Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) at Ara is intended for students who want to develop creative, technical and professional skills for careers in graphic design, digital communication and the wider creative industries.

Key benefits include:

• Develop skills in visual communication, creative thinking and design problem-solving.

• Learn to communicate ideas effectively through print, digital and physical media.

• Explore typography, image-making, brand identity, publications and user experience.

• Develop an understanding of audiences, design briefs and communication strategies.

• Build practical experience through client briefs, industry or community-based projects and work-integrated learning.

• Create an industry-standard professional portfolio.

• Complete a major self-directed design project.

• Develop culturally informed design practice through Te Tiriti o Waitangi perspectives and te ao M?ori principles.

• Explore a range of creative design areas before developing a professional direction.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The 360-credit degree is structured over three years, with 120 credits in each year. The following course structure is based on Ara's 2026 Bachelor of Design programme handbook for the Visual Communication Design specialisation.

Year 1 – 120 credits

Core course:

- Contextual Studies 1 (BDCO500) – 15 credits.

Compulsory courses:

• Creative Process (BDCO510) – 15 credits.

• Technical Skills – Communication (BDVS501) – 15 credits.

• Ways of Seeing – Image and Text (BDVS511) – 15 credits.

• Design Principles – Visual Language (BDVS512) – 15 credits.

• Graphics Studio (BDVS521) – 15 credits.

• Communication Studio (BDVS522) – 15 credits.

• Typography (BDVS523) – 15 credits.

Year 2 – 120 credits

Core courses:

• Contextual Studies 2 (BDCO600) – 15 credits.

• Professional Studies (BDCO601) – 15 credits.

Compulsory courses:

• Interpretation and Information 1 (BDVS611) – 15 credits.

• Branding and Persuasion 1 (BDVS612) – 15 credits.

• Interpretation and Information 2 (BDVS621) – 15 credits.

• Branding and Persuasion 2 (BDVS622) – 15 credits.

Electives:

- Select 30 credits of elective courses.

Year 3 – 120 credits

Core courses:

• Contextual Studies 3 (BDCO700) – 15 credits.

• Final Project (BDCO720) – 45 credits.

Compulsory courses:

• Professional Practice – Communication (BDVS701) – 15 credits.

• Visual Culture and Society – Communication (BDVS711) – 30 credits.

Electives:

- Select 15 credits of elective courses.

The handbook identifies the above courses and credit values. Students should confirm the current course availability, elective choices and sequence with Ara for the 2027 intake.

Main subject areas and learning topics

• Visual communication principles and creative design processes.

• Composition, colour theory and visual language.

• Audience analysis and communication strategy.

• Typography, layout and information hierarchy.

• Photography, lighting and digital image manipulation.

• Brand identity, storytelling and brand activation.

• User experience, accessibility and interface design.

• Publication design for print and digital screens.

• Persuasive messaging, copywriting and media selection.

• Multimedia design and emerging technologies.

• Aotearoa New Zealand creative and cultural contexts.

• Professional practice, client briefs and portfolio development.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme is the Visual Communication specialisation within Ara's Bachelor of Design.

The wider Bachelor of Design also offers other specialisations, including:

• Applied Visual Art.

• Fashion.

• Game Animation.

• Visual Communication.

The Visual Communication specialisation focuses on:

• Graphic and communication design.

• Branding and visual identity.

• Typography and publication design.

• Digital and multimedia design.

• Web and user-interface design.

• User experience and accessible digital communication.

• Motion graphics and visual storytelling.

• Design strategy and persuasive communication.

Programme Highlights

• Three-year, full-time Level 7 Bachelor's degree.

• 360 credits across three academic years.

• Specialist focus on visual communication and creative design.

• Practical design learning across print, screen and physical environments.

• Development of professional skills in typography, image-making, branding, publications and user experience.

• Industry or community-based learning through work-integrated projects.

• Professional portfolio development.

• A major self-directed final project.

• Opportunity to choose electives to broaden creative skills and perspectives.

• Culturally informed creative practice through Te Tiriti and te ao M?ori principles.

• Access to Ara's creative learning environment at the Madras Street campus.

Career Outcomes

Ara identifies a range of potential career opportunities for graduates of the Visual Communication specialisation.

