Bachelor of Product Design
- Degree Structure - Start In
- Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
360
Overview
Bachelor of Product Design
Introduction
Product Design combines creative design, science, engineering, and business studies. Product designers plan and develop items for homes, businesses, and industry.
From creating a new lightweight kayak or a phone app, to formulating rongoā (medicinal products) or a virtual training world, studying product design will equip you for a wide range of occupations.
Graduates will be able to develop creative ideas based on their knowledge of related sciences and engineering disciplines, as well as gain the practical business skills needed to commercialise new products.
Bachelor of Product Design
What will my study involve?
- You will have access to modern design, laboratory, computer, and testing facilities.
- Develop your ideas through a number of projects working as an individual or as part of a team.
- Study a BProdDesign alongside a Bachelor of Commerce, Science, or Engineering to complete a conjoint degree in just four years.
Bachelor of Product Design
Entry requirements
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.
Recommended preparation
Entry to the BProdDesign is open to anyone with entry to the University. However, it is strongly recommended that you have at least 14 credits in NCEA Level 2 science and mathematics. Those intending to take Chemical Formulation Design should ideally have 14 credits in NCEA Level 3 chemistry (or the IB/CIE equivalent of these).
Secondary school studies in related subjects such as digital technologies, technology, or design and visual communication would be an advantage.
Visit Te Kura Hanga Otinga | School of Product Design website for more details on recommended preparation, including an outline for different secondary school qualifications.
Bachelor of Product Design
How do I plan my degree?
The Bachelor of Product Design requires a minimum total of 360 points:
- 120 points of compulsory courses
- 240 points of major courses.
A minimum of 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 75 points at 300-level.
You may also choose to complete a minor in your degree, chosen from Product Design subjects, or minor options from Arts, Commerce, Digital Screen, Health Sciences, Science, Sport, or Youth and Community Leadership degrees. This will increase the total points in your degree to 375 or 390 and may add additional time. Contact a Student Advisor to help plan your courses and workload.
Design projects throughout the degree will involve independent work on open-ended projects, with a mix of individual and team-based activities, under close supervision by academics with experience in product design.
The degree takes 3 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 10 years.
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Product Design.
Double degrees
It is possible to study a Bachelor of Product Design alongside other degrees at the same time, such as the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Commerce.
Find out more information about Double degrees.
Conjoint degrees
You can study a conjoint degree and merge your BProdDesign with options such as the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours or Bachelor of Commerce, so that you can complete major subjects from multiple areas in a shorter timeframe.
Find out more information about Conjoint degrees.
Bachelor of Product Design
Subjects and courses
The Bachelor of Product Design involves a combination of coursework and design projects. Complete compulsory courses in introductory product design, management, engineering, and mathematics, as well as courses towards a major.
Compulsory courses
Year 1
- PROD101 Product Design 1
- MGMT100 Fundamentals of Management
- PROD110 Design Principles OR ENGR101 Foundations of Engineering
- One 100-level MATH or EMTH course
Plus complete the required 100-level courses from your chosen major.
Year 2
Plus complete the required 200-level courses from your chosen major.
Year 3
Complete two courses at either 200 or 300-level chosen from:
Plus complete the required 300-level courses from your chosen major.
Product Design majors
Minors
You may also choose to complete a minor in a single subject chosen from Product Design, Arts, Commerce, Digital Screen, Health Sciences, Science, Sport, or Youth and Community Leadership degrees. This will require completing extra courses and may add additional time to complete your degree.
Contact a Student Advisor for course planning advice.
Domestic
2024 tuition fee estimate: $7,349 - $7,813 per 120 points
2025 tuition fee estimate: $7,790 - 8,282 per 120 points
International
2024 tuition fee estimate: $41,813 per 120 points
2025 tuition fee estimate: $43,445 per 120 points
Bachelor of Product Design
Further study
UC's postgraduate Product Design options include:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Product Design
- Master of Product Design
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Product Design
UC also has a wide range of relevant options for postgraduate study, including qualifications in Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Business and Marketing.
There is also the Postgraduate Certificate in Product Innovation and Master of Product Innovation open to students of any study background.
Bachelor of Product Design
Career ready
- Gain practical experience by taking part in design projects right from the first year.
- Learn to develop ideas based on the latest science and technology, while gaining the business skills needed to launch new products that fulfil a market need.
- Graduates will be ready to work in design agencies, manufacturing companies, engineering consultancies, educational and training companies, research and development, and more. You may even choose to start your own company.
Find out more about what can you do with a degree from UC.
Example degree structure diagram
(1) 200 or 300-level courses from MGMT, MKTG, ECON, FINC, INOV, BSNS, or ACCT.
Each small block represents a 15-point courses. However, some courses may be 30 points or more.
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible. For specific course requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Product Design.
