Public Relations Major - Bachelor of Communication Studies

Study public relations at AUT and embark on an exciting career where every day promises to be different.

A PR career could be organising top-level celebrities to promote an exotic resort, working with an international health organisation to communicate disease prevention in a developing country, briefing business leaders on a company merger, or lobbying the government to change regulations on behalf of a charity.

Our lecturers have industry and academic expertise with a national and global outlook. Their strong industry connections mean that as a PR student you could go on industry field trips and gain paid PR experience during your degree.


This is part of the Bachelor of Communication Studies.

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You explore topics like reputation management, strategic communication, communication in a business environment, sponsorship and promotion, internal communication, persuasion, social media and communicating with diverse audiences.

Students participate in live campaigns and industry field trips, and work in AUT’s Student PR Consultancy for a real client.

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

Year 1

You study the following papers:

Year 2

You study the following papers:

You also complete papers from your second major and your chosen minor(s).

Year 3

You study the following papers:

You also complete papers from your second major and your chosen minor(s).

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

Graduate internships

The lecturers have developed graduate internships with organisations like:

  • Fonterra
  • Auckland Council
  • Ports of Auckland
  • PR consultancies like Porter Novelli, Acumen, Botica Butler Raudon, Baldwin Boyle and Spark PR

PRINZ networking events

There’s a longstanding relationship with the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) and students are encouraged to attend industry networking events.

  • Corporate communication executive
  • Public relations consultant
  • Marketing communications executive
  • Government communicator
  • Internal communications advisor
  • Media relations manager
  • Community relations manager
  • Social media manager
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Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

Public Relations Careers

Key features
  • Supported by the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) and leading PR consultancies
  • Gain experience in our student-run PR consultancy, Outside the Square
  • Includes a PR project for a real client
See yourself as
  • A collaborative colleague
  • A strategic thinker
  • A builder of reputations and relationships
  • A good writer, speaker and organiser
Brooke Hurndell
Simon Hebden
Suzanne Suisuiki
Freya Munro-Goodey
Jono Buxeda
Brooke Hurndell
Great graduatesBrooke HurndellCommunications Advisor, Moana New ZealandBachelor of Communication StudiesShe loves telling inspirational stories, says Brooke Hurndell who is a communications advisor at Moana New Zealand, the largest Māori-owned seafood company.She loves telling inspirational stories, says Brooke Hurndell who is a communications advisor at Moana New Zealand, the largest Māori-owned seafood company. As the daughter of a journalist, Brooke grew up in the newsroom; a world that always intrigued her. AUT prepares students well for the changing world, the communications alumna says.
Simon Hebden
Great graduatesSimon HebdenPR & Content Marketer, TimeZoneOne, ChicagoBachelor of Communication StudiesWorking for creative communications agency TimeZoneOne in Chicago is a rush, says Simon Hebden who completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies at AUT.Working for creative communications agency TimeZoneOne in Chicago is a rush, says Simon Hebden who completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Public Relations. The interactive and engaging learning environment was one of the highlights of his time at AUT, Simon says. He also appreciated the resources made available to him throughout his studies.
Suzanne Suisuiki
Great graduatesSuzanne SuisuikiMarketing and Communications Manager, Pacific Cooperation FoundationBachelor of Communication StudiesThe connections she made while studying at AUT were what stood out most about her time at university, says communication studies alumna Suzanne Suisuiki.The connections she made while studying at AUT were what stood out most about her time at university, says Suzanne Suisuiki who completed her Bachelor of Communication Studies in Public Relations in 2015. Now working as the marketing and communications manager for the Pacific Cooperation Foundation, Suzanne enjoys the variety of her role.
Freya Munro-Goodey
Great graduatesFreya Munro-GoodeyBusiness Director, Hustle & Bustle, SingaporeBachelor of Communication StudiesSince graduating from AUT in 2009, Freya Munro-Goodey’s public relations career has taken her all over the world, from Auckland to Sydney and now Singapore.Since graduating from AUT in 2009, Freya Munro-Goodey’s public relations career has taken her all over the world, from Auckland to Sydney and now Singapore. As the business director at PR-led brand agency Hustle & Bustle in Singapore, she now helps companies launch new brands, enter new markets, attract new customers, get on the news agenda and share their story.
Jono Buxeda
Great graduatesJono BuxedaPublic Relations Intern, Cognito Asia, SingaporeBachelor of Communication StudiesSingapore has always held appeal to him, says AUT communication studies alumnus Jono Buxeda who is currently interning at Cognito Asia in Singapore.Singapore has always held appeal to him, says AUT communication studies alumnus Jono Buxeda who is currently interning at Cognito Asia in Singapore. He would highly recommend studying at AUT to other students, says Jono who managed to balance his studies with representing New Zealand in karting at the world grand finals in Portugal and Brazil, where he competed against the best motorsport athletes in the world.

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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