Bachelor (Communication Design)

Communication designers work in areas such as branding, environmental graphics, wayfinding systems, editorial design (newspapers, magazines, books), catalogues, museum displays and every aspect of our visual landscape where there is a communication need.  You will find communication designers working in digital mediums too, and the Communication Design major offers opportunities for you to learn web design and motion graphic design as well.
 

In addition to the practical experience gained throughout the Bachelor of Design degree, you have the opportunity to undertake a real-world design project in the 300 level paper DSIGN350. In this project you work relatively independently and collaborate with your peers and with members of the professional design industry.
 

The final semester 300 level paper DSIGN360 involves a self-directed brief which culminates each year in a Degree Show. The Degree Show projects cover a wide range of media including web design and production, mobile design, interactive design, brand development, visual identity work, interactive installation, motion graphics, 3D animation and more.

This degree consists of either:

• a dissertation and coursework

• coursework only
   

This degree can be either in the same area as your undergraduate study or in a new area of study.
 

Depending on your previous study and chosen subject, a masters may take one, one and a half, or two years to complete.
 

A recognised bachelors degree with a B/B+ average, and a B/B+ average in a relevant subject if required.
 

Some Faculties/Schools require an honours degree (to demonstrate research capacity). Where the above requirements are not met, further study in a lower level programme may be required first.
 

To provide flexibility to students during COVID-19 who are affected by the closure of testing centres, the University of Waikato will accept the following alternative tests for all 2021 and 2022 intakes. Please note this policy is subject to review.
 

• IELTS Indicator (this is an online version of the regular IELTS test)

• TOEFL iBT Home (Plus) (this is an online version of the regular TOEFL test)

• Duolingo English Test (DET) with the following scores:

  • DET score of 90 for pre-degree programmes (IELTS 5.5 equivalent)

  • DET score of 100 for undergraduate programmes (excluding those listed below)

  • DET score of 110 for postgraduate programmes (excluding doctoral programmes)
     

The University of Waikato will accept Duolingo (DET) as an alternative means of meeting the English language entry requirements for the majority of its programmes (excluding all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, BSW and LLB) while test centres remain closed and until further notice.


Students who are accepted into their programme using any of the three language tests named above will be issued an unconditional offer, but will be required to undertake a supplementary online language assessment. For doctoral students using DET to gain admission, you will be required to undertake a supplementary assessment prior to an offer being issued.
 

If you are an international student, you will also need to meet an English language entry requirement. If you do not meet the requirement for your chosen postgraduate qualification, we have Academic English Language programmes available that you can enrol in to help you meet these entry requirements.
 

For admission to the Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn) an academic IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no less than 7.0 in any band) is required.

NZ$32,675 /Yr

• Graphic Designer

• Graphic Artist

• Web Designer

• Creative Director

• Art Director