Program Overview

Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication Design)

Overview

Hone your creative talents to become a versatile design professional. With this degree, you'll learn how to generate ideas, solve problems, and design innovative solutions in advertising, marketing, and communication design environments.

What Will I Study

Core skills taught include design strategies, graphics, branding and communication, typography, art direction, drawing, and illustration. In addition, you'll choose three courses from a range of electives which will enable you to develop complementary skills in particular areas of interest.

As well as studio courses, you'll complete a group of core courses in academic subjects. These include both professional and contextual studies which will equip you with developed communication skills, a background in the history and sociology of creative practices, insights into contemporary professional ethics, and some business skills.

Fees for 2025

• Domestic Fee: $8,085 - $8,995 per year
• International Fee: $26,000 per year
• Indicative Student Services Fee: $370.50 per year
• Valid To: December 31, 2025

Academic Requirements

• University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at level 3 and 20 credits at level 2 or higher) which must include 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three approved subjects and:
  • Literacy: 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing
  • Numeracy: 10 credits at Level 1 or above (specified achievement standards, or unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627)
• OR a qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework at Level 4 or above in a related discipline.

Additional Requirements

• Portfolio demonstrating art/design work

Alternative Requirements

• Still want to study but don't meet the Academic Requirements?
  • If you show that you have equivalent skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, you may be able to gain alternative entry.
  • Note: The number of courses you have to complete for this qualification may be reduced where you have relevant credits from previous study, or evidence of similar learning or experience in the workplace.

English Requirements

• What if English is not my first Language?
  • Please provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives
    • English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.
  • If you are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, complete an Admission and Enrolment form and Ara will contact you regarding a free assessment.
  • If you are not a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent resident, book an IELTS or other test through the Ara Examination Centre or in your home country.
  • IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.
  • What if I have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance?
  • You do not need to provide additional evidence of English Language skills.

Overall IELTS 6.0 Academic

• 5.5 Listening
• 5.5 Reading
• 5.5 Writing
• 5.5 Speaking

Selection Criteria

• Programme selection committees will ensure that the selection process is consistent across the five specialisations of the degree
• These committees review applications received to determine which may be accepted.
• The committees also establish criteria and a marking schedule by which all candidates are assessed
• The selection committees are made up of tutors from the specialisations
• Selection is designed to assess potential for a successful career in a design-related industry and is based on:
  • portfolio material

Funding Assistance

• If you face unexpected financial hardship during your studies, we have several funds that you can apply for. These are designed to enable you to continue your current course of study. We also have a wide range of scholarships and awards that can provide financial assistance.

Core Courses

• Level 5:
  • Contextual Studies 1 (BDCO500) - 15 credits
  • Creative Process (BDCO510) - 15 credits
  • Technical Skills - Communication (BDVS501) - 15 credits
  • Ways of Seeing - Image and Text (BDVS511) - 15 credits
  • Design Principles - Visual Language (BDVS512) - 15 credits
  • Graphics Studio (BDVS521) - 15 credits
  • Communication Studio (BDVS522) - 15 credits
  • Typography (BDVS523) - 15 credits
• Level 6:
  • Contextual Studies 2 (BDCO600) - 15 credits
  • Professional Studies (BDCO601) - 15 credits
  • Photography Elective (BDEL602) - 15 credits
  • Book Art Elective (BDEL604) - 15 credits
  • Illustration Elective (BDEL605) - 15 credits
  • Content Management Elective (BDEL606) - 15 credits
  • Spatial Design Elective (BDEL607) - 15 credits
  • Introduction to Screen Printing (BDEL609) - 15 credits
  • 3D Motion Graphics (BDEL610) - 15 credits
  • Painting (BDEL611) - 15 credits
  • Film Studies: Storytelling, Motion and ... (BDEL613) - 15 credits
  • Introduction to 2D Game Design (BDEL614) - 15 credits
  • Digital Printing (BDEL616) - 15 credits
  • Interpretation and Information 1 (BDVS611) - 15 credits
  • Branding and Persuasion 1 (BDVS612) - 15 credits
  • Interpretation and Information 2 (BDVS621) - 15 credits
  • Branding and Persuasion 2 (BDVS622) - 15 credits
• Level 7:
  • Contextual Studies 3 (BDCO700) - 15 credits
  • Final Project (BDCO720) - 45 credits
  • Professional Practice - Communication (BDVS701) - 15 credits
  • Visual Culture and Society - Communicat... (BDVS711) - 30 credits

Career Opportunities

• As a design graduate, you'll be ready to take on a range of roles including advertising agency/design studio creative, self-employed graphic designer, web designer, app designer, book/magazine illustrator, motion graphic designer.
• You may even move into gallery or museum work as a designer or curator, or work in set design for stage, television or film.

Study Pathways

• Graduates may choose to enrol in a wide range of programmes including postgraduate study including:
  • Masters of Creative Practice (CH4077)
  • Postgrad Diploma in Creative Practice (CH4078)
  • PGDipFA (Massey)
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Art & Design (AUT)

Recommended School Subjects

• Design
• Photography
• Art
• English or English-rich subjects
• Art History

Programme Details

• Type: Degree
• Code: CH3756
• Next Starts: February 2026
• May be available for Study Visa?: Yes
• International application close date: Please enquire
• Credits: 360
• Level: 7
• Additional Equipment/Fees: $1000 per year
• May be eligible for Studylink?: Yes
• May be eligible for Fees Free?: Yes
• Reference: CH3756-VCOM

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

• Placements or workplace assignments are an integral part of this programme. You don’t need to supply evidence of your Covid vaccination status to apply for or to study this programme but please be aware that some workplaces may require evidence from you that you are fully vaccinated for Covid before allowing you to complete work at their organisation. The number of organisations at which your placement or workplace assignment can be completed may be impacted, depending on your vaccination status.