- Type of qualification
- Master's degree
- Level of study
-
Postgraduate study
Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.
NZQF level 9Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
- Time to complete
-
1 year 6 months full-time (180 credits)Part-time available
- Where you can study
-
Wellington campus
-
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Open to international students on campus in New Zealand
Study a Master of Design – MDes
Real-world projects
All Master of Design (MDes) students complete a thesis project: a supervised programme of focused design research, taking a challenging real-world problem through to a well-resolved solution, like a product prototype, experience or system.
Find out more about the Ngā Pae Māhutonga Wellington School of Design
Our students' undergraduate training spans a broad range design disciplines:
- Visual communication design
- illustration
- graphic design
- UX, UI
- systems design
- interaction design
- typography
- editorial design
- brand communication
- motion graphics
- video
- information design
- AR and VR
- mobile application and web
- industrial design
- fashion
- textiles
- spatial
- concept design
- integrated design
- photography.
Our students frequently draw on a breadth of knowledge systems including Indigenous perspectives and research methods.
Facilities
You’ll have access to individual studio space and our comprehensive technical expertise and facilities. These include:
- an industry-scale green screen studio
- Australasia’s first Fab Lab
- industry-standard workshops
- digital imaging facilities
- darkrooms.
Excellent faculty and visiting practitioners
Our staff are leading design researchers and practitioners, working nationally and internationally. Your supervisor will have expertise in your field of design.
Further study
After completing your Master of Design project you may be able to develop your work and produce new knowledge with a PhD.
A MDes is a good fit if you:
- love design and what it can do for others
- are keen on greater depth in conceptual thinking, design research, testing, applied design processes and skills, and transformation in your creative practice
- are independent, self-motivated, and constantly horizon-scanning and exploring ideas
- enjoy the challenge of an externally-connected project, whether for commercial, government, cultural or community-based clients.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Master of Design (180 credit qualification) you will:
- Meet the University admission requirements as specified, and will:
- Have been awarded or qualified for a relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification with a minimum grade average of at least B; or
- Have been awarded or qualified for the Bachelor of Design with Honours with a grade of at least B across the Part Four courses, or equivalent, or
- Have been awarded or qualified for the Postgraduate Diploma in Design with a grade average of at least B, or equivalent, or
- Have been granted admission under the Admission with Equivalent Status regulations and demonstrate practical, professional and scholarly experience at an appropriate level;
- And have been selected into the qualification on the basis of an interview and assessment of a portfolio of relevant work.
You will also need to:
- provide a Research Statement prior to interview
- provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at universities other than Massey University.
- If English is not your first language (or the language of tuition of your prior degree), supply a current IELTS (or equivalent) score.
If you have previously completed a relevant Bachelor Honours, or Postgraduate Diploma qualification with a grade of at least a B across the 700-800 level courses, it may be possible to apply for accelerated entry into the 120 Thesis component of the degree. The selected entry criteria below remain consistent, but we will require a Research Proposal rather than a Research Statement.
Portfolio requirements
For more information about portfolio requirements, see the College of Creative Arts' postgraduate applications page.
Application closing date
This qualification has 2 intakes:
- Semester 1 (February start). Applications close 30 November for study commencing the following year.
- Semester 2 (July start). Applications close 15 May.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit
Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit.
- Look for information under ‘Student Progression’ in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
- Contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Maximum time limits for completion
There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.
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 Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate 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.
Structure of the Master of Design
Structure of the Master of Design
The 180-credit Massey MDes takes place over 1.5 years / 3 semesters (full-time), offering you time to explore creatively, interrogate the fundamentals of your practice, and push your work in new directions.
Part One builds your research and technical skill through our creative research practices course. You will end by developing your thesis project proposal. Part One comprises 60 credits across Design Research and Development (30 credits) and Research Methods course (15 credits) and a 400/700 level elective (15 credits).
By Part Two (the 120 credit Thesis Project) you will have a critically informed sense of your positionality as a creative practitioner and carry that into your final project. Those who are most successful generally start the year with a clearly identified problem, or project brief.
External connections are important in MDes thesis projects. We expect you to keep in regular contact with your external partners or community of interest.
Some of the things we value: lively debate, criticality, technical virtuosity; exploration and experimentation, transformation, ambition, and social engagement. We foster a sense of community and embrace an ethos of manaakitanga.
Get the full picture
Get the full picture
Courses and specialisations
Courses and specialisations
Key terms
- Courses
- Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
- Course code
- Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
- Credits
- Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
- Specialisations
- Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Credit summary
180 credits
Coursework Pathway
- Part One Research Methods course – 15 credits
- Part One Research Development course – 30 credits
- Part One Subject courses – 75 credits
- Part Two Coursework courses – 60 credits
Research Pathway
- Part One Research Methods course – 15 credits
- Part One Research Development course – 30 credits
- Part One Subject courses – 15 or 45 credits
- Part Two Research courses – 90‑120 credits
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.
