Public Relations Major - Bachelor of Communication Studies

First impressions make a huge impact. How did you find out about your latest cell phone or a new night club? Chances are, it was the work of a public relations (PR) team.

Public relations communicators plan, develop and manage communication and media strategies for organisations and people, from businesses and communities to nations and celebrities.

We have strong ties with the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) and public relations consultancies like Porter Novelli, Acumen, Botica Butler Raudon PR, Mango, Network Communication, Professional Public Relations, and Sparkactivate.


This is part of the Bachelor of Communication Studies.

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

Year 2

You also choose 60 points from the optional papers listed below or any other paper in the Bachelor of Communication Studies. We recommend that you take prerequisite papers from another major.

If you want to take a minor, 30 points of these papers at level 6 can be in your minor subject area.

Year 3

This year, you can plan and execute PR strategies through Outside the Square (OTS), our student-run consultancy. You work in teams to interpret a brief from a real client, develop a communication strategy and implement the plan on time and on budget. Recent clients included Hockey New Zealand, Surf Life Saving, Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand, The NZ Music Foundation and Starship Foundation.

Outside the Square website

You study the following papers:

Choose one paper from:

You also choose 45 points from the optional papers listed below or any other paper in the Bachelor of Communication Studies. If you want to take a minor, 30 points of these papers at level 7 can be in your minor subject area.

Throughout the year you can also apply for internships and gain work experience.

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.

  • Corporate communication executive
  • Public relations consultant
  • Marketing communications executive
  • Government communicator
  • Internal communications advisor
  • Media relations manager
  • Community relations manager
  • Social media manager

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 people person
  • A strategic thinker
  • A builder of reputations and relationships
  • A good writer, speaker and organiser
Simon Hebden
Cassie Arauzo
Brooke Hurndell
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.
Cassie Arauzo
Great graduatesCassie ArauzoAccount Manager/Communications Consultant, The CliqueBachelor of Communication StudiesAUT Bachelor of Communication Studies alumna Cassie Arauzo, who now works for bespoke public relations agency The Clique, loves the impact PR can have.When it comes to keeping pace with the ever changing world AUT is a step ahead, says communication studies alumna Cassie Arauzo. Studying at AUT gave her the ability to take textbook knowledge and apply it to a real-life public relations project. She loves the impact PR can have, says Cassie who now works for bespoke PR agency The Clique.
Brooke Hurndell
Great graduatesBrooke HurndellDigital Content Producer & Kiwi Ferns Media Manager, New Zealand Rugby LeagueBachelor of Communication StudiesShe loves being able to tell inspirational stories, says AUT alumna Brooke Hurndell who now works as a digital content producer for New Zealand Rugby League.She loves being able to tell inspirational stories, says Brooke Hurndell who now works as a digital content producer for New Zealand Rugby League and media manager for the Kiwi Ferns. 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.

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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