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. Make industry connections and get practical experience.

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.

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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.

You can go on air from our state-of-the-art radio studios and:

Year 1

This year you take eight core courses that give you an overview of the media world and communication theories:

Year 2

You take four courses related to radio and audio media, getting to know the business of radio, studio practices, radio programming strategies and the different roles involved in putting a radio show together. You learn more about podcasting and the role of the internet in radio productions.

You study the following courses:

You also take courses from your second major, your minor(s) or elective courses.

Year 3

You learn more about the role of the music industry in radio operations, and interact with key people from Radio New Zealand, MediaWorks, NZME and The Radio Bureau.

You study the following courses:

You also continue to take courses from your second major, your minor(s) or elective courses.

Build your degree

Use our online tool to build your own degree and see what your three years of study could look like.

Build your degreeBuild your degreehttps://www.aut.ac.nz/study/study-options/communication-studies/courses/bachelor-of-communication-studies/radio-audio-media-major

  • 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
  • Option to include subjects from across AUT in your degree
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
Melanie Dooley
Va’a Magalogo
Gavin Sinclair
Bailey Palala
Melanie Dooley
Great graduatesMelanie DooleySenior Imaging Producer, MediaWorksBachelor of Communication StudiesHer job is so much fun, says AUT communication studies alumna Melanie Dooley who currently works at MediaWorks as a senior imaging producer.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.
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Va’a Magalogo
Great graduatesVa’a MagalogoFreelancer - Film and TVBachelor of Communication StudiesMovies and TV shows have always amazed him, says Va’a Magalogo who completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Screen Production & Radio and Audio Media.Movies and TV shows have always amazed him, says Va’a Magalogo who completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Screen Production & Radio and Audio Media.
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Gavin Sinclair
Great graduatesGavin SinclairSenior Creative Copywriter, Global Media & Entertainment, LondonBachelor of Communication StudiesAudio is a great medium because you can do anything with it, says Gavin Sinclair who is a senior creative copywriter at Global Media & Entertainment in the UK.Audio is a great medium because you can do anything with it, says Gavin Sinclair who completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Radio in 2007 and now works in London as a senior creative copywriter at Global Media & Entertainment; Europe’s largest commercial radio company and the UK’s leading out-of-home media company.
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Bailey Palala
Great graduatesBailey PalalaMai Hot 20 Announcer, Mai FM/MediaworksBachelor of Communication StudiesHe loves his job, says Bailey Palala who studied a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Radio and is now the announcer for Mai FM’s night show Mai Hot 20.He loves his job, says Bailey Palala who studied a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Radio and is now the announcer for Mai FM’s night show Mai Hot 20.
Read full story
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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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