Master of Design Enterprise
Learn how to enhance user experiences through design. You will develop skills to use design as a strategic tool by undertaking applied research tailored to suit your needs. You will explore ways to create new products and systems that contribute to satisfying human interactions. Multi-disciplinary design interaction, criticism and debate will be encouraged throughout the programme.
Domestic
About the programme
In your career, are you drawn to design, innovation and problem-solving? Would you like to develop the ability to provide design-led strategy expertise within an organisation or enterprise?
Otago Polytechnic's Master of Design Enterprise has "design thinking" and user experience design at its heart. You will become highly skilled in this ground-breaking methodology, enabling you to resolve issues and enhance people's experiences. This makes this industry-leading programme of scholarship and applied research relevant to a wide range of disciplines. By recognising that design is a strategic tool that is as much about ways of thinking as about ways of production, it prepares you to think laterally and critically as you innovate, create new products and better systems, and contribute to a more satisfying environment.
Inspired by leading designers, thinkers and innovators, you will explore design, creativity and strategy, enterprise, business and marketing, and production, operations and manufacturing. You will then undertake an industry placement, followed by a major research project tailored to suit your particular needs. This may be an industry-based, collaborative project, serving commercial or non-profit needs, or an independent entrepreneurial venture.
Throughout the programme, multi-disciplinary design interaction, criticism and debate are promoted.
And by studying at one of New Zealand's most innovative and progressive design schools, you can benefit from our modern resources, including Australasia's leading rapid prototyping facility, and strong links with the national and international design community.
International
About the programme
In your career, are you drawn to design, innovation and problem-solving? Would you like to develop the ability to provide design-led strategy expertise within an organisation or enterprise?
Otago Polytechnic's Master of Design Enterprise has "design thinking" and user experience design at its heart. You will become highly skilled in this ground-breaking methodology, enabling you to resolve issues and enhance people's experiences. This makes this industry-leading programme of scholarship and applied research relevant to a wide range of disciplines. By recognising that design is a strategic tool that is as much about ways of thinking as about ways of production, it prepares you to think laterally and critically as you innovate, create new products and better systems, and contribute to a more satisfying environment.
Inspired by leading designers, thinkers and innovators, you will explore design, creativity and strategy, enterprise, business and marketing, and production, operations and manufacturing. You will then undertake an industry placement, followed by a major research project tailored to suit your particular needs. This may be an industry-based, collaborative project, serving commercial or non-profit needs, or an independent entrepreneurial venture.
Throughout the programme, multi-disciplinary design interaction, criticism and debate are promoted.
And by studying at one of New Zealand's most innovative and progressive design schools, you can benefit from our modern resources, including Australasia's leading rapid prototyping facility, and strong links with the national and international design community.
What You Study
Programme content
There are three phases to the MDE Structure.
PHASE 1: MDE401 Design (30 credits)
Explore how design-led methodologies, such as customer experience design and service design, and other associated strategies and theoretical frameworks, are applied in the development of innovative products and services.
PHASE 2: MDE404 Design-led Enterprise (30 credits)
Phase 2 involves an approved industry placement. The details of this engagement will be negotiated on the basis of mutual benefit to industry needs and your aspirations.
Approximate workload
Industry placements are flexible depending on full-time or part-time engagement. The minimum full-time engagement should equate to no less than 12 weeks.
Outcomes
- A concise report on the industry placement culminates in a brief for Phase 3.
PHASE 3: MDE501 Design Enterprise Project (120 Credits)
Phase 3 requires the development of a Design Enterprise Research Project around a new product/service opportunity either in conjunction with an industry partner or around your own design inspired product or service enterprise.
Approximate workload
This phase involves a significant engagement over 12 months of the course which can be negotiated according to circumstance.
Outcomes
- An in-depth report which maps in detail the Design Enterprise Project and presents the resultant product or service prototypes.
Facilities
As well as computer labs, hard media studios, laser cutting, and exhibition spaces, you will also have access to our academic and professional resources through our institutional library and affiliations.
We also have a product design and development centre, and academic research facility meeting international standards. It is able to facilitate the production of prototypes at all levels of the product design and development process. It is a business enabler, matching academic rigour with enterprise, business, production and management, and is a showcase for applied design, creativity and innovative endeavour.
We also enjoy strong and frequent links to the local, national and international design and engineering communities. You will benefit from ongoing networks and opportunities through these associations which will allow you to form contacts within the industry.
Programme specific risks
You will be required to work with a range of industrial machinery, equipment and chemicals.
Further study options
Expand your employment potential with doctoral programmes in Design.
Entry
Skills required
- Creativity and vision.
- A passion for design.
- The ability to see an idea through from concept to reality.
- Practical ability.
- The ability to communicate your ideas to others.
- An interest in people and the world around you.
Entry requirements
- You must have an accredited undergraduate degree in a design or design-related discipline OR equivalent recognised qualification and/or experience
- You must also have industry-related experience; working in business, production or design-related work.
- Curriculum Vitae required
- You must present a portfolio of work (words and images) that demonstrates visually your design ability and enterprise interest or aspirations. See more information here.
- You must submit a letter of introduction.
- You must submit a project proposal - please see more information below.
- You must supply the name and contact details of two referees.
- You may have to undertake an interview.
- International students will be individually assessed to ensure they meet the entry requirements.
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 with no individual band score lower than 6.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for a list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Selection process
All applicants who meet the entry criteria are eligible for selection.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
International fees
From 1 July 2023, the international fee for this programme will increase as Te Pūkenga move to standardised international tuition fees across New Zealand.
This reflects the value and quality of our education offering, and that we are now one organisation with a size and scale that provides more options to our learners.
Additional costs
A list of equipment, textbooks and resources which must be purchased for this programme are available from the School of Design. In general, consumables items are provided.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. These fees don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free* for domestic learners
If this is your first time doing tertiary study, or your first tertiary study was covered by the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship (TTAF) initiative, you may be able to get up to $12,000 of your fees covered for one year’s study or two years’ training.
All the details and criteria are on the Fees Free website and you can check whether you’re going to be able to access Fees Free by entering your National Student Number.
If you can access it, we’ll organise your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission when you’re enrolled to study with us. This funding doesn’t include additional costs or living costs.
* Please note: The Government has advised that they intend to change the Fees Free policy from 2025. The details of the change are yet to be confirmed. We'll update this information as soon as we can with any new details. The Fees Free policy for 2024 is unchanged.
Application
How to apply
To apply for this programme just click the blue 'Apply now' button above.
Applications are preferred by 30 November.
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.
