Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Applied Communication for your Bachelor of Communication at Massey
You'll explore theories of communication and communication practices to solve global grand challenges in an immersive environment. The focus on social change empowers you to share your insights and innovative ideas where they matter – in policy-making and multi-media spaces across local communities, national platforms and global forums.
Join the communication qualification that's ranked #1 in Aotearoa New Zealand by QS. We teach applied communication to solve complex societal, cultural, environmental, and technological challenges.
The courses focus on developing your critical problem-solving abilities, with foundations in state-of-the-art communication theory and research addressing real-life challenges.
Our staff come from diverse global cultures and are recognised as leaders in the discipline. They bring rich experiences researching, developing and evaluating communication applications.
Choose Applied Communication and start your journey to becoming a transformative communicator!
What you will learn
The Applied Communication coursework is designed to cultivate your creativity through immersive problem solving in a practice-based learning environment, where communication theory blends with practice. From case studies to policy briefs and communication advocacy campaigns, you'll learn to develop practical communication solutions, making a lasting impact on community, society, and the world.
Te Tiriti and cross-cultural competence
Today’s interconnected world needs effective cross-cultural communicators. We embrace the rich tapestry of Aotearoa New Zealand, integrating the principles of Te Tiriti throughout the curriculum, centring Māori values and principles. As an agent of change, you’ll shape the future of communication practice by learning to create research-informed culture-centred communication solutions.
Practical and employer-ready
We developed the Applied Communication major after extensive consultation with communication practitioners across a range of sectors. Our courses will enhance your critical analytic capacities that are in high demand across public, non-profit, and business sectors.
The focus on effective communication practice will hone your communication skills through case study exploration, research-based communication inquiry, policy analysis, and communication design.
A Bachelor of Communication in Applied Communication is a good fit if you:
- enjoy expressing yourself through writing, design, storytelling
- are keen to develop skills in public speaking and presenting on multimedia platforms
- thrive on problem solving independently and in collaboration with others
- value building cross-cultural connections
- are interested in addressing contemporary global challenges such as climate change, disinformation, trust deficit, declining democracies, inequality, poverty, and data justice.
Planning information
Full-time study in your first year comprises eight 15-credit courses, for a total of 120 credits. We recommend studying 60 credits per semester. You may also wish to take some courses at summer school but ensure you include those that are required for the next level of courses.
Although you are asked to nominate your BC major and minor when enrolling, please be aware that you can change these once you are enrolled.
No course can be credited to a major and a minor.
This major
Completing a major is compulsory. The Applied Communication major requires 120 credits including at least 60 credits at 200 level and 60 credits at 300 level.
Minors
Completing a minor is compulsory. Minors increase the breadth of your degree. They give you extra knowledge, attributes and capabilities. Minors may be included from any Massey bachelor's degree for which recognised minors are specified.
An Applied Communication minor (for students who are studying a different degree)
If you are not studying a Bachelor of Communication (Applied Communication) and wish to complete a minor in Applied Communication, see the Bachelor of Communication regulations for requirements.
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 Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate 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 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.
Courses you can enrol in
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.
Core courses for the Bachelor of Communication
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Bachelor of Communication core courses
Applied Communication courses
Compulsory Courses
Course code: 219212 Introduction to Global Communication 15 credits
This course examines the role of communication in diverse global contexts, the interplays between global processes and transformations in communication, and the role of communication in addressing contemporary global business challenges.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219213 International Communication 15 credits
This course explores the role of media systems in shaping international politics, security, societal activism, and trans-border business and cultural practices.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219228 Fundamentals of Applied Communication 15 credits
Focusing on core global challenges around the Sustainable Development Goals, the course explores the nature and role of communication in addressing these challenges. Students learn to design and implement Te Tiriti-led strategic communication applications developed through culture-centred community partnerships.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219229 Public Policy Communication 15 credits
The course will cover the application of communication theories in the design, development, and implementation of public policies. Students will learn to engage in authentic community consultation to develop policies. They will critically examine public policies, analyse public opinion, and co-design community engagement. Attention will be given to incorporating the provisions and principles of Te Tiriti in public policy communication.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219303 Organisational Communication 15 credits
This course draws on current research and theory to examine the communication process, and practices in the context of organising.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219312 Crisis and Reputation Management 15 credits
This course critically evaluates ways that organisations can manage reputational risk and communicate in response to crisis situations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219346 Advanced Applied Communication 15 credits
Students will develop communication theory and Te Tiriti informed responses to address a problem or challenge that faces a community, group, or organisation.
View full course details15 Credits from
Course code: 219304 Intercultural Communication 15 credits
This course compares the communication behaviours of different cultures. Students will develop skills that help them analyse and address intercultural conflicts and issues, and gain skills that allow them to communicate effectively in intercultural contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219311 Communication Internship 15 credits
This course provides students with a period of workplace experience with knowledge of communication concepts and terminology gained throughout their degree, in a series of analytical assessments.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, outside of university admission regulations.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
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.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
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, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Fees Free website.
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees 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
Communication roles are in high demand in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. Across sectors, from business to non-governmental organisations to public policy, communication practitioners are recognised as playing pivotal functions in leading to organisational effectiveness. They are recognised by most companies as highly strategic and a key to successful business. This rapidly expanding area of professional work features a wide variety of jobs and exciting opportunities.
Massey’s School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing has a strong reputation and our high rankings translate into employer demand. 85% of Massey University Bachelor of Communication graduates are employed within six months of graduation. They are employed across 20 different industry categories with more than 280 different job titles. 84% of our graduates believe that their Bachelor of Communication studies were relevant to their present work.
Graduating with the Applied Communication specialisation offers many options for employment. Some examples of roles in this area are:
- Communication Designer
- Communication Strategist
- Community Engagement Specialist
- Social Media Manager
- Sustainability Consultant
- Digital Content Creator
- Communication Specialist
- Communication Management Consultant
- Intercultural Communication Specialist
- Māori Communication Advisor
- Policy Analyst
- Media Advisor
- Campaign Planner
- Communication Researcher
- Evaluation Specialist
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.
Related study options
Communication – Master of Business Studies
Massey’s Master of Business Studies (Communication) will give you the business and communication skills to take your career to the next level.
Communication – Master of Management
The Master of Management (Communication) focuses on key skills that will increase your business knowledge, to help move your career in a new direction.
Diploma in Communication – DipC
Massey's Diploma in Communication will introduce you to a selection of disciplines in the communication field.
Expressive Arts and Media Studies – Bachelor of Communication
This unique degree is for those who love being creative, writing and the performing arts, but also want to discover how the media shape our identities and our world.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz