Why Study Bachelor of Communication (BC)

The Bachelor of Communication at the University of Waikato is designed for students who want to build professional communication skills across digital media, creative industries, marketing and public relations. The programme combines communication theory with practical, technology-focused learning and is suitable for students interested in websites, apps, social media, film, podcasts, digital marketing and other forms of multimedia communication.

• Level of study: Bachelor's Degree
• Qualification: Bachelor of Communication (BC)
• Duration: 3 years full-time
• Total points: 360 points
• Campus: Hamilton
• Academic areas: Te Raupapa | Waikato Management School and Te Kura Toi | School of Arts
• Intakes: Trimester A – March; Trimester B – July
• Mode of learning: Primarily campus-based study in Hamilton; the university's current course page does not list the BC as a fully online qualification.
• Indicative 2026 international tuition fee: approximately NZD $40,163 per year on the qualification page. The university notes that actual tuition is calculated according to the papers taken and final fees may vary.

Key Benefits

The programme provides a combination of creative, technical, strategic and communication skills, allowing students to develop both academic knowledge and practical work that can be presented to future employers.

• Develop skills in multimedia communication, digital content and storytelling.
• Gain experience with websites, mobile applications, social media, film, podcasts and other digital technologies.
• Build a portfolio of practical work during the degree.
• Learn to research communication problems and develop evidence-based communication strategies.
• Develop professional relationship-building and stakeholder communication skills.
• Learn about ethical communication and communication across different cultures.
• Gain practical industry experience through a third-year communication consulting project.
• The Bachelor of Communication is currently described by Waikato as the only degree in New Zealand and Australasia certified by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Program Structure

The 360-point programme is normally completed over three years. Students begin with core communication papers and progressively move into more advanced study within their selected major, together with minor/elective study where applicable.

Core communication papers include:

• COMMS100 – Fundamental Skills for Media and Creative Industries
• COMMS101 – Communication Competencies
• COMMS102 – Communication in a Digital World
• COMMS103 – Communication and Organising
• COMMS200 – Communication Ethics
• COMMS202 – Intercultural Perspectives in Communication
• COMMS300 – Communication Consulting Project

These core papers cover creative technologies, communication skills, digital communication, organisational communication, ethics, intercultural communication and applied consulting. The 2026 subject regulations list the core papers as 15-point papers.

Later study can include areas such as:

• Web development
• Interactive media design
• Transmedia storytelling
• Creative music technology
• Film production
• Podcasting
• Digital marketing
• Public relations campaigns

Students also have the opportunity to take a minor; the university states that a wide range of subjects can be taken as a minor with the Bachelor of Communication.

Discipline / Specialisation

Students can choose from five major subject areas:

• Applied Digital Communication – focuses on user-centred design and technical skills for websites, social media and interactive mobile applications.
• Creative Media – focuses on images, music, text, sound and film for creative and persuasive storytelling.
• Marketing – develops knowledge of branding, customer engagement, marketing strategy and promotion.
• Media Production – provides practical technical skills for areas such as film, podcasting and game design.
• Public Relations – focuses on organisational reputation, stakeholder relationships and communication with journalists and other audiences.

Programme Highlights

The programme has a strong practical and industry-oriented focus rather than being limited to theoretical communication study.

• Students develop a portfolio of work that can demonstrate their skills to employers.
• Practical projects may include creating a visual brand identity, developing a user-centred website, designing a publicity campaign or producing a short film.
• Third-year students complete a Communication Consulting Project involving real-world organisational communication needs and challenges.
• Students can connect with industry professionals through the student-run MCSA group, which provides workshops, events and opportunities to meet potential employers.
• The programme combines perspectives from arts, design and management.
• Graduates develop capabilities in problem-solving, designing communication tools, influencing audiences, critical evaluation, ethical communication and professional engagement.

Scholarship support is available to eligible international students. The University of Waikato's international scholarship offerings include the Vice-Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship, with awards of up to NZD $15,000 towards tuition for eligible new onshore international students demonstrating academic excellence. Availability, eligibility and award values should be checked for the intake being applied for.

Career Outcomes

The degree can lead to careers across communication, marketing, public relations, digital media and creative industries. Potential career roles include:

• Communications professional
• Marketing specialist
• Brand and campaign manager
• Public relations manager
• Content creator
• Web designer
• Event manager
• Film or television producer
• Director
• Digital communication professional

The programme's practical portfolio work and third-year consulting project can help students demonstrate workplace-relevant communication, creative and strategic skills to prospective employers.

Visa Requirements (International Students)

International students coming to New Zealand for this full-time bachelor's programme will normally require a Fee Paying Student Visa unless another visa category applies to their circumstances.

Key requirements generally include:

• An offer of place from the University of Waikato.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or evidence of an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance for the period of study.
• Evidence of good health and character where required.
• Evidence of a genuine intention to study and leave New Zealand when required.
• Students may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during scheduled holidays, subject to the conditions attached to their visa.
• Immigration New Zealand currently encourages international students to apply for their student visa at least three months before their intended travel date.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current University of Waikato course information lists the Bachelor of Communication as a 360-point, three-year programme delivered in Hamilton.
• Current intakes are March and July.
• The university's current 2026 Communication regulations confirm the core communication papers and the required third-year Communication Consulting Project.
• International undergraduate applicants must satisfy both academic and English-language requirements. The university states that meeting the published requirements does not automatically guarantee admission, and additional documents may be requested.
• For Indian applicants, the current academic requirement is an average of 75% across the best four academic subjects with at least 60% in English for CBSE/CISCE and specified state boards; for other Indian Year 12 state boards, an average of 80% across the best four academic subjects with at least 65% in English is required.
• Standard undergraduate English requirements currently include IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5, TOEFL iBT 80 with a writing score of 21, PTE Academic 50 with no communicative skill below 42, or Duolingo English Test 105 with no band below 95.
• The university's international tuition information states that fees are calculated on a paper-by-paper basis, so the published annual figure is indicative rather than a guaranteed final cost. Additional university fees and charges may also apply.
• The latest course page currently lists approximately NZD $40,163 per year for international students; students should use the final enrolment agreement as the authoritative tuition amount for their individual study plan.