What will I learn?

A common assumption is that design is about solving problems in organisations and societies. Although this is part of what designers do, we are all increasingly engaged in complex situations for which no simple solution is possible. In these environments, the designers task is to identify and frame problems and devise and facilitate systems in which problems can be addressed, sometimes incrementally, by multiple stakeholders. The Master of Design provides you with the means to navigate, engage with and design in a variety of professional contexts for-profit, non-profit and governmental, bringing both theoretical and practical skills to bear on todays most significant problems. The goal of the MDes is to enhance your employability. With the critical thought and practice that comes from postgraduate study, youll be well positioned to lead projects as a strategist and practitioner. Youll have a strong working knowledge of current technologies and the ability to adapt to those which emerge. Youll have a multidisciplinary mindset, able to frame issues from a social and economic standpoint, and be capable of customising and applying your skills to any employers needs. With live projects and current industry professionals contributing to your learning, the networks developed in the MDes will leave you well-placed to contribute design solutions locally and globally.

Which department am I in?

Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries

Study options

Full Time (120 Hours)

Tuition fees

NZ$52,842.00 (26,59,520) per year

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please

Start date

March 2026

Venue

University of Auckland

City Campus,

Alfred Nathan House, 24 Princes Street,

AUCKLAND CITY,

Auckland Central,

1010, New Zealand

Full Time (120 Hours)

Tuition fees

NZ$52,842.00 (26,59,520) per year

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please

Start date

March 2025

Venue

University of Auckland

City Campus,

Alfred Nathan House, 24 Princes Street,

AUCKLAND CITY,

Auckland Central,

1010, New Zealand

Entry requirements

For international students

Taught/Research 120 points

You need to have completed a one-year postgraduate degree, after an undergraduate degree, at a recognised university (or similar institution), with a grade point average of 5.0 or higher.

Alternatively you can gain entry to the 180-point MDes if you have completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Design (PGCertDes) with the required grade point average.

Taught/Research 180 points

You must have completed a Bachelors degree at a recognised university (or similar institution), with a grade point average of 5.0 or higher across your highest level of study, or a Postgraduate Certificate in Design with a grade point average of 5.0 or higher.

Alternatively you can gain entry to the MDes if you have completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Design (PGCertDes) with the required grade point average.

IELTS (Academic): Overall score of 6.5 and no bands less than 6.0; Internet-based TOEFL (iBT): Overall score of 90 and written score of 21; Paper-based TOEFL: Overall score of 68 and a writing score of 21; Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) or Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE): Overall score of 176 and no bands below 169; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Overall score of 58 and no PTE Communicative score below 50; Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes (FCertEAP): Grade of B-; Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB): 85.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.