Course details

Summary

Were you on Snapchat, WhatsApp and Instagram before most people knew what these were? Do you think about how news is often just visual “click bait” more than information, but truly important issues go unreported?

Programme overview

Media and communications have become some of the most relevant, exciting and powerful subjects you could choose in a media-saturated world. Savvy graduates who can interpret it, navigate it and create media content are highly sought-after. Honours programme full-time for four years is available.

In this major you will develop the knowledge and skills to plan and create relevant media messaging that will reach the right people in the best way, for impact, influence and action. Through hands-on projects and an internship in your final semester you’ll experience the right mix of practice and theory, with the option to add courses in Media Law, Content Creation, Communication Ethics, Interpreting Social Media, and many others. With an eye on the future, you’ll begin your career with a portfolio of work and industry experience.

Highlights

• Hands-on experience: in your third year you work in a Media placement with agencies or organisations like Undertow Media, Oceania Media, Amnesty International, Coconut Wireless, Harmoney, and many others from our contacts
• Membership of the key professional association for the communication industry, Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) in your final year
• Learn from experienced communication lecturers connected to real-world practice and actively engaged in a wide variety of media research
• High ­profile guest lecturers from professional practice

CAREER OPTIONS

• Public relations executive
• Media analyst
• Media researcher
• Communications advisor
• Marketing communications executive
• Social media executive
• Social media community manager
• Market researcher
• Media relations manager
• Corporate communication executive
• Digital marketing executive
• Media relations executive

Entry criteria

For this programme, you will need the following:

• 42 credits at NCEA Level 3 or higher including: 14 credits in two different approved subjects; and 14 credits from up to two subjects (approved or non-approved). Your 42 credits must also include 12 credits at Level 3 in English or Maori
• 14 credits in NCEA Level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau
• Or equivalent qualification

English Language requirements:

• Have achieved NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand University entrance
• NZCEL (Academic) (Level 4)
• IELTS score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5
• TOEFL (pBT) Paper-based test score of 550 (essay 5 TWE)
• TOEFL (iBT) Internet-based test score of 60 (writing 18)
• FCE or FCE for schools, or CAE, or CPE with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill. OET at Grade C in all sub-tests
• Pearson Test of English (PToE) Academic with a score of 50 with no score lower than 42