Diploma in Design Tītohu mō te Hoahoa
Passionate about design? Our Diploma in Design Tītohu mō te Hoahoa is another way into AUT. Become familiar with different areas of design and prepare yourself for further study.
If you’re not entirely sure what to expect from uni or from studying design, or missed out on getting into your dream degree, this diploma is a great way to begin your university studies and broaden your knowledge of design.
You’ll take the same courses as our first-year bachelor’s degree students and study in a supportive environment. Once you’ve completed your diploma you can then move into Year 2 of the Bachelor of Design Te Tohu Paetahi mō te Hoahoa, which means you can still complete your chosen bachelor’s degree in three years.
Download programme guides
Minimum entry requirements
If you have New Zealand qualifications
- University Entrance OR
- 42 NCEA credits at Level 3, including UE literacy and numeracy, with:
- 10 credits in each of 3 approved subjects, OR
- 12 credits in each of 2 approved subjects and 14 credits across 2 further subjects.
If you have qualifications from another country
See entry requirements for students from other countries. Select your country from the dropdown menu.
English language requirements
IELTS (Academic) 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in writing and a minimum of 5 in other bands, or equivalent.
You'll become familiar with different design methods and processes, and the history and theories of design. You'll also build your academic writing, communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to give you the confidence for further study.
The courses you study are from the first year of the Bachelor of Design Te Tohu Paetahi mō te Hoahoa. After you've completed this diploma, you can then cross-credit your courses and transfer to the second year of our design degree. Your diploma courses can also help you decide which subjects you might like to focus on later once you move into our bachelor's degree. We will work with you to help you identify where you want to go and what courses will help you get there.
Complete the following courses
- DESN511 Introduction to Design Practice (30 points)
- DESN512 Making and Media (15 points)
- DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practices (15 points)
And choose one of
- DIGD511 Animation, Visual Effects and Game Design Practice I (30 points)
- FASD511 Fashion Design Practice I (30 points)
- GRAD511 Communication Design Practice I (30 points)
- INRD511 Interaction Design Practice I (30 points)
- PRDD511 Industrial Design Practice I (30 points)
- SPAD511 Spatial Design Practice I (30 points)
And choose two from
- ARDN501 The Fundamentals of Filmmaking (15 points)
- ARDN502 Introduction to Creative Business (15 points)
- ARDN504 Introduction to Social and Environmental Justice (15 points)
- ARDN505 Digital Fabrication I: 2D to 3D (15 points)
- ARDN511 The Traveller: Site-Related Practices (15 points)
- ARDN514 Pattern Systems (15 points)
- ARDN516 The Image (15 points)
- ARDN517 Experimental Surface Design I (15 points)
- ARDN540 Introduction to Drawing, Motion and Animation (15 points)
- ARDN541 Introduction to Extended Reality (15 points)
- ARDN542 Finding Your Own Voice (15 points)
- DESN513 Healthy Futures - Good Health Design (15 points)
- DIGD506 Motion Capture I (15 points)
Because you study the same first-year courses as our bachelor’s degree students, you can move into the second year of the Bachelor of Design Te Tohu Paetahi mō te Hoahoa once you’ve completed this diploma.
($7,726 tuition fees + $1,192 student services levy)
($41,500 tuition fees + $1,192 student services levy)
- Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
- International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
- Fees-free study may be available for domestic students
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.