Qualification

Postgraduate Certificate

15 Weeks
NZQF Level 8 (60 Credits)

Start Dates
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 Options

Study on campus Study online

Overview

Overview

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve got a few years’ experience behind you, this course will help you reach those all-important career goals. Our postgraduate design programme has been designed to encourage passionate people to develop their creative thinking, even if they don’t already have formal qualifications. Progress on to a Master of Design, or simply walk away with your completed Postgraduate Certificate in Design in 15 weeks. Apply now!

Why study postgraduate design?

You should study a postgraduate in Design if you wish to advance your Design career. The course gives you the freedom to expand your knowledge in a range of specialist subjects, develop your creative thinking skills, and progress to a Master’s Degree. All of which is done in a collaborative and inspiring creative space.

Course Outline

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
Interdisciplinary Design Project: Emerging Contexts
30
Contemporary Design Issue: Creative Futures
30
Special Topic Project: Creative Entrepreneurship
30
Special Topic Project: Design and Economies
30
Interdisciplinary Design Theories: Dialogues
30

Qualification Requirements

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 Master of Design an applicant must have completed the following or equivalent:

  • An Honours degree that is of relevance to design (such as Design - Graphic, Industrial, Product, Fine Arts, Cognitive Science/Psychology, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering); or

  • 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.

 

Domestic

  • A New Zealand Bachelor's degree or Graduate Diploma from a recognised tertiary institution with an average grade of B- (65%) is required for entry into the Postgraduate Certificate in Design and the Postgraduate Diploma in Design.

  • A New Zealand Honours degree from a recognised tertiary institution with an average grade of B- (65%) is required for entry to the Master of Design.

  • Professional experience may be considered for entry to the Postgraduate Certificate in Design programme (see Recognition of prior learning).

 

International

  • Qualifications awarded outside New Zealand can also be used for admission, but equivalencies and entry requirements are determined based on the country, institution and qualification.

  • You'll need to prove you have sufficient English language skills in order to complete this course. We'll be looking for Academic IELTS overall score of 6.5 (minimum) with no band less than 6.0, or equivalent qualification if English is not your first language.

 

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

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

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.

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