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Design Courses in Palmerston North, New Zealand

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Palmerston North School of Design:
Palmerston North School of Design is a private design school located in central Palmerston North, the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. We provide courses for students who have creative talent and ability but lack the necessary skills and qualifications to go onto tertiary design training or gain employment in the design industry. The NZQA Level 2, 3 and 4 courses are designed for students who have not gained the university entrance criteria at high school or who would like to focus on design full time.

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About Us:

Palmerston North School of Design gives creative people the best start for a career in design. Our school has a long standing reputation for capturing creative talent and developing it into leading design skills. Students study a range of subjects including drawing, computer graphics, life drawing, graphic design and the new, (optional) fashion design module. Second year students are supported to produce a substantial design portfolio for entry to the best degree level design programmes or employment in the design industry.

Award-Winning Students:
Former students regularly win design awards and are employed in some of the best design agencies in New Zealand and around the world. In 2006 and 2007, students who began their design studies with Palmerston North School of Design won the prestigious Leonardo Scholarship from Wanganui UCOL School of Design. The scholarship allows them to complete a Post Graduate or Masters Degree in Europe, all expenses paid. Other students have won numerous awards at the BEST Design awards held by the Designers Institute of New Zealand.

Design Courses / Programs:

The courses do not simply prepare students for entry to higher level training or employment, but give them the opportunity to excel. Palmerston North School of Design has the highest quality rating from NZQA.

After completion of the courses, students have expertise in drawing, the design process, graphic / fashion design and computer graphics. The courses combine nationally recognised qualifications with a professional portfolio for entry to the best degree and diploma design courses in New Zealand and around the world.

- Drawing & Design: Bridging Course
:
A two year, level 3 and 4 course to help students enter the best degree and diploma courses in New Zealand and around the world.

- Drawing & Design: Training Opportunities:
A fully funded course designed especially for students 18 years and over who are registered with WINZ.

- Design & Computing: Youth Trainin
g:
A fully funded one year course for 16-17 year old school leavers to extend their creative talent as an alternative to NCEA Level 1.

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Address: Studio Level 1, 12-16 The Square, PO Box 642,, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Related Schools & Programs. Inquire to our admissions team today:
Arts University Bournemouth
Courses / Programs
• Study for 1, 2 or 3 semesters at the UK’s No. 1 arts university!

• Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) is a leading university specialising in arts, performance, design, media and architecture education. Easily accessible less than 2 hours south of London by train, AUB provides study abroad BA (Hons) courses for international students and professionals who wish to spend time abroad in pursuit of careers in creative arts, graphic design, interior design, textiles, fashion, makeup, animation, architecture, acting, film production, photography, game design, media, marketing, content creation & many more.

• Our short study abroad courses are designed for students who want to spend time learning in the UK, developing their creative skills and perhaps gaining credits towards their university degree, but do not necessarily want to spend as much as 2-3 years studying in the UK. 

• Students are fully integrated with our full-time BA (Hons) degree students, and these courses can be taken for 1 term (10 weeks), 2 terms (20 weeks), or 3 terms (30 weeks).

• If you can't find the exact course you want, we can design a course tailored to your individual needs. You can join several groups of students on a range of different courses and also receive one-to-one tuition.

• We also provide summer study abroad programs and bespoke options for student groups. 

"The facilities that the Arts University Bournemouth has to offer are absolutely amazing. First off, the library was one of the most resourceful places I have come across in my entire stay there."
- Orlando, USA, Animation Production
10, 20 or 30 weeks of study on the following undergraduate degree courses:

• Acting, Animation Production, Architecture, Photography, Costume with Performance Design, Creative Events Management, Fashion Studies, Film Production, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Visual Effects Design & Production, Illustration, Interior Architecture & Design, MakeUp for Media & Performance, Textiles, Modelmaking, Marketing, Content Creation, Game Design.


Other Course options:
• Portfolio Preparation Art, Design & Media (2 terms)
• Preparation for Masters (2 terms)
• Summer creative arts courses for ages 13-14, 15+, 18+ / adults.
Updated: 2026-10-05
Whitireia Community Polytechnic
Courses / Programs
Established in 1986, Whitireia is known for producing work-ready graduates in New Zealand and overseas. The main campus is in Porirua, sitting at the edge of the scenic Porirua harbour, 20km north of Wellington City. It is close to beaches where swimming, surfing and boating are popular recreational activities. It has easy access to banks, shopping complexes, art gallery, gymnasiums, restaurants and public transport. We offer Bachelor Degree, Diploma & Certificate courses.
Bachelor Degree, Diploma & Certificate courses:

Visual Arts, Jewellery Short Courses, Dance, Acting, Music, Design and Multimedia, Special Efx & Post-production Short Courses, Photography, Creative Writing, Journalism, Publishing, Maori Arts and Design, English Language, Floristry, Short Courses.
The Contemporary Music Course
Courses / Programs
‘The Contemporary Music Course’ is an attractively presented high quality online music course for beginners, songwriters and arrangers. No previous qualifications are required. You'll have instant access for a year, to 130 lessons that stream instantly from the net to your computer, iPad or iPhone.

