Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Without Specialisation for your Postgraduate Diploma in Design at Massey
The Postgraduate Diploma in Design is an opportunity for you to upskill in creative practice, modern design technology and theory.
Extend your design speciality or explore new horizons. You’ll have the opportunity to specialise in concept design, fashion design, industrial design, photography, spatial design, textile design or visual communication design.
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 Postgraduate Diploma in Design in Without Specialisation 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.
Planning information
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.
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.
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.
Schedule A: Core course selection
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 detailsSchedule B
Course 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: 198454 Industrial Design Research Project 45 credits
Development and application of research to an independent industrial design 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: 212454 Fashion Design Research Project 45 credits
Application and development of research in an independent fashion 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: 221454 Photography Research Project 45 credits
Application and development of research to an independent Photographic Design project.
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 224454 Spatial Design Research Project 45 credits
Application and development of research in an independent spatial design project.
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 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: Elective courses
Any 400-level courses from the College of Creative Arts (Prefixes: 133, 150, 197, 198, 212, 213, 221, 222, 223, 224, 237, 296, 289)
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.
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 and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
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.
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
Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours – BFA(Hons)
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Certificate in Creative Arts – CertCreativeArt
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Design – Master of Fine Arts
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Diploma in Creative Arts – DipCreativeArts
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Expressive Arts – Bachelor of Communication
If you love being creative and want to study a selection of theatre, performance, creative writing, and digital media production, and you also want great career prospects, the Bachelor of Communication (Expressive Arts) is for you.
Fine Arts – Master of Fine Arts
Embed yourself in a rich dialogue about your creative practice in Massey’s transdisciplinary Master of Fine Arts (Fine Arts) qualification, for artists and designers.
Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts – GDipFA
Massey’s Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts is for skilled graduates who want to gain new knowledge and skills in fine arts.
Master of Creative Enterprise – MCE
Combine research and practice to give you the skills you need to make your mark in the highly competitive creative industries.
Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts – PGDipFA
Extend your creative practice and begin your fine arts journey. Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts gives you the opportunity for advanced study in contemporary art.
Visual Communication Design – Bachelor of Design with Honours
Visual communication is one of the most universal forms of design. It is at the heart of how our world works; guiding, informing, persuading, and inspiring us every day.
Without Specialisation – Master of Fine Arts
Embed yourself in a rich dialogue about your creative practice in Massey’s transdisciplinary MFA qualification for artists and designers.
Without Specialisation – Graduate Diploma in Design
Develop your technical skills and learn to think like a designer.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz