciplines together to better prepare yourself to respond to our changing world.

Find your niche in one of nine specialisations within Engineering. Tackle real-world and imagined issues in Design, using digital, material and emerging technologies.

The combination of these two fields gives you a solid foundation in appropriate technologies and sustainable solutions for future realities.

Programme Structure

Your exact programme structure will depend on your chosen specialisation for the BE(Hons) side of your conjoint.

In the BE(Hons), you must complete a common first year of required core courses before selecting your specialisation.

In your BDes component, alongside design foundation courses and studio practice, you will build your own study plan of six elective courses from our four design themes:

  • Design and Local Community Practices
  • Design and Global Challenges
  • Design and Business
  • Design and Emerging Technologies

In your final year, you will undertake a capstone design research project, working from the initial discovery phase right through to testing and implementation.

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

Your Engineering specialisation, Design skills and personal interests can impact what you pursue. With technical skills, a creative problem-solving approach and strategic design methods, you’ll easily adapt to the technologically-driven nature of many industries. Many organisations are adding designers to the engineering teams and vice versa to ensure all projects are thoroughly tested, revised and correctly implemented, with full consideration of their socio-cultural impact.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Consultant engineer
  • Developer
  • Experience designer
  • Interaction designer
  • Prototyping manager
  • Research and design engineer
  • Simulation designer
  • Systems engineer

Student career planning services

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

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

Overseas qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained outside New Zealand, view our international entry requirements


New Zealand secondary school qualifications

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

  1. First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard.
  2. You must also meet the rank score for this programme. Not sure about your rank score? Use our rank score calculator.
  3. You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
  4. 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

NCEA - 275

  • 17 external Level 3 credits in Calculus
  • 16 external Level 3 credits in Physics

CIE - 330

  • Mathematics and Physics at A Level

IB - 36

  • Mathematics and Physics at HL Level


New Zealand tertiary qualifications

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

Guaranteed grade requirements

These are the grades required for guaranteed 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.  

Grade required (in the previous year of full-time study)

5.5 Grade Point average Calculate your Grade Point Average

5.5 Grade Point equivalent Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent

Further Programme Entry Requirements

Further requirements

You must have completed one semester of successful bachelor degree study from 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. You will also need a sound background in calculus and physics.


Find a Supervisor

Depending on the type of programme you are pursuing, you may have the opportunity to complete a unique research project. To find out more about the research carried out at the University of Auckland and to identify potential supervisors, check out our researcher profiles.

Other Pathways to Study

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

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

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

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

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

Cost of living

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

Key Dates

Application Advice

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.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Semester One08 December 202502 March 202629 June 2026
2027 Semester One01 March 202728 June 2027

Other Important Dates

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

Schedule

Schedule Notes

  • A student must complete DESIGN 220 or 221 or 222, or SCIGEN 201G, or another course approved by the BE(Hons) Programme Director or nominee as being equivalent to ENGGEN 303.
  • A student may be required to substitute a 15-point General Education or BE(Hons) course with a preparatory course such as ENGGEN 102 as part of a personal programme of study approved by the BE(Hons) Programme Director or nominee.
  • A student may substitute one or more other courses for one or more of the courses listed in the BE(Hons) component with the permission of the BE(Hons) Programme Director or nominee.
  • Where approved courses are listed in the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Schedule, inclusion of these courses in this conjoint component must be approved by the Head of Department or nominee prior to enrolment.
  • A student who is required to meet the Academic English Language Requirement through the completion of an approved academic English language course, as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic English Language Requirement, of the University Calendar, may be required by the BE(Hons) Programme Director or nominee to complete, to a specified standard, a course or courses that are approved by the BE(Hons) Programme Director or nominee as meeting the Academic English Language Requirement for that student. This may require:

1. substituting a 15-point General Education or BE(Hons) course with an approved academic English language course, or

2. including an approved academic English language course in their non-BE(Hons) component degree.

Programme Schedules

Complete 690 points comprising:

  • 255 points for Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component, and
  • 420 points for Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component, and
  • 15 points from General Education Courses, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component

Complete 255 points comprising:

  • 165 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • At least 15 points from DESIGN 220, 221, 222, and
  • 45 to 75 points from Other Elective Courses

DESIGN 220, 221, 222

Complete at least 15 points from the following:

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component

Complete 420 points comprising:

  • 105 points for Part I, and
  • 315 points for one Specialisation from Specialisations

Part I

Complete 105 points comprising:

  • 1 item from English Language Competency Course, and
  • 105 points for all Compulsory Courses

English Language Competency Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

General Education Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

No credit will be given for WTRAED 100, WTRSCI 100, BIOSCI 100G, MEDSCI 100G, or MEDSCI 101G.

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Degree Plan

Overview

  •    Engineering conjoint students should always prioritise Engineering course enrolments.
  •    First year engineering conjoint students are recommended to take between 120 to 135 points, including all BEHON Part I courses, due to the specialisation allocation at the end of Part I.
  •    The 105 points of Part IV Engineering courses may be spread over the fourth and fifth year of the conjont, as long as A/B double-semester courses are completed in a single year
  •    Students are required to complete ENGGEN 299 or specialisation equivalent Workshop Practice in Part II and ENGGEN 499 Practical Work before and during Part IV.
  •    Please do not self-enrol in ENGGEN 199 and ENGGEN 499. The Faculty will enrol students after they have completed the requirements.
  •    You can find more information on how to plan the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) component of your Conjoint Degree in the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Undergraduate Handbook and the Conjoint degrees webpage.
  •    You must complete DESIGN 220 or 221 or 222 or another course approved by the BE(Hons) Programme Director as being equivalent to ENGGEN 303 prior to enrolment in ENGGEN 403.
  •    Please seek degree planning advice for your Bachelor of Design conjoint component early on from the Student Centre of the Faculty of Engineering and Design.


Please note this is a sample degree plan. Course selection will depend on your chosen specialisation.

Degree Plan for the Bachelor of Design / Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint

Year 1
Semester One
General Education Courses
15 Points
Academic Integrity Course
Academic Integrity Course
Points
Engineering Mechanics
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component - Part I - Compulsory Courses
15 Points
Mathematical Modelling 1
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component - Part I - Compulsory Courses
15 Points
Waipapa Taumata Rau: Engineering and Design for the Built Environment in Aotearoa New Zealand
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component - Part I - Compulsory Courses
15 Points
Design Theory and Fundamentals
Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component - Compulsory Courses
15 Points
Semester Two
Materials Science
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component - Part I - Compulsory Courses
15 Points
Electrical and Digital Systems
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component - Part I - Compulsory Courses
15 Points
Introduction to Engineering Computation and Software Development
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component - Part I - Compulsory Courses
15 Points
Principles of Engineering Design
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component - Part I - Compulsory Courses
15 Points
English Language Competency
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component - Part I - English Language Competency Course
Points
Year 2
Semester One
Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part II Compulsory Course

Design Methods and Processes 1
Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component - Compulsory Courses
30 Points
Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part II Compulsory Course

Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part II Compulsory Course

Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part II Compulsory Course

Workshop Practice

0 Points

Scheduled as per your specialisation

Semester Two
Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part II Compulsory Course

Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part II Compulsory Course

Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part II Compulsory Course

Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part II Compulsory Course

Workshop Practice

0 Points

Scheduled as per your specialisation

Year 3
Semester One
Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part III Compulsory Course

Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part III Compulsory Course

Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part III Compulsory Course

Design Methods and Processes 2
Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component - Compulsory Courses
30 Points
Semester Two
Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part III Compulsory Course

Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part III Compulsory Course

Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part III Compulsory Course

DESIGN 220, 221, 222
Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component
15 Points
Year 4
Semester One
Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part IV Compulsory Course

Practical Work (ENGGEN 499)

0 Points

Scheduled as per your specialisation

Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part IV Elective Course

Creative Communities
Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component - Compulsory Courses
15 Points
Other Elective Courses
Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component
15 Points
Other Elective Courses
Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component
15 Points
Semester Two
Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part IV Compulsory Course

Other Elective Courses
Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component
15 Points
Other Elective Courses
Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component
15 Points
Other Elective Courses
Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component
15 Points

Practical Work (ENGGEN 499)

0 Points

Scheduled as per your specialisation

Year 5
Semester One
Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part IV Research Project (Part A)

Practical Work (ENGGEN 499)

0 Points

Scheduled as per your specialisation

Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part IV Elective Course

Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part IV Elective Course

Design Research Methodologies
Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component - Compulsory Courses
15 Points
Design Research Practice
Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component - Compulsory Courses
15 Points
Semester Two
Specialisations
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Conjoint Component
15 Points

Part IV Research Project (Part B)

Advanced Design Methods Capstone
Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component - Compulsory Courses
45 Points

Practical Work (ENGGEN 499)

0 Points

Scheduled as per your specialisation