Postgraduate Diploma in Communication

Draw on the University’s broad field of knowledge and expertise and focus on one of a unique range of subjects—from political communication and intercultural communication, to media studies, popular film or music. You can also choose to focus on science communication, in a specialisation unique to Victoria University of Wellington.

Choose to complete your degree with a research project that focuses on the area that interests you the most, or an internship at a relevant business or organisation.

Learn about the context in which communication operates and the ways in which it is used to build and guide understanding.

You’ll develop a critical knowledge of the field that will enable you to deconstruct the way that communication is used by others—and creatively apply these theories and approaches in your own work.

Programme requirements

For this programme you’ll need to:

Complete 180 points

Include courses worth 150 points in Part 1:

- COMS 501

- COMS 502

- Courses worth 90 points from:

Include either COMS 589 or COMS 590 in Part 2

Students completing the Master of Communication may obtain a specialisation in Science Communication by including the following courses:

- SCIS 410 and SCIS 414 in Part 1

- Either SCIS 588 or SCIS 589 in Part 2

Programme requirements

For this programme you’ll need to:

Complete 120 points

Include the following courses:

- COMS 501

- COMS 502

- Courses worth 60 points from:

Programme requirements

For this programme you’ll need to:

Complete 60 points

Include either COMS 501 or COMS 502

- Courses worth 30 points from:

IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score of 6.5 with no sub-score below 6.0

TOEFL: minimum score of 90 for the internet-based test with a minimum of 20 in writing

Pearson Test of English: minimum score of 58 (with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 50)

Victoria University of Wellington English for Academic Purpose (EAP) programme: minimum final scores of 4,4,5,5

Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 176 or higher, with each skill score no less than 169

New Zealand Certificates in English Language (NZCEL): Level 5 (Academic)

NZAPA: English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 3 (with no skill lower than Level 2)