Graduate Diploma in Design (Specialty)

Add a specialist area (Communication, Fashion or Product Design) to your existing degree, or if you are a professional designer or practitioner, develop practical skills and studio project experience to build your existing knowledge.

Domestic

Duration
1 Year Full-time
2 Years Part-time
Level
7
Credits
120
Fees
$8,958
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee – see Fees section for more info.
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Intakes
February
July

International

Duration
1 Year Full-time
Level
7
Credits
120
Fees
$23,100
*Approximate first year tuition fee - see Fees section for more info.
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Intakes
February
July

What You Study

Overview 

Offering small class sizes in year group studio environments, the School of Design provides you with numerous chances to showcase your creative talent. You will be frequently involved in talks, exhibitions and events, with the year culminating in the 'Excite' exhibition, a highlight on the Otago Polytechnic calendar. Benefit from our excellent workshop facilities, discipline-related studio and production areas and up-to-date CAD suites. 

The School of Design also enjoys strong and frequent links to the local, national and international design community. You will benefit from ongoing networks and opportunities through these associations which will allow you to form contacts within the industry, while at the same time earning credits towards your degree. No matter what your discipline, we offer you the chance to work with 'real' clients, creating design-based solutions and services.   

Courses

You will enrol into the Graduate Diploma in Design (Specialty) within one of the following specialities - Communication, Fashion or Product.

All of the courses you select need to come from your specific discipline area within the Bachelor of Design programme - you cannot mix and match across specialties.

You will select courses with your Head of Programme that best suit what you need. For example, within the Communication specialty, you may choose to pursue a graphic design focus or a filmmaking focus.

You will choose first and second-year Bachelor of Design courses to develop your skills and will then use these skills in your final projects within your selected third-year courses.

You'll need to study at least 72 out of 120 credits at Level 7 (third year of a degree). The remaining credits can be drawn from Level 5 (first year of a degree) and Level 6 (second year of a degree) courses to support Level 7 learning.

Programme specific risks

Prior to enrolment, you will be advised of the programme specific risks in the workplace, workshops and CAD rooms and of the requirements to undertake significant health and safety training (refer to the student handbook). This information is provided by way of discussion at the interview and written notification with acceptance and you will be required to undertake training before independent use of many types of equipment in workshops and studios. In some disciplines, you will be required to attend training sessions in first aid and computer health and safety.  

Further study options

Hone your skills further with our postgraduate programmes in Design or Art.

Workload

Your workload

It is expected that you will have strong independent learning skills and work habits for this qualification. Individual workloads will vary depending on your chosen study pathway.

Entry

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

  • You must hold a recognised undergraduate degree in a design- or art-related field, or degree-equivalent practical, professional or scholarly experience.
  • You must submit a portfolio explaining your interests and motivation. See more info in the Your Portfolio section below.
  • International students will be individually assessed to ensure they are ready for this study.
International requirements and equivalence

To enter Otago Polytechnic's undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees, you need to have achieved a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to New Zealand's NCEA levels (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).

This information is available by country on our Equivalent academic entry requirements page.

English Language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide:

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Your portfolio

Your portfolio should demonstrate a working knowledge of design/art/creative disciplines and support your application for your specialty area, with evidence of a strong design process.

Find out what you need to include in your portfolio, what we're looking for, and how to submit it here. 

Selection process

Applicants will be interviewed by the Academic Leader of the specialty area in which they wish to study. This interview will include a review of the portfolio and a discussion of an appropriate path of study with the applicant. Should the number of applicants who meet the selection process requirements exceed the available places, the professional judgement of staff will be used to determine those who are given immediate entry and those placed on a waiting list. Applicants who do not meet the acceptance criteria will be directed to a more appropriate programme of study.

Fees

Domestic fees

Full tuition
Standard
$8,958

International fees

Full tuition
Standard
$23,100

Additional costs

Individual costs will vary depending on the nature of your study pathway.  You will be advised of any equipment you may need upon commencement of the programme.

Tuition fees

The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.

Application

How to apply

To apply for this programme just click the blue 'Apply now' button above.

Applications are preferred by 30 June for a July start, and 30 November for a February start.

Late applications will be accepted if spaces are still available, after which waitlists will apply.

You'll need to submit a portfolio when you apply for this programme.

Find out what you need to include in your portfolio, what we're looking for, and how to submit it.

Get in touch

0800 762 786
International +64 3 477 3014
Email: info@op.ac.nz
https://www.op.ac.nz/programmes/nzqa/graduate-diploma-in-design-specialty