Course details

Summary

The skills and knowledge required of a journalist are changing. In addition to core news writing and newsgathering skills, journalists are increasingly required to have multimedia skills, the ability to use social media and forms of audience interaction, and the ability to tailor media content for different platforms.

UC is a leading provider of journalism education in New Zealand. The Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism enables students to:

• acquire advanced knowledge and skills in journalism practice and research
• build on the problem solving and analytical skills developed at undergraduate level
• develop a critical understanding of journalism practices and their context.

This intensive one year programme is for graduates who intend to work in the media or communication industries. There is a strong emphasis on practical work - you will report for local newsrooms and broadcast live on local radio, and we maintain a close relationship with the profession through our many guest lecturers and tutors, who are all working journalists.

Graduates gain the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to be highly effective journalists; they receive intensive training on media ethics and law, newsgathering and writing, research and analysis, and multimedia skills. UC graduates are work-ready and highly adaptable.

Qualification structure and duration

The PGDipJ is industry-approved and endorsed by Competenz (previously the New Zealand Journalist's Training Organisation). The PGDipJ may be awarded with Distinction.

An internship and work-based learning experiences provide graduates with an extended opportunity to apply their knowledge to real work problems and situations, prove their skill, interact with external stakeholders in a professional and industry relevant environment, and build their professional networks.

Career opportunities

Postgraduate study can bring many career benefits eg, specialist skills and enhanced knowledge, entry into specific occupations, higher starting salary/progression rates, research capability/achievement and evidence of high academic attainment/self-discipline.

Entry criteria

Students must have completed a bachelor's degree, and the programme welcomes graduates from all disciplines. If you gained your qualifications overseas, these will need to be assessed to ensure they are of an equivalent standard.

Students must have completed a bachelor's degree, and the programme welcomes graduates from all disciplines. If you gained your qualifications overseas, these will need to be assessed to ensure they are of an equivalent standard.