Potential career roles include:

• Graphic designer.

• Digital designer.

• Web designer.

• User-interface designer.

• User-experience designer.

• Motion graphics designer.

• Content designer.

• Digital media creator.

• Advertising agency or design studio creative.

• Self-employed graphic designer.

• App designer.

• Book or magazine illustrator.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

Current programme updates

• The programme page advertises a February 2027 start.

• The published start date is 15 February 2027.

• The programme is listed at Madras Street, Christchurch.

• Ara's latest available programme listing confirms Level 7 and 360 credits.

• Ara's 2026 programme handbook provides the detailed Visual Communication Design course structure.

• The programme's current overview highlights print, screen and physical communication design, user experience, branding, publications and digital interfaces.

Portfolio and selection

• A portfolio is compulsory for applicants.

• The portfolio should demonstrate art and design ability and include evidence of the applicant's creative process.

• Ara assesses the portfolio on working process, technique, composition, media and aesthetic quality.

• Applicants must also complete the Bachelor of Design Additional Requirements Form.

• Admission is subject to the selection process.

Attendance and academic progress

Ara's 2026 Bachelor of Design handbook states that international learners are expected to maintain:

• 100% attendance.

• Successful completion of at least 75% of their courses.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this full-time, three-year Bachelor's degree will generally need a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Fee Paying Student Visa – Immigration New Zealand

Current published visa information includes:

• Application cost: From NZD $850.

• Maximum visa duration: Up to 4 years.

• Processing time: Immigration New Zealand's current search listing states that 80% of applications are processed within 7 weeks; processing times can change.

• Study rights: Full-time study in the approved programme.

• Work rights: Eligible students may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during scheduled holidays, depending on their visa conditions.

• Application timing: Immigration New Zealand strongly encourages students to apply at least 3 months before their intended travel date.

Main visa requirements

Applicants generally need to provide:

• An Offer of Place from an approved New Zealand education provider.

• Evidence of tuition fee payment, ability to pay or an acceptable scholarship.

• Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses.

• Evidence of acceptable medical and travel insurance.

• A valid passport and acceptable photograph.

• Evidence of genuine study intentions.

• Evidence of good health and character.

• Police certificates or medical/chest X-ray evidence if required.

• Evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to leave New Zealand.

• Certified translations of supporting documents that are not in English, where required.

Financial requirements

For tertiary students studying for one year or longer, Immigration New Zealand requires evidence of:

• NZD $20,000 for each year of study; or

• An acceptable sponsorship or other permitted funding arrangement.

Specific information for Indian applicants

• Indian citizens may be able to use the Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS) to demonstrate access to living funds, subject to Immigration New Zealand's requirements.

• For Indian citizens applying from South Asia, only immediate family members can sponsor the student or provide a financial undertaking.

• Immigration New Zealand defines immediate family for this purpose as a partner, parents, siblings, grandparents and parents-in-law.

• Applicants must provide genuine, verifiable evidence of the source and availability of funds.

Medical and travel insurance

• International students must maintain acceptable medical and travel insurance for the duration of their stay.

• Insurance must meet New Zealand's international student protection requirements and be acceptable to Ara.

• Ara recommends its preferred provider, Allianz, for international student insurance.

• Ara's 2027 guide lists NZD $925 for 12 months of full-time student insurance.

Attendance and work conditions

• Students must attend the programme specified on their student visa.

• Students must make satisfactory academic progress.

• Work is permitted only if the student's visa conditions allow it.

• Eligible students may work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during scheduled holidays, subject to their visa conditions.

• Students must maintain valid insurance and comply with all visa conditions.

Post Study Work Visa

The Bachelor of Design is a Level 7 degree. Graduates who complete the degree in New Zealand may be eligible to apply for a Post Study Work Visa.

Immigration New Zealand's current guidance states:

• A degree-level 7 or higher qualification can qualify for a Post Study Work Visa.

• The student must have studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks.

• Applicants must have recently completed an approved qualification.

• Applicants must apply within the relevant deadline after their student visa expires.

• Applicants must meet health, character and financial requirements.

• A degree-level 7 or higher qualification may allow the graduate to work in any legal job, subject to visa conditions and any required occupational registration.