Radio and Audio Media Major - Bachelor of Communication Studies

Develop key skills for a career in radio, and run an FM and online radio station with other radio students.

Radio is fast-paced, dynamic and immediate. Radio works smoothly on multiple platforms, and is at the forefront of popular culture – delivering music, opinion and information to ever more savvy and demanding audiences. If you love music and popular culture, radio and audio media could offer a number of great career opportunities.

AUT radio and audio media students are sought after by major radio companies for part-time work during their studies and exciting careers after they graduate.


This is part of the Bachelor of Communication Studies.

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Get to know the business of radio, and run an FM and online radio station with other students. You create the format, manage the playlists, sell advertising, write features and commercials, promote the station and its clients, and learn how to work as a team in a fast paced and creative media enterprise.

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

Static 88.1 FM (AUT student radio) website

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

  • Announcer/radio journalist
  • Copywriter
  • Account executive
  • Media planner
  • Music director or programmer
  • Producer
  • Production or studio engineer
  • Programme director
  • Promotions or station manager
  • Record company representative
  • Studio engineer
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Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

Radio and Audio Media

Key features
  • NZ’s only university degree in radio
  • Access to our state-of-the-art radio and audio studios
  • Real experience in our student radio station, Static 88.1 FM
  • Interact with representatives from Radio New Zealand, RadioWorks, NZME and The Radio Bureau
See yourself as
  • A creative thought starter
  • Capable of thinking on your feet
  • Interested in people, popular culture and current events
  • Keen to communicate through radio
Cameron Harper
Keani Erstich-Coles
Melanie Dooley
Jess Smith
Joe Burn
Cameron Harper
Great graduatesCameron HarperManaging Partner, Southern Cross PartnersBachelor of Communication StudiesHis fondest memories of studying at AUT are about the people he met, says Cameron Harper who completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Radio in 2003.His fondest memories of studying at AUT are about the people he met, says Cameron Harper who completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Radio in 2003. Since graduating from AUT, Cameron has had a rewarding and interesting career that has taken him from working as a journalist and producer to successful stints in sales, marketing and account management. Since 2019 he has been working for Southern Cross Partners where he is now a managing partner.
Keani Erstich-Coles
Great graduatesKeani Erstich-ColesCampaign Executive, TVNZBachelor of Communication StudiesCommunication studies at AUT is one of a kind, says Keani Erstich-Coles who completed her Bachelor of Communication Studies degree in Radio in 2019.Communication studies at AUT is one of a kind, says Keani Erstich-Coles who completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Radio. For Keani, the journey into the media world started when she left her small hometown Ohaeawai in Northland to move to Auckland and start her studies, supported by the McDonald’s Te Tai Tokerau scholarship as well as scholarships from her iwi, Ngāpuhi, and the Māori Education Trust.
Melanie Dooley
Great graduatesMelanie DooleyImaging Production Engineer, MediaWorks RadioBachelor of Communication StudiesHer job is so much fun, says AUT communication studies alumna Melanie Dooley who currently works at MediaWorks Radio as an imaging production engineer.Her job is so much fun, says communication studies alumna Melanie Dooley who currently works at MediaWorks Radio. She has always been interested in the media, says Melanie who completed her Bachelor of Communication Studies in 2017 and was nominated for the inaugural Johnny Douglas Award at the New Zealand Radio Awards in 2018.
Jess Smith
Great graduatesJess SmithRadio Integration Operations Coordinator, Mediaworks RadioBachelor of Communication StudiesThe media industry has always fascinated her, says AUT Bachelor of Communication Studies alumna Jess Smith who is currently working at Mediaworks Radio.The media industry has always fascinated her, says AUT communication studies alumna Jess Smith. Now working at Mediaworks Radio, Jess is responsible for planning and executing client campaigns across all of the company’s radio brands; The Edge, Mai, More FM, George FM, The Rock, Breeze, Sound and Magic.
Joe Burn
Great graduatesJoe BurnArea Manager, Enviropod, Toronto, CanadaBachelor of Communication StudiesHis future career path wasn’t always entirely clear, says communications alumnus Joe Burn who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Radio.His future career path wasn’t always entirely clear, says Joe Burn who came to AUT to study a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Radio. He loved going on a student exchange to Canada as part of his degree, and the experience encouraged him to apply for the Internz International Scholarship Programme. A few years on, he continues to live and work in Canada.

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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