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Bachelor of Design with Major in Communication Design The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus, New Zealand

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NZD 36830

Annual Tuition Fee

!
*Subject to change and other fees
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 Free

Application Fee

Duration icon

36 months

Duration

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6

IELTS

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80

TOEFL

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75%

Min GPA

Program Overview

The study of Design combines an understanding of human needs and desires, forming creative solutions, prototyping, developing and evaluating their impact and effectiveness - a well-balanced combination of analytical, technological and creative abilities.


Why study the Bachelor of Design?

Bachelor of Design (BDes) graduates are trained to use a variety of skills to operate in a wide range of social contexts using a diverse array of media. During your studies, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of Design and its role in the process of innovation.

The Bachelor of Design offers four majors: Communication Design, Industrial Design, Interface Design, and Media Design.

As a BDes graduate you will have the capability to articulate effective design solutions in the contemporary technological context. You will have a solid understanding of design methods and theories together with advanced technical skills.

Training in Design is suitable for both school leavers as well as mature learners wishing to enhance their skills. Students within the programme develop knowledge in a broad range of industry standard software, while using the latest digital technology. Contact with the Design industry is encouraged, and students will have opportunities to interact with Design professionals during their study.

Students who graduate with a Design degree from Waikato have proven to be capable performers in the design industry.  In addition to career opportunities in Design, Waikato graduates have a broad range of options to choose from with further research in Design possible at graduate and postgraduate levels.


 

Major: Communication Design

Communication Design, also known as graphic design or visual communication design, is the communication of messages and ideas across visual media platforms.

 

Why study Communication Design?

Enjoy the freedom of creative expression, developing design skills for web and print design and motion graphics, and excel in arranging typography, form, and images for impactful and effective visual communication. You will be recognised for the quality of your contribution to our visual culture.

As a communication designer, you will work to combine type and image to attract an audiences's attention and deliver your client's messages.

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.

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Additional Information

Program Level 3-Year Bachelor's Degree

College/University Processing Time 7 Days

Program Format Full-Time

Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) work permit

Program Intake

Open

Mar 2025, Jul 2025

Closed

Jul 2024

General Admission Requirement

    Academic Requirement

    • Minimum Level of Education Required: To be accepted into this program, applicants must have Grade 12 / High School Diploma or equivalent including the following required course(s):
      • English 60%

    6 IELTS Score
    80 TOEFL Score Minimum Overall Score
    46 PTE Score Minimum Overall Score
    75% CGPA Minimum Overall Score

    Similar Programs

    Tuition Fee

    The values given below are estimated figures, excluding extra charges like material fee, student activity fees, athletic fees, health care, etc., for courses. To know more, please visit the Programs page.

    Average Tuition Fee Per Year

    36830

    Tuition Fee
    (NZD)

     Free

    Application Fee
    (NZD)

    20000 Per year

    Average Cost of Living
    (NZD)

    info icon

    The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

    Check program website for more information about funding options.

    Scholarships

    The University of Waikato and our partners offer a range of scholarships and awards to assist students with fees and living expenses, and to support academic and research excellence.


    Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship for India

    This Scholarship is intended to support talented international students from India who are enrolling for the first time into undergraduate or postgraduate programmes at the University of Waikato. The Scholarships have a value of up to NZD$15,000, and will be awarded to successful applicants who demonstrate excellent academic achievement.


    Key Details:

    • Value: Up to NZD$15,000 towards tuition fees
    • Study Level: Undergraduate, Postgraduate (Taught), Postgraduate (Research)
    • Subject Area: Any
    • Closing Date: Applications for 2024 can be submitted at any time


