Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Postgraduate Diploma in Design is designed for students who already have an undergraduate design background and want to advance their creative practice, design technology, design theory, research and analytical skills.
• The programme combines studio-based inquiry with research development and a substantial independent design project.
• Students can develop research-led work in areas such as industrial design, fashion design, photography, visual communication design, textile design, spatial design, integrated design and concept design through the available course options.
• The programme can be particularly useful for students who want to progress to the Master of Design but do not already hold an honours degree. Massey states that the PGDipDes is equivalent to the honours year of the Bachelor of Design with Honours and can provide a pathway into further postgraduate design study.
• Students gain exposure to postgraduate research methods, contemporary design theory, creative leadership, exhibition, creative writing/exposition and independent research practice.
• Massey’s College of Creative Arts – Toi Rauwh?rangi is currently listed by Massey as being in the global top 200 for Art & Design in the QS World University Rankings. Massey also states that it ranked 2nd in Asia Pacific in the 2025 Red Dot Design Ranking.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The PGDipDes is structured around studio-based inquiry, research development and an independent research-led design project. The current programme includes the following components.

Schedule A – Core courses: choose at least 15 credits

• 197465 Creative Leadership – 15 credits
  • Creative industries
  • Creative leadership
  • Research and innovation theories
  • Business and social-enterprise practices
  • Strategic offerings for defined audiences
• 213465 Exhibition – 15 credits
  • Exhibition development
  • Collaborative exhibition projects
  • Public presentation of creative work
  • Critical reflection on exhibition practices
• 237465 Creative Exposition – 15 credits
  • Creative-practice writing
  • Critical and analytical skills
  • Reflective practice
  • Communicating creative research externally
• 293732 Creative Practice Research Methods – 15 credits
  • Research approaches
  • Research methods and theory
  • Creative-practice research
• 298730 Maori Research Methodologies for Creative Practice – 15 credits
  • Maori research methodologies
  • Tikanga and ethics
  • Matauranga toi Maori
  • Indigenous knowledge and creative practice

Schedule B – Core Studio Selection: 75 credits

Current options include:

• 197830 Design Research Project: Honours – 60 credits
• 198454 Industrial Design Research Project – 45 credits
• 212454 Fashion Design Research Project – 45 credits
• 221454 Photography Research Project – 45 credits
• 222454 Visual Communication Design Research Project – 45 credits
• 223454 Textile Design Research Project – 45 credits
• 224454 Spatial Design Research Project – 45 credits
• 293454 Integrated Design Research Project – 45 credits
• 296454 Concept Design Research Project – 45 credits

These projects emphasise independent research, application of research methods and the development or production of an approved design project.

Schedule C – Project Development: up to 30 credits

Current options include:

• 197753 Design Research Development – 30 credits
• 198453 Industrial Design Research and Development – 30 credits
• 212453 Fashion Design Research and Development – 30 credits
• 221453 Photography Research and Development – 30 credits
• 222453 Visual Communication Design Research and Development – 30 credits
• 223453 Textile Design Research and Development – 30 credits
• 224453 Spatial Design Research and Development – 30 credits
• 293453 Integrated Design Research and Development – 30 credits
• 296453 Concept Design Research and Development – 30 credits

Schedule D – Electives

Students may select appropriate 400-level or 700-level courses from the College of Creative Arts, subject to the programme regulations and course availability.

Some courses have specific prerequisites or restrictions, so the exact course combination should be checked before enrolment.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The current PGDipDes regulations state that the qualification is awarded without an endorsement and the programme does not offer formal specialisations.

However, students can develop their independent research and studio work around several design disciplines represented in the current course schedules:

• Industrial Design
• Fashion Design
• Photography
• Visual Communication Design
• Textile Design
• Spatial Design
• Integrated Design
• Concept Design

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 8 postgraduate qualification.
• 120-credit programme completed in one year full-time.
• Wellington-based study through Massey’s College of Creative Arts.
• Selected-entry admission with portfolio assessment.
• Studio-based and research-led learning.
• Independent design research project.
• Exposure to contemporary design theory and postgraduate research processes.
• Opportunities to explore creative leadership, exhibition and creative exposition.
• Potential progression to the Master of Design.
• Massey states that the PGDipDes is equivalent to the honours year of the Bachelor of Design with Honours for progression purposes.
• Massey currently lists its College of Creative Arts – Toi Rauwh?rangi in the global top 200 for Art & Design in the QS World University Rankings.
• Massey also reports a 2nd-place Asia Pacific position in the 2025 Red Dot Design Ranking.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The qualification is currently a selected-entry programme.
• Portfolio submission is compulsory for consideration.
• An interview may be required as part of selection.
• The current regulations require at least a B grade average in a Bachelor of Design or equivalent qualification.
• The current programme has no formal endorsement/specialisation.
• Individual courses may have prerequisites, grade requirements and restrictions.
• The programme requires onsite study at Wellington for international students; the current programme page does not identify an online PGDipDes option.
• The programme-specific application closing date is 29 November for study commencing the following year.
• The supplied IPU programme link is currently a Master of Global Business page, not a PGDipDes page, so IPU-specific fee, intake or scholarship information for this programme is Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying the PGDipDes in Wellington, the relevant New Zealand visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to the student's individual circumstances.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements and conditions include:

• Visa cost: from NZD 850
• Maximum stay: up to 4 years
• Processing: 80% within 8 weeks
• Application: online
• Students are advised to apply at least 3 months before intended travel to New Zealand.
• Students must have an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Students must demonstrate sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or provide evidence of an applicable scholarship.
• Students must demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses or have an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable insurance is required.
• Applicants must meet applicable health and character requirements.
• Applicants must demonstrate genuine intentions to study.
• Applicants may need to demonstrate that they intend to leave New Zealand when their lawful stay ends.

Living-cost requirement:

• For tertiary study of one year or more, Immigration New Zealand currently requires evidence of NZD 20,000 for each year of study for students paying their own living costs.

Work rights:

• Depending on the conditions attached to the visa, eligible students may work up to 25 hours per week while studying.
• Eligible students may also work full-time during scheduled holidays.
• Immigration New Zealand specifically notes that students on a 120-credit course may be eligible for full-time holiday work rights where the relevant conditions are met.

Study obligations:

• Students must attend their approved course unless there is a good reason for absence.
• Students must make satisfactory academic progress.
• Visa conditions should be checked on the individual visa approval because work and travel conditions can vary.