Bachelor of Design (Communication)

Entry criteria

Entry Entry requirements Academic requirements

• NCEA Level 3 which must include
• 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three NZQA approved university entrance subjects, and
• 10 Literacy credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:
  • 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing, and
• 10 Numeracy credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:
  • specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects OR
  • package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627- all three required).
• Or equivalent qualifications / experience.
• Provisional entry may be possible.

If you do not hold the above qualifications, you must demonstrate equivalent qualifications/experience. Mature applicants with work and life experience are encouraged to apply.

• You must submit a portfolio ((unless you meet the criteria for automatic entry or have a pre-approval for your portfolio – see Your Portfolio section below).
• You may have to undertake an interview.
• 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:

• New Zealand University Entrance OR
• Overall IELTS 6.0, academic, no lower than:
  • Writing band 6.0
  • Speaking band 6.0
  • Reading band 5.5
  • Listening band 5.5, (achieved in one test completed in the last two years) OR
• Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for internationally recognised proficiency tests and proficiency outcomes for international students).

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

Provisional entry

A school leaver or an adult applicant who does not meet all the entry criteria may be given provisional entry to year 1 at the discretion of the Head of School.

• Those who successfully complete and pass year 1 will be deemed to have met entry requirements and provisional status will be removed.
• The interview panel will consist of lecturers who teach on the course, along with an academic leader from the department.
• Applicants will be selected on merit on the basis of their portfolio, evidence of creativity and ability to take a concept through to a model stage, and demonstration of the ability to undertake design study at degree level.

Successful applicants will be informed before the end of the year and be sent detailed information on enrolment procedures, loans, starting dates for the following year and any information that might be required to facilitate a smooth introduction to the programme.

Selection process

We select people according to a range of criteria. If we have more eligible applicants than places available, we might put you on a waiting list and we may ask you to come in for an interview to discuss your portfolio.

Your portfolio

A portfolio is a selection of work that shows your creative potential and passion for your chosen design specialty. It can include examples from your school or your own projects at home or in the community.

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

You need to submit a portfolio when you apply for this programme unless you meet the criteria for automatic entry or get portfolio ‘pre-approval’.

1. Automatic portfolio approval – no portfolio needed

• If you have achieved University Entrance endorsed with excellence overall including merit or excellence in an approved art, design or technology subject at NCEA Level 3, you have automatic entry, and will not need to submit a portfolio.
• This also applies to applicants who have achieved Cambridge International AS grade A or B in an approved art, design or technology subject.

Note: When you apply online and are asked to upload a portfolio, you can either upload a copy of your NCEA results, or upload a note that says “I qualify for automatic entry”. We’ll then verify that with NZQA.

2. Portfolio pre-approval – show ‘work in progress’

• You can show a ‘work in progress’ portfolio to a staff member from the School of Design by making contact with the school, or at open days and careers events throughout the year. If your portfolio meets our criteria you will receive a portfolio per-approval letter which can be uploaded with your application and you won’t have to submit a final ...