Arts and Education

Bachelor of Communication BC

Gain advanced understanding of the role communication plays in our world and prepare for a career as a communications professional.

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Duration: Full-time: 3 years; Part-time: Varies

Next start date: 2025 Semester Two – 21 July

Available locations: City

Points: 360

Programme type: Undergraduate

Programme overview

Communication is more important than ever in today’s 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 is designed to impart advanced understanding of the significant role of communication in our world.

You will develop specialist skills in writing, public speaking, critical and creative thinking, leadership, research and cultural competency. The knowledge and skills you will acquire can enable and empower you as a communications professional and a future leader.

What you gain from studying Communication

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

Our graduates have strong research and problem-solving skills that are valuable in professional environments and prepare them for further postgraduate studies.

Need help and advice? Reach out to us at bc@auckland.ac.nz.

Conjoint programmes let you pursue two undergraduate bachelors degrees at the same time.

Learn more about conjoints

Programme structure

The Bachelor of Communication takes three years to complete if you're studying full time. Most students will take 24 courses overall (each course being worth 15 points), with 8 courses per year.

Majors

When you start the programme, you will choose one of three majors:

In your first year, you will complete the first two courses of your major, alongside core courses in communication. Over the course of your degree, you will also take three courses in an additional focused area of study (a module), up to two elective courses, one General Education course and one Waipapa Taumata Rau course. Twelve courses (or 180 points) of your degree must be above Stage I level.

Modules

Modules are three courses grouped together around a particular theme. They are designed to add to your skill set for future employment and potentially benefit your future career path. You may include one module as part of your Bachelor of Communication.

Find out more information and see available modules.

Internship course

In your third year, you can take our internship course and gain practical experience in the workplace. Placements are available in a range of industries including media, public relations, advertising, broadcasting, and corporate communication. Entry to the course isn't guaranteed and depends on a separate application and interview.

Overall programme structure:

Eight core Communication courses (120 points)
At least nine courses from your chosen major (including three major-specific core courses) (135 points)
One General Education course (15 points)
One Waipapa Taumata Rau core course (15 points)
Three courses to make up a module (45 points)
Up to two elective courses (30 points)

You can also study the BC alongside another degree through a conjoint programme. You can do a BA as a conjoint option for the BC.

Most students need to take one General Education course.

Students should also be aware of the University’s Academic English Language Requirement.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Year 1 120 points

Code:

COMMS 100

Name:

Communication, Technology and Culture

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Code:

COMMS 101

Name:

Understanding Communication in Māori and Pacific Worlds

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Code:

PHIL 104

Name:

Ethics and Justice

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage I course

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage I course

Type:

Compulsory major course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage I course

Type:

As required for major

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage I course

Type:

Module

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Waipapa Taumata Rau

Type:

Core course

Points:

15 pts

Year 2 120 points

Code:

COMMS 210

Name:

Practicing Communication in Māori and Pacific Worlds

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Code:

COMMS 207

Name:

Communication Research Methods

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage II course

Type:

Compulsory major course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage II course

Type:

As required for major

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage II course

Type:

As required for major

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage II course

Type:

Elective course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage II course

Type:

Module

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage I course

Type:

General Education course

Points:

15 pts

Year 3 120 points

Name:

Stage III course

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage III course

Type:

Compulsory core course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage III course

Type:

Compulsory major course

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage III course

Type:

As required for major

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage III course

Type:

As required for major

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage III course

Type:

As required for major

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage III course

Type:

Module

Points:

15 pts
Name:

Stage III course

Type:

Elective course

Points:

15 pts

2025 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

New Zealand Outside New Zealand

Secondary school qualifications

If you're joining us from secondary school, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You are guaranteed entry to this programme if you meet these requirements.

First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard.
You must also meet the rank score for this programme. Not sure about your rank score? Use our rank score calculator.
You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
Some programmes have additional requirements, such as an interview, portfolio or references.

Guaranteed rank score, subject and other requirements

If your rank score is slightly lower than the guaranteed score, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available. If you don’t meet the requirements, you may be able to apply under our Undergraduate Targeted Admission Schemes.

Qualification

NCEA National Certificate of Educational Achievement

Score required

180
Qualification

CIE Cambridge International Examinations

Score required

190
Qualification

IB International Baccalaureate

Score required

27

Tertiary qualifications

If you've studied at a tertiary institution, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You can transfer from another tertiary institution, or another University of Auckland qualification, if you meet these requirements.

