Qualification

Postgraduate Certificate

15 Weeks - Weekend classes
NZQF Level 8 (60 Credits)

Start Dates

14 October 2023

10 February 2024

6 April 2024

25 May 2024

13 July 2024

31 August 2024

Course Fees (Year 1. See fees information.)

Domestic $5,179.00 NZD

International $17,545.00 NZD

Admission Requirements

Open to applicants with over six years of professional experience in a related design discipline; OR Completed a Bachelors degree that is relevant to design.

Portfolio Requirements

Interview, portfolio, CV

Study on campus Study online

Click here to access key information about this qualification

Apply Now

Grow your knowledge of Design

If you’ve already established a career in the field of digital design or creative tech but you’re new to the world of tertiary education, then a Postgraduate Certificate in Design may be the right academic pathway for you.

Work full time, and study on the weekends

This 15-week programme only has weekend classes, is designed to extend your skillset and your knowledge of design theory, whilst giving you the academic foundation to undertake further postgraduate study.

What you'll cover in this course

To complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Design, you must complete any two of the following components:

Component Name	Credits	Toggle
Design Research: Connecting Texts, Deciphering Context	30
Discover the ways different types of ‘texts’ (not just the written kind!) can be linked to understand the range of situations in which a designer operates. Research design by exploring these possible connections within the framework of a real-world project. Working in a replicated work environment on actual industry briefs will add a practical focus to your learning. You’ll gain relevant experience and build valuable professional portfolio skills and content. Level 8 PGD001 This course will be offered in Trimester 1

Interdisciplinary Design Project: Emerging Contexts	30
In this component, you’ll gain skills in the analysis of research data for application in visual research and design. Here, emerging technologies across a range of design disciplines are used to study both people and cultural phenomena (such as target audiences). In turn, these tools are utilised to inform your design decisions. Because emphasis is placed on gaining understanding through making, you’ll use audio, visual and textual elements (and more!) in your designed communication responses to a real-world project. Level 8 PGD002 This course will be offered in Trimester 1

Contemporary Design Issue: Creative Futures	30
A live brief is used to explore how design interventions can have profound and ongoing effects on the world - both intended and unintended. This component investigates the ways that designed things such as equipment, services, interfaces or environments shape environments, behaviours and attitudes. Drawing upon contemporary philosophies of technology and theories of practice, you’ll learn about the tools that are critical to design and that can richly engage with the complexity of living. You’ll gain a reflective awareness of the ways in which design can reconfigure ways to produce more considerate and sustainable products, services and approaches that benefit both people and the planet. Level 8 PGD003 This course will be offered in Trimester 2

Special Topic Project: Creative Entrepreneurship	30
Step out of your comfort zone by crossing the boundaries of your known discipline to contribute to a real-world project that requires a fresh solution. This component explores the potential of design thinking as a generator of state-of-the-art and entrepreneurial strategies, practices and designed things through innovation challenges. This requires the application of both corporate and academic research in conjunction with savvy design methodology. You’ll work both independently and in a team to respond to a client’s requirements and you’ll need to consider the effect of your choices on outcomes throughout the process. Successful results will be risk-taking tactical and effective responses to the brief provided. Level 8 PGD004 This course will be offered in Trimester 2

Special Topic Project: Design and Economies	30
Design is profoundly affected by the economy in which it is embedded. In this component you’ll take a real-world project brief and employ it to rethink assumptions about the unsustainable growth-based and unstable economies of the 21st Century. The outcome of this project is to survey critical approaches to an economy using design thinking to address such concerns as the implications of this economy for design; how more sustainable approaches to the economy might open new possibilities for design; and what role design might play in a transition to a different economic model. Level 8 PGD005 This course will be offered in Trimester 3

Interdisciplinary Design Theories: Dialogues	30
When one type of design intersects with another, the result can be a more comprehensive solution than a singular, traditional approach might provide. Working in diverse teams of designers from a range of disciplines can build ground-breaking outcomes. This component will introduce you to texts, conversations and viewpoints drawn from assorted disciplinary contexts that are of relevance to design, including philosophy, sociology, anthropology, technology, history, and a range of media. Here, you’ll work in teams to engage with ideas that are (or have been) influential in shaping ways in which designers can ideate in order to unpack solutions to interdisciplinary real-world problems. Level 8 PGD006 This course will be offered in Trimester 3

Qualifications you'll need for this course

To ensure optimal peer-to-peer learning, Media Design School determines each Postgraduate Design cohort by carefully managing the participant mix. Postgraduate Design participants typically have 6 plus years of professional experience, are recognised as having significant potential. Most applicants have a high degree of specific design knowledge. Others come from diverse backgrounds but have a strong interest in how Design can be applied to their specific field and interests.

We’re open to unusual applications and backgrounds!

Entry Requirements

In order to be admitted to the Postgraduate Certificate in Design an applicant must have completed the following or equivalent:

A New Zealand Bachelor's degree that is of relevance to design (such as Design - Graphic, Industrial, and Product, Fine Arts, Cognitive Science/Psychology, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering).
An appropriate international equivalent design or allied professional qualification requiring at least three years full-time tertiary study at an appropriate level as approved by the Academic Board; or
Relevant professional experience (considered to be equivalent to a Bachelor's degree ~ six plus years experience in a design related field showing career progression and increasing responsibility) as approved by the Academic Board

Application Materials

Media Design School requires the following items for an application to be considered:

Completed application form
Statement of intent
Curriculum Vitae
Digital Portfolio of relevant work from area(s) of expertise
Two letters of recommendation
Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts
For non-native English speakers, IELTS 6.5 (with no score lower than 6) or a minimum TOEFL score of 100 with minimum sub-scores of 25.

Applicants are required to attend a selection interview (in person or via video call). Eligibility for admission does not guarantee an offer of a place.

Portfolio Requirements

Evidence of Creative Abilities

Applicants are required to submit creative portfolios in addition to their previous academic history.

The creative portfolio is a showcase of your previous design and creative works. It is very much like a visual resume. The aim of the portfolio is to showcase the breadth and depth of your skills, knowledge and experiences in design. It should highlight key projects you have worked on illustrating both the thinking and design processes and the final outcome.

Portfolios must show an applicant’s creative potential and ability. All applicants must submit a portfolio of representative samples even if they have not had formal training in art and design. A good portfolio may contain a variety of work; sketches, drawings, painting mixed media, multimedia, photography, design creations etc.

Portfolio Format:

In most cases the portfolio should be submitted as a single PDF file, with no more than 40 pages. If applicants wish to submit multimedia, animations, games or movies, ideally these are listed on a websites for viewing.

Please consider the following:

Only submit work done within the last three years.
Include an introductory slide with your name and contact details
Where possible, provide a description of each project and your response to the project brief.
Show your ability to meet technical and software skills relevant to your chosen discipline.
Send an electronic copy of your portfolio – no original submissions will be returned.

BYOD Requirements

Before you begin your study with us, you will need to have a suitable device that has the functionality to run the programmes required for your course.

Follow this link to find course-specific requirements and recommendations, along with links to more information about hardware specifications. We have prepared these recommendations to help our students equip for flexible, blended learning.

Student Success Stories

View all Alumni

Alex Legg

Senior XR Developer

Virtually There Training and Cloned Reality

I couldn’t have completed the Masters without the excellent lecturers (and support from my fellow students). They were so knowledgeable and open about a range of technologies and themes.

Master of Design

Jack Short

Graphic Designer

Deadly Ponies

When looking for places to [study], Media Design School stood out as the place to go to, due to their focus on design and attitude towards innovation and future thinking.

Master of Design

Ani Tawhiao-Lomas

Co-Founder

Yawye Babies

Working with peers and tutors at Media Design School who either have industry experience, or are wanting to enter the industry results in a busy and thriving environment that’s very similar to a workplace situation.

Master of Design