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For the people who will use words to bring change

For the people who will use words to bring change

Weave stories with digital threads

Waikato’s new Bachelor of Communication is for people who are passionate about expressing ideas and want to produce multimedia content in creative ways, using a wide range of technologies.

Learn how to communicate with purpose and harness the power of digital storytelling.

Why study Communication?


Strong communication and creative design skills can help you see the world through fresh eyes. They are vital for helping, informing and inspiring people.

Waikato’s new Bachelor of Communication is an interdisciplinary degree that provides a unique combination of arts, design and management perspectives on communication.

Students will gain the knowledge and technical skills required to launch an exciting career working in the creative and communication industries. Master everything from designing websites and mobile apps, to producing audio and visual content, films and podcasts, through to writing for social media, or developing strategic public relations and marketing campaigns.

You will learn how to use multimedia content to help organisations connect with people, build brands, spark public conversations, or change people’s opinions.

Major subjects offered in this degree:

The BC degree offers a choice of five 1st Major subjects in Applied Digital Communication, Creative Media, Public Relations, Marketing, and Media Production.

Mix and match with your preferred combo of almost any other Major or Minor subjects to suit your interests and career goals!

Career pathways


Here are a few of the many rewarding jobs that a Bachelor of Communication could prepare you for:

  • Brand and campaign manager
  • Communications advisor
  • Creative art director
  • Digital content writer
  • Digital media artist
  • Digital marketing specialist
  • Events manager
  • Game developer
  • Interactive media artist
  • Marketing manager
  • Media relations advisor
  • Mobile app/game designer
  • Multimedia / Visual journalist
  • Producer - Documentary, film, TV, web, podcasting
  • Public relations manager
  • Press secretary
  • Social media specialist
  • User experience (UX) designer
  • Web designer/editor

What will I study?

Our students gain relevant industry skills through engaging, practical assignments focused on real-world situations in a professional context.


In the first year, the core papers of this degree will introduce you to the key principles of communication, marketing, public relations and the creative industries.

You’ll also learn how to consider different perspectives when communicating across cultures. In later years, depending on your chosen major/s you'll focus on more advanced papers and gain some practical work experience.

The Bachelor of Communication allows you to mix and match your preferred combination of major and minor subjects to great effect.

For example, a single major in Marketing or Public Relations can be combined with a minor in Creative Media or Media Production, or vice-versa. Or you could take a double major in Applied Digital Communication and Political Science. Tailor the degree to suit your interests and graduate with a wide range of professional skills. A major is made up of 8-9 papers, and a minor is 4 papers.

In third year, all Bachelor of Communication students will complete a work-integrated learning paper. This is a great opportunity to gain practical experience working for a host organisation by completing either a communication consulting project, a workplace internship, or an applied research project.

Degree Planner - Bachelor of Communication

    Degree planner — Bachelor of Communication (BC) - Single Major

    Year 2

    200 Level
    Major

    200 Level
    Major

    200 Level
    Major

    100 Level or above
    Elective or Minor

    200 Level
    Elective or Minor

    200 Level
    Elective or Minor

    Year 3

    300 Level
    Major

    300 Level
    Major

    300 Level
    Major

    300 Level
    Major

    200 or 300 Level
    Elective or Minor

    200 or 300 Level
    Elective or Minor

    200 or 300 Level
    Elective or Minor

    • Major
    • Field
    • Elective
    This information is provisional and subject to change.

    Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) papers:

    • COMMS300 Communication Consulting Project
    • OR an alternative Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) paper - please talk to a student advisor first

    Degree planner — Bachelor of Communication (BC) - Double Major

    Year 2

    200 Level
    Major 1

    200 Level
    Major 1

    200 Level
    Major 1

    200 Level
    Major 2

    200 Level
    Major 2

    200 Level
    Major 2

    Year 3

    300 Level
    Major 1

    300 Level
    Major 1

    300 Level
    Major 1

    100 Level or above
    Any BC field paper

    300 Level
    Major 2

    300 Level
    Major 2

    300 Level
    Major 2

    • Major
    • Field
    • Second Major
    This information is provisional and subject to change.

    Work-Integrated Learning papers:

    • COMMS300 Communication Consulting Project
    • OR an alternative Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) paper - please talk to a student advisor first

    BC field papers

    Open this section to read more

    • Any Applied Digital Communication paper
    • Any Creative Media paper
    • Any Marketing paper
    • Any Media Production paper
    • Any Public Relations paper

    As part of this degree, you can opt to take a second major, or 1-2 minors in almost any other subject offered at the University of Waikato, such as

    • Communication Design
    • Creative Writing
    • Digital Business
    • Interface Design
    • Media Design
    • Political Science
    • Project Management
    • Public Policy
    • Leadership Communication
    • Social Policy
    • Sociology
    • Strategic Management

    Where our graduates are now

    You’ll be following in the footsteps of prestigious alumni such as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Briar Thompson at Boston Consulting Group, Kym Bradbury at IKEA Group, and TVNZ journalist Lucas de Jong.


    Olivia Kerbers

    Public Relations

    Todd Harper

    Marketing, Public Relations

    Celine Kao

    Leadership Communication, Public Relations

    Abbey Hilson

    Marketing, Public Relations