Product Design combines creative design, science, engineering, and business studies. Product designers plan and develop items for use in homes, businesses, and industry.
From creating a new lightweight kayak or a phone app, to formulating natural cosmetics 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. This degree will prepare you for a modern career path in many areas of Aotearoa New Zealand’s innovative economy.
How do I plan my degree?
(1) Select 15 points at 100-level or above from Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering with Honours degree courses, depending on your chosen major.
(2) Select 15 points at 200-level and 300-level from Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering with Honours degree courses, depending on your chosen major.
(3) 200 or 300-level course from MGMT, MKTG, ECON, FINC, or ACCT. If students have not completed MKTG 100 then at least 15 points of MKTG 200 or 300-level courses.
Each small block represents a 15-point courses. However, some courses may be 30 points (or more).
For major requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Product Design.
The Bachelor of Product Design requires a minimum total of 360 points:
- 135 points of Product Design courses
- 165 points of Science and Engineering courses
- 60 points of Business or Management courses.
A minimum of 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 75 points at 300-level.
Students complete 105 points of compulsory courses in their first and third years of the degree. The remaining 255 points are selected based on your chosen major.
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 study planning help, contact the UC Liaison Office | Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC (new students) or a College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha Student Advisor (advancing students).
Double degrees
It is possible to combine the study of a BProdDesign with other degrees, such as a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Commerce.
Conjoint degrees
Students can study the Conjoint Bachelor of Product Design and Science or the Conjoint Bachelor of Product Design and Commerce, which requires 60 points less than a double degree and will be completed in four years in an intensive format.
For example, students may want to study the Applied Immersive Game Design BProdDesign major with the Computer Science BSc major, or the Industrial Product Design BProdDesign major with the Marketing BCom major.
Contact a Student Advisor from each relevant College or School for course planning advice.
Contact us
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Product Design.
For study planning help, contact the UC Liaison Office | Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC (new students) or a College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha Student Advisor (advancing students).
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see the Te Rāngai Pūkaha | College of Engineering.
For more general information, email [email protected] or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).