Journalism Major - Bachelor of Communication Studies

Study journalism in AUT’s state-of-the-art newsroom and production facilities, get practical reporting experience in major news organisations and make industry connections.

Kickstart your journalism career in an exciting and fast-changing media landscape that remains essential to an informed society. Study at a journalism department known nationally and internationally for its research, programmes and the industry experience of its lecturing team.

Technological change has transformed the world of journalism. But behind the digital wizardry of today, the principles at the heart of all good reporting – accuracy, fairness and ethical truth-telling – are as fundamental and important as they ever were. Professional journalism skills, including high-quality writing, the ability to verify information and a talent for interviewing, are needed to cut through the noise. And that’s why AUT graduates are in strong demand.

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This is part of the Bachelor of Communication Studies.

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What you study
Career opportunities
Related programmes

At AUT, you’ll gain experience in news reporting across multiple platforms and the sub-genres of journalism, including daily news work and investigative feature writing.

Learn on the job in our celebrated Te Waha Nui newsroom, doing live reporting and publishing your stories. You’ll develop your reporting talents further during an internship at leading news organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand. Editors know our students produce publishable work and strongly support our programme. During your studies, you'll also have opportunities for paid shifts at a variety of newsrooms.

Year 1

This year you take eight core courses that give you an overview of the media world and communication theories:

Year 2

This year you take three courses related to journalism, helping you develop the knowledge for a career in journalism or a number of other pathways that use these transferable skills. You gain experience in news reporting, longform journalism, cross-platform storytelling, bicultural and cross-cultural journalism, as well as media law and ethics.

You study the following courses:

You also take courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses.

Year 3

You’ll be regularly taking part in live reporting assignments and pitching stories to editors in the industry as well as to our own student-edited news site Te Waha Nui.

Te Waha Nui website

You study the following courses:

You also continue to take courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses.

Build your degree

Use our online tool to build your own degree and see what your three years of study could look like.

https://www.aut.ac.nz/study/study-options/communication-studies/courses/bachelor-of-communication-studies/journalism-major

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

News reporter for newspapers, magazines, television, radio or online media
Freelance journalist/specialist writer
Production journalist, web editor or producer
Researcher/communication specialist

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

Journalism Careers

Other majors in the Bachelor of Communication Studies

Key features

AUT-educated journalists now play leading roles in news outlets around the world
Practical newsroom experience as you publish text, audio and video to our award-winning news site
Workplace experience in local or national news outlets
Experience running a news team
Learn from highly skilled staff who are internationally known for their industry expertise

See yourself as

An inquisitive truth seeker
A hunter and gatherer of news
Investigative and curious

Great graduatesMaryke PenmanRugby World Cup 2021 Communications Manager, NZ Rugby
Founder and Director, PlayMaker PRBachelor of Communication StudiesShe loves that her career enables her to be involved in sport, says AUT journalism alumna Maryke Penman who now specialises in sport public relations.She loves that her career enables her to be involved in sport, says AUT journalism alumna Maryke Penman who now specialises in sport public relations.

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Great graduatesJoanne MahonChief Communications & Brand Officer, Southern Cross GroupBachelor of Communication StudiesWorking for an organisation with purpose is important to her, says Joanne Mahon who leads Southern Cross Group’s communications and brand division.Working for an organisation that was built on purpose and a not-for-profit ethos is important to her, says Joanne Mahon who leads the communications and brand division at Southern Cross Group. Before joining Southern Cross in 2016, Joanne worked in a wide range of communications roles and companies, from Fonterra to Bupa in both the UK and New Zealand, and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to Deafness Research UK.

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Great graduatesLeena TailorFreelance Journalist, Los AngelesBachelor of Communication StudiesShe has her dream job, says Leena Tailor who is now a freelance journalist in LA, with her work appearing in Variety, Billboard, Vogue and Rolling Stone.She has her dream job, says Leena Tailor who is now a freelance journalist in LA, with her work appearing in Variety, Billboard, Vogue and Rolling Stone.

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Great graduatesLachlan WaughMultimedia Sport Journalist, NZMEBachelor of Communication StudiesHe was determined to make a living out of his passion for sport, says communication studies alumnus Lachlan Waugh who is now a sports journalist for NZME.He was determined to make a living out of his passion for sport, says communication studies alumnus Lachlan Waugh. After graduating from AUT in 2018, Lachlan has now fulfilled his dream of working in sports journalism and has secured a role as a multimedia sport journalist at NZME, working for Newstalk ZB and the New Zealand Herald.

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Great graduatesIrra LeeProducer, Q + A, TVNZBachelor of Communication StudiesShe would recommend the Bachelor of Communication Studies to anyone interested in media, says AUT communication studies alumna Irra Lee who now works at TVNZ.She would recommend the Bachelor of Communication Studies to anyone interested in media, says AUT communication studies alumna Irra Lee who now works at TVNZ.

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