Applying to study at the School of Design
2. Write your cover letter and proposal
UNDERGRADUATE PORTFOLIO
Bachelor of Design
You need to submit a portfolio for the Bachelor of Design (Communication) (Fashion) or (Product) unless you meet the criteria for automatic entry or get portfolio 'pre-approval'.
1. Automatic portfolio approval – no portfolio needed
- If you have achieved University Entrance endorsed with excellence overall including merit or excellence in an approved art, design or technology subject at NCEA Level 3, you have automatic entry, and will not need to submit a portfolio.
- This also applies to applicants who have achieved Cambridge International AS grade A or B in an approved art, design or technology subject.
Note: When you apply online and are asked to upload a portfolio, you can either upload a copy of your NCEA results, or upload a note that says “I qualify for automatic entry”. We’ll then verify that with NZQA.
2. Portfolio pre-approval – show ‘work in progress’
- You can show a ‘work in progress’ portfolio to a staff member from the School of Design by making contact with the school, or at open days and careers events throughout the year.
- If you have achieved University Entrance and your portfolio already meets the criteria, you’ll receive a portfolio pre-approval letter. You can then upload that letter with your online application and you won’t have to submit a final portfolio.
- If you want to talk to us about portfolio pre-approval, please email our school administrator, Pam.Hodgkinson@op.ac.nz or phone 0800 762 786.
Need to submit a portfolio?
If neither of the options above apply to you, you'll need to submit a portfolio. Your portfolio is a selection of work that shows your creative potential and passion for your chosen design field.
Doing NCEA?
If you’re still at school, the work in your portfolio can be anything you’ve completed over the past year and work you’re developing for NCEA Level 3 portfolios. We don't need your finished NCEA board, but you can include development work for these if you like. We want to see work you've done in class and work you’ve done for yourself.
What to include in your portfolio for the:
UNDERGRADUATE PORTFOLIO
Bachelor of Architectural Studies and Graduate Diploma in Design (Specialty)
You need to submit a portfolio for both of these programmes. Your portfolio is a selection of work that shows your creative potential and passion for your chosen design field.
Doing NCEA?
If you’re still at school, the work in your portfolio can be anything you’ve completed over the past year and work you’re developing for NCEA Level 3 portfolios. We don't need your finished NCEA board, but you can include development work for these if you like. We want to see work you've done in class and work you’ve done for yourself.
What to include in your portfolio for the:
POSTGRADUATE PORTFOLIO
What to include in your portfolio:
For all postgraduate programmes you need to provide a portfolio that consists of current and recent examples of your work that demonstrate your creative process and ability and depth of engagement in your proposed field of research. Please annotate each item with a brief summary/description of the context or provide a written overview of your portfolio content.
Digital format is preferred i.e. by using a portfolio hosting site, a USB stick, uploaded with your application (2MB size limit) or via email to ebsDES@op.ac.nz
2. WRITE YOUR COVER LETTER AND PROPOSAL
Cover letter (all programmes)
Tell us why you want to do this programme, what interests you about it and what you have done to give yourself the best chance being accepted.
We want to know your career goals and anything else you think is relevant to your application.
Include your curriculum vitae
Master of Design and Master of Design Enterprise applications should also include the names and contact details for two referees.
Research proposal (postgraduate programmes only)
3. COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION
Apply online
Fill in the application form and upload your cover letter, proposal (for postgraduate applicants only) and a PDF of your portfolio.
Remember…
- if you qualify for automatic entry, either upload a copy of your NCEA results or upload a note that says “I qualify for automatic entry”
- if you qualify for portfolio ‘pre-approval’, upload the portfolio pre-approval letter that you’ve received from us.
Note: There is a 2MB file limit when you upload your portfolio. If the file is too big to upload, you can send it to us on a USB, using the address below or send us a link to your website or online platform or email it to us at ebsDES@op.ac.nz.
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Attn: Student Administrator for Design |
We prefer digital portfolios but you can send a physical portfolio to us if you need to. A physical portfolio should be submitted in an A4 clear file folder. Please don't include original works, send photographs or colour photocopies instead - and make sure it's all clearly labelled with your name. Please courier or hand-deliver your portfolio to the address above.
Remember to enclose a self-addressed, postage-paid courier package so that we can return your portfolio to you.
Got any questions?
Email ebsDES@op.ac.nz if you have any questions about your application or portfolio.
