Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Design Conjoint

The Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Design Conjoint is a comprehensive undergraduate program that combines commercial and creative thinking to understand and innovate in the ever-changing world of business. This conjoint degree offers students a unique opportunity to develop proactive attitudes and skills for navigating complex markets and leveraging emerging technologies.

Programme Overview

The BCom/BDes conjoint gives students an advantage in business and enterprise by developing their ability to research, prototype, test, and implement different solutions to business problems using real-world and imagined scenarios. The program is designed to provide students with a flexible business degree that offers a variety of majors, alongside a design component that focuses on building a study plan of elective courses from four design themes:

• Design and Local Community Practices
• Design and Global Challenges
• Design and Business
• Design and Emerging Technologies

Programme Structure

The BCom/BDes usually takes four years to complete, requiring students to complete 540 points:

• 255 points from BCom courses
• 255 points from BDes courses, including:
  • 165 points from BDes core courses
  • 90 points from BDes elective courses
• 15 points from a General Education course
• 15 points from courses available for any program at the University

Students will start with Stage I business core courses, followed by major courses, and can choose from 12 majors covering all aspects of business and enterprise operations and strategy. In the BDes component, students will undertake a capstone design research project in their final year, working from the initial discovery phase through to testing and implementation.

Subjects Available in this Programme

The subjects available in the Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Design Conjoint include:

• Accounting
• Business Analytics
• Commercial Law
• Design
• Economics
• Finance
• Information Systems
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• International Business
• Management
• Marketing
• Operations & Supply Chain Management
• Taxation

Entry Requirements

For New Zealand Secondary School Qualifications

To enter the program, students must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard and achieve a guaranteed rank score. Specific requirements include:

• NCEA: 210 points
• CIE: 230 points
• IB: 28 points

For Tertiary Qualifications

Students with prior tertiary study can transfer if they meet the minimum grade requirements, which include a GPA or GPE of 3.9.

For International Students

International students must meet the equivalent secondary school qualifications or have completed one year of successful bachelor-degree level study at a recognized university overseas. English language requirements also apply, with a minimum IELTS score of 6.0.

Fees and Scholarships

2026 Fees

• Domestic students: NZ$11,427.75
• International students: NZ$55,380

Fees are inclusive of 15% GST but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel, and health insurance, or living costs. Scholarships and student loans are available for eligible students.

Key Dates

• Application closing dates: Semester One 2026 - 8 December 2025
• Start dates: Semester One 2026 - 2 March 2026
• Other important dates include orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Design Conjoint prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities, including:

• Business analyst
• Experience designer
• Innovation manager
• Policy adviser
• Product designer
• Product owner
• Project manager
• Service designer

Students can also access career planning services from the University's Career Development and Employability Services.