Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication Design)
Christchurch, New Zealand
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2026
TUITION FEES
NZD 26,572 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international close date: please enquire
** international fee | Indicative student services fee: $370.50/year
Ara welcomes international students to join us for a semester abroad (or longer) for a transformative experience of studying in Ōtautahi Christchurch, a living case study of a revitalised, resilient city.
Christchurch, New Zealand, a city reborn from the devastation of earthquakes and tragedy, stands as a living testament to resilience and innovation. This remarkable transformation offers a unique case study for exploring resilient cities.
Ara Institute of Canterbury has been a driving force in Christchurch's recovery. Our graduates and academics have played pivotal roles in the city's rebuild, leveraging their expertise in sustainability, architecture, and design engineering to create a brighter future.
Studying design at Ara will develop your abilities to generate ideas, solve problems and design innovative solutions in advertising, marketing and communication design environments.
Core skills taught include design strategies, graphics, branding and communication, typography, art direction, drawing and illustration.
As well as studio courses, you’ll complete a group of core courses in academic subjects. These include both professional and contextual studies which will equip you with developed communication skills, a background in the history and sociology of creative practices, insights into contemporary professional ethics and some business skills.
Ara is pleased to be able to assist students financially with a range of scholarships and grants.
We encourage you to make the most of these opportunities, which can save you thousands on fees, help you get through unexpected financial hardship, or facilitate experiences and special projects that increase learning outcomes.
Level 5
Core courses
- Contextual Studies 1
- Creative Process
- Technical Skills - Communication
- Ways of Seeing - Image and Text
- Design Principles - Visual Language
- Graphics Studio
- Communication Studio
- Typography
Level 6
Core courses
- Contextual Studies 2
- Professional Studies
- Interpretation and Information 1
- Branding and Persuasion 1
- Interpretation and Information 2
- Branding and Persuasion 2
Elective course(s)
- Photography Elective
- Book Art Elective
- Illustration Elective
- Content Management Elective
- Spatial Design Elective
- Introduction to Screen Printing
- 3D Motion Graphics
- Painting
- Film Studies: Storytelling, Motion and Sound
- Introduction to 2D Game Design
- Digital Printing
Level 7
Core courses
- Contextual Studies 3
- Final Project
- Professional Practice - Communication
- Visual Culture and Society - Communication
As a design graduate, you'll be ready to take on a range of roles, including advertising agency/design studio creative, self-employed graphic designer, web designer, app designer, book/magazine illustrator,and motion graphic designer.
You may even move into gallery or museum work as a designer or curator, or work in set design for stage, television or film.
Study pathways
Graduates may choose to enrol in a wide range of programmes including postgraduate study, including:
- Masters of Creative Practice (CH4077)
- Postgrad Diploma in Creative Practice (CH4078)
- PGDipFA (Massey)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Art & Design (AUT)
Recommended school subjects
- Design
- Photography
- Art
- English or English-rich subjects
- Art History
You will be part of a friendly, inclusive community
Ara is a culturally and socially diverse community where you will enjoy a sense of belonging. You will be treated as an individual (our class sizes are small, so your tutors will know you by name) and you will be supported with an extensive range of student services and specialist support staff.
Our qualifications are world-class class
Ara is a Category 1 institute, the highest rating awarded by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). All of our qualifications are NZQA-approved and recognised internationally. Ara graduates can be found working and making a difference around the globe.
Our tutors are experts
Our tutors come from the industry and have years of on-the-job experience in their speciality area. They are committed to sharing their knowledge with you and inspiring you to achieve your study goals.
We focus on hands-on, real-life learning
Ara is known for its practical, hands-on programmes. You will learn in environments that mimic real workplaces and undertake some form of work-based learning like an internship, industry project or work placement.
You will be work-ready when you graduate
All that you do and learn at Ara will ensure your transition to the workplace is seamless and that you have the confidence and capability to contribute from your first day on the job.