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Universities New Zealand University of Waikato Courses BC Bachelor of Communication

BC Bachelor of Communication
at University of Waikato

Hamilton NZ, New Zealand

Tuition Fee NZ$ 31,775
Country Rank#5
Duration36 Months
Score IELTS: 6.5 TOEFL: 90

Program Overview

Waikato's Bachelor of Communication offers a choice of five subject majors in Applied Digital Communication, Creative Media, Public Relations, Marketing, and Media Production.

Learn how to create engaging multimedia content that helps people and organisations tell powerful stories in new ways, connect and engage with people, and communicate with purpose in the digital era.

This degree is an ideal choice if you’re a creative thinker who enjoys expressing ideas and talking to people, you're interested in the latest social trends and digital technology, and you want to produce content that blends writing, film, images, sound and websites.

Course Content
Our graduates will be equipped with the versatile communication skills needed to launch exciting careers in a wide range of creative and media industries - marketing agencies, public relations, film and TV studios, web design, social media, gaming and virtual reality (VR), podcasting and mobile applications, and so much more. These kind of roles are available in private firms, central and local government, as well as not-for-profit community organisations.

In this degree, students will learn how to create digital communications that have the power to shape people’s beliefs and behaviours; or seek to bring about meaningful social change.

For this degree, you will gain expertise in one or more major subjects:
- Applied Digital Communication
- Creative Media
- Marketing
- Media Production
- Public Relations
In first year, the core papers of this degree will introduce you to the fundamentals of communication, marketing, public relations and the creative industries.

You’ll also learn how to build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, and consider different perspectives when communicating across cultures.

In later years, you’ll take more advanced papers focused on your major subject/s. For example, you could study web development, user experience design, transmedia storytelling, digital marketing, strategic brand management, film production, podcasting, interactive media design, events management, or PR campaigns.

In third year, all BC students will complete a work-integrated learning paper, known as COMMS300, 396 or 399. This is a great opportunity to gain practical industry experience working on real projects for a host organisation by completing either a communication consulting project, a workplace internship, or an applied research project.

Major and minor subjects

As part of this degree, you can opt to take a second major or 1-2 minors in almost any undergraduate subject offered at the University of Waikato, such as Creative Writing, Digital Business, or Political Science. See below the degree planner for more suggestions.

You have the option to include one or two minors focused on almost any subject as part of your degree programme, instead of taking a 2nd Major or eight elective papers.

A minor is four papers (60 points) in the same subject, including at least two papers above 100-level, plus any required papers for that minor.

