Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Product Design combines creative design with science, engineering and business studies.
• Students learn to identify problems and develop products for homes, businesses and industry.
• The degree covers both physical and digital product possibilities, ranging from products such as lightweight kayaks and appliances to phone apps, virtual training environments and formulated products.
• Students develop ideas through practical design projects from the first year rather than studying only theory.
• The programme develops both creative and commercially oriented skills, including the ability to develop, prototype and eventually commercialise products.
• Students work individually and in teams on open-ended design projects under the supervision of academics with product-design experience.
• UC provides dedicated Product Design facilities including design studios, laboratories, workshops, makerspaces, 3D-printing facilities, electronics facilities, formulation laboratories and high-end computer labs.
• UC also allows students to combine Product Design with another qualification through double-degree or conjoint-degree options, including Commerce, Science and Engineering.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The degree consists of compulsory interdisciplinary study plus a chosen Product Design major.

Year 1 compulsory courses include:

• PROD101 Product Design 1
• MGMT100 Fundamentals of Management
• PROD110 Design Principles or ENGR101 Foundations of Engineering
• One 100-level MATH or EMTH course
• Required 100-level courses from the chosen major.

Year 2 compulsory component includes:

• MKTG100 Principles of Marketing
• Required 200-level courses from the selected major.

Year 3 includes:

• Two courses at 200- or 300-level selected from Accounting, Business, Computer Science, Economics, Finance, Management or Marketing.
• Required 300-level courses from the selected Product Design major.

Examples of current Product Design learning include:

• Design principles and design methodology
• Product research
• Ideation and concept development
• Prototyping and modelling
• User and market analysis
• Product development
• Digital product design
• Industrial design
• Formulation development
• Manufacturing
• Technology analysis
• Marketing and commercialisation
• Team-based design consultancy
• Design presentation and portfolio development

Disciplines / Specialisations

Students can choose from three Product Design majors:

1. Chemical Formulation Design
2. Digital Product Design
3. Industrial Product Design

Programme Highlights

• 360-point Level 7 bachelor's degree.
• Three-year full-time structure.
• Two annual intakes: February and July.
• Three distinct majors.
• Combination of creative design, science, engineering and business.
• Practical project work from first year.
• Individual and team-based design projects.
• Dedicated workshops, laboratories, makerspaces and computer facilities.
• Access to 3D-printing and prototyping equipment.
• Chemical formulation facilities for relevant students.
• Digital Product Design facilities and technology.
• Opportunities to combine Product Design with Commerce, Science or Engineering through double/conjoint study.
• Possibility of progressing into postgraduate Product Design, including the Postgraduate Certificate, Master of Product Design and PhD.

Career Outcomes

UC states that graduates can work in:

• Design agencies
• Manufacturing companies
• Engineering consultancies
• Educational and training companies
• Research and development
• Product development
• Commercialisation and innovation
• Digital product development
• Industrial product development
• Chemical/formulation product development

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current UC programme page lists the Bachelor of Product Design as a 360-point, three-year degree with February and July starts.
• The current international tuition estimate for 2027 is NZD 47,125 per 120 points.
• UC's current undergraduate English requirements were updated in 2026 and now include the new TOEFL scoring scale for tests taken from 21 January 2026.
• No portfolio is stated as a general admission requirement on the current Bachelor of Product Design page.
• No previous Product Design qualification is stated as an admission requirement.
• The recommended science/mathematics and Chemistry preparation should be distinguished from compulsory admission requirements.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally require a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa to study this programme.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that applicants generally need to provide evidence including:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Payment of tuition fees or evidence of the ability to pay.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for living costs.
• Evidence of acceptable health and character where required.
• Evidence of genuine intention to study.
• Appropriate insurance.
• Evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to purchase onward travel.

Current financial requirement for tertiary study:

• NZD 20,000 for each year of study if studying for one year or more.
• NZD 1,667 per month if the course is shorter than one year.