Bachelor of Product Design
BProdDesign
Duration
3 years
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Product Design
- Master of Product Design
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Duration
3 years
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Product Design
- Master of Product Design
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Overview
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 rongoā (medicinal products) 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.
- Combine creative design, science, engineering, and business studies to develop items for use in homes, businesses, and industry.
- You will have access to state-of-the-art design, laboratory, computer, and testing facilities.
- Develop your ideas through a number of projects working as an individual or as part of a team.
- Study a BProdDesign alongside a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Commerce to complete a conjoint degree in just four years.
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For information on the enrolment process, please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
Recommended preparation
Entry to the BProdDesign is open to anyone with entry to the University. However, it is strongly recommended that you have at least 14 credits in NCEA Level 2 science and mathematics. Those intending to take the Chemical Formulation Design major should ideally have 14 credits in NCEA Level 3 chemistry (or the IB/CIE equivalent of these).
Secondary school studies in related subjects such as digital technologies, technology, or design and visual communication would be an advantage.
Visit Te Kaupeka Pūhanga | Faculty of Engineering website for more details on recommended preparation, including an outline for different secondary school qualifications.
Bachelor of Product Design – example degree structure
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Compulsory courses
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Major courses
(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 you have not completed MKTG100 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.
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible. For specific course 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.
105 points of compulsory courses are completed in the 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.
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.
Find out more information about Double degrees.
Conjoint degrees
You can choose to 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.
Contact a Student Advisor for course planning advice.
The Bachelor of Product Design involves a combination of coursework and design projects. Complete compulsory courses in introductory product design, management, engineering, and mathematics, as well as courses towards a major.
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
Product Design majors
Compulsory courses
Year 1
- PROD101 Product Design 1
- MGMT100 Fundamentals of Management
- PROD110 Product Design Principles OR ENGR101 Foundations of Engineering
- One 100-level MATH or EMTH course
- Plus required 100-level courses from your chosen major
Year 2
Complete one of the following:
- ACCT102 Accounting and Financial Information
- ECON104 Introduction to Microeconomics
- MKTG100 Principles of Marketing
- Plus required 200-level courses from your chosen major
Year 3
Complete two courses at either 200 or 300-level chosen from:
If you have not already completed MKTG100 in the degree, then you must include at least one Marketing course in your options.
Plus complete the required 300-level courses from your chosen major.
UC's postgraduate Product Design options include:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Product Design
- Master of Product Design
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Product Design
UC also has a wide range of relevant options for postgraduate study, including qualifications in Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Business and Marketing.
There is also the Postgraduate Certificate in Product Innovation and Master of Product Innovation open to students of any study background.
- Gain practical experience by taking part in design projects right from the first year.
- Learn to develop ideas based on the latest science and technology, while gaining the business skills needed to launch new products that fulfil a market need.
- Graduates will be ready to work in design agencies, manufacturing companies, engineering consultancies, educational and training companies, research and development, and more. You may even choose to start your own company.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2023 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $7,226 - $7,600 |
| 2022 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $7,349 - $7,397 |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) | Fees (NZD) Excl GST |
| 2022 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $38,850 | $33,783 |
| 2023 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $40,063 | $34,837 |
Contact us
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Product Design.
For study planning help, contact a Student Advisor.
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Kaupeka Pūhanga | Faculty of Engineering.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).