Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Postgraduate Certificate in Product Innovation (PGCertProdInnovation) is designed for graduates from any academic background who want advanced practical and theoretical skills for creating and commercialising new products, services and experiences.
• UC specifically identifies potential application areas including entertainment, homeware, cosmetics, IT, food and healthcare.
• The programme combines product innovation with business and entrepreneurial skills, making it relevant to students who want to develop their own product or business venture.
• Students can access the expertise and facilities of Te Kura Hanga Otinga | School of Product Design and Te Pokap? Rakahinonga | UC Centre for Entrepreneurship. UC describes facilities including laboratories, engineering workshops, design studios, makerspaces, 3D printing, electronics facilities and AR/VR resources.
• The qualification can provide a pathway into the Master of Product Innovation or Master of Product Design, subject to the relevant progression requirements.
• UC states that completed PGCertProdInnovation courses can be transferred to the Master of Product Innovation provided the student has not already graduated with the certificate.
• UC describes Christchurch as having innovative industries, particularly in areas such as IT and gaming, which provides a relevant environment for product innovation and entrepreneurship.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The current UC programme webpage describes the certificate as 60 points, consisting of 30 points of compulsory study and 30 points of elective study.

There is, however, an important discrepancy between the current webpage and the formal regulations.

The webpage currently lists:

• PROD601 Design Critique and Research Methods
• PROD614 Design Ethics
• PROD602 Systems Thinking for Product Design

The formal UC regulations state that the 30 compulsory points come from Schedule C of the Master of Product Innovation. Schedule C consists of:

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

Current/recent subjects include:

• PROD601 Design Critique and Research Methods
  • Research methodology
  • Research proposals
  • Defining design problems
  • Design methodologies
  • Kaupapa M?ori perspectives
  • Critical evaluation of products and services
  • Aesthetic and environmental evaluation.
• PROD614 Design Ethics
  • Ethics, morality and responsibility in product design
  • M?ori and Indigenous perspectives
  • Informed consent
  • Ethical design research
  • Sustainability
  • Kaitiakitanga
  • Contemporary ethical debates in product design.

Potential product-design electives 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
• Other approved courses.

Business-focused options include:

• MKTG631 Marketing
• MBUS673 Innovation
• Other approved 600-level UC Business School courses.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The PGCertProdInnovation does not have formal majors, minors or endorsements.

Instead, students can shape their study around product innovation areas such as:

• Product/service innovation
• Product design
• Design research
• Design ethics
• Systems thinking
• Design and manufacturing
• Bio-inspired design
• Games and health/wellbeing
• Immersive collaborative play
• Enterprise gamification
• Fragrance and cosmetic product development
• Marketing
• Innovation and entrepreneurship.

Programme Highlights

• 60-point postgraduate certificate.
• Level 8 postgraduate study.
• Six months normal full-time duration.
• February and July intakes.
• Open to graduates from any study background.
• B Grade Point Average requirement in final-year study according to the current programme page.
• Combination of product innovation, design and business/entrepreneurship.
• Practical access to UC's Product Design facilities.
• Exposure to entrepreneurship and industry connections.
• Suitable for students interested in developing their own product or business.
• Potential progression to the Master of Product Innovation or Master of Product Design, subject to the relevant GPA and admission requirements.

Career Outcomes

UC states that companies increasingly seek graduates who combine technical and entrepreneurial skills. The PGCertProdInnovation can support roles across the commercial product lifecycle, including:

• Market research
• Concept design
• Manufacturing
• Advertising
• Product development
• Innovation
• Commercialisation
• Entrepreneurship
• Product/service development.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The PGCertProdInnovation remains an active UC qualification.
• The current programme page is already promoting the Postgraduate Prospectus 2027.
• UC's formal regulations currently identify the certificate as 60 points and state that its regulations came into force on 1 January 2025.
• The qualification was first offered in 2021.
• There are no formal majors, minors or endorsements.
• Individual courses may require approval from the Head of the School of Product Design.
• Course availability can change between academic years.
• The 2027 course information confirms PROD601 in Semester 1 and PROD614 in Semester 2.
• PROD614 has a minimum-enrolment condition: UC states that it will not be offered if fewer than four people apply.
• The formal regulations permit progression to either the Master of Product Innovation or Master of Product Design if the student meets the stated requirements, including a GPA of 5.0 or better.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student coming to New Zealand for this qualification, the relevant visa will normally be the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires applicants to:

• Have an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Have sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an acceptable scholarship.
• Have sufficient funds for living costs or an acceptable sponsor.
• Declare acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Demonstrate genuine intentions to study.
• Have evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to leave New Zealand.