Massey University New Zealand

Bachelor of Design – BDes

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 3 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon February 2027

Course Overview

The Bachelor of Design – BDes at Massey University is your gateway to shaping the visual world around us, offering a specialisation in Visual Communication Design at the Wellington campus. This degree is for you if you are passionate about how design guides, informs, persuades, and inspires, understanding that visual communication is fundamental to how our society functions. You will explore the universal language of design, developing a critical eye and a robust skill set to address contemporary challenges. This undergraduate qualification provides a comprehensive foundation for a career where creativity meets impact.

You will engage in hands-on learning through studio-based projects, workshops, and media labs, studying full-time on campus over three years. The curriculum encourages exploration across various design fields through elective courses, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration. You will develop expertise in areas such as graphic design, typography, user experience design, and brand communication, preparing you for diverse professional pathways. Graduates are equipped to pursue careers as graphic designers, UX/UI specialists, brand strategists, and illustrators, ready to contribute to the creative industries.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Design program offers a diverse range of elective courses across various creative disciplines. Students can explore areas such as coding for creative practice, digital fabrication, fashion design, photography, visual communication, textile design, and spatial design. The curriculum also includes opportunities for internships and specialized topics within Māori art and design, as well as concept design for different media.

1 Schedule C: Elective courses

Coding for creative practice
Digital fabrication
Explorations in visualisation
Explorations in creative coding and media
Explorations in modelling
Creative arts special topic 1B
Creative arts special topic 2C
Interaction and interface I
Creative collaboration
Creative arts special topic 2D
Creative arts special topic 3E
Creative arts project 3A
Interaction and interface II
Service and experience design
Internship
Creative communities
Explorations in digital asset creation
Product and industrial design 1.1: An introduction
Product and industrial design 1.2: Furniture design
Product design visualisation
Furniture design
Product and industrial design 2.1: Experiential design
Product and industrial design 2.2: Dynamic workflows
Product and industrial design 2.3: Empathy, impact and consequence
Product and industrial design 2.4: Manufacturing realities
Product development
Open design & digital fabrication
Industrial design visualisation
Product and industrial design 3.1: Context specific project
Product and industrial design 3.2: Industry based project
Fashion pattern making
Fashion construction
Fashion design 1.1: Fashioning the body
Fashion design 1.2: Introduction to making clothes
Garment block pattern drafting and grading
Fashion communication
Fashion design 2.3: Designing with stretch knit fabrics
Fashion design 2.4: Making clothing with stretch knit fabrics
Fashion design 2.1: Design development for woven fabrics
Fashion design 2.2: Technical design for woven garment realisation
Drape for design
Contoured and knit apparel
Digital applications for fashion production
Fashion design 3.1: Fashion industry processes
Fashion design 3.2: Tailoring methods
Painting
Contemporary sculpture
Contemporary drawing
Explorations in drawing
Drawing in practice
Drawing the body II
Creative arts project 2A
Creative arts project 2B
Creative arts project 2C
Creative arts project 2D
Creative arts project 3B
Creative arts project 3C
Fine arts internship
Photography as an agent of change
Photography studio 1.1: What is photography?
Photography studio 1.2: Introduction to the darkroom
Photography and the studio
Photography and digital practices I
Photography and the darkroom
Photography studio 2.1: Attributes of light
Photography studio 2.2: Fact and fantasy
Photography studio 2.3: The living archive
Photography studio 2.4: Photography, representation and the gaze
Photography and the body
Photography and digital practices II
Photography and the advanced darkroom
Photography studio 3.1: The photobook and narrative
Photography studio 3.2: Post photography
Printmaking
Visual communication design 1.1: Introduction to graphic design
Visual communication design 1.2: Introduction to typography
Visual communication design 1.3: Introduction to user experience design and interactivity
Letterpress
Brand communication
Narrative illustration
Illustrated characters
Typographic systems
Sequential art
Concept design for imaginary worlds
Editorial design
Narrative information design
Visual communication design 3.1: Editorial design and production
Visual communication design 3.2: Brand communication identity and narrative
Visual communication design 3.3: User experience design: service, experience and interaction
Textile design 1.1: Interwoven structures
Textile design 1.2: Surface design, colour and screen print
Materials lab
Fashion textiles
Textile design 2.1: Intro to knit
Textile design 2.2: Intro to print, colouration and pattern
Textile design 2.3: Intro to weave
Textile design 2.4: Digital textile print and application
Contemporary wallcoverings
Textile print project
Textile design 3.1: Advanced textile structures
Textile design 3.2: Advanced textile print for collection and industry
Spatial design 1.1: An introduction
Spatial design 1.2: Immersive experiences
Design for performance
Design for display
Spatial design 2.1: Place and community
Spatial design 2.2: Producing atmospheres
Spatial design 2.3: Adaptive interiors
Spatial design 2.4: Material matters
Spatial design 3.1: Regenerative practices
Spatial design 3.2: Spatial agency
Māori art and design studio I - Toi Atea
Art, culture and contexts
Māori art and design studio IIA - Toi Atea
Māori art and design studio IIB - Toi Atea
Critical perspectives on contemporary art
Māori art and design studio IIIA - Toi Atea
Māori art and design studio IIIB - Toi Atea
Critical understandings of contemporary art
Explorations in narrative
Explorations in image and meaning
Explorations in colour and context
Concept design 1.1: Imagine
Concept design 1.2: Worldbuilding
Concept design 2.1: Character and environment
Concept design 2.2: Prop and creature
Concept design 2.3: Visualisation
Concept design 2.4: Design for fabrication
Concept design 3.1 concepting film and animation
Concept design 3.2: Concepting game and location-based experience
Toi Ᾱtea 1

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 26,807.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 26,807.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 26,807.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 80,423.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 846.00 - USD 896.00
Food & Groceries USD 1,402.00 - USD 2,804.00
Transport USD 701.00 - USD 1,052.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,507.00 - USD 1,884.00
Estimated Total USD 3,610.00 - USD 5,363.00

Living cost estimates are based on Wellington Campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

67%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Artificial Intelligence & Machine LearningEarly Childhood & Primary EducationEconomic Research & PolicyHydropower & Alternative RenewablesMidstream Operations & Energy LogisticsPower Generation & UtilitiesProduct Management & UXProject & Construction ManagementSpecial & Inclusive EducationVocational & Technical Training

Top Employers Hiring for this course

ASB Bank

Beca

Massey University

Microsoft

Why Study Bachelor of Design – BDes at Massey University

What makes this program stand out

February 2027 Closing soon

Next intake is in February 2027

Fast Application response time

Massey University typically responds to applications within a week, giving you clarity on your options quickly.

Life at Massey University in New Zealand

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bachelor of Design – BDes at Massey University

Can I work while studying?

International students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time for courses lasting at least two years and up to 40 hours during breaks. Work permissions vary based on study level.

What English language score do I need for this course?

To enroll in the BDes program, you'll need to meet specific English language requirements. Acceptable tests include IELTS, TOEFL, and Duolingo, with minimum scores varying by test type.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates can pursue careers as graphic designers, fashion designers, industrial designers, textile designers, or photographers.

What will I actually study in this course?

As a BDes student at Massey, you'll engage in hands-on learning in studios and labs while exploring fields like visual communication and industrial design. The program emphasizes design thinking and real-world problem-solving through collaboration.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The Bachelor of Design (BDes) program has intakes in February and July each year. Make sure to apply in advance to secure your spot.
ℹ️️
ℹ️️
ℹ️️
Account
  • New student?

Search for universities & courses

ℹ️️
ℹ️️
ℹ️️
ℹ️️