Why Study / Key Benefits

The Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism (PGDipJ) at Massey University is a 120-credit Level 8 qualification designed both for graduates with no journalism background who want to enter the industry and for people with some journalism experience who want to develop advanced or specialist skills. Massey says the programme is based on leading overseas journalism qualifications and has close relationships with leading news organisations, including opportunities for internships and full-time work placements.

Key benefits include:

• Practical training rather than purely theoretical journalism study.
• Development of news-writing, feature-writing, interviewing and photojournalism skills.
• Specialist reporting in areas such as police, courts, politics and sport.
• Advanced audio-visual journalism covering television, radio and multimedia platforms.
• Training in data and investigative journalism.
• Study of media law and ethics.
• Opportunities to work with media organisations and complete a full-time work placement.
• Exposure to practising journalism professionals and industry expectations.
• A pathway towards Massey's Master of Management (Journalism)

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The qualification requires 120 credits from the current PGDipJ schedule. All four current courses are 30 credits.

1. 219712 Advanced News Journalism – 30 credits

This course develops the theory and practice of gathering and writing news journalism for publication. Students work on:

• Generating news-story ideas
• Gathering relevant information
• News writing
• Publishing stories through mainstream media
• Critical reflection on journalism practice
• Connecting practical journalism work with relevant scholarly literature.

2. 219713 Advanced Audio-Visual Journalism – 30 credits

This course covers journalism theory and practice across non-print platforms, including:

• Radio
• Television
• Multimedia platforms
• Audio-visual storytelling
• Production and presentation of journalism content.

3. 219714 Journalism and Society – 30 credits

This course examines the role and function of journalism in society, including:

• Journalism's social role
• Media law
• Media ethics
• Critical reflection on journalism practice and its wider social context.

4. 219715 Advanced Data and Investigative Journalism – 30 credits

This course focuses on advanced approaches to data-driven and investigative journalism, including:

• Data journalism
• Investigative journalism
• Mining and refining data
• Presenting data-based stories
• Investigative methods
• A data-investigative journalism project.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The PGDipJ is formally awarded without a specialisation.

However, the programme page says students can develop specialist interests through their course choices and practical work. Areas identified by Massey include:

• Advanced audio-visual storytelling
• Sport journalism
• Arts journalism
• Investigative journalism
• Data journalism
• Journalism management
• News journalism
• Political journalism
• Court and police reporting
• Photojournalism
• Radio and television journalism
• Podcasting.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 8 postgraduate qualification.
• 120 credits.
• One year full-time.
• Part-time option available.
• Wellington campus option.
• Distance and online study option.
• International students can study on campus in New Zealand or online from outside New Zealand.
• Strong practical/industry orientation.
• Opportunity for media-organisation experience and a full-time work placement.
• Advanced news, audio-visual, data and investigative journalism training.
• Journalism law and ethics included.
• Opportunity to develop specialist journalism interests.
• Pathway to the Master of Management (Journalism).

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies graduates working as journalists at organisations including:

• Stuff
• TVNZ
• NZ Herald
• Newshub
• Radio New Zealand
• Newsroom
• BBC
• CNN
• Reuters
• ABC.

Depending on the student's chosen area of focus, potential career directions include:

• News journalist
• Investigative journalist
• Data journalist
• Political journalist
• Court or police reporter
• Sports journalist
• Arts journalist
• Radio journalist
• Television journalist
• Multimedia journalist
• Podcast journalist
• Photojournalist
• Digital journalist
• Journalism/editorial roles
• Journalism management.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current 2026 qualification regulations confirm that the PGDipJ has been updated around the four current 30-credit courses:

• 219712 Advanced News Journalism
• 219713 Advanced Audio-Visual Journalism
• 219714 Journalism and Society
• 219715 Advanced Data and Investigative Journalism

Other important requirements/current considerations:

• Relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Minimum B- average in 300-level majoring courses.
• IELTS 7.0 in every band where the specified English requirement applies.
• Official transcripts required for previous university study.
• 120 credits at 700 level.
• No formal specialisation.
• Required practical/contact activities may apply depending on the course.
• The programme includes an opportunity for a full-time work placement.
• The qualification can lead towards the Master of Management (Journalism). 

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying the PGDipJ on campus in Wellington, the relevant immigration route is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states:

• Visa cost: from NZD $850
• Stay: up to 4 years, depending on circumstances
• Processing: 80% within 8 weeks
• Application: online
• Recommended application timing: at least 3 months before planned travel.

Applicants generally need:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an appropriate scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable insurance.
• Evidence of genuine intentions to study.
• Required health and character evidence.
• Evidence that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their authorised stay.

Living-fund requirement:

• NZD $20,000 per year for tertiary study lasting one year or more.
• For study shorter than one year, the applicable benchmark is NZD $1,667 per month.

Because the PGDipJ is a one-year, 120-credit qualification, an eligible student may receive visa conditions allowing:

• Up to 25 hours of work per week while studying.
• Full-time work during scheduled holidays, subject to the conditions attached to the individual visa.