Overview
Join the elite
Gain a qualification of international-standing with strong practical industry skills. Massey’s journalism programmes are the only ones in Australia or New Zealand accredited by US organisation the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Level
- Postgraduate, NZQF Level 8
Campus
- Wellington
Credits
- 120
Duration
- 1 year(s) full-time. Available part-time.
International
- Available for international students studying in NZ
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 programme 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). For only another 60 credits, you can gain a master’s qualification in 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 programme 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 will spend time working at media organisations then do a full-time work placement. This gives you relevant experience sought after by employers.
Read more about the Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism.
Careers and further study
Careers
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.
International students
New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.
Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.
As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.
Entry requirements
University admission
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Programme admission
Required
This programme is a selected entry programme. This means there are several extra requirements you must meet. 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
- be selected into the programme on the basis of a written application and interview. See below for more details.
You will need to provide verified copies of all 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 6.5 with no band less than 6.0, or
- an equivalent TOEFL score, or
- other such evidence that is acceptable to Massey University.
Other requirements
Documents you need to provide with your application
- copy of your current curriculum vitae (CV), including academic and work history
- contact details of two referees
- a short cover letter explaining why you wish to undertake the programme.
Applicants may be contacted for an interview by the programme coordinator (usually by Skype or Zoom).
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
If you do not have the entry requirements
English language and foundation courses
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and programmes that may help.
Courses and planning
Credit summary
From the Schedule to the Diploma
Attend contact workshops, block courses, field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials, and laboratories as required.
See ‘Courses for this programme’ below for schedules of courses.
Courses for this programme
Compulsory course selections
| 30 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 115758 | Interpersonal Communication at Work | 15 |
| 115759 | Current Issues in Business | 15 |
| 295700 | Examining Business Dilemmas | 30 |
| 30 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 219712 | Advanced News Journalism | 30 |
| 219714 | Journalism and Society | 30 |
Subject courses
| 60 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 115790 | Special Topic | 30 |
| 219713 | Advanced Audio-Visual Journalism | 30 |
| 219714 | Journalism and Society | 30 |
| 219715 | Advanced Data and Investigative Journalism | 30 |
Any approved 15 or 30 credit course from the Master of Business Studies or Master of Analytics schedules.
Planning your programme
Planning overview
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
All five compulsory courses in this qualification are corequisites for each other and must be undertaken simultaneously as full-time, double-semester 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 programme if you wish to continue your studies.
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 a class of Honours, Distinction or Merit.
- Look for information under ‘Student Progression’ in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
- Contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
Fees and scholarships
Fees and finance
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?
If you already know which courses you are going to take, you can use our fees calculator to get an estimate of your fees.
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 will find their National Student Number on their student homepage.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student homepage login
A good fit if you:
- have excellent English language and written and oral communication skills
- are dedicated to accuracy
- have a good knowledge and interest in current affairs.
Meet our students
“
I've worked as a reporter in Sydney, London, Canberra and outback Australia. The Massey programme had a great emphasis on industry skills and practical learning, much of which I still use in the newsroom every day.
” Steve Trask
Digital editor, SBS News
Meet our lecturers
James has worked in senior roles in newspapers and radio. He is an experienced journalist and educator with a special interest in investigative journalism. His book A Moral Truth: 150 years of Investigative Journalism in New Zealand is the only anthology of NZ investigative journalism. His doctoral dissertation was on the decision-making processes of reluctant witnesses, and he has published on the characteristics and attitudes of New Zealand journalists, media reporting of suicide, disaster reporting, and the practice of investigative journalism. He is also interested in journalism psychology, photojournalism, and contemporary journalism practice.
James Hollings
Senior Lecturer & Programme Leader - Journalism
Accreditations and rankings
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).
Massey Business School is rated in the top 5% of global business colleges by AACSB International.
Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 300 universities for business and management.
Massey is ranked in the world’s top 150 universities for communication and media studies, by the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking.
Massey University's communication programme is ranked #1 in New Zealand, and in the top 200 universities in the world, by ShanghaiRanking.
Massey University is ranked #1 in New Zealand and in the top 150 universities globally for business administration and finance by ShanghaiRanking.
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Regulations
Review this important information before you apply for this programme. This gives you full details of the rules and regulations about what you need to study and what you must achieve in order to graduate with this qualification. That includes structure, courses and requirements. These regulations should be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including the below.
Postgraduate regulations
General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
Applying and enrolling
Applying for the programme
Check you are ready
If you are ready to apply, have a look at our application checklist. It will help you get prepared with what you need. Please also check the entry requirements carefully before you apply.
Choose your programme and click on Apply now
You will apply for the programme using the Apply now button on this page. You’ll also choose your specialisation (major, subject or endorsement) if applicable.
Some programmes have additional requirements such as the submission of a portfolio or CV. Click on Apply now and you will be able to submit those documents as part of the application process.
Receive and accept an Admission Offer of Place
You will receive an Admission Offer of Place when you have been accepted into the programme. You need to accept this before you can enrol in your courses. International students also need to pay their fees at this point.
Enrolling in courses
You’ll then get access to your own student homepage (also known as the student portal). This is where you can enrol in courses. Any updates on your application or enrolments will also be on your student homepage. Make sure you check this regularly.
When you choose courses, ensure you check for any requirements that apply including:
- prerequisites (courses you have to do before the one you are enrolling in)
- corequisites (courses you have to do at the same time as the one you are enrolling in)
- restrictions (courses that you cannot enrol in if you are completing or have completed another identified similar course)
- location – for instance some distance-based courses still have an on-campus element, so double check that the way the course is taught is suitable for your situation.
Each of our courses has its own webpage where you can find this information. You can use our course search to find course pages.
More information on courses is in the ‘Courses for this programme’ section on this page.
You can find information on application due dates and semester dates on the key dates page.
We look forward to welcoming you to Massey!
If you have any questions, contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
What are courses and credits?
What are courses and credits?
Each Massey programme is made up of courses (in some tertiary institutions they are called ‘papers’).
You will have some compulsory courses and some you can choose from.
Each course is worth a certain amount of credits (often 15 credits, but this does vary). You must gain a set number of credits to be able to graduate from this programme.
There may also be some rules about which courses you need to pass to progress to the next year, or stage, of your study (known as progression). There are also courses you must pass to graduate with a specialisation.
- See the ‘Courses for this programme’ section for the list of courses.
- Courses search
Understanding course numbers
The first three digits of our course numbers show you which subject the course is about.
The second three digits show you the level and course ID number. For instance:
- sub-degree courses are '0' (i.e. xxx.0xx)
- undergraduate study begins at 100-level, (i.e. xxx.1xx)
- as you progress through 200- and 300-level courses this number changes to 2 and 3 respectively. The higher the number that starts the second three digits, the higher the level of study
| 1 | 6 | 2 | . | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Subject area | Level | Course ID number | |||||
Workload and time management
Use this tool to help determine how much time you will need each week to complete your studies.
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 programme 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 programmes go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
Scholarships and awards
There are a number of scholarships available for new and current students. They could relate to your situation, achievement or interest.