Master of Design degree

Design

A course by

AUT

The Master of Design is a postgraduate degree that advances your design expertise, creative research skills, and empowers decision-making. Students can specialise in areas such as industrial, fashion, communication, digital, spatial, or textile design, working on interdisciplinary projects and a substantial research thesis.

NZ$12,903

inc GST

Enquire about international pricing


This course starts anytime

NZQA Level 9 Certification (180 Credits)

Study Level

Post Grad

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10

In-person study

Face-to-face learning in a physical classroom setting

City Campus, Auckland

It will take a total of 18 months

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Advanced Design Expertise

Develop in-depth knowledge and skills in your chosen design specialisation, enabling original practice and innovation.

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Creative Research Skills

Demonstrate advanced creative research methods and design enquiry to inform and lead practice-based projects.

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Ethical & Social Design Awareness

Identify and address ethical, cultural, and social implications in contemporary design across disciplines.

What You're Signing Up For

The Master of Design at AUT is an advanced postgraduate programme for designers wishing to deepen their expertise and develop their research and practical skills. You may specialise in a design field of your interest and undertake research projects tailored to your ambitions, supported by a collaborative academic design environment. The course fosters creative research abilities, ethical responsibility, and social awareness, equipping graduates for leadership in the design industry and academia.

Course Content

  • Interdisciplinary design projects
  • Specialisations in: Industrial Design, Fashion Design, Textile Design, Communication Design, Digital Design, Spatial Design, Strategic Leadership in Design
  • 60 points of course work including:
  • ARDN800 Te Ao Mahora Creative Practice Research Design
  • ARDN808 Contextual Review
  • Electives such as: Ethics in Research, Design Practice I and II, Design for Health and Wellbeing
  • 120-point individual thesis in chosen field of design
  • Practice-led and research-led projects
  • Access to specialised facilities: digital fabrication, textile labs, 3D labs, print and screen facilities
  • Collaborative and human-centred design approaches

What you need to know first

Bachelor of Design or equivalent with a B grade average or higher in Level 7 or above courses

In exceptional cases, a combination of academic and professional experience

Portfolio of work may be required

Selection interview may be required

IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher or equivalent (for non-native English speakers)

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What sort of industry will this job lead to

  • Design

  • Creative Industries

  • Fashion

  • Digital Media

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Future employment opportunities might be

  • Senior designer

  • Design researcher

  • Design strategist

  • Creative lead

  • Academic researcher

  • Specialist roles in digital, fashion, spatial, communication, textile, or industrial design