Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Postgraduate Diploma in Communication is a taught postgraduate qualification designed to deepen students’ understanding of communication theory and professional communication practice.
• It is particularly suitable for students already working in communication or in roles where communication is an important component, as well as graduates wanting to move into communication from another field.
• The programme is multidisciplinary, drawing on expertise across media, humanities, business, organisational studies and social sciences.
• Students study advanced communication concepts and research methods while being able to select additional courses in areas such as media practice, management communication, business communication and international/intercultural communication.
• Unlike the Master of Communication, the PGDipC does not include a research thesis component, making it suitable for students seeking a taught postgraduate qualification.
• The qualification can support progression to the Master of Communication where the relevant master's admission requirements are met. Massey identifies the PGDipC as part of its postgraduate communication pathway. 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The PGDipC is a flexible 120-credit programme comprising core communication study, additional communication courses and a limited number of electives.

Core courses – 60 credits:

• 154721 The Communication Field – 30 credits
  Provides an advanced overview of communication as a discipline, including its history, major concepts, competing traditions and key scholars. Students examine communication theories from media, industry and societal perspectives.
• 219721 Transdisciplinary Communication Research Methods – 30 credits
  Introduces communication research traditions and methods and develops the ability to evaluate and apply methodologies to communication research challenges.

Communication courses – maximum 60 credits:

• 154709 Technology and Cultural Change – 30 credits
  Examines how technology produces and transforms contemporary culture, including its effects on space, time and human experience.
• 154747 Media Practice and Global Culture – 30 credits
  Examines contemporary media practice, globalisation, digital and mobile media, and the cultural, social, political, economic, ethical and environmental implications of media production and consumption.
• 219702 Management Communication – 30 credits
  Focuses on internal communication processes within organisations.
• 219703 Perspectives in Business Communication – 30 credits
  Examines workplace communication in diverse organisational settings and applies theory through contemporary case studies.
• 219704 International and Intercultural Communication – 30 credits
  Uses communication theory and research to examine cross-cultural effectiveness, particularly in organisational contexts.

Electives – maximum 30 credits:

• 114702 Human Resource Management and Workplace Relations – 30 credits
• 130705 Emergency Management – 30 credits
• 150701 Tino Rangatiratanga: Strategic M?ori Development – 30 credits
• 154702 Advanced Film Studies – 30 credits
• 176718 Environmental Sociology – 30 credits
• 299765 Creative Writing Workshop – 30 credits.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The current PGDipC is awarded without a specialisation.

Instead, it provides multidisciplinary study across areas including:

• Communication theory and practice
• Communication research
• Media
• Technology and culture
• Business communication
• Management communication
• International and intercultural communication
• Human resources and workplace relations
• Film studies
• Creative writing
• Environmental sociology
• Maori development.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 8
• 120 credits
• 1 year full-time
• Part-time option
• Wellington campus
• Distance and online delivery
• International students can study on campus in New Zealand or online outside New Zealand
• Taught qualification without a research thesis
• Multidisciplinary communication curriculum
• 60 credits of compulsory core study
• Up to 60 credits of additional communication courses
• Up to 30 credits of approved electives
• Covers communication across media, business, organisations, humanities and social sciences.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that the qualification can help students already working in communication or communication-related roles progress their careers and can also support people moving into communication from another field.

Potential career areas include:

• Corporate and business communication
• Internal communication
• Strategic communication
• Marketing and communication
• Public relations
• Media and digital communication
• Communication consultancy
• International and intercultural communication
• Organisational communication
• Communication research
• Government and public-sector communication
• Human resources and workplace communication
• Communication-related leadership and specialist roles.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current programme is NZQF Level 8 and requires 120 credits.
• The current regulations award the qualification without a specialisation.
• The current admission requirement is a bachelor’s degree or equivalent with at least a B grade average.
• The programme is currently listed at Wellington and through distance/online study.
• The qualification includes core research-methods study but does not include a research thesis.
• Students may need to attend field trips, contact workshops, studios, workshops, tutorials or laboratories where required by individual courses.
• Course availability, prerequisites and restrictions should be checked for the intended semester because the complete list of courses is not necessarily available in every teaching period.
• Massey states that students who complete within the applicable time limit and achieve the required academic standard may be eligible for Merit or Distinction.
• The current IPU website search did not identify a dedicated PGDipC page. The supplied IPU programme link is for the Master of Global Business. Therefore, IPU-specific partnership, application, fee and scholarship information for the PGDipC is Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying the PGDipC at Massey’s Wellington campus, the relevant visa will generally be the Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to the individual applicant’s circumstances.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

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