Program Overview

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Bachelor of Communication

The Bachelor of Communication is a three-year full-time degree that imparts advanced understanding of the significant role communication plays in our world. Students develop specialist skills in writing, public speaking, critical and creative thinking, leadership, research, and cultural competency.

Programme Overview

Communication is more important than ever in todays world. Organisational, social, and global change are all strongly influenced by the ways in which politicians, activists, entrepreneurs, and leaders communicate. The Bachelor of Communication prepares students for a career as communications professionals and future leaders.

What You Gain from Studying Communication

Bachelor of Communication graduates are capable communicators with an advanced understanding of the important role that communication plays within organisations and in society more broadly. They are well-prepared to take up positions as communication professionals and leaders across a wide range of public, private, not-for-profit, and community contexts.

Programme Structure

• Conjoint Options: Conjoint programmes allow students to pursue two undergraduate bachelor's degrees at the same time. Available conjoint options include BA/BC - Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Communication Conjoint.

Potential Careers

Communications professionals are in demand as they play a key role in helping organisations achieve their goals. Graduates will be equipped for a media, PR, communication, or marketing career in a wide range of sectors, including corporate, not-for-profit, and government. They will also develop skills for future leadership and management roles.

Jobs Related to This Programme

• Broadcast media producer
• Content producer
• Copywriter
• Digital communications specialist
• Journalist
• Marketing adviser
• Public relations specialist

Further Study Options

• BA(Hons) - Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
• MA - Master of Arts
• PhD - Doctor of Philosophy

Key Information for Students

Duration

• Full Time: 3 Years
• Part Time: Varies - Part Time only

Next Start Date

• 2026 Semester One - 02 March 2026
• 2026 Semester Two - 20 July 2026

Available Locations

• City

Points

• 360

Programme Type

• Bachelors

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

Overseas Qualifications

If the highest qualification was gained outside New Zealand, view the international entry requirements.

New Zealand Secondary School Qualifications

Students are guaranteed entry to this programme if they meet these requirements:

1. First, they must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard.
2. They must also meet the rank score for this programme.
3. They may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
4. Some programmes have additional requirements, such as an interview, portfolio, or references.

New Zealand Tertiary Qualifications

Students can transfer from another tertiary institution or another University of Auckland qualification if they meet these requirements.

Fees

• Year Fees Applicable: 2026 fees
• Domestic Student Annual Fees: NZ$ 8,206.80 - $ 8,785.20
• International Student Annual Fees: NZ$ 47,221.00 - $ 48,133.00

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations, including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Duration and Total Points Value

A student enrolled for this degree must follow a programme of the equivalent of six full-time semesters and pass courses with a total value of 360 points, unless credit is granted under the Admission Regulations and/or the Credit Regulations.

Structure and Content

Of the 360 points required for this degree, a student must pass:

• At least 300 points from courses listed in the Bachelor of Communication Schedule.
• 30 points from courses offered in either the General Education Open schedule or the relevant General Education schedule approved for this degree or from a combination of these schedules.
• The Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Schedule

Programme Schedules

Complete 360 points comprising:

• 300 to 330 points from the Bachelor of Communication Schedule.
• 30 points from General Education Courses.
• 0 to 30 points from Other Undergraduate Courses.
• 1 item from the Academic Integrity Course.

Bachelor of Communication Schedule

Complete 300 to 330 points comprising:

• 120 points for Core Courses.
• 120 points for one Major from Majors.
• 60 points from Other Courses from the Bachelor of Communication Schedule.

Selected courses must include at least 180 points at level 200 or higher and at least 90 points at level 300.

Core Courses

Complete 120 points comprising:

• 45 points for all Stage I Compulsory Courses.
• 15 points from Stage I Elective Courses.
• 30 points from Stage II Elective Courses.
• 30 points from Stage III Elective Courses.

Majors

Complete one Major from the following:

• COSC-BC - Bachelor of Communication major in Communication and Social Change (120 points).
• COTC-BC - Bachelor of Communication major in Communication and Technology (120 points).
• COLD-BC - Bachelor of Communication major in Communication in Leadership (120 points).

Other Courses from the Bachelor of Communication Schedule

Complete exactly 60 points from the available courses.

General Education Courses

Complete exactly 30 points from the available General Education Courses.

Other Undergraduate Courses

Select between 0 and 30 credits from the University of Auckland at levels 100 to 400.

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

• ACADINT A01 - Academic Integrity Course (0 points).

Degree Plan

Overview

Students must select at least one course above Stage I from the Other courses from the Bachelor of Communication Schedule or Other Undergraduate courses.

Degree Plan for the Bachelor of Communication

The degree plan outlines the courses to be taken in each semester for the three-year duration of the programme.

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

Graduates of the Bachelor of Communication programme will possess a range of capabilities, including:

1. People and Place: Graduates connect to knowledge of place and are conversant with mtauranga Mori, kaupapa Mori, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
2. Sustainability: Graduates realise they are interdependent with the natural world and acknowledge kaitiakitanga.
3. Knowledge and Practice: Graduates understand the thinking, research, theory, and practice in their field(s) of study.
4. Critical Thinking: Graduates think critically and creatively to engage constructively with knowledge systems, practices, theories, evidence, and ideas.
5. Solution-Seeking: Graduates demonstrate innovative and entrepreneurial approaches, considering multiple perspectives in their solution-seeking and decision-making.
6. Communication: Graduates listen and express ideas respectfully, sharing knowledge with diverse audiences using a range of technologies and formats.
7. Collaboration: Graduates establish reciprocal, productive relationships and maintain whanaungatanga with the communities of Te Moananui--Kiwa and beyond.
8. Ethics and Professionalism: Graduates demonstrate manaakitanga towards others and care for their own well-being, acting ethically and responsibly.

Programme Capabilities

The programme capabilities are detailed and include aspects such as: 1.1. Able to demonstrate awareness of communication issues in the context of Te Ao Mori and the Pacific world. 1.2. Able to recognise the historical, social, political, economic, and cultural significance of tangata whenua and the ongoing significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 2.1. Realise they are interdependent with the natural world and acknowledge kaitiakitanga. 2.2. Recognise their responsibilities to contribute to the protection, conservation, and regeneration of local, regional, and global ecosystems, communities, and economies. 3.1. Able to display knowledge and engage in practices relevant to the transdisciplinary field of Communication. 3.2. Able to display knowledge and understanding of theories, frameworks of understanding, and research methodologies within the interdisciplinary field of Communication. 3.3. Able to identify, investigate, and address communication problems and issues through rigorous scholarship. 3.4. Able to demonstrate knowledge of the ways in which communication shapes and is shaped by wider social processes.

Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

The programme capabilities are mapped to the graduate profile, demonstrating how each capability aligns with the desired graduate attributes.