The Otago Polytechnic is set to replace its bachelor of design (interiors) and diploma in architectural draughting qualifications with a blanket architectural studies degree.
The degree will be introduced next year.
Otago Polytechnic bachelor of architectural studies degree developer Tobias Danielmeier said 26.5 equivalent full time students (efts) enrolled in the bachelor of design (interiors) and 52.4 efts enrolled in the diploma of architectural draughting would be offered the opportunity to complete their qualification or cross credit into the new programme.
He expected two new staff would be employed to teach the degree, and staff from the current programmes would be transferred over.
The new qualification merged the technical aspects offered in the draughting and design (interiors) programmes, Mr Danielmeier said.
"It is not so much a discontinuation of the current
programmes but a hybrid of them.''
The qualification reflected a broader shift towards design programmes more heavily influenced by industry, he said.
"We intend to work quite closely with industry and the qualification will offer elective courses where design professionals come in and teach specific subjects.''
The programme will offer two specialisations, architectural technology and interior architecture.
It was hoped about 40 students would enrol in each of the three year levels, he said.
The programme would be taught on the Dunedin campus.