Minimum grade requirements

These are the likely grades required, but they do not guarantee entry. Applicants may require higher grades to gain entry to this programme.

Grade required

GPA Grade Point Average 3

Calculate your Grade Point Average
Grade required

GPE Grade Point Equivalent 3

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

See if you meet the criteria for the Undergraduate Targeted Admission Scheme (UTAS).
Bridge your educational gap with a preparation and foundation programme.
If you are under 20, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for discretionary entrance.
If you can demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and maturity, we offer admission to applicants under 16.

My highest qualification is from this country or region:

Select a country or region

Secondary school qualifications

If you're joining us from secondary school, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You need to have one of the following:

International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum total score of 24.
General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level. You must have completed a minimum of three A-Level subjects.
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). You must have completed a minimum of three A-level subjects.

GCE ‘A’ Level requirements apply to ‘A’ Level qualifications examined by bodies such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA and Pearson Education Limited taken outside of New Zealand.

Guaranteed grade, subject and other requirements

These are the grades required for guaranteed entry to this programme. If your grades are slightly lower, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available.

Qualification

IB International Baccalaureate Diploma

Score required

27

+

Qualification

IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System

Score required

6

No bands less than 5.5

See alternative English language requirements
Qualification

CIE Cambridge International Examinations

Score required

BCC

+

Qualification

IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System

Score required

6

No bands less than 5.5

See alternative English language requirements
Qualification

GCE A Level General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level

Score required

BCC

+

Qualification

IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System

Score required

6

No bands less than 5.5

See alternative English language requirements

Tertiary qualifications

If you've studied at a tertiary institution, here's what you need to enter the programme.

You can transfer from another tertiary institution if you meet these requirements.

You need to have the following:

One year successful bachelor-degree level study at a recognised university (or similar institution) overseas.

See information about prior tertiary study requirements

Minimum grade requirements

These are the likely grades required, but they do not guarantee entry. Applicants may require higher grades to gain entry to this programme.

Grade required

GPE Grade Point Equivalent 3

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent
Qualification

IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System

Score required

6

No bands less than 5.5

See alternative English language requirements

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

Bridge your educational gap with a preparation and foundation programme.
If you have an offer of place from us that is conditional on meeting English language requirements, you may be considered for English Pathway courses from the University of Auckland English Language Academy (ELA)

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Key dates

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2025: 8 December 2024

Semester Two 2025: 4 July 2025

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

2025

Semester One

Starts – 3 March

Ends – 30 June

Semester Two

Starts – 21 July

Ends – 17 November

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

How to apply

Applying for an undergraduate programme? Check out our step-by-step guide.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

The Bachelor of Communication consists of core courses, a major, a module, General Education, and elective courses. You will need to plan carefully to make sure that you complete all of these elements.

The degree consists of 24 courses with at least six courses at Stage II (second year level), and at least six courses at Stage III (third year level). Each year you must take eight courses, this means four courses per semester.

Here's how to structure your stand-alone degree:

Year One

Core courses

In your first year you should take a total of four Stage I courses for your core course component.

You must take the Stage I core courses COMMS 100, COMMS 101, PHIL 104 and one of the following: DRAMA 100, LINGUIST 100, LINGUIST 101, SCIGEN 101.

Courses for your major

In your first year you should take at least two Stage I courses for your chosen major. Pay particular attention to the courses that your major must include. You will need to check the semester in which your preferred courses are taught in order to plan successfully. You can find the courses available for your major in the BC Schedule. Take courses that your major must include first.

Module course

Modules are a core part of this degree. A module is a group of three papers that focus on a specific skill, and you must choose ONE for your degree.

See the list of modules available for BC and BA students.
Find the required papers in the BC Schedule.

We recommend taking at least one module paper in your first year. If you are taking one of the language modules it can sometimes be recommended that you take a language paper in each semester. Find out more about first time enrolment in language courses.

General Education

You can take one General Education course in your first year. You must take two General Education papers over your degree, but they can be taken at any semester or stage. You can choose courses from the Open, and Arts Schedules. Browse the General Education schedules. We recommend only taking one in your first year. Do not enrol in more than two in your whole degree.

Note: Do not take a General Education course that is the same subject as another paper you are interested in. For example, if you think you would like to take ANTHRO 100 as an elective, you cannot choose ANTHRO 104G as a General Education course. This principle also applies to language papers.

If you are a new student studying an undergraduate degree with us in 2025 you will most likely need to complete one General Education course and one Waipapa Taumata Rau course.

