Program Overview

Bachelor of Communication

The Bachelor of Communication is a three-year degree that offers students the opportunity to develop a versatile skillset tailored for the modern world. With a focus on applied learning, students will build a portfolio of work that showcases their talents to future employers.

Major Subjects

The Bachelor of Communication offers five exciting subject majors:

• Applied Digital Communication: Develop the user-centred design and technical skills required to create high-impact websites, social media, and interactive mobile apps.
• Creative Media: Exploit media-rich creative arts such as images, music, text, sound, and film for the purpose of clear, persuasive, and powerful storytelling.
• Marketing: Marketing is essential for attracting customers to products or services. It creates strong, unique brands that stand out from their competitors.
• Media Production: Get the hands-on technical skills you need to work in media production studios, whether your passion is for film, podcasting, or game design.
• Public Relations: Help organisations achieve their goals and enhance their reputation by acting as a crucial link with journalists and key stakeholders.

Course Content

In the first year, the core papers of this degree will introduce students to the key principles of communication, and give them a taste of their major/minor subjects. Students will also learn how to build trust and credibility, maintain positive relations with key stakeholders, and consider different perspectives when communicating across cultures.

With a focus on applied learning in this degree, students will build a portfolio of work that showcases their talents to future employers. For example, students could be asked to develop a visual brand identity for a new product, create a user-centred website for a start-up business, design a publicity campaign around mental health awareness, or produce a festival-ready short film.

In later years, students will take more advanced papers that dive deeper into their chosen subjects. Students could explore topics such as web development, interactive media design, transmedia storytelling, creative music technology, film production, podcasting, digital marketing, or public relations campaigns.

Entry Requirements

There are five ways to gain admission to the University of Waikato:

1. NCEA University Entrance
2. Admission at entrance level
3. Discretionary entrance
4. University Entrance prior to 2015
5. Special admission

Fees and Scholarships

Estimated fees: $8,787 per year (domestic tuition fees). Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Communication will have the ability to:

1. Problem-solve: Research and analyse situations, make recommendations, and develop strategies and plans for effective communication.
2. Reflect: Learn from action, and act from learning. Apply reflexive practices to facilitate learning from previous experiences.
3. Engage: Create, nurture, and maintain sustainable relationships with diverse individuals, groups, and communities.
4. Design: Design, develop, and implement a range of professional tools and technologies for effective communication.
5. Influence: Develop strategies to create, reinforce change or shape beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours.
6. Critique: Critically evaluate and practice ethical principles for communication strategies and processes.
7. Transform: Develop the ability to construct a shared and inclusive vision for a sustainable future.

Career Opportunities

• Brand and campaign manager
• Communications advisor
• Creative Art Director
• Digital content writer
• Digital marketing specialist
• Events manager
• Film or television producer
• Game designer
• Marketing executive
• Mobile App Designer
• Multimedia journalist
• Podcaster
• Public relations manager
• Social Media Manager
• User experience (UX) designer
• Web Designer

Why Study Communication at Waikato?

• Practical industry experience: In the third year, students will gain real-world industry experience through a communication consulting project.
• Internationally recognised: Waikato's Bachelor of Communication is the only degree in NZ and Australasia certified by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
• World-leading alumni: Follow in the footsteps of prestigious Waikato alumni like former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Briar Thompson at Boston Consulting Group, Kym Bradbury at IKEA UK & Ireland, and TVNZ journalist Lucas de Jong.

Regulations for the Bachelor of Communication

Read the full Regulations for the Bachelor of Communication in the University of Waikato Calendar.

What Our Students Are Saying

• The Bachelor of Communication degree gives students a well-rounded balance of theory and how that’s applied in practice.
• Students get many opportunities to test their knowledge and put their creativity to the test through real-life scenarios.
• The degree is a great combination of both creative work and the business side of communications.

Graduate and Postgraduate Study

Graduate or postgraduate study lets students develop advanced knowledge in an area of management that they are passionate about, giving them an edge in the job market.

• Bachelor of Communication Studies with Honours
• Graduate Certificate
• Graduate Certificate in Project Management
• Graduate Diploma
• Master of Business
• Master of Business and Management
• Master of Digital Business
• Master of Media and Creative Technologies

Points and Duration

• The total number of points to gain this qualification: 360 points
• How long this is expected to take full-time: 3 years

Locations

• The study locations where the qualification is offered: Hamilton

Area of Study

• This shows which Faculty or School students can study this qualification under: Waikato Management School, School of Arts

Start Dates

• Which trimester this qualification can be started in: Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)