Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Communication (Digital Media) combines communication theory with creative and practical media production. Massey describes the specialisation as examining how media are produced and consumed and how media forms and industry structures influence society, culture, politics and economics.

Key benefits include:

• Practical experience creating digital media.
• Development of critical digital-media literacy.
• Exposure to film, television, social media, websites, podcasts, photography, documentaries, music videos and scriptwriting.
• Use of industry-standard equipment and software.
• Development of communication, creative, technical and analytical skills.
• Understanding of the social, cultural and economic role of media.
• Opportunity to combine the major with a compulsory minor and electives.
• Potential progression to postgraduate study, including the Master of Arts in Media Studies or Master of Communication.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Bachelor of Communication starts with a common communication foundation before students specialise.

First year normally consists of eight 15-credit courses, totalling 120 credits. Six are compulsory Bachelor of Communication courses, while two can be used for electives or 100-level major courses.

Current core courses include:

• 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

Students then build their major, minor and elective study in Years 2 and 3.

Current Digital Media study includes topics/courses such as:

• Digital Media: Theory and Practice
• Social Media and Digital Cultures
• Podcasting: Producing Audio Stories
• Pitches and Presentations
• Finding Your Voice
• Creative Communication
• Advertising and Consumer Society
• Digital Media Production: Photography
• Popular Culture and the Media
• Screen Media
• Digital Media Production: Documentary
• Script Writing
• Culture, Power and the Media
• Gender and Race in the Media
• Digital Media Production: Visual Storytelling
• Global Media Cultures
• Language and Identity
• Communication Internship
• News Media and Society.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The current Bachelor of Communication provides the following major/specialisation options:

• Creative Communication and Social Change
• Digital Media
• Journalism
• Public Relations and Digital Promotion

The degree also has compulsory minor options including:

• Creative Communication and Social Change
• Digital Media
• Journalism
• Personal and Professional Communication
• Public Communication and Citizenship
• Public Relations and Digital Promotion

Programme Highlights

• 360-credit Bachelor of Communication.
• Three-year full-time structure.
• Digital Media major worth 120 credits.
• Compulsory 60-credit minor.
• Strong combination of theory and creative practice.
• Practical digital-media production.
• Industry-standard equipment and software.
• Opportunities to create websites, films, podcasts, music videos, photography portfolios, documentaries and scripts.
• Study options in Wellington, Manawat or online.
• Potential postgraduate progression into Media Studies or Communication.

Career Outcomes

The programme can prepare graduates for careers involving digital communication, media production and communication with public audiences.

Potential career areas identified by Massey include:

• Advertising
• Social media
• Public relations
• Radio
• Film and television
• Government agencies
• Teaching
• Media production
• Post-production
• Advertising and design agencies
• Government and non-government organisations
• Private-sector organisations
• Communication and media advisory roles.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The most important current update is the programme naming/URL change.

The URL supplied for “Media Studies – Bachelor of Communication” currently redirects to “Digital Media – Bachelor of Communication”. The current Bachelor of Communication page lists Digital Media among its active specialisations.

Other important requirements:

• No additional qualification-specific admission requirements are currently listed for Digital Media.
• A major is compulsory.
• A minor is compulsory.
• A double major may be possible by special permission.
• Students should ensure that their overall course selection satisfies the Bachelor of Communication credit regulations.
• Some Digital Media courses have prerequisites or restrictions.
• Course availability can change between academic years.

International Student Visa Requirements

An international student studying the Bachelor of Communication physically in New Zealand will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires, among other things:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for tuition fees or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Good health and character.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.