Auckland University Of Technology Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Design Conjoint

As designers, it is important to understand how potential design solutions could have both a positive and negative impact on the world around us.



Designers consider the cultural, ethical and political implications of emerging technologies and human experience during all phases of development.

A BA/BDes conjoint gives you the opportunity to collaborate and broaden your access to materials and technologies for creative experimentation and strategies for analysing aspects of people and culture that interest you.

Programme structure

The BA/BDes usually takes four years to complete.

You will need to complete 540 points, consisting of:

  • 255 points from BA courses
  • 255 points from BDes courses:
    • 165 points from BDes core courses
    • 90 points from BDes elective courses
  • 15 points from General Education
  • 15 points from courses available for any programme

You can choose up to two subjects as your major(s) for the BA component of your conjoint, and would normally take four or five BA courses each year. You can also choose to take up to two modules

In your Design component, alongside design foundation courses and studio practice, you will build your own study plan of six elective courses from our four design themes:

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

In your final year, you will undertake a capstone design research project, working from the initial discovery phase right through to testing and implementation.

You will probably enrol in nine 15-point courses (135 points) each year if you want to complete in four years. You need to maintain a Grade Point Average of 3.5 each year to continue with your conjoint.

Subjects available in this programme

  • AcademicEngStudiesandLinguisti
  • Anthropology
  • Art History
  • Asian Studies
  • Chinese
  • Classical St & Ancient History
  • Communication
  • Communication (Specialisation)
  • Criminology
  • Design
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • Education
  • EmploymentRelations&OrgStudies
  • English
  • European Studies
  • French
  • Gender Studies
  • Geography
  • German
  • Greek
  • History
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Latin
  • Linguistics
  • Logic and Computation
  • Mathematics
  • Media, Film and Television
  • Music
  • Māori Studies
  • Pacific Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Politics and International Rel
  • Psychology
  • Social and Cultural Research
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Tchg Eng to Spkrs of othr Lang
  • Theological and Religious St

2020 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

 New Zealand Outside New Zealand

Secondary school qualifications

If you’re joining us from secondary school, here’s what you need to enter the programme.

You are guaranteed entry to this programme if you meet these requirements.



  1. First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard.
  2. You must also meet the rank score for this programme.
  3. You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
  4. Some programmes have additional requirements, such as an interview, portfolio or references.

Guaranteed rank score, subject and other requirements

If your rank score is slightly lower than the guaranteed score, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available. If you don’t meet the requirements, you may be able to apply under our Undergraduate Targeted Admission Schemes.

  • QualificationNCEANational Certificate of Educational AchievementScore required210 
    • 16 credits in one subject from Table A
    • 16 credits in one subject from Table B
  • QualificationCIECambridge International ExaminationsScore required230 
    • One subject from Table A
    • One subject from Table B
       
  • QualificationIBInternational BaccalaureateScore required28

Read more about entry requirements for New Zealand secondary school applicants.

Tertiary qualifications

If you’ve studied at a tertiary institution, here’s what you need to enter the programme.

You can transfer from another tertiary institution, or another University of Auckland qualification, if you meet these requirements.

Minimum grade requirements

These are the likely grades required, but they do not guarantee entry. Applicants may require higher grades to gain entry to this programme.

  • Grade required GPA Grade Point Average 3.9 
  • Grade required GPE Grade Point Equivalent 3.9 

Further requirements

You must have completed one semester of successful bachelors degree study from a New Zealand tertiary institution, or one year of successful study as part of an acceptable sub-degree qualification from a New Zealand tertiary institution.

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

  • See if you meet the criteria for the Undergraduate Targeted Admission Scheme (UTAS).
  • Bridge your educational gap with a preparation and foundation programme.
  • If you are under 20, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for discretionary entrance.
  • If you can demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and maturity, we offer admission to applicants under 16.

Key dates

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 20208 December 2019

Start dates



Here are the start dates for the programme.

Semester OneStarts – 2 March
Ends – 29 June
Semester OneStarts – 1 March
Ends – 28 June