Bachelor of Communication

The world needs communicators. It needs people who have the creativity and imagination to develop content that will inspire and connect people. It needs those with the logic, analysis and language skills to deliver that content in a strategic and meaningful way.

Unique variety in your study - just like the working world

Masseys Bachelor of Communication is the only communication degree in New Zealand that requires you to take courses in both business and arts. Youll probably discover that neither is what you expected.  You may even love most a subject you didnt think you would! Combining words and creativity with business will make you a highly-employable communication specialist.

Youll graduate not just with a degree, but as a well-rounded, innovative communication specialist who is sought-after by employers. In our survey of past graduates, 84% believed that their BC studies were relevant to their present work.

The Bachelor of Communication builds the skills you need to make an outstanding contribution in whatever field interests you. You will gain skills in using up-to-date technology, and you will have the opportunity to obtain deep insights into the communication industry.

Real-world learning

The Bachelor of Communication offers you many opportunities to apply your learning to real-world problems. Youll produce strategies, media and publications that apply your communication learning.

These can include marketing strategies for community groups, social media content, documentary films, scripts for theatre, media or film, performances and speeches, depending on the courses you choose.

Youll learn from internationally renowned staff. Massey has the oldest journalism school in New Zealand. Our teachers in the Bachelor of Communication expressive arts courses (theatre, creative writing and media production) have won five national teaching awards.

Insights

• The 2021 Student Experience Survey results for this qualification found that 83% believed that teaching staff are helpful and approachable, and 92% highlight that the qualification has given them excellent “written communication skillsâ€.
• The 2020 Graduate Destination Survey results for this qualification found that 82% of graduates are in employment and 12% have continued in further study. The most common job title for graduated students was “Marketerâ€.
• Between 2018 and 2021 the average number of students enrolled in the qualification was 748 (headcount). In the 2020 academic year, 78% of students in the first year of this qualification continued their studies and across the whole qualification 83% of courses were successfully completed.
• The QS World University Ranking by Subject ranks Massey in the top 101-150 universities worldwide in this subject area. Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022 ranks Massey in the top 150 universities globally and 1st in New Zealand in this subject area.

Further study

You may wish to consider moving on to postgraduate study once you have completed your degree.

Key terms

Courses

Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.

Course code

Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).

Credits

Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.

Specialisations

Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Credit summary

Course planning key

Prerequisites

Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.

Corequisites

Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.

Restrictions

Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Part A: Core courses

Part B: Specialisations

Minors

There's a wide variety of jobs and exciting opportunities in communication. 

The Bachelor of Communication (BC) prepares you for many occupations, in almost any industry. The world is truly your oyster!

Your choices are not restricted – every field uses communication specialists, from healthcare to education to aviation to high-end fashion or the arts, and your expertise is transferable – Massey’s BC makes sure you come out well rounded and flexible. Massey Bachelor of Communication graduates have had outstanding employment success.

Depending on your major and interests you could move into any one of the following areas:

• writing, editing, publishing or researching
• speech writing, travel writing, blogging, social commentary
• social media content production or social entrepreneurship
• scriptwriting
• relationship management
• public relations
• public affairs
• project management
• producing and directing film, theatre, dance and a wide range of other creative enterprises
• organisational training and development
• media industries including production
• marketing, advertising, promotion, brand management
• liaison and advisory work
• journalism
• film-making
• event management
• creative industries or arts administration or management
• communication consulting
• arts promotion, policy and development
• academia or teaching.