Bachelor of Communication Studies

Majors you can study in the Bachelor of Communication Studies

• Advertising and Brand Creativity
• Digital Communication
• Journalism
• Public Relations
• Radio and Audio Media
• Screen Production

You can also choose one of these majors as a second major or a minor.

^{Entry into the desired major of the Bachelor of Communication Studies is not guaranteed and subject to results in the first year.}

Minors you can study in the Bachelor of Communication Studies:

Communication for Social Change

Explore the communication processes, techniques and media that can bring about equitable change, social transformation, and empowerment in society. This minor has a global focus with particular attention to issues facing the Asia- Pacific region. You examine the role of non-governmental organisations, supranational institutions and multinational corporations - alongside nation-state governments - as key actors in social change communication.

Multi-Camera Production

Develop transferable skills for team-based media production and management. You discover the importance of multicamera production in broadcast and online media to cater for fast turn-around productions and streaming of live events. This minor has a strong work-integrated ethos, emphasising management as well as creative processes. The Multi-Camera Production minor is open to screen production students who want to further their skills, as well as to students from other communication studies disciplines.

Media and Power

This minor considers how the technologies, institutions and networks of communication are shaped by economic and political power. Become familiar with how media communication institutions/industries work, critique the exercise of power through contemporary electronic networks, and reflect upon the significance of contemporary media issues in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Professional Performance Communication

Develop your confidence and performance skills for both live and media roles. Improve your ability to present, act, pitch ideas, speak in public and successfully participate in meetings. This minor integrates the theories and practices of communicating with an audience, using voice and movement. The skills are transferable and relevant to professional communication including more “traditional” performance contexts like acting.

Additional majors and minors for bachelor’s degrees

Add an additional major or a minor to your bachelor’s degree and study another area that interests you. You can choose from a wide range of additional majors or minors.

Additional majors and minors for bachelor’s degrees

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll be introduced to the media world and essential communication theories and practice. The first year of the Bachelor of Communication Studies is common to all students, and gives you an overview of the field of communication studies.

Year 2 & 3

You begin to develop important skills in your chosen fields.

The degree is flexible enough to enable you to specialise in more than one communication discipline, or to take a major or minor from outside the School of Communication Studies.

You choose:

• A Bachelor of Communication Studies major (120 points) and
• One of the following options
  • A second major from the Bachelor of Communication Studies (120 points); or
  • A major from another AUT degree (120 points); or
  • A first minor (60 points) and a second minor (60 points)*
  • A minor (60 points) and elective courses (60 points)*

^{*From communication studies or elsewhere at AUT}

• Postgraduate Certificate in Communication Studies
• Postgraduate Diploma in Communication Studies
• Master of Communication Studies
• Master of Philosophy 
• Doctor of Philosophy