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Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

The BDes/BSc conjoint focuses on developing practical solutions for the future. We may not know the challenges and possibilities to be brought about by future technologies, but through scientific investigation, prototyping and testing, we can prepare to meet them head-on.

Within the BSc side of the conjoint, you can follow your interests in earth, chemical, computational, human, life, mathematical or physical sciences. The BDes component will encourage inquiry and the testing of outcomes to create appropriate, sustainable solutions for products, services and innovation.

Programme Structure

The BDes/BSc usually takes four years to complete.

You will need to complete a total of 540 points, consisting of:

  • 255 points from BSc courses
  • 255 points from BDes courses:
  • 165 points BDes core courses
  • 90 points from BDes elective courses
  • 15 points from General Education
  • 15 points from courses available for any programme

In your Design component, alongside design foundation courses and studio practice, you will build your own study plan of six elective courses from our four design themes:

  • Design and Local Community Practices
  • Design and Global Challenges
  • Design and Business
  • Design and Emerging Technologies

In your final year, you will undertake a capstone design research project, working from the initial discovery phase right through to testing and implementation.

Your Science course enrolment will depend on your majors. You can choose up to two subjects as your major(s) for the BSc component of your conjoint.* Each Science major usually has a range of core and elective courses. In your final year, you will undertake a capstone project where you integrate and apply your learning to a real-world problem in your chosen major or specialisation.

You will probably enrol in nine 15-point courses (135 points) each year if you want to complete in four years. You need to maintain a Grade Point Average of 3.5 each year to continue with your conjoint.

*Anthropological Science, Biomedical Science, Food Science and Nutrition, Information Systems and Medicinal Chemistry are not available as majors within a conjoint.

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

The ability to respond to market trends and stay ahead of competitors sees companies investing heavily in design teams. The viability of solutions and innovations of the future will depend on data and scientific research. In-depth knowledge of scientific disciplines brings a level of authority and widens the potential impact on solutions in business, community, government and health.

Jobs related to this programme

  • AR / VR / Mixed reality designer
  • Data analyst
  • Data visualisation designer
  • Information designer
  • Innovation manager
  • Policy adviser
  • Research lead
  • Simulation designer

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Experience the University

Video

My design summer research scholarship

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters .

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2025 Semester One08 December 202403 March 202530 June 2025
2026 Semester One02 March 202629 June 2026

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Schedule

Schedule Notes

Selected courses from the Bachelor of Science Conjoint Component must include courses in a minimum of two subject codes listed in the Bachelor of Science Schedule.

Programme Schedules

Complete 540 points comprising:

  • 255 points for Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component, and
  • 255 points for Bachelor of Science Conjoint Component, and
  • 15 points from Waipapa Taumata Rau Courses, and
  • 15 points from General Education Courses, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Bachelor of Design Conjoint Component

Complete 255 points comprising:

  • 165 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • 90 points from Elective Courses

Bachelor of Science Conjoint Component

Complete 255 points comprising:

  • At least 1 item from Majors, and
  • 15 to 30 points for Capstone Courses, and
  • 0 to 90 points for 0 to 2 Modules from Modules, and
  • 0 to 120 points from Other Courses from the Bachelor of Science Schedule

Selected courses must include at least 150 points at level 200 or higher.

Selected courses must include at least 75 points at level 300.

Majors

Complete at least 1 of the following:

Capstone Courses

Complete 15 to 30 points for one of the following:

  • 15 points for all Exercise Sciences Capstone Course, or
  • 30 points for all Information Systems Capstone Course, or
  • 15 points from Other Capstone Courses

A student completing BDBS Major in Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Exercise Sciences - Applied Exercise and Sport Sciences Pathway must complete the requirements from Exercise Sciences Capstone Course.

Exercise Sciences Capstone Course

Complete 15 points for ALL of the following:

Information Systems Capstone Course

Complete 30 points for ALL of the following:

Other Courses from the Bachelor of Science Schedule

Complete 0 to 120 points from the following:

No credit will be given for courses matching the pattern *******G, ********G, *********G, **********G, ***********G, or ************G.

No credit will be given for BUSAN 201 or BUSAN 300 or BUSAN 302 unless a student completing or BDBS Major Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Information and Technology Management.

No credit will be given for EDUC 200 or EDUC 201 or EDUC 221 or EDUC 223 or EDUC 323 or EDUC 352 unless a student completing or BDBS Major Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Psychology.

No credit will be given for ELECTENG 209 or ELECTENG 292 or ELECTENG 303 or ELECTENG 331 unless a student completing BDBS Major Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Physics, BDBS Major Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Physics - Medical Physics and Imaging Technology Pathway, or BDBS Major Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Physics - Photonics Pathway.

No credit will be given for FINANCE 261 or FINANCE 361 or FINANCE 362 unless a student completing BDBS Major Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Mathematics, BDBS Major Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Mathematics - Applied Mathematics Pathway, BDBS Major Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Mathematics - Pure Mathematics Pathway, BDBS Major Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Statistics, BDBS Major Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Statistics - Applied Statistics Pathway, or BDBS Major Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Statistics - Statistics and Probability Pathway.

No credit will be given for INFOMGMT 192 or INFOMGMT 399 unless a student completing or BDBS Major Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Information and Technology Management.

No credit will be given for INNOVENT 203 or INNOVENT 307 unless a student completing BDBS Major Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Biological Sciences - Biotechnology Pathway, or BDBS Major Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Information and Technology Management.

No credit will be given for MEDIMAGE 300, or MEDIMAGE 302.

No credit will be given for URBPLAN 125 or URBPLAN 203 or URBPLAN 205 unless a student completing or BDBS Major Conjoint: BDes/BSc major in Geographic Information Science.

No credit will be given for WTRSCI 100.

General Education Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following: