Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Graduate Diploma in Strategic Communication is designed for graduates who want to add professional communication skills to an existing degree or move into a communication-focused career.
• UC describes strategic communication as important across business and society, with applications in marketing, organisational development, health communication, political campaigning and cultural activities.
• Students develop skills in strategic planning, campaign management, creative and business writing, audience-focused communication and professional communication.
• The programme combines strategic communication theory with practical campaign-development skills.
• It is relevant to students interested in corporate communication, public relations, advertising, policy, advocacy, media and communications.
• The programme can provide a pathway into further study, including the Master of Strategic Communication.
• UC's regulations allow graduates with at least a B average across 60 points of 300-level COMS courses to apply for the Master of Strategic Communication or the BA Honours in Media and Communication.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The 120-point qualification consists of compulsory Strategic Communication courses and electives.

Compulsory courses:

1. COMS320 – Strategic Campaign Development
   • 30 points
   • Semester 1
   • Campus
   • Advanced study of strategic campaign planning
   • Covers professional strategies in advertising and public relations
   • Students learn to create different types of campaign messages
   • Includes group work and active in-class engagement.
2. COMS330 – Communication in Context
   • 30 points
   • Semester 1
   • Campus
   • Examines communication within the broader communication and social landscape
   • Develops competence for bicultural and global contexts
   • Addresses responsibilities of professional communication practitioners
   • Includes in-person discussion, assessed group work and a noho marae
   • Cannot be completed by distance.

Electives:

• 30 points of 300-level elective courses
• 30 additional points of electives from any level

Possible communication-related study areas can include:

• Digital media
• Communication practice
• Writing
• Public relations
• Advertising
• Campaign development
• Media
• Professional communication
• Communication research
• Strategic planning

Disciplines / Specialisations

There is one formal subject:

• Strategic Communication

The qualification does not have formally named majors, minors or endorsements.

However, students can shape their study through their elective choices.

Potential focus areas include:

• Strategic communication
• Advertising
• Public relations
• Campaign management
• Digital communication
• Media and communication
• Professional writing
• Corporate communication
• Public policy and advocacy
• Communication for organisations and communities

Programme Highlights

• 120-point Graduate Diploma
• 1 year full-time
• Up to 5 years part-time
• February and July starts
• Strategic communication as the dedicated subject
• Advanced campaign-development training
• Advertising and public-relations strategy
• Professional communication skills
• Communication in bicultural and global environments
• Practical group work
• Campus-based learning
• Flexible elective component
• Pathway to postgraduate strategic communication study
• Potential progression to the Master of Strategic Communication
• Potential progression to BA Honours in Media and Communication.

Career Outcomes

UC states that the qualification is particularly useful for communication-related work involving clients, communities and businesses.

Potential career areas include:

• Strategic communication
• Public relations
• Stakeholder relations
• Corporate communications
• Advertising
• Communications consultancy
• Communication agencies
• Policy and advocacy
• Editing
• Publishing
• News media
• Marketing communications
• Campaign management
• Content and professional writing

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The qualification was first offered in 2021.
• The current 2026 UC regulations continue to specify the qualification as 120 points.
• The programme can be commenced in February or July.
• COMS320 and COMS330 are currently listed as Semester 1 campus courses.
• COMS330 specifically cannot be studied at distance because of its in-person learning, group-work and noho marae requirements.
• COMS320 also requires active in-class participation and is not a distance course.
• Some elective courses may have prerequisites and/or require approval.
• A student who has already completed an equivalent compulsory course may, subject to approval, substitute another course.
• The qualification itself does not award Honours, Distinction or Merit.
• There is no formal major, minor or endorsement.
• The supplied IPU MGB-1 page is not an IPU Strategic Communication programme and therefore should not be used to establish IPU-specific admission, fee or delivery information.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying this qualification in New Zealand, the relevant visa is normally the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand information states:

• Visa cost: from NZD $850
• Maximum length: up to 4 years
• Processing: 80% within 8 weeks
• Study must be with an approved education provider
• Students need sufficient funds for tuition fees
• Students need sufficient funds for living costs or an acceptable sponsor
• Appropriate medical and travel insurance is required
• Students must satisfy health, character and genuine-intention requirements
• Evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds for onward travel is required.