The news and news media are constantly changing in both content and delivery, so journalism studies will always remain a fascinating area of study.
Find out more about the Bachelor of Communication parent structure
The news media play a vital role in society. Technological advances have made them totally pervasive, entering our daily lives 24/7. But as the media changes, new questions arise around how the media should operate, including challenging ethical issues around things like media intrusion on privacy, the UK media phone-tapping scandal, and the controversy about WikiLeaks.
In your journalism major, you’ll learn about the media’s role, you will build essential journalistic skills and expertise in specialised fields such as feature writing and investigative reporting.
85% of graduates are employed within six months of graduation. These graduates are employed across nine different industry categories with more than 60 different job titles.
Massey’s communication programmes are only the seventh outside of the US to be recognised by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC).
This prestigious accreditation recognises Massey's "good connections with industry, its commitment to constant improvement, its strong leadership, and large research output". Massey Business School is ranked in the top 2% of business schools globally.
Massey University’s business and management studies ranks in the top 250, and its communication and media studies ranks in the top 200 world-wide (by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) rankings). We are also ranked in the top 150 universities worldwide for business administration programmes by the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
Accreditation means your degree is internationally recognised, making it easier to arrange a student exchange and find employment overseas.
The quality of Massey’s journalism courses is internationally recognised. You learn from lecturers who have vast experience (often as leading journalists themselves). Our journalism school is New Zealand’s most long-standing, and has many graduates who are household names and celebrities.
If you choose journalism as your major, you learn news media theory, study the role of the media, practise the essential journalistic skills (including newsroom decision-making), and gain in-depth understanding of specialised journalistic fields, such as feature writing. You’ll be a journalism expert.
You can take advantage of Massey’s close relationships with industry, including journalism, marketing, public relations, and the not-for-profit community, by taking the Communication Internship. This gives you professional work in a local organisation and great networking plus already-built relationships with potential employers before you graduate.
“I looked at other universities and broadcasting schools, but what made me pick Massey was the variety. I didn’t want a degree that would limit my options and I can confidently say, I am happy with my decision…”
Ever since I was 16 I knew I wanted to be a story-teller of some kind. I come from a family of writers, so I loved writing, and - my friends would agree - I love to talk. So, a Bachelor of Communication just made sense. It was the combination of my passion for storytelling and my love for writing that led me to explore the field of journalism.
I was actually on a gap year when I was weighing up my options. I looked at other universities and broadcasting schools, but what made me pick Massey was the variety. I didn’t want a degree that would limit my options and I can confidently say, I am happy with my decision. I’ve graduated with a range of skills including article writing, filming and editing skills, creative writing, marketing knowledge, and writing communication plans for companies. The communication degree produces all-rounders which, in an increasingly competitive job market, is so valuable to employers.
The study experience in the BC was challenging, exciting, and so worth it! The lecturers were mentors whom I respected so much. They genuinely wanted the best for their students. The course content was challenging but also engaging.
Without a doubt for me the most valuable experience was the Communication Internship in third year… it got me this job! The Introduction to Journalism, Investigative Reporting and The Feature and Freelance courses were also among my favourites. They each taught me skills I use now like how to interview, different styles of writing, and most importantly how to tell another person’s story and do it right.
Outside of the classroom I really enjoyed being a part of clubs and societies like Class Reps, MAPS (Association of Pasifika Students), and MACS (Association of Communication Students). They made uni more than just assignments and classrooms and gave me a real sense of community when I was homesick.
Since graduating I have had a range of one-off experiences like copywriting for an advertising agency, event journalism, and speaking at an event with Wellington-based organisation SHIFT. But right now I’m learning so much in my role at Capital Magazine. I write sports and arts stories, speak on radio once a month, and assist in editing.
In the future I am definitely keen to continue pursuing my dream of sports reporting, whether that’s on Television, Radio, or Print. But since graduating I’ve also developed a strong love for poetry, lyrical writing/ writing songs, and hope to one day publish a children’s book. So I guess the real answer to the ‘what next?’ question is …watch this space.
This qualification is a great degree if you wish to become a journalist (note that you must undertake further study to become a qualified journalist).
Many students seeking further in-depth development as a journalist also opt for a fourth year in the Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism. The Master of Journalism offers a further attractive capstone to your studies.
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