Develop your niche to help shape a better future
Expand and deepen your expertise through critical and experimental design research.
Bring your existing knowledge and lived experience into our Design for Social Innovation research community and explore what matters to you. You’ll find your community of practice, define your area of inquiry, and shape a research framework that enables you to create positive shifts in te ao hurihuri | our changing world.
You’ll develop a body of work through creative, critical and reflective design research. Through this you’ll build insight and deep knowledge in your chosen area, contribute to the growing field of social design, and establish your own distinctive practice.
Join our research community
Through the Social Design Lab, connect with academic staff, postgraduate students, external partners and collaborators working across diverse contexts to address complex social, environmental, cultural and technological challenges.
Our research spans:
- Mātauranga Māori and Indigenous futures
- ethical design and technology
- AI and data sovereignty
- disability and accessibility
- sustainability and more-than-human worlds
- food systems and social bonding
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi and design
- design activism.
Choose your study path
There are several ways that you can study Postgraduate Design for Social Innovation with us.
Postgraduate study gives you the flexibility to focus on either coursework or research, depending on your goals and interests.
Add Design Innovation to your toolkit
A diploma in Design Innovation allows you to study a new area, add depth to your previous degree, or prepare for Master's study.
- Graduate Diploma in Design Innovation
Focus on creative or coursework
Delve deep into the process of innovation—from conception, to design, to construction. This might suit you if you’re coming straight from the Bachelor’s of Design Innovation.
- Master of Design Innovation
- Master of User Experience Design
Focus on research
Go deeper in your specialist area. You may want to build on your Bachelor's degree, or be working as designer.
- Master of Design
- Doctor of Philosophy
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser through our enquiry form.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
For the research portion of your study, you’ll need a supervisor to help guide your research. Your programme coordinator will work with you to find the right person.
Study options
Find out how you can study Postgraduate Design for Social Innovation at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
Postgraduate Design for Social Innovation gives you the critical and creative knowledge and skills to solve complex issues.
More career information
Find out more about careers.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Design
There could be a scholarship for your qualification, subject area, background, or situation.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree, Postgraduate Diploma, or eligible Honours programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Design
There could be a scholarship for your qualification, subject area, background, or situation.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Academic staff research areas
Catherine Caudwell
Senior Lecturer in Communication Design
David Hakaraia
BDI Cluster Programme Director
Gillian McCarthy
Senior Lecturer
Nan O'Sullivan
Senior Lecturer
Tanya Ruka
Lecturer in Design Matauranga Maori
Rosie Scott
Senior Lecturer
Tonya Sweet
Senior Lecturer
Jessica Whiley
BDI Cluster Programme Director
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.