Why Study / Key Benefits

The Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Communication (PGCertStratCom) is a 60-point postgraduate qualification designed to develop creative, analytical and practical communication skills.

Key benefits include:

• Develop skills in planning and implementing strategic communication campaigns.
• Learn how to create effective strategic messages and content.
• Develop skills in analysing communication data and measuring campaign impact.
• Understand audiences, publics, organisational identity and communication strategy.
• Build practical campaign-management capability.
• Suitable for students from a range of academic backgrounds.
• Can be studied either on campus or exclusively online.
• Provides a potential pathway into UC's Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Communication or Master of Strategic Communication.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme contains 60 points of compulsory study.

For the current on-campus version, students complete:

• COMS421 – Foundations of Strategic Communication: 30 points
• COMS425 – Campaign Planning with Social Data Analysis: 30 points

Disciplines / Specialisations

There are no formal majors, minors or named specialisations listed for the PGCertStratCom.

Instead, the qualification is focused on the strategic communication discipline, with study covering:

• Strategic communication
• Public relations
• Advertising
• Communication campaigns
• Organisational communication
• Stakeholder/public engagement
• Communication research
• Social data analysis
• Brand and organisational identity
• Communication ethics

Programme Highlights

Important features of the current PGCertStratCom include:

• 60-point postgraduate qualification.
• NZQF Level 8.
• Six months full-time.
• Up to two years part-time.
• February and July standard campus intakes.
• Campus and fully online study options.
• Online delivery through Tuihono UC.
• Practical focus on communication campaign development.
• Development of creative and analytical communication skills.
• Training in strategic messaging and campaign measurement.
• Social-data analysis incorporated into the campus pathway.
• Online pathway with dedicated courses covering influence, publics, campaign strategy, ethical practice and pitching.
• Potential progression into UC's Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Strategic Communication. 

Career Outcomes

UC identifies a range of communication-related career areas for graduates.

Potential career directions include:

• Communications roles
• Public relations
• Customer/public relations
• Internal communications
• Brand communication
• Writing and editorial roles
• Publishing
• Media
• Creative agencies
• Marketing
• Advocacy

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The latest UC programme information shows that the PGCertStratCom has both campus and online versions.

An important current change/feature is the distinction between the two study pathways:

• On-campus students follow the campus course structure.
• Online students follow a separate, more prescribed course list and different term dates.
• Students cannot simply assume that the campus course schedule applies to the online version.

International Student Visa Requirements

The visa position depends heavily on the student's chosen study mode.

For a student completing the qualification exclusively online from outside New Zealand, a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa is generally not required merely to access an online programme. The student should confirm their individual circumstances with UC and Immigration New Zealand before travelling.

For a student who intends to study in New Zealand, the relevant visa will generally be the Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to individual circumstances.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that the Fee Paying Student Visa:

• Costs from NZD$850.
• Allows a stay of up to four years.
• Has an 80% processing timeframe of eight weeks.
• Requires an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Requires evidence of sufficient tuition funds or an acceptable scholarship.
• Requires evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Requires acceptable health and travel insurance.
• Requires applicants to meet health, character and genuine-intention requirements.