Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Communication develops practical and theoretical communication skills for contemporary media and professional communication environments.
• Students develop skills in media content production, planning and research in both national and international contexts.
• The degree provides opportunities to work with digital, audio, visual and social-media technologies.
• Students can apply communication skills to journalism, creative projects, organisational communication and social-change contexts.
• Practical opportunities can include working with local organisations, internships, industry projects and community campaigns.
• Journalism students can undertake placements in local newsrooms.
• UC has links with international partners in journalism and media studies and offers guest lectures from global experts each semester.
• The programme does not require students to have previously studied communication at school or elsewhere.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme has a common compulsory communication component in the first and later years, followed by major-specific study.

Current compulsory courses include:

Year 1:

• COMS101 – Media and Society
• COMS105 – Public Communication
• WRIT101 – Writing for Academic Success
• One additional course selected from the approved options.

Year 2:

• COMS201 – Media Audiences
• COMS207 – Social Media
• COMS231 – Digital Media Production
• DIGI204 – Communicating with Data and Digital Media
• Required 200-level courses from the student's selected major.

Year 3:

• COMS330 – Communication in Context
• Required 300-level courses from the selected major.

The programme therefore covers topics such as:

• Media and society
• Public communication
• Academic and professional writing
• Media audiences
• Social media
• Digital media production
• Data communication
• Digital media
• Communication in context
• Journalism
• Strategic communication
• Political communication
• Maori communication strategy and practice.

Disciplines / Specialisations

Students complete one major from the current Bachelor of Communication options:

1. Communication Strategy and Practice
2. Journalism
3. Political Communication
4. Tauwhitinga M?ori: M?ori Communication Strategy and Practice.

Communication Strategy and Practice

This pathway focuses on professional communication, strategic communication and applying communication knowledge to organisational and community contexts.

Journalism

This major develops journalism skills and includes practical opportunities such as local newsroom placements.

Important: entry to the Journalism major from second year is limited to 25 places in total and requires a special application by 31 October of the preceding year.

Political Communication

This pathway focuses on communication within political and public contexts, including the relationship between communication, politics, audiences and public life.

Programme Highlights

• 360-point bachelor's degree.
• Three years full-time.
• February/Semester 1 start.
• Four majors.
• Major study begins in the second year.
• 150 points of compulsory courses.
• 90–105 points of major courses.
• 30 points from Arts courses.
• Up to 75 elective points.
• Minimum 225 points above 100-level.
• Minimum 90 points at 300-level.
• Practical media-production opportunities.
• Digital, audio, visual and social-media technologies.
• Journalism newsroom placements.
• Potential internships and industry projects.
• International links and guest lectures from global media/journalism experts.
• Option to combine the BC with another UC degree through a double-degree arrangement, such as a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Commerce.

Career Outcomes

UC states that graduates can be prepared for careers including:

• Journalist
• Social media manager
• Marketer
• Crisis communication adviser
• Event manager
• Editor
• Communication adviser
• Public relations and strategic communication roles
• Media and content roles.

The degree also develops applied knowledge in:

• Emerging media
• Data collection and use
• Media ethics
• Critical thinking
• Analysis
• Communication for different audiences.

Depending on the selected major, students can also pursue careers in:

• Journalism
• Corporate communication
• Public relations
• Government communication
• Political communication
• Digital media
• Social media
• Marketing
• Events
• Community campaigns
• Media production
• Content creation.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current UC programme information confirms that the Bachelor of Communication continues to have four majors:

• Communication Strategy and Practice
• Journalism
• Political Communication
• Tauwhitinga M?ori: M?ori Communication Strategy and Practice.

The most significant programme-specific restriction for international students is Journalism major entry:

• Only 25 places are available.
• Students enter the major from second year.
• A special application is required.
• Application deadline: 31 October of the preceding year.

International Student Visa Requirements

For a normal international student paying UC's international tuition fees, the relevant visa is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that applicants need:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Enough money to pay tuition fees, or an appropriate scholarship.
• Enough money for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Evidence of genuine intention to study.
• Good health and character where applicable.
• Evidence that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.

Current living-fund requirement for tertiary students:

• NZD $20,000 per year for study lasting one year or more.
• NZD $1,667 per month for study lasting less than one year.