Free two day trial!! If you are interested let us know via the form on our Contact Page.

I haven't seen anything like this style of presentation on the internet. Apart from private students globally it is being used as a college teaching resource in NZ and Australia.

Student Testimonials:

"I think your website is awesome. It really gives you the feeling of being in a music school" Valerie Crawford, student USA

"When I discovered your course - Geronimo!!!!!! Perfect timing and perfect content!!!!!! I spent four hours on it last night immediately and it is completely brilliant. The guitar and drum sections are a complete gift. Thank you so much. But it is all explained so clearly and simply. The best thing is the boost finding your course has given me and I am moving from the fear into the enjoyment which I have been searching for." Kris Yarborough, student - U.K.
Subjects are - ‘The Language of Music (theory)’, ‘Chords and Harmony’, ‘Voicings/Arranging 1’, ‘Basic Counterpoint’ ‘Writing for Drums’ and 'Writing for Guitar' - in production is 'Writing with a computer' (Sibelius software and Logic sequencing softwares).
Inspiration Design International School, Singapore
Courses / Programs
• Celebrating 33 years in business and conveniently located in the heart of the city, Inspiration Design International School today is Singapore's premier private education provider for interior design knowledge, high-quality teaching and professional skills development, dedicated to the professional disciplines of interior design programs ranging from certificates, diploma to advanced diploma courses taught in English.

• Our Interior Design courses can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis.

• Inspiration is also an Autodesk Authorized Training Centre that provides short-courses such as Photoshop, AutoCAD, 3ds Max and more to both Singapore & international students.

• Inspiration Design International School is registered with the Singapore Committee for Private Education (CPE).

WHY CHOOSE IDIS:
- To attain world-class quality professional skills.
- To become a competent and creative designer.
- Get employed after graduation with the support from our school.
- Further your studies with a range of international institutions and universities.

Student Review:
"The intensive and creative design training through design studio and experiments have enabled me to sharpen my understanding and perception of design...

Since graduating from Inspiration, I have worked in a Singapore President Design Award-winning design consultancy firm as a designer for more than two years, I am now pursuing my further education in architecture design in NUS (MA)."
- Qi Shi Zhi, China, Interior Design Graduate
Advanced Diploma in Interior Design
• Full-time / Part-time courses taught in English
• Requires a final 6 months to achieve.

Diploma in Interior Design
• Full-time / Part-time
• Requires an additional 6 months to achieve after foundation.

Certificate in Interior Design
• Full-time / Part-time (12 month foundation course)

SkillsFuture Credit / Short Courses
• Autodesk 3DS Max
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Google SketchUp
• Adobe Photoshop
• Perspective Drawing
• Small Space Design
• Furniture Knowledge
• Light and Lighting Interiors
• Exhibition/Visual Merchandiser Design
• BIM Architecture Modelling (Autodesk Revit)
Raffles College of Design & Commerce, Auckland
Courses / Programs
Make the most of your overseas study experience by choosing somewhere inspiring like New Zealand! At Raffles College of Design and Commerce in Auckland, we provide high-quality certificate and diploma courses in the fields of design, business and early childhood education. We welcome students from NZ and international students from around the world.

Our college is part of the Raffles Education Corporation, which is a premier creative design and business education provider in Asia Pacific. All of our programmes are accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

At Raffles College of Design & Commerce in Auckland, creativity is encouraged. Studying in Auckland allows you to learn in a country with a unique balance of natural landscapes and commercial cities. Because of this balance, film makers and expats alike flock to New Zealand from around the world.

Our learning environment gives you the freedom to develop your creativity and teaches you how to apply it professionally. With international lecturers and peers, you can learn from and with like-minded people on how to use your creativity in a professional manner.
We offer certificate & diploma courses in the following subjects:

- Design:Graphic Design; Multimedia Design

- Business: Business

- Science and Technology: Early Childhood Education
Design & Arts College of New Zealand, Christchurch
Courses / Programs
The Design and Arts College of New Zealand (D&A) in Christchurch, New Zealand is the South Island’s only tertiary institute dedicated to design and arts education. We offer certificate and diploma courses in fields including Art; Interior Design; Photography; Fashion Design; Makeup Design among others. We also offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in in partnership with Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design.

The aim of D&A is to bring students from all over the world together with industry professionals to create a community of people passionate about design and arts. We are New Zealand government funded (TEC) and registered (NZQA).

D&A courses are designed and taught by industry professionals, to ensure student success in the creative industries. As student time is valuable, all D&A courses have an accelerated pathway to work or higher education that ensures what you learn is relevant and moves you into industry in a fast and efficient way. Thousands of D&A graduates are now working as professionals in their field in New Zealand and around the world.
D&A offer the following qualifications:

- Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (in partnership with Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design)
- Diploma of Art (Advanced)
- Diploma of Contemporary Photography
- Diploma of Communication Arts and Design
- Diploma of Architectural Design and Technology
- Diploma of Interior Design
- Diploma of Fashion Design (Advanced)
- Certificate in Makeup Design and Production
- Certificate in Design and Arts (Foundation)