Advertising Creativity Major - Bachelor of Communication Studies

Advertising is about thinking laterally and developing effective brand and product campaigns. You start with a great idea and then choose various media to create a campaign. AUT is the only New Zealand university that teaches advertising creativity specifically and at degree level.

We work closely with the advertising industry, and you learn from guest speakers from leading advertising agencies and client companies like TVNZ, Spark, MediaWorks, Saatchi & Saatchi, DDB, Colenso BBDO, FCB New Zealand and Film Construction.

Develop a professional portfolio you can use to apply for work as a copywriter, art director and other roles in an ad agency. You collaborate with your classmates on advertising briefs, writing and designing ads for real products and clients. Clients and agencies brief our students directly, and your completed ads may even be published in the media. Many students are also offered workplace experience at major advertising agencies.


This is part of the Bachelor of Communication Studies.

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You develop ideation, art direction and copywriting skills for print, radio, outdoor, television and digital advertising, as well as creative problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate information in a compelling way.

Most papers last one semester and are worth 15 points. You must complete 120 points each year (360 points for the entire degree).

Year 1

You also choose 30 points from the optional papers listed below or any other paper in the Bachelor of Communication Studies.

Year 2

Core papers

You also choose 60 points from the optional papers listed below or any other paper in the Bachelor of Communication Studies.

Year 3

Core papers

Choose 15 points from:

You also choose 45 points from the optional papers listed below or any other paper in the Bachelor of Communication Studies.

Optional papers

Level 5 papers

Level 6 papers

Level 7 papers

More details about papers in this programme

Detailed programme structure and paper outlines (Blackboard)

Search for a paper (Arion)

Enrolment in papers is subject to meeting all requirements and availability of papers.

Majoring in advertising creativity will prepare you for a wide range of roles, including:

  • Account director or planner
  • Art director
  • Copywriter
  • Digital creative or strategist
  • Media buyer/planner
  • Strategic planner
  • Web content creator

Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

Advertising Creativity Careers

Key features
  • The only NZ university degree in advertising creativity
  • Supported by the advertising industry and CCC (Commercial Communication Council)
  • Recognised by the international Design and Art Direction (D&AD) University Network
See yourself as
  • A strong writer or visual communicator, with a vivid imagination
  • A boundary breaker, a trend spotter
  • Inquisitive and cheeky
  • Hard-working and committed
Iain Nealie
Amy Pollok
Jono Aidney
Iain Nealie
Great graduatesIain NealieCreative Director, Google APAC, SydneyBachelor of Communication StudiesHis role doesn’t feel like work, says AUT advertising alumnus Iain Nealie who is now a creative director for Google, working across the Asia-Pacific region.His role doesn’t feel like work, says AUT advertising alumnus Iain Nealie who is now a creative director for Google, working across the Asia-Pacific region. There have been many highlights in his career so far, says Iain who graduated from AUT in 2009. Since then, Iain and his classmate and creative partner Tara Mckenty have become one of the top creative duos in the Asia-Pacific region, and were named in Campaign Magazine’s Top 50 Emerging Talent list.
Amy Pollok
Great graduatesAmy PollokStrategic Planner, Colenso BBDOBachelor of Communication Studies and Bachelor of Business conjoint programmesBeing able to study and intern in the USA was the highlight of her studies, says AUT alumna Amy Pollok who is now a strategic planner for Colenso BBDO.Being able to study and intern in the USA was the highlight of her studies, says AUT alumna Amy Pollok who completed a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Communication Studies. She says her student exchange to San Diego State University and participating in the AUT Internz programme in San Francisco stand out as highlights. These kinds of opportunities truly are world class, Amy says.
Jono Aidney
Great graduatesJono AidneyCreative Group Head, The Wilderness Society, MelbourneBachelor of Communication StudiesCommunication skills are vital for anything, says AUT advertising alumnus Jono Aidney who now works for Australian environmental group The Wilderness Society.Communication skills are vital for anyone doing anything, anywhere, says AUT advertising alumnus Jono Aidney who now works in Melbourne for the environmental group The Wilderness Society. Jono decided to pursue his passion for environmentalism after a successful career as an advertising executive in New Zealand and Australia. The mix of theory and practice was what Jono enjoyed most about his studies at AUT.

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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