Elective course

Should you be having trouble making a General Education or Module course fit then you have the option of using an elective course. You can only take two elective courses over the course of your degree and you do not have to take one in your first year.

Using an elective course in your second and third year can be useful to help meet the Stage II and III requirements of the degree.

Electives are papers that are not counted towards your Core courses, your Major, your Module, or General Education courses. At least one of the electives must be from the BC Schedule and the other can be from any programme

Year two

Core course

You must take the Stage II core courses: COMMS 207 and COMMS 210.

Courses for your major

Choose at least two courses at Stage II from the course listings for your major, paying attention to the prerequisites for the Stage III courses that you plan to take in year three. You can find the courses that you need to complete for your major in the BC Schedule.

The remaining papers are dependant on the enrolment choices you made in the first year, therefore the remaining three papers will be from the following options, make sure that in you are following the degree planner and are meeting the required amount of Stage II courses. You can see these rules in the BC Schedule.

Module course

See the list of modules available for BC and BA students, and you can find the required papers in the BC Schedule.

General Education

You can choose courses from the Open and Arts Schedules. Browse the General Education schedules here. Do not enrol in more than two General Education courses in your whole degree.

Elective Course

Using an elective course in your second and third year can be useful to help meet the Stage II and III requirements of the degree. You can only take two elective courses over the course of your degree.

Year three

Core course

You must take at least two of the Stage III core courses: COMMS 307, COMMS 311, COMMS 320, COMMS 322.

Courses for your major

Choose at least three courses at Stage III from the course listings for your major. You can find the courses that you need to complete for your major in the BC Schedule.

The remaining papers are dependant on the enrolment choices you made in the first year, therefore the remaining three papers will be from the following options. Make sure that in you are following the degree planner and are meeting the required amount of Stage III courses. You can see these rules in the BC Schedule.

Module course

See the list of modules available for BC and BA students and you can find the required papers in the BC Schedule.

General Education

You can choose courses from the Open and Arts Schedules. Browse the General Education schedules. Do not enrol in more than two General Education courses in your whole degree.

Elective course

Degree planner

Download the Bachelor of Communication standalone degree planner here.

BC conjoint degrees

When conjointing your Bachelor of Communication with another degree, the BC component is made up from the core courses and your major's courses. Overall you will take 17 BC courses - 11 of which must be Stage II or III.

To see how these courses are organised, download the BC conjoint degree planner:

Blank template

Variations

Variations to this structure are possible but require the approval of the programme director. If you need help at any time, please contact contact a Programme Adviser at bc@auckland.ac.nz.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

Communications professionals are in demand as they play a key role in helping organisations achieve their goals. You’ll be equipped for a media, PR, communication or marketing career in a wide range of sectors, including corporate, not-for-profit and government. You’ll 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

Gain workplace experience as part of your degree.

Explore the course

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Graduate careers

Explore our graduates' career journeys and different industries they've entered.

• Advertising and marketing
• Communications and publicity
• Media and technology

See details on our Communication and Arts careers page.

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

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Experience the University

Bachelor of Communication at the University of Auckland

Hear from two BC students - Aishlin and Andrew - about their experience studying at the University of Auckland.

Watch now

Do you need help?

Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?

Our student support team is here to help. Use our online contact form.

Need to speak to someone?

You can phone us directly.

Auckland: 923 5025
Outside Auckland: 0800 61 62 63
International: +64 9 373 7513

Bachelor of Communication BC

Programme overview

Conjoint options

Programme structure

Sample programme structure

Year 1 120 points

Year 2 120 points

Year 3 120 points

Subjects available in this programme

2025 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Secondary school qualifications

Guaranteed rank score, subject and other requirements

Tertiary qualifications

Minimum grade requirements

Other pathways to study

My highest qualification is from this country or region:

Secondary school qualifications

You need to have one of the following:

Guaranteed grade, subject and other requirements

Tertiary qualifications

You need to have the following:

Minimum grade requirements

Other pathways to study

How much does a Bachelor of Communication cost per year?

2025 fees

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Student loans and allowances

Cost of living

Key dates

Application closing dates

Start dates

Other important dates

How to apply

Year One

Year two

Year three

Degree planner

BC conjoint degrees

Variations

Where could this programme take you?

Jobs related to this programme

Further study options

Internship course

Student career planning service

Key Information for Students

Experience the University

Bachelor of Communication at the University of Auckland

Do you need help?

AskAuckland

Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?

Need to speak to someone?