Digital Communication Major - Bachelor of Communication Studies
Digital media is at the heart of modern communication. Work on website, app or video projects throughout your studies, and explore how to make digital media communicate effectively, look awesome and tell a great story.
AUT's digital communication courses offer a mix of media communication, production workflows, strategic thinking, and technological competencies that prepare you for a wide range of careers. You’ll work on various projects to create websites, app proposals, videos, motion graphics and print media that can serve as portfolio pieces.
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This is part of the Bachelor of Communication Studies.
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Our digital communication courses cover how to make digital media communicate effectively. You work on various digital media projects, develop a high level of critical thinking and strategic planning skills for video, audio and other digital media, and manage the production cycle from idea to final product.
Year 1
This year you take eight core courses that give you an overview of the media world and communication theories.
Semester 1 courses
- COMM505 Text, Image and Sound (15 points)
- COMM513 Media Technology and Society (15 points)
- COMM516 Media Production Foundations (15 points)
- DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practices (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- COMM512 Communication Ethics (15 points)
- COMM514 Intercultural Communication (15 points)
- COMM515 Media, Politics and Citizenship (15 points)
- COMM517 Media Production Studio (15 points)
Year 2
This year you take four courses related to digital communication, focusing on interactive media production for various platforms including web and mobile.
Semester 1 courses
- DIGM601 Moving Image Communication (15 points)
- DIGM603 Visual Communication (15 points)
- Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses
Semester 2 courses
- DIGM602 Online and Interactive Communication (15 points)
- DIGM701 Virtual Cinematics (15 points)
- Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses
Year 3
You work on various digital communication projects, and deliver your work via mobile devices, broadcast media or broadband communication, on time and on budget.
Semester 1 courses
- DIGM707 Web Media (15 points)
- DIGM709 Motion Media (15 points)
- Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses
Semester 2 courses
- DIGM711 Digital Communication Project (15 points)
- One of:
- Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses
Year 1
This year you take the first of your core courses to give you an overview of the media world and communication theories, and start to take the first digital communication courses.
Semester 1 courses (starting in July)
- COMM512 Communication Ethics (15 points)
- COMM515 Media, Politics and Citizenship (15 points)
- COMM516 Media Production Foundations (15 points)
- DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practices (15 points)
Semester 2 courses (starting in February)
- COMM505 Text, Image and Sound (15 points)
- DIGM601 Moving Image Communication (15 points)
- DIGM603 Visual Communication (15 points)
- Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*
Year 2
You continue to take courses related to communications and the media, and further explore interactive media production for various platforms including web and mobile.
Semester 1 courses (starting in July)
- COMM517 Media Production Studio (15 points)
- DIGM602 Online and Interactive Communication (15 points)
- DIGM701 Virtual Cinematics (15 points)
- Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*
Semester 2 courses (starting in February)
- COMM513 Media Technology and Society (15 points)
- DIGM707 Web Media (15 points)
- DIGM709 Motion Media (15 points)
- Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*
Year 3
You work on various digital communication projects, and deliver your work via mobile devices, broadcast media or broadband communication, on time and on budget.
Semester 1 courses (starting in July)
- COMM514 Intercultural Communication (15 points)
- DIGM711 Digital Communication Project (15 points)
- One of:
- Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*
Semester 2 courses (starting in February)
- Four courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*
*Because of timetabling and the prerequisites required for higher-level courses, you may not be able to take a second major if you start in July and want to complete your degree in three years. If you do a second major, you may need to do an additional semester.
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Majoring in digital communication will prepare you for a wide range of roles, including:
- Digital strategist
- Digital media project manager, producer or consultant
- Digital video specialist
- Instructional media designer
- Interactive media producer or consultant
- Mobile app designer
- Mobile content developer
- Motion graphics designer
- Post-production special effects designer
- Production assistant
- User experience (UX) designer
- User interface (UI) designer
- Visual designer for print and online media
- Web administrator
- Web designer
You could also pair digital communications with another major or minor to build a breadth of desirable media production skills for any media or communications role.
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Other majors in the Bachelor of Communication Studies
- Work on different digital communication projects, including websites, app proposals, videos and motion graphics
- A mix of strategy, creativity, and technical skills
- Covers skills needed in all areas of communications
- Option to include subjects from across AUT in your degree
- An innovative storyteller
- An early adopter or digital trendsetter
- A creative and imaginative problem solver
- Comfortable in a fast paced and constantly changing industry
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.