Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Postgraduate Certificate in Product Design (PGCertProdDesign) provides both practical and theoretical study in designing product concepts for home, business and commercial-industry applications.
• Students can develop advanced knowledge of product-design processes, design research, manufacturing, ethics and interdisciplinary practice.
• UC provides dedicated Product Design facilities, including 3D-printing laboratories, laboratories and an AR/VR gaming lounge, giving students opportunities to develop and build products during their studies.
• The qualification is suitable for students who already have a design background and want to deepen their product-design expertise.
• It provides a shorter postgraduate study option than the full Master of Product Design.
• Eligible students can potentially transfer completed PGCertProdDesign courses into the Master of Product Design, provided the certificate has not already been awarded.
• UC's School of Product Design describes its postgraduate study as preparation for the changing consumer market through advanced design, manufacturing and business-analysis skills.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The PGCertProdDesign consists of 60 points.

The published structure includes two compulsory courses:

• PROD601 Design Critique and Research Methods – 15 points
• PROD614 Design Ethics – 15 points

Approved elective options published by UC include:

• PROD602 Systems Thinking for Product Design
• PROD611 Design and Manufacture
• PROD612 Bio-Inspired Design
• PROD613 Development of Interdisciplinary Practice and Self
• PROD621 Games for Health & Wellbeing
• PROD622 Immersive Collaborative Play and Design
• PROD623 Gamification for Enterprises
• PROD631 Fragrance Design
• PROD632 Special Topics in Cosmetic Product Formulation
• Any approved 400-level course.

For 2026, UC's Course Information system lists:

Semester 1:

• PROD601 Design Critique and Research Methods – 15 points
• PROD611 Design and Manufacture – 15 points
• PROD668 Individual Course of Study – 15 points

Semester 2:

• PROD613 Development of Interdisciplinary Practice and Self – 15 points
• PROD614 Design Ethics – 15 points
• PROD622 Immersive Collaborative Play and Design – 15 points
• PROD668 Individual Course of Study – 15 points. 

Disciplines / Specialisations

The PGCertProdDesign does not have formally named majors or specialisations.

Instead, students create an area of focus through elective selection.

Possible areas include:

• Product design research
• Design critique
• Design ethics
• Systems thinking
• Product manufacture
• Bio-inspired design
• Interdisciplinary design
• Games and health/wellbeing
• Immersive collaborative design
• Gamification
• Fragrance design
• Cosmetic product formulation.

Programme Highlights

• 60-point postgraduate qualification.
• Six months full-time.
• Up to two years part-time.
• February and July starts.
• Practical and theoretical Product Design study.
• Specialist Product Design facilities at UC.
• Access to 3D-printing facilities and laboratories.
• AR/VR-related facilities.
• Combination of compulsory and elective study.
• Opportunity to tailor study through elective choices.
• Suitable for applicants with an appropriate design-related degree.
• B GPA requirement in 300-level courses.
• Potential credit transfer into the Master of Product Design if the certificate has not already been awarded.

Career Outcomes

UC states that Product Design graduates can find employment in areas requiring advanced experience in:

• Customer-focused design
• Product design
• Product testing
• Advertising.

UC also identifies possible employment environments including:

• Marketing consultancies
• Education and training services
• Government
• Regulation
• Quality assurance and testing
• Commercial enterprises. 

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current qualification regulations came into force on 1 January 2025. The qualification was first offered in 2021.

The current 2026 programme remains available and UC's programme page has also been updated with a Postgraduate Prospectus 2027.

A particularly important current point is course availability.

For 2026:

• PROD601 is offered in Semester 1.
• PROD611 is offered in Semester 1.
• PROD613 is offered in Semester 2.
• PROD614 is offered in Semester 2.
• PROD622 is offered in Semester 2.
• PROD668 is available in both semesters.
• PROD612 is not offered.
• PROD667 is not offered.

International Student Visa Requirements

An international student studying the PGCertProdDesign in New Zealand needs a valid student visa.

UC states that students will normally need to provide:

• An Offer of Place from UC for full-time study.
• Evidence of tuition fees paid in full for one year or one programme, whichever is shorter.
• Valid passport identification.
• Evidence of living funds.
• A return/onward ticket or evidence of sufficient funds to purchase one.
• Accommodation guarantee where applicable for students under 18.
• Visa application fee.
• Medical or chest X-ray documentation if requested.