Bachelor of Communication Studies (BCS)

* There will be no new intake within FASS to this degree from 2010.

Requirements | Single Major Structure | Double Major Structure
BCS Degree Planner (pdf)

If you started your BCS before 2007 please contact us in regards to your degree structure.

Requirements

The BCS consists of 360 points, which normally takes three years of full-time study to complete. Seven of the papers are compulsory and provide you with a foundation for understanding communication theories and practices across the arts and management disciplines. You may also study part-time as there are no time restrictions to complete the BCS.

You study one or two of the seven majors depending on your interests. You do not need to specify your major(s) until the second year of study but it is important to note the requirements for a major, especially the prerequisites for 200 level papers, before choosing your first year elective papers.

English Studies
Linguistics
Management Communication
Māori, Media and Communication
Marketing
Media Studies
Public Relations

If you are majoring in English Studies, Linguistics or Media Studies you will enrol with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. If you are majoring in Management Communication, Marketing or Public Relations you will enrol with the Waikato Management School, and if you are majoring in Māori, Media and Communication you will enrol with the School of Māori and Pacific Development.

BCS Degree Guidelines

• To complete the BCS, students are required to pass a total value of at least 360 points;
• At least 240 points must be above 100 Level, and at least 80 points must be above 200 Level;
• Seven compulsory papers must be passed;
  • LING132 Introduction to Linguistic Communication
  • MCOM102 Introduction to Communication in a Digital Age
  • MCOM133 Introduction to Corporate Communication
  • MMAC121 Communication in Aotearoa/New Zealand
  • SMST102 Media Cultures
  • SMST120 The Creative Industries
  • MCOM220 Communication Theory
• A BCS major comprises at least 120 points above 100 Level, including at least 60 points above 200 Level;
• A supporting subject comprises 40 points above 100 level in any subject;
• A second major also comprises 120 points. In the case of a double major MCOM220 may be counted to either major, but only when the second major is within the field of the BCS. (Please note that for those enrolled in a BCS before 2005 this paper is not compulsory). No paper can count towards two majors;
• Students may take up to 80 points in subjects other than those listed for the degree. In a double major if the second major is a non-BCS major up to 120 points may be taken to fulfil the major requirement;
• A second major replaces the requirement of a supporting subject;
• A major or supporting subject must include any compulsory papers;
• A language specialisation may take the place of a supporting subject. This consists of 60 points above 100 level in one of the languages listed below, including any compulsory papers;
• Normally at least four 100 Level papers in any subject must be passed before taking 200 Level papers; at least 90 points passed at 100 and 200 Levels before taking 300 Level papers.

Language Specialisations for the BCS

A language specialisation may be taken in place of a supporting subject in one of the following languages: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish and Te Reo Māori.

The Chairperson of the Department has discretion over enrolment in each language specialisation and must approve the papers for this specialisation. Depending upon your previous experience you may be required to take 100 level prerequisite papers to meet the requirements for study at 200 and 300 level.

Chinese Language Specialisation
China is now the third largest economy and New Zealand and Australia have large communities of Chinese ethnicity and extensive trade relations with China. To complete a specialisation in Chinese, students must gain 60 points above 100 level in Chinese, including CHIN201, CHIN202 and CHIN301.

French Language Specialisation
French is one of the leading international languages of business. To complete a specialisation in French, students must gain 60 points above 100 level in French, including FREN231, FREN232 and FREN331.

German Language Specialisation
German is one of the leading international languages of business, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. To complete a specialisation in German, students must gain 60 points above 100 level in German, including GERM231, GERM233 and GERM301.

Japanese Language Specialisation
Japan is one of New Zealand's major trading partners, a major player in the global business environment, and many Japanese visit New Zealand as tourists. To complete a specialisation in Japanese, students must gain 60 points above 100 level in Japanese, including JAPA201, JAPA202 and 20 points from JAPA301 or JAPA302.

Spanish Language Specialisation
Spanish is one of the major languages of Western Europe, and the most widely spoken language of the Americas. Markets in South America where Spanish is widely spoken are amongst the major markets for New Zealand exports. To complete a specialisation in Spanish, students must gain 60 points above 100 level in Spanish, including SPAN231, SPAN232 and SPAN310.

Te Reo Māori Specialisation
Developing your ability to communicate in Te Reo Māori will enable you to better represent New Zealand's bicultural heritage internationally and make you more cognisant with one of New Zealand's official languages. To complete a specialisation in Te Reo Māori, students must gain 60 points above 100 level in Te Reo Māori, including MAOR213, MAOR214 and MAOR313. Note: Students are expected to take MAOR101 and MAOR110 as elective papers. If you have no previous experience in Te Reo Māori then you will also be expected to take MAOR111 and MAOR112.

Single Major Structure

This diagram sets out the minimum requirements for the BCS with a single major. Your major must be one of the BCS major subjects.

Double Major Structure

This diagram shows how you can study two BCS major subjects in depth, that is, a double major. Your first major must be from the BCS major subjects.