Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Journalism major is designed as a practical, hands-on journalism programme, with teaching from experienced journalists and opportunities to produce journalism for written, audio, photographic and video formats.
• Students can develop skills in news gathering, news production, editing, publishing, broadcast journalism, investigative journalism and data journalism.
• Journalism students can work on stories in areas such as politics, sport and social issues, allowing them to develop reporting around topics of personal and professional interest.
• Massey provides an opportunity to gain professional workplace experience through the Communication Internship, which can help students develop industry contacts before graduation.
• The Bachelor of Communication is internationally recognised through ACEJMC accreditation, and Massey states that this can support international recognition of the qualification.
• Massey states that 85% of journalism graduates are employed within six months of graduation; this is a university-reported graduate outcome figure and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of employment for an individual student.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Bachelor of Communication requires a flexible 360-credit programme consisting of a core, Journalism major, minor and electives. The qualification regulations require no more than 165 credits at 100 level, at least 75 credits at 300 level, and at least 300 credits from the Bachelor of Communication schedule.

Core communication study includes areas such as:

• Media and Society.
• Communication and related communication studies.
• Media representations, audiences, technologies and the social, cultural and political contexts of media.

Journalism major courses currently listed by Massey include:

• 219108 Introduction to Journalism – introduction to contemporary news media, the journalist's role in society, journalism cultures and basic journalism skills.
• 219224 News Production I – news gathering and production for online/print and broadcast media, including news and feature stories.
• 219225 News Production II – audio-visual newsgathering and production, including television and videography.
• 219235 Media Law and Ethics – legal and ethical issues involved in writing and publishing in the digital age.
• 219314 News Media and Society – New Zealand news media, global news systems and the construction of social identities in news media.
• 219316 News Production III – advanced newsgathering, editing and production in a live broadcast environment, including a weekly radio news programme.

Additional journalism and communication options include:

• News Design and Publishing.
• Global, Investigative and Data Journalism.
• Communication Internship.
• Digital Media Production: Visual Storytelling.
• Risk and Crisis Communication.
• Data Storytelling.
• Digital Media Production: Photography.
• Digital Media Production: Documentary.
• Screen Media.
• Script Writing.
• Public Relations Campaigns.
• Language, Discourse and Power.

Disciplines / Specialisations

• The selected specialisation is Journalism within the Bachelor of Communication.
• The Journalism major is 120 credits.
• A minor of 60 credits is also compulsory.
• The minor may be selected from the Bachelor of Communication schedule or another Massey undergraduate degree where a recognised minor is available.
• Students can choose their Journalism pathway at 300 level through two tracks:
  • Journalism Research track: intended for students interested in journalism research and potentially further postgraduate study.
  • Journalism Practice track: emphasises practical journalism and preparation for professional journalism employment.

Programme Highlights

• Practical journalism training alongside communication theory.
• Written, audio, photographic and video journalism skills.
• Exposure to news production, editing and publishing.
• Options in investigative and data journalism.
• Opportunity for industry experience through a Communication Internship.
• Journalism Research and Journalism Practice tracks at 300 level.
• International accreditation through the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). Massey states that its Bachelor of Communication is the only degree outside the Americas and the Middle East recognised by ACEJMC.
• Massey states that its journalism school is New Zealand's longest-standing journalism school.
• The university also reports that its Communication and Media subject is ranked among the top 150 globally by QS and that Communication at Massey is ranked first in New Zealand and 45th globally by ShanghaiRanking. These are university-reported subject rankings and are not rankings of this specific Journalism major.

Career Outcomes

Graduates can pursue journalism and communication-related roles in:

• News organisations.
• Newspapers and online news organisations.
• Magazines.
• Television.
• Radio.
• Social media.
• Corporate communication environments.

Potential progression includes roles such as:

• Journalist.
• News reporter.
• Multimedia journalist.
• Producer.
• Editor.
• News director.
• Communication-related roles.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current Journalism page remains open to international students studying on campus in New Zealand or online from outside New Zealand.
• There are no additional Journalism-specific admission requirements beyond Massey's university admission requirements.
• Students should understand that the Journalism major is part of the broader 360-credit Bachelor of Communication and that completion of both a major and minor is compulsory.
• Course availability can vary by semester and study mode. Massey advises students to plan their course selection carefully, particularly where prerequisite courses are required.
• Students intending to enter professional journalism should consider the Journalism Practice track, while students interested in research or postgraduate study can consider the Journalism Research track.
• A related postgraduate option is Massey's Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism, which is 120 credits and available through Wellington and distance/online study.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying the Journalism degree in New Zealand, the relevant route is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or evidence of an appropriate scholarship.
• Sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable insurance.
• Compliance with other health, character and immigration requirements.