Public Relations department

The Public Relations department is part of communication studies at AUT. Our public relations courses prepare students for the many aspects of a PR career, and cover reputation management, communication strategy and marketing communication.

We are proud of our strong industry links and offer the only student-run PR consultancy to support not-for-profit organisations.

Undergraduate courses

Undergraduate study in public relations will give you a solid grounding in this area.

Bachelor of Communication Studies in Public Relations

Postgraduate courses

The Public Relations department offers a range of postgraduate degrees:

Research in communication studies

We believe in high-quality research that has impact, and have world-class researchers and research strengths across communication studies.

More about our research

Industry associations

Outside the Square is NZ's only student-run PR consultancy giving pro-bono help to not-for profits. Students work with industry mentors.

Outside the Square

Great graduatesTessa WilliamsMarketing Manager – Australia, Gallagher Security, Gold Coast, QueenslandBachelor of Communication Studies and Bachelor of Business conjoint programmesShe wanted to study at AUT as it was clear that the university was well connected and aligned with the industries it represented, says Tessa Williams.She wanted to study at AUT as it was clear that the university was well connected and aligned with the industries it represented, says Tessa Williams.

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Great graduatesGrace UluSenior Account Executive, One Plus One CommunicationsBachelor of Communication StudiesShe genuinely loved her communication studies degree, says Grace Ulu, who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Public Relations.She genuinely loved her communication studies degree, says Grace Ulu, who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Public Relations.

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Great graduatesGyllian Falute TaeiCo-Founder, Sue Taei Ocean FellowshipBachelor of Communication StudiesShe loves the community her work helps to create, says communication studies alumna Gyllian Falute Taei who is one founders of the Sue Taei Ocean Fellowship.She loves the community her work helps to create, says communication studies alumna Gyllian Falute Taei who is one founders of the Sue Taei Ocean Fellowship.

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Great graduatesBen FitchettCreative Strategist, Sling & Stone, Los AngelesBachelor of Communication StudiesWhen Ben Fitchett was a teenager, he loved watching the Met Gala. Little did he know that less than a decade later he would find himself working as a PR professional in LA.When Ben Fitchett was a teenager, he loved watching the Met Gala. Little did he know that less than a decade later he would find himself working as a PR professional in LA.

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Great graduatesLouis HartleyConsultant, GRC Partners + Porter NovelliBachelor of Communication StudiesHe loves that it’s his job to be informed, says Louis Hartley who studied a degree in public relations and now works for GRC Partners + Porter Novelli.He loves that it’s his job to be informed, says Louis Hartley who studied a degree in public relations and now works for GRC Partners + Porter Novelli.

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Contact us

Undergraduate enquiries:
bcs@aut.ac.nz

Postgraduate enquiries:
pgcommqueries@aut.ac.nz

Academic Advisor contact

Deepti Bhargava
Academic Advisor
Phone: +64 9 921 9999 ext 6782
deepti.bhargava@aut.ac.nz

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Communication Studies 2020 Awards

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Students were recognised for their outstanding accomplishments at this year's Communication Studies Awards.

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