Price
Domestic learners
$654* per 10 point course for domestic learners
International learners
$1,440* per 10 point course for international learners
*Fees outlined are based on the 2025 fee schedule and are subject to revision each year. Prices include GST where applicable.
Qualification
Digital badges for each course
10 points per course
Duration
Nine-week courses, requiring 100 hours of learning each.
Entry times
3 Feb 2025
28 April 2025
14 July 2025
29 Sept 2025
Overview
Learn how to develop and deliver effective online learning that supports user-centred training and understanding. Our Learning Design courses give you the skills you need for your stage, whether you’re looking to retrain as an instructional designer, or are working in the field and want to harness the potential of AI.
New to learning design? In Learning Design Principles, you’ll explore key fundamental teaching and learning theories and principles, such as ADDIE. This course will give you the foundational knowledge you need to grow your skillset in Learning Design with AI.
Already have teaching skills, but want to transition into instructional design? Learning Design and Development will extend your knowledge, giving you the practical experience you need to transition into instructional design, without repeating the learning principles you already know. Once you’ve successfully completed this course, you can complete your skillset using artificial intelligence tools through Learning Design with AI.
Working in the field, and looking to upskill in AI? Learning Design with AI gives you supported experience in the latest tools to support efficient and effective learning. Note: we recommend learners are either experienced instructional designers, or have completed Learning Design Principles or Learning Design and Development.
There are opportunities to apply for paid internships in learning design at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury once you have completed Learning Design with AI. These internships will start in 2025 – if you're interested in this pathway, please let us know. Internship pathways will be open to domestic learners only.
Requirements
Each course is equivalent to Level 8 postgraduate study therefore applicants must meet the entry criteria as approved by NZQA, and have;
- Either a bachelor's degree or equivalent level qualification
- OR equivalent professional experience in a relevant field. Learners will be asked to demonstrate equivalent professional experience, which can include paid or voluntary work. If you’d like to check if you have the equivalent professional experience you can email us at info@uconline.ac.nz
Pre-requisites
For Learning Design with AI, it is beneficial if learners have background knowledge of instructional design processes and models like ADDIE; or have undertaken Learning Design Principles or Learning Design and Development or comparative courses.
Courses are taught in English and therefore learners should be confident reading, writing and listening in English.
Structure
Our courses are flexible, enabling you to plan your study around your other commitments.
Our Learning Design courses each take nine weeks to complete, and you’ll study approximately 12 hours per week during that time. Study time includes taking in course material, reflection time and writing assessments
Time commitment
Unless otherwise stated, Tuihono UC | UC Online learners study across terms, rather than semesters. We have four terms per year (starting January, April, July and October) which consist of nine-weeks of study (including a one-week study break), followed by a two-week period of marking and feedback.
Upcoming term dates
Our current learning dates can be found below (please note: these dates exclude our two-week period of marking and feedback).
- 3 February - 6 April 2025
- Study break: 3-9 March 2025
- 28 April - 29 June 2025
- Study break: 26 May - 1 June 2025
- 14 July - 14 September 2025
- Study break: 11-17 August 2025
- 29 September - 30 November 2025
- Study break: 27 October - 2 November 2025
Please note: these dates are provisional and may be subject to change. .
Begin
If you’re not already working in the field as a learning designer, we recommend starting with Learning Design Principles, or Learning Design and Development.
Which course is right for you? If you already have experience with learning and teaching models (eg, as a teacher or corporate trainer), we recommend jumping into Learning Design and Development. If you don’t have this foundational learning knowledge, we’d recommend getting started with Learning Design Principles.
Develop
If you already have experience as a learning designer, or have completed Learning Design Principles OR Learning Design and Development, take your skills to the next level with Learning Design with Artificial Intelligence.
Design
Use your new skills to effectively and efficiently create learner-centred online courses!
What you'll study
Our Learning Design courses give you the skills you need for your career, whether you’re looking to retrain as an instructional designer, or are working in the field and want to harness the potential of AI. Each course is worth 10 points at NZQF level 8.
Description
New to instructional design? This course is designed for you.
As demand for learning has grown, so too has the need for quality instructional design. This course unpacks best learning design principles and introduces the models and frameworks used to design and develop effective learning.
Through project-based assessments, you’ll identify your learners’ needs and learning contexts where they will apply their new skills. In addition, you will design the instructional strategy that will help you develop a prototype course and create an evaluation plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the course design.
Description
Already have experience in teaching and learning theories? This course is for you.
Building upon foundational learning design principles, this course focuses on the practical application of instructional design in the development of effective learning solutions. Learners will engage in a comprehensive exploration of the instructional design process ADDIE – from analysis and design to development, implementation, and evaluation. This course builds on key concepts, such as adult learning theories and pedagogical principles, and applies them to instructional design and development.
Learners will conduct needs assessments, analyse learner characteristics, identify performance gaps, and define instructional goals. They will then design measurable learning outcomes, assessments, and inclusive instructional strategies. Hands-on experience will be provided in developing engaging content, multimedia, and eLearning modules. Finally, learners will explore implementation planning, learner, and facilitator preparation, and evaluating the effectiveness of their designs. Throughout the course, learners will engage in project-based learning and developing instructional design solutions.
Description
Working as an instructional designer, or successfully completed Learning Design Principles, or Learning Design and Development? This course is for you.
Are you familiar with learning and instructional design principles and practice, but wondering about how to best use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies? Take a deep dive with us into how to use AI tools to create student-centred and impactful online courses.
You’ll experiment with using different AI tools and technologies to design and develop learning resources and evaluate the impact of these technologies on the profession of learning design. You’ll also explore ethical and cultural considerations, best practices, and responsible implementation strategies when integrating AI into digital learning.
Whether you already use AI in your learning design, or are unfamiliar with AI tools, this course will give you hands-on experience and new-found expertise in applying AI-supported learning design principles to create media-rich, effective, and engaging online learning.
Stay updated
If you’re keen to know more, stay updated on when enrolments open or ask a question, please sign up for updates below.
Cap & minimum enrolment threshold: a minimum number of learners is needed for effective interaction and feedback, while a maximum cap of learners ensures high quality learning and support. If the minimum number of enrolments required for a course isn’t met, or the maximum cap is exceeded, learners will be given the option to defer their study or receive a refund.
FAQ
If you register for updates about each course, we'll be in touch when we have news to share about course details, entry times and enrolment. You can also ask any questions directly to info@uconline.ac.nz.
Successful learners will gain integrated technical and training skills, applied learning design experience, and the ability to use the latest technologies to support learning.
You could find work in organisations within the human resources function of any organisation, within government ministries, or start your own training business.
Whether you need advice finding the right course for you or support with the enrolment process, we’re here to help! Contact our enrolment support team for course information, technical help and enrolment support.
The overall cost of tuition fees per 10-point course based on the 2025 fee schedule:
- for domestic learners is $654* incl GST
- for international learners is $1,440* plus GST if applicable.
Please note that the fees are charged on a per year basis and the amount charged reflects the number of courses/points enrolled in the current year. These are based on the 2025 fee structure and subject to revision – you can learn more about the University of Canterbury’s Tuition fee structure here.
Enrolments are made online through our Tuihono UC | UC Online website – please sign up for updates to stay in the loop about when applications open.
Learning Design Principles is designed for people new to learning design, with no prior experience.
Learning Design and Development skips the fundamental learning theories that existing teachers and corporate trainers will already have experience using.
We would recommend you take one of these courses, depending on your background, before progressing to Learning Design with AI.
Already working as an instructional designer? We’d suggest starting with Learning Design with AI, unless you want to revisit or grow your skills in learning design theory through Learning Design and Development.
If you’re not sure which course is right for you, please contact our team at info@uconline.ac.nz.
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and offers from Tuihono UC | UC Online.
