Institute of Technology or Polytechnic
Otago PolytechnicGraduate Diploma in Design (Specialty)
This course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Graduate Certificate or Diploma
Duration
2 years
Next start date
Expected Feb 2027
Campus
Dunedin Campus
Summary
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.
About the programmeIn addition to core classes in your specific area - Communication, Fashion or Product Design - you will also focus on two Bachelor of Design courses which are common to all specialties. Electives will enable you to dip into areas such as Softgoods / Accessories, Photography, Storytelling, Enterprise and Web Design (and many others) for an experience outside your specialty.
Professional pathways will help you get an understanding of the professional and strategic requirements of the industry, and to extend your professional research techniques. Start dates The July intake is available for students in the following specialties (Communication or Fashion) - please contact pamh@op.ac.nz for more details.
Entry criteria
Academic requirementsYou 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 equivalenceTo 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 requirementsIf English is not your first language, you must provide: New Zealand University Entrance OR Overall band score (Academic) of 6.0 IELTS, (writing and speaking score no less than 6.0 and reading and listening bands no less than 5.5) or TOEFL 600 course, 237-250 computer, TWE 5.
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.
Your portfolioshould 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 processApplicants 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.
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Please note that degrees and qualifications earned via remote or distance learning are excluded from the overseas credential evaluation and recognition services provided by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE). For more information, please contact CSCSE directly: +86-10-62677800 (phone) or visit their website(external link that opens in a new tab).
You can learn more about international recognition of New Zealand qualifications on the NZQA website.