- Type of qualification
- Postgraduate diploma
- 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 8Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
- Time to complete
-
1 year full-time (120 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 Postgraduate Diploma in Design – PGDipDes
The Postgraduate Diploma in Design is an opportunity for you to upskill in creative practice, modern design technology and theory.
This qualification will give you an introduction to postgraduate research processes and contemporary design theory. You’ll push the boundaries of your design practice with a research-led independent project. You’ll also have elective courses and courses focused on creative entrepreneurship, exhibition or writing in the creative arts.
If you don’t have an honours degree this qualification can allow you to progress to postgraduate design study.
Get the full picture
Further study
This qualification is the same as the honours year of the Bachelor of Design with Honours. That means when you complete this qualification you can apply for a further postgraduate qualification such as the Master of Design.
A PGDipDes is a good fit if you:
- studied design at undergraduate level
- want to do a Master of Design but don’t have an honours degree
- want to develop your research and analysis skills.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
The Postgraduate Diploma in Design is a selected entry qualification. This means there are extra requirements you must meet.
To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Design you will:
- have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor of Design or equivalent, with an adequate grade point average
- submit a portfolio of design work
- take part in an interview if required.
Selection is based on your academic background, portfolio and interview (if required).
You must provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
Application closing date
Applications close on 30 November, for study commencing the following year.
Late applications may be accepted, subject to available spaces.
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 Get advice 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 Postgraduate Diploma in Design
Structure of the Postgraduate Diploma in Design
The Postgraduate Diploma in Design has a focus on studio-based inquiry and the development of research skills.
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Design does not offer specialisations.
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
120 credits
- Core course(s) from Schedule A – At least 15 credits
- Courses from Schedule B – 75 credits
- Elective course(s) from Schedule C – Up to 30 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.
Schedule A: Core courses (Choose 15 credits from)
Course code: 197465 Creative Leadership 15 credits
In this course, students from a broad range of creative practices will work together to situate themselves within the spectrum of the creative industries. Serving their communities as creative leaders, students will apply research and innovation theories to business and social-enterprise practices in order to conceptualise, develop, and deliver a strategic offering for a defined audience.
View full course detailsCourse code: 213465 Exhibition 15 credits
In this studio-based course students situate their creative practice through exhibition. Students work in a collaborative group to develop and realise an exhibition project. One of the key focus points for the course is students' growing understanding of the reality of public presentation of the creative output. This advanced programme of study will encourage discussion and critical reflection on diverse approaches to the exhibition of creative work and its relevance for a range of academic and/or professional contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 237465 Creative Exposition 15 credits
In this course students will situate their creative practice through writing. They will extend and hone their critical, analytical and reflective skills through written exposition that focuses on projecting themselves and their practice externally. This advanced programme of study will encourage discussion on diverse approaches to creative research exposition and its relevance for a range of academic and/or professional contexts.
View full course detailsCourse 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 detailsSchedule B: Core Studio Selection (Choose between 45 and 60 credits from)
Course code: 197830 Design Research Project: Honours 60 credits
In this course, students further develop, research and resolve the project that they proposed in their honours research development. Completed work is to a high level of resolution, making tangible links between theory and practice appropriate to the design specialization and project parameters. The completion of the research project is complemented by supplementary documentation that will position the student as a design practitioner within their specialization.
View full course detailsCourse code: 198454 Industrial Design Research Project 45 credits
Development and application of research to an independent industrial design project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 212454 Fashion Design Research Project 45 credits
Application and development of research in an independent fashion design project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 221454 Photography Research Project 45 credits
Application and development of research to an independent Photographic Design project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 222454 Visual Communication Design Research Project 45 credits
Application of research to the development and production of an approved independent visual communication design project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 223454 Textile Design Research Project 45 credits
Application of research to the development and production of an approved textile design project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 224454 Spatial Design Research Project 45 credits
Application and development of research in an independent spatial design project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 293454 Integrated Design Research Project 45 credits
Realise and manifest a research-led independent project that communicates integrated design strategies and methods.
View full course detailsCourse code: 296454 Concept Design Research Project 45 credits
Application of research to the development and production of an independent concept design project.
View full course detailsSchedule C: Project Development (Choose 30 credits from)
Course 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 detailsCourse code: 198453 Industrial Design Research and Development 30 credits
Research methods, processes and practices for industrial design and their application through a research project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 212453 Fashion Design Research and Development 30 credits
Research methods, practices and processes for fashion design and their application through a research design project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 221453 Photography Research and Development 30 credits
Research methods, practices and processes for Photographic Design and their application.
View full course detailsCourse code: 222453 Visual Communication Design Research and Development 30 credits
Application of research methods and processes to investigate social, cultural, aesthetic and technical issues and strategies in an approved visual communication design project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 223453 Textile Design Research and Development 30 credits
Research methods processes and practices for Textile Design and their application through a research project.
View full course detailsCourse 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 detailsCourse code: 293453 Integrated Design Research and Development 30 credits
Using integrated design strategies, explore and apply methods, processes and practices through a research investigation that incorporates diverse design approaches. Students will undertake advanced research on a project of their choice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 296453 Concept Design Research and Development 30 credits
Application of research methods and processes to investigate social, cultural, aesthetic and technical issues and strategies in an approved concept design project.
View full course detailsSchedule D: Elective courses
Any 400-level or 700-level courses from the College of Creative Arts (Prefixes: 133, 197, 198, 212, 213, 221, 222, 223, 224, 237, 293, 289, 296, 298)
Fees 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
Find more 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.
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 Design – MDes
Go in depth with an advanced design research qualification. You’ll develop a creative outcome, often of direct application to design industry or community. We will help you make strong connections with the business, public or non-profit 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 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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