Part One (Choose between 60 and 120 credits from)
Research Methods courses (Choose 15 credits from)
Course code: 293732 Creative Practice Research Methods 15 credits
Students will advance their understanding of approaches to creative practice research, methods and theory in relation to their specific practice orientation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 298730 Māori Research Methodologies for Creative Practice 15 credits
Students will consider tikanga and methodologies relevant to their own creative practice, which may incorporate the use of customary and/or new technologies, innovations, and knowledge. This will include developing an understanding of tikanga, ethics and accountabilities around the use of mātauranga toi Māori, mātauranga-ā-iwi, mātauranga-ā-hapū and mātauranga-a-whānau in the development of their own creative outputs. Students will be supported to locate and articulate their own creative practice in a continuum of mātauranga toi Māori.
View full course detailsResearch Development courses (Choose 30 credits from)
Course code: 197744 Design Project: Ideation and Development 30 credits
Students develop their understanding of a range of design-focused practices and research methods through the creation of a creative portfolio.
View full course detailsCourse code: 197753 Design Research Development 30 credits
This course guides students through processes and practices for developing a postgraduate research project in design.
View full course detailsSubject courses: Coursework Pathway (75 credits); Research Pathway (15 or 45 credits)
Course code: 197433 Designing Science Fiction 15 credits
In this studio course students will, through a process of research-informed practice, investigate design issues particular to the science fiction genre. Students will explore and expand science fiction theory and practice in the development of an original production concept.
View full course detailsCourse code: 197434 Design Awards and Competitions 15 credits
In this studio course you will develop a response to a top-level national or international design brief, award, or competition. You must apply for a specific offered module appropriate to your design specialisation or propose a competition brief to a supervising faculty member. All modules extend your skills in design research, conceptual development and advanced technical application, so that you can produce a high calibre award or competition entry.
View full course detailsCourse code: 197436 Play, Research and Design 15 credits
Advanced design research informing the meaning and methodology of play within a social, cultural or technological context. This course focuses on the development of design strategies for the formation of original Play activities, games and experiences. Students will explore ways in which Play can engage users to participate in the experience of other perspectives and challenge their worldview through active participation in a multidisciplinary Play scenario.
View full course detailsCourse code: 197470 Creative Ecologies 15 credits
In this studio course students will investigate how understanding “ecology” can catalyse research that may transform a current social or environmental issue. This course will engage in practices that include behavioural change frameworks, transformation design and sustainable design. A student will self-select a topic that is independently researched and results in a speculative proposal.
View full course detailsCourse code: 197471 Social Interventions Through Design 15 credits
In this studio course students will establish a critical position through theme based experimental projects exploring the intersection between diverse design practices. Students will work collaboratively and interdisciplinary to explore and combine unconventional communication design materials, methods and practices to creative interventions in public spaces.
View full course detailsCourse code: 197490 Creative Arts Special Topic 4B 15 credits
This course focuses on a particular aspect or aspects of creative arts. Offerings change from year to year and the course may not be offered in a particular year.
View full course detailsCourse code: 197495 Creative Arts Independent Study 15 credits
Supervised independent student work on a negotiated creative arts topic involving the setting of objectives, research and /or project work and the presentation of appropriate written and/or practical outcomes.
View full course detailsCourse code: 197745 Advanced studies in design: Selected topics 1 30 credits
Students select and complete taught modules of learning from a range of practice and theoretically focused options. Students demonstrate their understanding of the modules through contextual-creative engagement that explores the selected subjects as well as the relationships between them.
View full course detailsCourse code: 197746 Advanced Studies in Design: Selected Topics 2 30 credits
Students select and complete taught modules of learning from a range of practice and theoretically focused options. Students demonstrate their understanding of the modules through contextual-creative engagement that explores the selected subjects as well as the relationships between them.
View full course detailsCourse code: 293702 Commercial Viability 15 credits
An exploration of approaches to commercialisation that are intrinsic to professional practice in creative disciplines, in this course, students learn how to create an effective value proposition as part of their creative strategy. Students learn research methodologies, including market and competition analysis, to test market viability via theoretical tools relating to new ideas and innovation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 293705 Upskilling and Practice-based knowledge 15 credits
This course is specifically designed for students who are new to postgraduate study within the College of Creative Arts. It allows you to upskill in key curriculum areas to support your creative practice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 293707 Transformative Creative Practice 15 credits
Explore how creative practice intersects with pressing social, cultural and environmental challenges. This course invites students from all creative backgrounds to consider how their practice addresses these challenges.
