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 public relations student you have the opportunity to 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’ll explore topics like reputation management, relationship management, strategic communication, communication in a business environment, sponsorship and promotion, internal communication, persuasion and negotiation, social media strategies and moral philosophy.

Most courses 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 courses:

Year 2

You study the following courses:

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

Year 3

You study the following courses:

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

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

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, Undertow Media and Drum

PRINZ networking events

We have a longstanding relationship with the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) and we encourage students to attend PRINZ industry networking events.

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

  • Corporate communications executive
  • Public relations consultant
  • Marketing communications executive
  • Government communicator
  • Internal communications advisor
  • Community relations manager
  • Cultural mediator
  • Media relations manager
  • Influencer campaign 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
  • Participate in live campaigns and industry field trips
  • Work for a real client in AUT’s student-run PR consultancy, Outside the Square
See yourself as
  • A collaborative colleague
  • A strategic thinker
  • A builder of reputations and relationships
  • A good writer, speaker and organiser
Adam Szentes
Taylor Evans
Christian Baledrokadroka
Suzanne Suisuiki
John Nottage
Adam Szentes
Great graduatesAdam SzentesCorporate Communications Manager, JardenBachelor of Communication StudiesWorking on a public relations campaign for a not-for-profit organisation was one of the highlights for him, says communication studies alumnus Adam Szentes.Working on a public relations campaign for a not-for-profit organisation was one of the highlights of his studies, says Adam Szentes who completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Public Relations, with a minor in Journalism. After graduating from AUT at the end of 2017, Adam spent several years at communications consultancy Porter Novelli. He joined investment and advisory group Jarden as corporate communications manager at the start of 2021.
Taylor Evans
Great graduatesTaylor EvansDelivery Manager, Bank of New ZealandBachelor of Communication StudiesThe people are what she loves most about her career, says communication studies alumna Taylor Evans who is now a delivery manager for the Bank of New Zealand.The people are what she loves most about her career, says communication studies alumna Taylor Evans who is now a delivery manager for the Bank of New Zealand. She joined BNZ at the start of 2021, after seven years at Westpac New Zealand Ltd. For Taylor, her journey into the world of PR started when she came to AUT to enrol in a communications degree.
Christian Baledrokadroka
Great graduatesChristian BaledrokadrokaBachelor of Communication Studies
Postgraduate Certificate in Communication StudiesShe has always had a passion for connecting with people, says Christian Baledrokadroka who is studying a Postgraduate Certificate in Communication Studies.She has always had a passion for connecting with people, says Christian Baledrokadroka who is currently studying a Postgraduate Certificate in Communication Studies. She has been impressed by the sense of community at AUT and plans to continue giving back to her Pacific community, says Christian who received the Geraldine Lopdell Award for Diversity in Communication.
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.
John Nottage
Great graduatesJohn NottageSenior Communications Advisor for Alliances, Auckland TransportBachelor of Communication StudiesHe loves being able to show Aucklanders what’s happening in transport, says John Nottage who is now a senior communications advisor for Auckland Transport.He loves being able to show Aucklanders what’s happening in transport and how exciting the future is, says John Nottage who is now a senior communications advisor for Auckland Transport. The Bachelor of Communication Studies was an obvious choice for John as he wanted to work with people and help organisations get their messaging out to the wider public.

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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