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 papers 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 papers:

Year 2

You study the following papers:

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

Year 3

Complete 60 points from:

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

  • 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 Careers

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
Jess Smith
Joe Burn
Ollie Wards
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 BurnContent and Marketing Intern, Enviropod, Toronto, CanadaBachelor of Communication StudiesHis future career path wasn’t always entirely clear, says communication studies alumnus Joe Burn who is currently interning at Enviropod in Toronto, Canada.His future career path wasn’t always entirely clear, says communication studies alumnus Joe Burn who is currently interning at Enviropod in Toronto, Canada. He says his time at AUT will always be some of the best years of his life because of the friends he made, the lessons he learned and the places it enabled him to go.
Ollie Wards
Great graduatesOllie WardsContent Director, triple j, Sydney, AustraliaBachelor of Communication StudiesAnyone who works in radio will tell you they love the immediacy, says AUT radio alumnus Ollie Wards who is now the content director for triple j in Australia.Anyone who works in radio will tell you they love the immediacy, says AUT radio alumnus Ollie Wards who is now the content director for triple j, the youth music and culture brand of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. In his role Ollie is responsible for triple j's content on air, online, on TV, in social media and at events.

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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