Course details

Summary

This postgraduate diploma builds on your Bachelor’s degree in an art or design discipline. This rewarding and challenging programme is based on both lecturer facilitated and self-directed research projects that will broaden your understanding of either time-based or print-based design applications and expose you to current thinking and research methodologies.

You will advance your skills in a chosen design media, and produce a significant design portfolio, exhibition or show. This postgraduate pathway will prepare you for Masters level study or enable you to secure higher level of employment.

Graduates will be equipped to work in a variety of roles within art and design based industries such as galleries, fashion houses, graphic design studios, film and television, printing and publishing, web design, art studios, set design and much more.

Career & Study Outcomes

Graduates of UCOL's Postgraduate Diploma of Design will be suitably equipped to work in a variety of roles in the design based industries. Areas of employment and potential roles include:

• Advertising
• Consultancy
• Art/Design education
• Art/Design studios
• Fashion studios
• Galleries and museums
• Set design and styling
• Television and video production
• Printing, publishing and illustration
• Research and development
• Self-employment
• Graphic design
• Textile design
• Visual communications
• Website design
• Object and craft design
• Practicing artist

Course Information

Compulsory courses:

• Advanced Research Methods for Design
• Concept Development Studio
• Major Project

Elective courses level 8:

The availability of a particular elective is subject to an appropriate number of students enrolling in that elective.

• Advanced Digital Photography
• Advanced Illustration
• Advanced Glass Studio
• Advanced Textile and Fibre
• Advanced Computer Aided Drafting
• Advanced Object
• Advanced Printmaking
• Advanced 3D Modelling
• Advanced Moving Image

Accreditation

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education Act 1989, and Universal College of Learning (UCOL) Trading as Universal College of Learning (UCOL) is accredited to teach it.

Entry criteria

To be eligible for entry into UCOL's Postgraduate Diploma of Design applicants must have graduated with a Bachelor’s degree, or a similar qualification in art or design, or be able to demonstrate equivalent skills and knowledge.

Applicants may be asked to provide a portfolio of original, developmental and finished work.

The minimum entry requirement for international students is IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6 (or equivalent, including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

Under 20 years of age
For international applicants under 20 years of age who do not hold NCEA, International Academic Qualifications Entry Criteria apply