BC - Bachelor of Communication

Overview
Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates
Regulations
Schedule
Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Communication is more important than ever in today’s world. Organisational, social and global change are all strongly influenced by the ways in which politicians, activists, entrepreneurs and leaders communicate.

The Bachelor of Communication is designed to impart advanced understanding of the significant role of communication in our world.

You will develop specialist skills in writing, public speaking, critical and creative thinking, leadership, research and cultural competency. The knowledge and skills you will acquire can enable and empower you as a communications professional and a future leader.

What you gain from studying Communication

Bachelor of Communication graduates are capable communicators with an advanced understanding of the important role communication plays within organisations and in society more broadly. They're well-prepared to take up positions as communication professionals and leaders across a wide range of public, private, not-for-profit and community sectors.

Our graduates have strong research and problem-solving skills that are valuable in professional environments and prepare them for further postgraduate studies.

Need help and advice? Reach out to us at bc@auckland.ac.nz.

The Bachelor of Communication takes three years to complete if you're studying full time. Most students will take 24 courses overall (each course being worth 15 points), with 8 courses per year.

Majors

When you start the programme, you will choose one of three majors:

Communication and Social Change
Communication and Technology
Communication in Leadership

In your first year, you will complete the first two courses of your major, alongside core courses in communication. Over the course of your degree, you will also take three courses in an additional focused area of study (a module), up to two elective courses, one General Education course and one Waipapa Taumata Rau course. Twelve courses (or 180 points) of your degree must be above Stage I level.

Modules

Modules are three courses grouped together around a particular theme. They are designed to add to your skill set for future employment and potentially benefit your future career path. You must take one module as part of your Bachelor of Communication.

Internship course

In your third year, you can take our internship course and gain practical experience in the workplace. Placements are available in a range of industries including media, public relations, advertising, broadcasting, and corporate communication. Entry to the course isn't guaranteed and depends on a separate application and interview.

Overall programme structure:

Eight core Communication courses (120 points)
At least nine courses from your chosen major (including three major-specific core courses) (135 points)
One General Education courses (15 points)
One Waipapa Taumata Rau course (15 points)
Three courses to make up a module (45 points)
Up to two elective courses (30 points)

You can also study the BC alongside another degree through a conjoint programme. You can do a BA as a conjoint option for the BC.

Communications professionals are in demand as they play a key role in helping organisations achieve their goals. You’ll be equipped for a media, PR, communication or marketing career in a wide range of sectors, including corporate, not-for-profit and government. You’ll also develop skills for future leadership and management roles.

Broadcast media producer
Content producer
Copywriter
Digital communications specialist
Journalist
Marketing adviser
Public relations specialist

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

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Secondary School Qualifications

You are guaranteed entry to this programme if you meet these requirements.

First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard.
You must also meet the rank score for this programme. Not sure about your rank score? Use our rank score calculator.
You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
Some programmes have additional requirements, such as an interview, portfolio or references.

Guaranteed rank score, subject and other requirements

If your rank score is slightly lower than the guaranteed score, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available. If you don’t meet the requirements, you may be able to apply under our Undergraduate Targeted Admission Schemes.

Qualification and Score required

NCEA - 180

CIE - 190

IB - 27

Tertiary Qualifications

You can transfer from another tertiary institution, or another University of Auckland qualification, if you meet these requirements.

Guaranteed grade requirements

These are the grades required for guaranteed entry to this programme. If your grades are slightly lower, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available.

Grade required

3 Grade Point average Calculate your Grade Point Average

3 Grade Point equivalent Calculate your Grade point Equivalent

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

See if you meet the criteria for the Undergraduate Targeted Admission Scheme (UTAS).
Bridge your educational gap with a preparation and foundation programme.
If you are under 20, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for discretionary entrance.
If you can demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and maturity, we offer admission to applicants under 16.

Year Fees Applicable

Domestic Student Annual Fees

International Student Annual Fees

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters .

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Semester	Application Closing Date	Semester Start Date	Semester End Date
2025 Semester One	08 December 2024	03 March 2025	30 June 2025
2025 Semester Two	04 July 2025	21 July 2025	17 November 2025

1 - 2

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Notes: (i) This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Arts and Education.

(ii) The 2026 regulations for this programme are currently under review and subject to change. Please check this page regularly for updates.

1 A student enrolled for this degree must follow a programme of the equivalent of six full-time semesters and pass courses with a total value of 360 points, unless credit is granted under the Admission Regulations and/or the Credit Regulations.

2 Of the 360 points required for this degree, a student must pass:

a at least 300 points from courses listed in the Bachelor of Communication Schedule, including:

(i) at least 180 points in courses above Stage I, of which at least 90 points must be above Stage II

(ii) 120 points from the Core Courses listed in the Bachelor of Communication Schedule

(iii) a major of at least 120 points from the Bachelor of Communication Schedule

(iv) 60 points from any other courses available in the Bachelor of Communication Schedule

b 30 points from courses offered in either the General Education Open schedule or the General Education Faculty schedule approved for this degree or from a combination of these schedules.

3 A student must complete the Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

4 A student who is required to meet the Academic English Language Requirement, as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic English Language Requirement, of the University Calendar, may substitute an academic English language course approved by Senate or its representative for 15 points of General Education.

5 Up to 30 points may be taken from other undergraduate courses offered at this University.

6 a A student is exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedule who has:

either

(i) completed an undergraduate degree at a tertiary institution

(ii) been admitted to this degree having completed 240 points or more of degree-level study at another tertiary institution.

b A student who has been exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules must substitute 30 points for courses available for this degree.

c A student admitted to this degree, who has completed between 120 and 235 points inclusive of degree-level study at another tertiary institution, or who has completed a minimum of 50 points of study towards this degree in one semester at an overseas institution, either through an overseas exchange programme or through prior approval under the Credit Regulations, must pass 15 points from courses offered in the General Education Schedules.

d A student who has been fully or partially exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules is nonetheless required to complete the Academic Integrity course. 

7 Special arrangements apply where this degree is taken as a component degree of an approved conjoint combination. The specific requirements and a complete list of the conjoint degrees available are set out in the Conjoint Degrees section of the University Calendar.

8 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

9 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2026.

Complete 360 points comprising:

315 to 345 points for Bachelor of Communication Schedule, and
15 points from General Education Courses, and
0 to 30 points from UOFAK - University of Auckland including child orgs at levels 100 to 400 Other Undergraduate Courses, and
1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Bachelor of Communication Schedule

Complete 315 to 345 points comprising:

15 points for all Waipapa Taumata Rau Course, and
120 points for Core Courses, and
135 points for one Major from Majors, and
0 to 45 points for 0 to 1 Modules from Modules, and
0 to 75 points from Other Courses from the Bachelor of Communication Schedule