Offered by the School of Design Innovation, the Master of Design is an opportunity to explore design-based research under the supervision of staff who are widely acknowledged as leaders in their fields.

You’ll need a solid understanding of design research methodology to be successful in your studies. Explore your topic in depth and develop a portfolio of original design research.

You can find out about the School’s main research areas, research groups, and supervising staff on the School of Design Innovation’s Research site.

If you want to do your Master’s via coursework and work as part of a DRIL research group, you should explore the Master of Design Innovation.

Consider your current knowledge of the intellectual, technical, aesthetic, and cultural conditions of design theory and practice when choosing your research topic.

Past research areas include:

• design-led futures
• gaming
• interaction
• digital imaging
• live theory
• design history
• human factors in design research
• design and culture.

You may be able to study the Master of Design by distance. Talk to the programme director to discuss this option.

The MDes can be completed within three trimesters of full-time study.

Studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40 to 45 hours a week for much of the year.

Postgraduate study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington will help you build valuable relationships and networks with peers, University staff, and future colleagues. You’ll have opportunities to attend events, seminars, workshops, and social functions.

The Postgraduate Students’ Association offers information on study at the University and provides a voice for you on campus.

Postgraduate students in the School of Design Innovation can apply to tutor undergraduate courses. Talk to the programme director if you are interested.