    Eligibility and Selection Criteria

    1. To be eligible, applicantsmust:
    • be a citizen or permanent resident of India;
    • be applying to enrol full-time in an undergraduate or postgraduate programme1, as a new international student to the University of Waikato.
    • have received a conditional or unconditional offer of place from the University of Waikato (including a pathway offer for a degree packaged with the Certificate of Attainment in English Language; the Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies; Certificate of University Preparation; International Diploma (Business); International Diploma (Computer Science) or Diploma of Postgraduate Preparation (Pre-Masters) at the University of Waikato.
    • have a minimum GPA equivalency of B+ in the qualification used to gain entrance to the University of Waikato.
    1. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if any of the following apply:
    • Currently enrolled in the University of Waikato College or any University of Waikato degree programmes.
    • Have paid tuition fees or applied for a visa at the time of application.
    • coming to the University of Waikato via a sponsoring body2.coming to the University of Waikato on a Guaranteed Credit Arrangement3, or through a study abroad or student exchange agreement.
    • Are offshore applicants applying on or after:
      • 31 December for A Trimester offers of place
      • 30 April for B Trimester offers of place
      • 31 August for C Trimester offers of place
      • 31 October for H or X Trimester offers of place
    1. Selection is based on:
    • Academic merit.
    • Potential to become global ambassadors for the University of Waikato.
    1. On-going eligibility is conditional onrecipients:
    • Enrolling within 12 months of the dates outlined in the Offer of Place and commencing a full-time programme/s of study of at least 120 points at the University of Waikato in the year(s) of tenure.
      • The original scholarship offer is valid only within 12 months of the dates outlined in the Offer of Place unless deferral is approved.
      • If for any reason a recipient defers study at the University of Waikato within one calendar year from their original start date, their scholarship may also be deferred if the recipient advises [email protected] when confirmation of the new start date has been received. If a student defers to a new date outside of one year, then their scholarship will no longer be valid, and they will need to apply again when scholarship applications are open for that new year.
    • Residing in New Zealand for the entire tenure of the scholarship and remaining studying full-time on campus in New Zealand.
    • Maintaining international student status within the University’s student system during the entire tenure of the scholarship. Any change in status will result in the scholarship being fully or partly removed from the student’s account.


    Awarding, Value and Tenure

    • The scholarship value will be between $2,500 and $15,000 and will be paid towards the first 12 months of study at the University of Waikato, split evenly across two trimesters4. The total value offered will be a contribution towards tuition fees only, and all remaining tuition fees and other costs must be met through other means
    • The number of scholarships offered, disbursement of award, and value of each scholarship offered is at the discretion of the Selection Panel and Scholarships Committee and is based on criteria such as, but not limited to, GPA equivalency, funding available, intended programme of study, and duration of intended programme of study.
    • The scholarship will be applied directly to the recipient’s tuition fees for the agreed programme of study either at the time of enrolment or once their enrolment is completed.
    • Students who are offered a scholarship and have a pathway offer for study at the University of Waikato (see 1.2. above) will have their scholarship applied to their degree programme following the successful completion of their pathway programme.
    • All applicants will be advised of the result of their application through their MyWaikato portal.
    • Successful applicants will receive a scholarship offer which is valid for 14 days. Offers must be accepted by the date indicated or the offer will lapse and no longer be valid.
    • After accepting the Scholarship Offer, recipients will receive an official Scholarship Offer Letter to assist in any student visa application.
    • Recipients may pay the full tuition fee amount minus the value of the scholarship in the offer. They must provide their Scholarship Offer Letter to Immigration New Zealand in order to do so.
    • In accepting the Scholarship, the recipient will be deemed to have read, understood and accepted the conditions of the Scholarship, and the Scholarships Policy.
    • The maximum possible tenure is 12 months.

     
    Application

    • Applications can be submitted at any time and decisions will normally be made within 8 to 12 weeks of the time of application. However, applications may not be considered if received within 4 weeks of the start of each of the university’s three main trimesters (A, B, and C Trimesters).
    • As part of their online submission, applicants must:
      • upload their conditional or unconditional offer of place from the University of Waikato.
      • ensure they provide specific details when explaining why they want to study at the University of Waikato and how they will be a global ambassador for the University of Waikato.
         

    Notes:

    • 1 All undergraduate and postgraduate programmes except the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) are eligible.
    • 2 Examples of a sponsoring body are: governments, institutions and employers who fund student scholarships for study.
    • 3 Guaranteed credit arrangements are where an institution has a formal agreement with the UoW whereby a student can study part of their degree at the partner institution and credit that study towards study at the University of Waikato.
    • 4 Recipients who commence study in the middle or end of a year will receive half of their award once enrolled. The other half will be processed once they enrol into the upcoming year.

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