Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Spatial Design for your Bachelor of Design with Honours at Massey
More than just the design of buildings, spatial design is all about how people experience spaces. It intersects with the more traditional design fields of architecture, landscape design, interior design, urban design and environmental design.
People inhabit the world in many ways, but we all have spaces where we live, work, play, relax, perform, gather, learn, heal, and celebrate. The design of spaces affects how you feel, how you act, and how you interact with others: Does the layout of your local hospital make you feel reassured or stressed? Do you find you want to linger in some cafes but not in others? Does an office space make it easy and natural for people to get together? Do the views on a walk surprise and delight you because someone has thought carefully about the experience?
Spatial design can improve the standard and quality of our lives, enrich our culture and national identity, and contribute to business success. In spatial design studio courses, you'll learn to design for a host of spaces: private, public, retail, event, work, game, furnishing, experience, display, interface and performance. You learn to use the latest technologies and approaches to design spaces at the required scale, from the big picture (eg urban planning) to the fine detail of construction and materials.
Get the full picture
Further study
Further your design research and practice with a Master of Design at Massey, or go on to create new knowledge with a PhD.
Planning information
If you study full-time, in your first year, you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.
If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.
About this major
The Spatial Design major in the Bachelor of Design with Honours consists of 210 credits.
Minors
Completing a minor is optional and may be a way for you to show the breadth of your degree.
A minor must be in a different subject from your major and be made up of at least 60 credits.
If you’re interested in doing a minor you should contact us using the Get advice button on this page. Our student advice team will be able to talk you through your options and help you plan your degree.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Courses you can enrol in
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Core courses for the Bachelor of Design with Honours
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Bachelor of Design with Honours core courses
Spatial Design courses
Part One
Course code: 224157 Spatial Design 1.1: An Introduction 15 credits
In this studio course students will be introduced to skills and processes to design physical, temporal, and digital spatial environments. They will explore core spatial design principles of site, time, light, and movement to create a digital spatial design. Students will develop creative and analytical thinking as well as idea generation and visualisation skills for spatial design practice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 224158 Spatial Design 1.2: Immersive Experiences 15 credits
In this studio course students will be introduced to performance and inhabitation. They will investigate the relationship between individual and collective rituals and the way they shape the interaction between people, places and objects. In a live-lab environment students will engage with moving image technologies, lighting, sound and material making towards the realisation of an immersive spatial experience.
View full course detailsPart Two
Course code: 224263 Spatial Design 2.1: Place and Community 15 credits
In this studio course students will explore and design spaces for communities. Through an adaptive reuse project students learn about strategies for community engagement and urban experiences to begin to understand the importance of co-design and the shared nature of public places and facilities. Students are introduced to drawing and mapping techniques for spatial design practice including site analysis, architectural drawing conventions and 3D visualisations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 224264 Spatial Design 2.2: Producing Atmospheres 15 credits
In this studio course students will explore sensory perception in physical and digital space. They will develop an understanding of the production of atmospheres and experiences through investigations of bodies, space and light. In a live-lab environment, students will work between physical and digital modalities and apply immersive technologies to generate spatial installations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 224265 Spatial Design 2.3: Adaptive Interiors 15 credits
In this studio course students will investigate a range of adaptive reuse and spatial planning strategies through digital and physical modelling. They will develop an understanding of the dynamic relationship between communities, built environments and their spatial requirements to design an interior architectural mixed-use space. Students will gain knowledge of building materials, codes and structures alongside skills in creating architectural drawings.
View full course detailsCourse code: 224266 Spatial Design 2.4: Material Matters 15 credits
In this studio course students will investigate materials, how they matter and their application in the built environment. They will explore materials and light to develop processes and concepts for the creation of spatial experiences. Students will gain knowledge about material specification and detailing, surface finishes, architectural lighting codes, acoustics and the conventions employed to express and communicate these.
View full course detailsPart Three
Course code: 224358 Spatial Design 3.3: Advanced Spatial Practices 30 credits
In this studio course students will further develop their understanding of spatial ecologies. Students will consolidate and apply their individual spatial practice towards the design of a comprehensive spatial design proposition. In addition to advancing theoretical and practical approaches, techniques and skills in the production of their creative work, students will attain transferable skills relevant to professional environments.
View full course detailsCourse code: 224367 Spatial Design 3.1: Regenerative Practices 15 credits
In this advanced studio course students will critically engage with spatial ecologies and regenerative practices. Through inquiry-based learning students will explore the interconnected and relational condition of communities, the built environment and landscapes. Students will consolidate and expand spatial design concepts, techniques, skills and processes in the production of their creative work.
View full course detailsCourse code: 224368 Spatial Design 3.2: Spatial Agency 15 credits
In this advanced studio course students will critically engage with spatial ecologies and the formation of agency. Through inquiry-based learning students will explore the dynamic and relational condition of cultural, social and historical concerns in spatial design practice. Students will consolidate and expand spatial design concepts, techniques, skills and processes in the production of their creative work.
View full course detailsPart Four
Course code: 224453 Spatial Design Research and Development 30 credits
Research methods, processes and practices for Spatial Design and their application through a research project.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
This is a selected entry qualification. This means there are a number of extra requirements you must meet.
To enter the Bachelor of Design with Honours you will:
- submit a portfolio (if you do well in NCEA Level 2 art, design or technology (or equivalent) you may not need to submit a portfolio. See details below.)
Application closing date
- For Semester One start: Applications close on 30 November, for study commencing the following year.
- For Semester Two start: Applications close on 30 June.
Late applications will be considered subject to available spaces.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Portfolio requirements
There are three main ways to gain entry to the Bachelor of Design with Honours.
Automatic entry
If you achieved NCEA Level 2 or 3 with Merit or Excellence overall, and a Merit or Excellence endorsement in an approved art, design or technology subject, you have automatic entry and will not have to submit a portfolio.
This also applies for Cambridge International students achieving an AS grade A or B in an approved art, design or technology subject.
Portfolio pre-approval entry
You can show work in progress to a Massey College of Creative Arts staff member during a school visit, Massey Open Day or other University event, or in a video call. They’ll look at examples of your work with you and if it shows the creative potential we’re looking for, they’ll sign a portfolio pre-approval letter. Then you won’t need to submit a final portfolio with your application.
Portfolio entry
When you apply online, submit a portfolio showing a selection of your creative work that demonstrates your creative potential with your application to study.
See full details about portfolio requirements and pre-approvals
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Fees and scholarships
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Fees Free website.
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Careers and job opportunities
Spatial design develops both the practical skills and understanding required for careers in professional design.
Most Massey spatial design graduates work in architectural or interior design practices, but also go on to work in urban planning, landscape design, the web, performance design, exhibition design, advertising, theatre, installation, events, and government departments.
International students
New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.
Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.
As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.
Related study options
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Mātauranga Toi Māori – Bachelor of Design
Study creative arts and help shape a future where te ao Māori is at the forefront of Aotearoa creative industries. A first for Aotearoa tertiary education, the Mātauranga Toi Māori major engages te ao Māori in any of our creative disciplines in Design – Concept, Fashion, Industrial, Integrated, Photography, Spatial, Textiles or Visual Communication Design.
Spatial Design – Bachelor of Design
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Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz