Massey University

What you'll study

The Honours year is an intensive, focused programme that combines advanced studio work, research methods and professional practice. You will undertake a major individual project or thesis that demonstrates critical thinking, design innovation and research rigour, supported by supervisors from across design disciplines.

• Advanced design studio – concentrated studio practice where you develop a substantial body of work in a chosen specialism such as communication design, industrial/product design, interaction and UX, spatial design, textiles or service design.
• Design research methods – qualitative and quantitative methods for design research, practice-led inquiry, user-centred research, prototyping and evaluation techniques.
• Theory and critical studies – contemporary design theory, history, sustainability, ethics and cultural context, including indigenous and Aotearoa perspectives on design practice.
• Professional practice – project management, portfolio and business development, industry engagement, IP and entrepreneurial skills to prepare for professional work or freelance practice.
• Electives and cross-disciplinary options – opportunities to take electives or collaborate with other disciplines such as engineering, information technology, business or creative arts to broaden skills and application areas.

Entry requirements

Entry to the Bachelor of Design with Honours normally requires completion of an appropriate bachelor’s degree in design or a closely related field with a strong academic record. Applicants are typically assessed on a combination of academic results, a design portfolio that demonstrates practice and potential, and a proposal for the honours project. Additional requirements may include a faculty interview and demonstrated proficiency in English if your prior study was in another language.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Honours year enhance their employment prospects and are prepared for senior or specialist roles across the creative and design industries. Typical career pathways include:

• Senior designer roles in communication, product, service, interaction or spatial design
• Design researcher or user-experience specialist in public and private sectors
• Creative director, design consultant or design strategist in agencies and studios
• Product development and innovation roles in manufacturing, technology and start-ups
• Further study and research: progression to postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Design or doctoral research

Why study at Massey University

Massey’s design programmes are studio-focused and emphasize practice-led research, industry engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students benefit from experienced academic staff who combine professional practice with research expertise, access to specialist workshops and digital labs, and opportunities to work on real-world projects with industry partners.

The university supports a strong culture of creative enquiry that includes attention to sustainability and local cultural perspectives. The Honours year provides individual supervision, mentoring and a platform to build a professional portfolio and network that helps transition into senior practice or further study.