Study communication studies

Communication and media careers aren't built on essays. They're built on work you can show. Our students graduate with portfolios full of it – creating advertising and PR campaigns for real clients, and producing films, podcasts and radio content in professional studios. Small classes mean you work with lecturers who critique your work like the industry will. By the time you graduate, you won't just have a degree; you'll have proof you can deliver, and the confidence that comes with it.

Academic departments

Research in communication studies

Media moves fast. So does our research. From crisis response to digital storytelling, AUT researchers are tackling the real-world challenges that shape how we connect, inform and influence. It’s bold, relevant and built for impact – because communication doesn’t just reflect culture. It drives it.

More about our research

What it's like to study communication studies at AUT

Great facilities on campus

Industry-standard equipment

Theory's important. But at AUT much of the real work happens in our world-class facilities.

What is outside the square?

Real audiences, real impact

This isn't practice – it's live radio, real PR clients and published news. Your work reaches real audiences while you're still studying.

Build your degree with AUT

Degrees built your way

Why settle for one subject? Our Bachelor of Communication Studies lets you combine disciplines and build your degree your way.

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News
A person selecting options on a tablet-like device which shows varying options in the field of Public Relations
A person sitting at a desk with a laptop, looking at the camera and ready to talk
What happens in the news?
 Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
PODCASTS FILLING CURRENT AFFAIRS GAP
News pattern
A person selecting options on a tablet-like device which shows varying options in the field of Public Relations
PR major gains international recognition
16 Feb, 2026
AUT’s undergraduate public relations major has received significant international recognition from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
A person sitting at a desk with a laptop, looking at the camera and ready to talk
Q&A: Pop Culture Matters
12 Feb, 2026
Have you ever wondered why people are so obsessed with Marvel? Or why TV show endings are so bad?
What happens in the news?
AI-assisted news common in NZ
03 Feb, 2026
New research from the Journalism, Media and Democracy Research Centre shows that AI-assisted news is more common than most New Zealanders realise.
 Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Global Communication Studies Collab
12 Dec, 2025
AUT's School of Communication Studies has begun a teaching collaboration with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
PODCASTS FILLING CURRENT AFFAIRS GAP
Podcasts filling current affairs gap
11 Dec, 2025
The latest JMAD Media Ownership Report shows that political podcasts are increasingly filling the current affairs gap in New Zealand's legacy news media.

Contact details

Contact us online
Phone 0800 AUT AUT (0800 288 288)

School of Communication Studies
WG Building, City Campus
Governor Fitzroy Place
City Campus
Auckland City
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View academic staff

Jaimee Lupton
George Freeman
Zoe Holland
Ben Fitchett
Alex Tawharu