Why Study / Key Benefits

The Linguistics major within the Bachelor of Communication was designed to combine communication studies with the systematic study of language. Massey describes linguistics as examining language structure and meaning, how language is learned and used, and how language influences identity, relationships, communities and society.

Key academic benefits of the former Linguistics major included:

• Understanding how language operates in communication, culture and society.
• Studying language structure, including morphology, phonetics, phonology and syntax.
• Exploring sociolinguistics, language variation, bilingualism and minority languages.
• Examining language and identity, discourse and power, and mediated communication.
• Applying linguistic analysis to real-world contexts such as law and forensic linguistics.
• Developing communication, critical-thinking, analytical and intercultural skills.
• Combining Linguistics with a second discipline through the compulsory minor in the Bachelor of Communication. 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Bachelor of Communication structure comprises:

• Communication core courses.
• One major of 120 credits.
• One minor of 60 credits.
• 60 credits of remaining undergraduate study.

The current Bachelor of Communication page gives a typical structure including courses such as:

Year 1:

• 154101 Media and Society
• 154110 Digital Content Creation
• 172131 Language and Communication
• 219102 Making Communication Matter
• 219103 Communicating Many Worlds
• 299107 True Stories Told Well
• Major/elective courses.

Year 2:

• 219214 Big Data Society
• 200-level major courses
• 200-level minor courses
• Elective.

Year 3:

• 219300 Communication Launchpad
• 300-level major courses
• 300-level minor courses
• Elective.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Bachelor of Communication has included the following majors:

• Applied Communication
• Communication Management
• Creative Communication and Social Change
• Digital Marketing
• Digital Media
• Expressive Arts
• Expressive Arts and Media Studies
• Journalism
• Linguistics
• Marketing Communication
• Public Relations.

Programme Highlights

For the former Linguistics pathway, the main academic highlights were:

• 120-credit Linguistics major.
• Integration of language studies with communication.
• Study of language structure, society, culture and communication.
• Forensic linguistics and legal-language applications.
• Language and identity.
• Pacific languages and sociolinguistics.
• Linguistic perspectives on digital and mediated communication.
• A compulsory minor allowing students to broaden their communication specialisation.

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies communication and linguistics-related career possibilities including:

• Communications professional.
• Communications adviser.
• Policy analyst.
• Researcher.
• Technical writer.
• Interpreter or translator.
• Forensic document analyst.
• Writer or editor.
• Journalist.
• Advertising/communication roles.
• Government and public-service roles.
• Language and digital-technology roles.
• User-experience and content-design roles.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying the Bachelor of Communication physically in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that applicants need:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or an appropriate scholarship.
• Sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Good health and character.
• A genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Evidence that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.
• Compliance with course attendance and satisfactory academic progress requirements.