Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism – PGDipJ

Gain practical industry skills through Massey’s journalism qualifications, the only qualifications in Australasia accredited by US organisation the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Type of qualification

Postgraduate diploma

Level of study

Postgraduate study

Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.

More about study levels

NZQF level 8

Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete

1 year full-time (120 credits)
Up to 4 years part-time
Part-time available

Where you can study

Distance and online
Wellington campus

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students on campus in New Zealand

Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism – PGDipJ

The Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism is based on leading overseas journalism qualifications. It is for those with no journalism experience who wish to enter the industry, or those with some experience who wish to develop specialist knowledge. Either way, you will learn the skills needed to be a successful journalist.

The qualification enjoys a close relationship with leading news organisations. This is reflected in our strong internship programme. Our students are regular winners of national journalism prizes.

Stepping stone to a master’s

The PGDip Journalism is a stepping stone to a Master of Management (Journalism). 

What will I learn?

For those wishing to enter the industry, you will learn news writing, feature writing, interviewing, photojournalism, specialist reporting such as police, court, politics and sports advanced audio-visual journalism including TV, radio and podcasting, media ethics, law and. For those wishing to develop a specialist interest, you will have the opportunity to specialise in advanced audio-visual storytelling, sport, arts, investigative/data journalism or even journalism management.

Is it suitable for me?

For those new to the industry, the qualification will build a foundation for an exciting career in journalism. If you wish to develop specialist skills, you can choose from courses that build advanced capability.

Practical, relevant experience, while you study

You'll have the opportunity to spend time working at media organisations and do a full-time work placement. This gives you relevant experience sought after by employers.

A PGDipJ is a good fit if you:

  • have excellent written and oral communication skills
  • are dedicated to accuracy
  • have a good knowledge and interest in current affairs.

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism you will:

  • have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with at least a B- grade average in the 300-level majoring courses or equivalent

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University. 

English language requirements

If your first language is not English and you have not gained a New Zealand university entrance qualification, or an overseas entrance qualification in a country where the main language is English, you will be required to provide the below as evidence of your proficiency in English:

  • an academic IELTS with a minimum score of 7.0 in all bands, or
  • an equivalent TOEFL score, or
  • other such evidence that is acceptable to Massey University.

Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit

Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit. 

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Maximum time limits for completion

There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications.  If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Structure of the Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism

If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

Courses and specialisations

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

120 credits

  • Courses from the Schedule – 120 credits

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.

Compulsory course selections

Choose 30 credits from
Course code: 115758 Interpersonal Communication at Work 15 credits

An introduction to the theory and practice of interpersonal communication.

View full course details
Course code: 115759 Current Issues in Business 15 credits

Comprehensive examination of contemporary business issues providing a contextual platform for further study of business specialisations.

View full course details
Course code: 295700 Examining Business Dilemmas 30 credits

This course delivers a comprehensive examination of business dilemmas. It connects theory around globalisation, governance, strategy, and performance to practice, in order to conduct rigorous applied investigations and solve problems.

Prerequisites: Appraisal Required

View full course details
Choose 30 credits from
Course code: 219712 Advanced News Journalism 30 credits

Students study the theory and practice of gathering and writing news journalism for publication, including generating news-story ideas, gathering the relevant information, writing these news stories, and publishing them in mainstream media outlets. Students critically reflect on their experience, making links to the relevant scholarly literature.

View full course details
Course code: 219714 Journalism and Society 30 credits

Students study and critically reflect on the role and function of journalism in society. This includes the principles of media law and ethics.

View full course details

Subject courses (Choose 60 credits from)

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 115790 Special Topic 30 credits

Prerequisites: Appraisal Required

View full course details
Course code: 219713 Advanced Audio-Visual Journalism 30 credits

Students study the theory and practice of journalism in various non-print media platforms, including radio, television and multi-media platforms.

View full course details
Course code: 219714 Journalism and Society 30 credits

Students study and critically reflect on the role and function of journalism in society. This includes the principles of media law and ethics.

View full course details
Course code: 219715 Advanced Data and Investigative Journalism 30 credits

In the era of big data, journalists need the tools of data and investigative journalism to mine, refine and present stories that matter to their audiences. Students in this course will learn the principles and methods of advanced data and investigative journalism and apply them in a data-investigative journalism project.

View full course details

Any approved 15 or 30 credit course from the Master of Business Studies or Master of Analytics schedules.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

Many of our graduates are now top journalists at Stuff, TVNZ, NZ Herald, Newshub, Radio NZ or Newsroom or overseas news organisations such as the BBC, CNN, Reuters and ABC. One of our graduates, Alison McCulloch, was part of the team that won a Pulitzer Prize in journalism for its coverage of the Columbine killings.

Earn more

A 2017 Ministry of Education publication The post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates, found that in New Zealand:

  • young master’s graduates earn more than one and a half times more than the national median (five years after study)
  • earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed
  • five years after completion, the median earnings of young master’s graduates are 15% higher than for those with a bachelor’s degree.

What our students say

“Our media ethics and law classes were invaluable in preparing for what can be an extremely challenging job that constantly presents tricky situations. I also made lifelong friends among my class and in our lecturers.”
Kirsty Johnston

Investigative Journalist

Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism

“The tuition I received from Bernie Whelan, James Hollings and Kelly Dennett was easily a highlight of my time with Massey. They pushed me further than I thought I could go and I’ll always be grateful to them for that. Everything I do from now on will be a testament to the teaching I got at Massey”
Katie Ham

2023 Voyager Awards Student Journalist of the Year

Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism

“Massey’s postgraduate diploma takes a ‘bootcamp’ approach and gets you learning journalism by actually being a kind of cadet journalist with the tutors acting as the chief reporters. This helps to build the needed confidence.”
Jem Traylen

2022 Voyager Awards Student Journalist of the Year

Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism

Accreditations and rankings

Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC)

Massey’s Bachelor of Communication is the only degree outside the Americas and the Middle East to be recognised by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC).

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Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Massey Business School is rated in the top 5% of global business colleges by AACSB International.

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QS Ranking - Business Management Studies

Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 350 universities for business and management.

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QS Ranking - Communication and Media

Massey is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 100 universities for communication and media studies. QS is an organisation that ranks universities worldwide in various topics.

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ShanghaiRanking - Communication

Communication at Massey is ranked #1 in New Zealand, and 76th in the world, by ShanghaiRanking.

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ShanghaiRanking – Business Administration

Massey University is ranked #2 in New Zealand for business administration by ShanghaiRanking.

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