Course details

Summary

The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science (PGDipAppSc) is a two semester programme, which builds on an undergraduate Applied Science degree. It allows people who are currently working to undertake blocks of study - one block for the certificate, a second block to complete the diploma. Alternatively, students may wish to complete the 120 point programme in a continuous run.

Clothing and many materials such as textiles and leather meet basic human needs, and are essential to performance, feelings of well-being in both the physical sense (e.g. for protection and warmth) and the social sense (e.g. belonging to a group). Clothing plays an important role in non-verbal communication indicating many personal and social characteristics of the wearer. Clothing and textile production and distribution are significant to the New Zealand and world economy, and clothing and textiles are one of the few product groups subject to control in international trade.

Papers in Clothing and Textile Sciences at the University of Otago aim to provide the terminology, theoretical bases and practical competencies to analyse structure, function and behaviour of clothing and various materials including textiles and leather. Clothing and Textile Sciences qualifications from Otago are internationally recognised and are accredited by The Textile Institute.

The two major areas of study in Clothing and Textile Sciences are physical and social.

In the physical area, discussion and experimentation focus on the inter-relationships among properties of fibres, yarns and materials and garment/product design, assembly processes, and performance; human body measurements in relation to garment fit, design, processes and performance; and evaluation and acceptability of apparel and materials.

In the social area, discussion and research focus on definition, classification and meaning of dress within a cultural and historical context; theoretical perspectives; the social, cultural, historical and economic functions of dress; and dress as material culture; and apparel manufacturing, marketing and distribution.

Structure of the Programme

The programme of study

shall consist of approved 400- and 500-level papers, to the value of 120 points, selected from the papers specified in Science Schedule D for the Master of Applied Science subject concerned.

shall normally include papers from more than one subject.

may, with the approval of the Head of Department or Course Director concerned, include papers worth up to 40 points from 400- and 500-level papers other than those specified in Science Schedule D.

A candidate who has completed the requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science shall be exempted from those papers in the programme for the diploma which have been previously passed for the certificate.

Entry criteria

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences).

Every applicant must either: be a graduate, or have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences).

In considering an applicant’s qualifications, regard will be had to the detail of the course of study followed to gain the qualification, as well as the applicant’s performance in the programme.

English Language Requirements

IELTS - Score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); Internet-based TOEFL Score of 95 with a minimum writing score of 22.; Paper-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 587 (TWE 4.5); Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 64 with no communicative skills score below 57; University of Otago Foundation Studies Ltd: Completion of 'English for Postgraduate Academic Purposes' with a grade of C or higher.