Type of qualification
Level of study
An undergraduate qualification is usually the first one you study.
Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
Time to complete
Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Study a Graduate Diploma in Journalism – GDipJ
The Graduate Diploma in Journalism enables you to study another subject without completing a second bachelor’s degree. The graduate diploma is a bridging tool to gain the equivalent of an undergraduate major in a specific area so you can go on to postgraduate study.
The diploma will develop your understanding of both theoretical and applied issues in journalism and related areas. Topics covered include:
- news reporting and writing
- audio-visual journalism
- media law and ethics and court reporting
- investigative reporting
- political journalism
- editing for journalism or communication
- public relations.
Becoming a journalist
If you are not yet a journalist and wish to become one, instead look at our Bachelor of Communication (Journalism).
Cross-crediting
You can do journalism studies courses as part of a communication, arts, business, or other degree. If you are studying at a university other than Massey, it is likely you can arrange to have journalism studies courses cross-credited to your degree. Ask your university for more details.
Courses in the Graduate Diploma in Journalism also form the journalism studies major in the Bachelor of Communication.
A GDipJ is a good fit if you:
- are a journalist who wishes to learn more about the profession
- are a writer who wishes to enhance your writing skills and knowledge
- are interested in finding out more about journalism before committing to a higher level of study.
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Graduate Diploma in Journalism you will:
- have been awarded or qualified for an undergraduate degree or an equivalent qualification, or
- have been admitted to the qualification on the basis of equivalent relevant professional experience.
To ensure this qualification is right for you, you will be required to submit a short personal statement detailing why you wish to study this qualification and your relevant industry experience (if any).
If you already have an undergraduate degree, you are strongly advised to consider doing the Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
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 Get advice button on this page.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
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.
Structure of the Graduate Diploma in Journalism
If you study full-time you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits in a year.
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
Not more than 45 credits at 200 level.
At least 75 credits at 300 level.
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.
Course code: 154204 Digital Media Production I 15 credits
An advanced introduction to producing digital media. This course uses hands-on, experiential learning to introduce techniques, concepts and processes for producing photography and video using industry standard hardware and software.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219204 News Media and Society 15 credits
This course examines the structure and functions of New Zealand news media, including its linkages to global news media systems. It also examines how different social identities are constructed in news media.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219223 Advanced News Reporting 15 credits
The practice and theory of advanced news reporting, including sourcing and producing multi-platform news stories to a publishable standard.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219231 News Media Reporting 15 credits
An exploration of current principles and practices and the fundamentals of news gathering and news production.
View full course detailsCourse code: 139340 The Publishing Project 15 credits
In this course, students study and experience the principles, processes and practice of publishing, through the co-production of an online publication. Key concepts include teamwork, co-production, theme selection, peer review, production scheduling, source selection, and online publishing.
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 detailsCourse code: 219325 Journalism and Politics 15 credits
The theory and practice of political journalism, including researching and writing news stories about political issues and events to a publishable standard.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219335 Media Law and Ethics 15 credits
Students develop an understanding of the process of making editorial decisions on matters of media law and ethics, including defamation, privacy and complaints about the media.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219336 Researching Journalism 15 credits
An examination of the affinities and tensions between academic research on journalism and journalism practice, highlighting the methodological diversity of the academic field of journalism studies, exploring the research methods used in investigative journalism, and reflecting on the research logic of journalism practice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 219339 History of Journalism 15 credits
A study of the development of print journalism in English since the 1500s, concentrating on developments in England, the United States and New Zealand. The course also considers the growing distinction between fact and fiction in reportage, the role of the journalist, and the impact of new media technologies.
View full course detailsFees 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 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.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
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.
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).
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Massey Business School is rated in the top 5% of global business colleges by AACSB International.
QS Ranking - Business and Management
Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 300 universities for business and management.
QS Ranking - Communication & 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.
ShanghaiRanking - communication
Communication at Massey is ranked #1 in New Zealand, and in the top 150 universities in the world, by ShanghaiRanking.
ShanghaiRanking – Business Administration and Finance
Massey University is ranked #1 in New Zealand and in the top 150 universities globally for business administration and finance by ShanghaiRanking.
Related study options
Journalism – Bachelor of Communication
Join a prestigious group of leading journalists that have studied at Massey University – New Zealand’s longest-running, internationally accredited journalism qualification.
Journalism – Master of Management
With Massey’s Master of Management in Journalism, you can take your journalism career to the next level.
Media Studies – Graduate Certificate in Arts
Interested in television and popular culture? Social media and the blogosphere? Film and cultural theory? Media studies can help you unlock your creative potential and develop practical skills to excel in your career.
Media Studies – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Media Studies), you’ll develop versatile skills that will make you highly sought-after in many careers.
Media Studies – Bachelor of Arts
Interested in television and popular culture? Social media and fake news? Filmmaking and cultural theory? Media studies can help you unlock your creative potential and develop practical skills to excel in your career.
Media Studies – Diploma in Arts
With Massey’s Diploma in Arts (Media Studies) you’ll gain an understanding of the production, consumption, and content in the media industry.
Media Studies – Bachelor of Communication
Discover how the media shape our identities and our world. Massey will help you create, critique, and connect with the media world, building skills to understand and make media for a wide range of professional communication roles.
Media Studies – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Build on your undergraduate interests in media studies with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Media Studies). Develop your research and analysis skills by exploring an area that interests you.
Media Studies – Master of Arts
With Massey’s Master of Arts (Media Studies), develop critical research skills exploring an aspect of media that interests you. Gain advanced insights into media studies that will build on your undergraduate knowledge.
Media Studies – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Create, critique, and connect with your media world with the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Media Studies). You will gain the equivalent of an undergraduate major in media studies without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
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.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz