Design

The Bachelor of Design (BDes) helps you bring your creative ideas to fruition in the commercial world through highly creative and practical programmes. You learn how to think laterally, develop creative ideas and critically evaluate your own work, and the work of other practitioners.

Key features

• Self-directed, self-reflective learning that develops your problem-solving skills within a particular specialist discipline in art and design
• Develop the ability to assess and effectively use relevant technologies in the development of solutions
• Strong input from industry partners and advisers including Weta Workshop, Flux Animation Studio, TV3, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Council, Creative New Zealand, and Kate Sylvester
• At the end of your final year, you have the opportunity to exhibit your work to the media and industry through the AUT School of Art + Design festival

Majors 

 An additional major is an approved combination of 120 points from papers within a single subject area, with a minimum of 45 points at level 6 and 45 points at level 7.

• Communication Design
• Digital Design
• Fashion Design
• Product Design
• Spatial Design
• Textile Design

Minors

A minor is 60 points from a single subject area, outside the student’s major with at least 15 points at level 7.

• 3D Visualisation
• Cinematic Arts
• Contemporary Pacific
• Creative Entrepreneurship
• Creative Sound Design
• Design for Sustainability
• Design Thinking
• Digital Fabrication
• Experimental Textile Design
• Game and Play Design
• Motion Capture
• Performance and Media Arts
• Photographic Practice
• Temporary Practices/Temporary Publics
• Urban Practices
• Visualising Information

Entry requirements:

• University Entrance 
• Portfolio of art work
• An interview may be required
• Applicants for whom English or Māori is not their first language must provide proof of their English proficiency. IELTS (academic), completed within the last two years is the preferred test for entry. Minimum IELTS (academic) requirements are as follows: 6.5 overall with all bands 6 or higher.

You may be eligible to enter year 2 or year 3 of the degree if you have completed all or part of a design or visual arts degree at another approved tertiary institution. Applications for cross credits will normally be assessed after you receive an offer of place to the Bachelor of Design or the Bachelor of Visual Arts.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Study abroad fees at AUT University: what you'll pay

2016 fees per semester in NZ dollars

• Tuition fee for Study Abroad: NZ$12,500 per semester
• Enrolment fee: NZ$150
• Learner services levy: NZ$320.08 per 60 points
• Placement fee (internship option only): NZ$800
• AUT Insurance Premium: NZ$294.50 per semester

Other compulsory fees (in addition to tuition fees)

• 2016 Compulsory Student Services Fee - $573.30 for 120 points or $4.77 per academic point (GST incl)
• 2016 Building Levy- $66.85 for 120 points or $0.56 per academic point (GST incl)