View full course detailsPart Two (Choose between 60 and 120 credits from)
Research Pathway (Choose between 90 and 120 credits from)
Course code: 197800 Design Thesis 120 credits
Preparation of a thesis consisting of an advanced design-led research project and an exegesis to satisfy the requirements of the Master of Design qualification.
View full course detailsCourse code: 197802 Design Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 60 credits
Preparation of a thesis consisting of an advanced design-led research project and an exegesis to satisfy the requirements of the Master of Design qualification.
View full course detailsCourse code: 197803 Design Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 60 credits
Preparation of a thesis consisting of an advanced design-led research project and an exegesis to satisfy the requirements of the Master of Design qualification.
View full course detailsCourse code: 197824 Design Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 30 credits
Preparation of a thesis consisting of an advanced design-led research project to satisfy the requirements of the Master of Design qualification.
View full course detailsCourse code: 197825 Design Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 60 credits
Preparation of a thesis consisting of an advanced design-led research project to satisfy the requirements of the Master of Design qualification.
View full course detailsCoursework Pathway (Choose 60 credits from)
Course code: 197815 Capstone Project: Documentation and Reflection 30 credits
This course supports the students' contextualisation and design practices for their capstone projects. Informed by primary and secondary research, students locate their practice in relation to national and international examples, models, and mentors.
View full course detailsCourse code: 197816 Capstone Project: Design Practice Synthesis 30 credits
Development and completion of a creative project that synthesises the learning undertaken within the taught qualification.
View full course detailsFees and scholarships
Fees and scholarships
2026 tuition fees
- Domestic students: $11,615
- International students: $46,100
Tuition fees are estimates only. The exact fees charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment. The estimates are for full-time study (120 credits). Fees are in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The estimates do not include the Student Services Fee. This fee is $1,164 for on-campus students and $948 for distance students for full-time study (120 credits). For more information about this fee and other fees you may need to pay, see non-tuition fees.
There may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
Course fees
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 Inland Revenue website.
Scholarship and award opportunities
- Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) Scholarship
- Cat Pausé Postgraduate Scholarship
- Massey University Master's Research Scholarship
- Massey University Postgraduate Overseas Research Grant
- Massey University Postgraduate Scholarship
- Peter Turner Scholarship in Contemporary Photography
- Professor Tony Parker Scholarship in Industrial Design
Fees 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
Careers and job opportunities
Many graduates start their own businesses and have gone on to win high profile awards and commissions. MDes graduates also work as:
- web designers, here and overseas
- directors of health care product manufacturing
- creative directors in art agencies and museums
- technical development consultants
- design interns in fashion and industrial design companies
- directors or account managers at publishing houses
- secondary school art and design teachers.
Accreditations and rankings
QS Ranking - Art & Design
College of Creative Arts – Toi Rauwhārangi ranks in the global top 200 for art and design by QS World University Rankings.
Ranked 2nd in Asia Pacific for the Red Dot Design ranking
Massey is ranked 2nd in Asia Pacific in 2025 in the international Red Dot Design Ranking for the third consecutive year, the only design school to be ranked in New Zealand and Australia. This year’s results places Massey in the top 3 universities in Asia Pacific for the 11th year in a row.
Related study options
Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts – BMVA
Join a unique community where te reo, tikanga and whanaungatanga are the keys to growing creative practices and processes in toi Māori.
Graduate Diploma in Design – GDipDes
Develop your technical skills and learn to think like a designer.
Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts – GradDipSCA
Develop your technical skills and learn to think like a professional in the screen arts sector.
Master of Māori Visual Arts – MMVA
Challenge your own toi Māori practice, and learn from and be inspired by leading artists.
Master of Screen Arts – MSA
Pursue screen arts research pathways, supported through connections and partnerships with industry and the sector. Our Master of Screen Arts (MSA) spans many fields; animation, documentary and factual, emerging creative technologies, film production, game development, media technology and visual effects.
Photography – Bachelor of Design with Honours
Great photographers shake us, shift our perceptions and entice us to see things differently. Learn from leading photographers and develop your technical skills with our professional cameras and specialist studios and labs.
Photography – Bachelor of Design
Great photographers shake us, shift our perceptions and entice us to see things differently. Learn from leading photographers and develop your technical skills with our professional cameras and specialist studios and labs.
Postgraduate Diploma in Design – PGDipDes
Go beyond your bachelor’s degree and advance your design thinking with a Postgraduate Diploma in Design.
Postgraduate Diploma in Māori Visual Arts – PGDipMVA
Toioho ki Āpiti (the Māori visual arts qualification at Massey) welcomes all indigenous and Pākehā artists.
Postgraduate Diploma in Screen Arts – PGDipScreenArts
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