Bachelor of Communication Studies

AUT's communications degree is very well regarded in New Zealand and around the world. That’s because our students pick up top jobs in the best companies and media outlets, and win many prestigious awards.

AUT communications students and graduates are internationally recognised, having won the Sally Logan-Milne Young Practitioner of the Year award, CAANZ AXIS award, ORCA awards, Cannes International Advertising award and NZ Student Marketer of the Year award.

Study communications at AUT and you have access to industry standard facilities and equipment, including a media centre, radio studio and fully equipped TV studio, journalism training newscourse Te Waha Nui, student radio station Static 88.1 fm and  student-run PR agency Outside the Square. You also gain invaluable workplace experience before you graduate.

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Minimum entry requirements

International student entry requirements

English language requirements

  • IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall with all bands 5.5 or higher; or equivalent

English language requirements

Useful New Zealand school subjects

  • Language rich subjects are useful

Don’t meet the entry requirements?

Consider starting with our Diploma in Arts.

Diploma in Arts

Majors you can study in the Bachelor of Communication Studies

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.

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

Quick facts
Programme code:
AK3303
Level:
7
Points:
360
Duration:
3 years full-time
Campus:
City Campus
Starts:
28 Feb 2022
18 Jul 2022
Fees:
Domestic
$6,418 - $7,376
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2022. The exact fees will depend on courses selected and may exceed this range.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2022, fees may vary from those stated.
  • There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
  • Check if you're eligible for fees-free study
International
$31,500
  • This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2022. The exact fees will depend on courses selected and may exceed this range.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2022, fees may vary from those stated.
  • There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
  • International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.

Scholarships at AUT

Gavin Sinclair
Georgia Hines
Natassja Cox
Ryan Chow
Sara Dwen
Gavin Sinclair
Great graduatesGavin SinclairSenior Creative Copywriter, Global Media & Entertainment, LondonBachelor of Communication StudiesAudio is a great medium because you can do anything with it, says Gavin Sinclair who is a senior creative copywriter at Global Media & Entertainment in the UK.Audio is a great medium because you can do anything with it, says Gavin Sinclair who completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Radio in 2007 and now works in London as a senior creative copywriter at Global Media & Entertainment; Europe’s largest commercial radio company and the UK’s leading out-of-home media company.
Georgia Hines
Great graduatesGeorgia HinesProducer, Southern Studios / UNCOBachelor of Communication StudiesBeing a producer means that every day is different, says Georgia Hines who now works for boutique ad agency UNCO and production company Southern Studios.Being a producer means that every day is different, says communication studies alumna Georgia Hines who now works as a producer for both boutique ad agency UNCO and production company Southern Studios. Before joining Southern Studios in 2020, Georgia spent several years in London where she helped to create bespoke campaigns for a number of global clients.
Natassja Cox
Great graduatesNatassja CoxJunior Strategist, DDB New ZealandBachelor of Communication StudiesDeciding what to study was easy, says AUT communication studies alumna Natassja Cox who is currently working as a junior strategist at DDB New Zealand.Deciding what to study was easy, says AUT communication studies alumna Natassja Cox. After graduating at the end of 2018, Natassja went to Washington, DC, to intern at Goodworld; a role she got through the Internz International Scholarship Programme. Since returning to New Zealand at the end of 2019, she now works as a junior strategist at DDB New Zealand.
Ryan Chow
Great graduatesRyan ChowBachelor of Communication StudiesHe feels fortunate to have discovered his passion early on in life, says Ryan Chow who is currently completing a Bachelor of Communication Studies at AUT.He feels fortunate to have discovered his passion early on in life, says Ryan Chow who is currently completing a Bachelor of Communication Studies, and plans to major in screen production and advertising. It's not all study and assignments for Ryan though. He has also launched his own company and established a consortium of student clubs.
Sara Dwen
Great graduatesSara DwenHead of Production, Warner Bros NZBachelor of Communication StudiesBeing on a TV set still gives her a buzz, says AUT Bachelor of Communication Studies alumna Sara Dwen who is now the head of production at Warner Bros NZ.Being on a TV set still gives her a buzz, says communication studies alumna Sara Dwen who is now the head of production at Warner Bros NZ. In addition to her work at Warner Bros, Sara also proudly serves as a director of the Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa; a role that allows her to share her own experiences with Meningitis with others.
View all student profiles

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

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