Entry Requirement

Country	Score and Qualification
New Zealand	See NCEA University Entrance criteria
University of Waikato Foundation Studies, (Certificate in Foundation Studies – CAFS)	The Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies - no less than a C- grade in any subject plus a B- grade or better in two English subjects. Entry to the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) requires an overall B- grade average, plus a B- grade or better in two English subjects and depending on the area chosen: Civil, Electronic, and Mechanical a B- grade in Bridging Physics and a B- grade in Bridging Calculus and at least a C- grade in every other subject. Chemical and Biological, Environmental, Materials and Process a B- grade in Bridging Chemistry a B- grade in Bridging Physics and a B- grade in Bridging Calculus and at least a C- grade in every other subject. Software Engineering a B- grade in Bridging Calculus and at least a C- grade in every other paper. Depending on the area chosen, entry to the Bachelor of Computer Science requires: Data Analytics a B- grade in FOUND007 and at least a C- grade in every other paper. Embedded Systems a B- grade in FOUND007 and a B grade in FOUND011 and at least a C- grade in every other paper. Entry to the Bachelor of Laws requires an overall B- grade average, plus a B- grade or better in FOUND001 (Introduction to Study Skills)
New Zealand foundation programmes	Successful completion of any of the foundation certificates offered by a New Zealand university.
NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY)	Completion of NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) with CCC or above. Some programmes have additional entry requirements. For further details, visit our dedicated NCUK information page.
NCUK International Year One (IYOne) Business and Engineering	Completion of NCUK International Year One (IYOne) Business and Engineering Streams, 120 credits with a score of 50 or above. Some programmes have additional entry requirements. For further details, visit our dedicated NCUK information page.
Other foundation programmes	The University of New South Wales Foundation Year – a minimum GPA of 6.5 (C grade) with an 8.0 in Academic English. Professional programmes such as law and engineering will require higher passes in prerequisite subjects. The University accepts applicants from a number of foundation programmes offered in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and elsewhere. Please contact the University to find out if your programme is accepted for entry to Waikato.
Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID)	Applicants must have qualified for the diploma with grades of 3 or higher in each of at least 4 subjects.
International examinations taken in New Zealand (Cambridge International and Advanced International Certificate of Education)	A minimum of 120 points on the UCAS Tariff at A or AS level other than the General Paper, including at least three subjects (other than Thinking Skills) in which no grade is lower than D. Standards apply regarding literacy and numeracy and applicants should refer to www.waikato.ac.nz/study/enrolment/undergraduate
GCE Advanced levels (outside UK)	Applicants must achieve a minimum of 6 points taken from three subjects, achieving a minimum grade of C in at least one subject. Points calculated as follows: A = 5, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2, E = 1. AS Level grades are not included.
International Baccalaureate (taken in NZ or overseas)	Completed International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma with a minimum of 24 points.
Australia	Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of 70 or higher or QLD OP of 14 or lower (if sat prior to 2020). This also applies to students studying Australian qualifications outside Australia, such as the South Australian Matriculation (SAM) and the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).
Bangladesh	Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Brazil	Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Canada	Ontario Secondary School Diploma – 65% overall average grade. Quebec Grade 12 Certificate – average of 60% across six subjects (including English). British Columbia Certificate of Graduation - pass in at least five Grade 12 courses.
Chile	Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing
China	Tier One score in the National University Entrance Examination (Gaokao). For the required score by province, please click here; or two years' successful academic study at a recognised junior college; or successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Colombia	Successful completion of Tecnólogo Especializado at a recognised tertiary institution; or Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Fiji	Fiji Form 7 – an aggregate over 4 subjects of 250 marks out of 400 with a minimum of 50 in English. University of the South Pacific (USP) Foundation Year in Arts, Business or Science with a grade average of B or higher and no grade lower than C in the 8 required courses.
France	Successful completion of Diplome du Baccalaureat.
Germany	Successful completion of Abitur or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
Ghana	One year's successful bachelor degree level study at a recognised institution of university standing with good passing grades.
Hong Kong	Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education with a score of 15, based on aggregate of best five (5) subjects, from any combination of Core and Category A and C electives. This excludes Category B (Applied Learning) subjects.
India	Achieve an average of 75% over the best four academic subjects in the Indian School Certificate (ISC), or the All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSC), and selected state boards: Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal with a minimum of 60% in English, or: An average of 80% over the best four academic subjects in all other state boards with Minimum of 65% in English.
Indonesia	An overall average of 8.5/80% or more in SMA; or Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing; or Successful completion of a Diploma II from a recognised tertiary institution.
Japan	Completion of a high school diploma with a B average; or One year of successful study at a Japanese university; or Completion of a Junior College Diploma of two or three years' duration.
Korea	National College Scholastic Aptitude Test (CATS) with a minimum score of 250.
Kuwait	Successful completion of General Secondary Education Certificate with an overall average of 80% (calculated on academic subjects only).
Malaysia	Foundation Studies (Business) - KDU College, Petaling Jaya with B average. Malaysian Matrikulation Certificate (Matrikulasi) - Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 (Calculated on the basis that A=4.0, A-=3.67, B+=3.33, B=3.0, B-=2.67, C+=2.33, C=2.0, C-=1.67, D+=1.33, D=1.0, F=0). A minimum of 6 points obtained from at least three Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) subjects. Points calculated as follows: A = 5, A-+4, B+=4, B=3, B-=2, C+=2, C=1; or, Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) of the Malaysian independent Chinese Secondary System with a maximum of 20 points over 6 academic subjects.
Nigeria	One year's successful bachelor degree level study at a recognised institution of university standing with good passing grades. Completion of Nigerian National Diploma.
Norway	Successful completion of the Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole (Certificate of Upper Secondary Education).
Oman	One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Pakistan	One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Saudi Arabia	Successful completion of a diploma at a recognised College of Technology; or One year of successful study at bachelor’s level, at a recognised institution of university standing.
Singapore	A levels / H levels: A minimum of 3 H2 passes at C grade. (Pre-2008 = 3 A-level passes)..
South Africa	Successful completion of the National Senior Certificate with confirmation of eligibility to enrol in a bachelor’s degree at a South African university.
South Pacific countries (not individually listed)	South Pacific Form Seven Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of three B grades. All students must have Grade 5 or better in PSSC English and Grade 6 or better in PSSC Maths.
Sri Lanka	Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education Advanced Levels with at least three C grades achieved. At least one year of successful tertiary level study at a recognised University or Institution.
Taiwan	One year of university study; or Senior high school and a two-year Junior College Diploma; or Junior high school and a five-year Junior College Diploma.
Thailand	Mathayom 6 with a minimum GPA of 3.2
Tonga	Successful completion of Tonga National Form Seven; or South Pacific Form Seven Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of three B grades. All students must have Grade 5 or better in PSSC English and Grade 6 or better in PSSC Maths.
UAE	Successful completion of a Higher Diploma from a recognised Higher College of Technology; or One year of successful study at bachelor’s level at a recognised institution of university standing.
United Kingdom (GCE)	Please contact international@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements.
USA	High School Diploma plus SAT-1 (taken in grade 12) score of at least 1000 combining Critical Reading and Mathematics scores; or High School Diploma and ACT scores with at least 24 in every section.
Vietnam	Complete the National High School Graduation Examination (Kỳ Thi Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông Quốc Gia) with an overall pass; and a minimum GPA of 8.0/10 in Grade 12 as shown in the High School Report (Học Bạ Trung Học Phổ Thông) OR Successfully complete at least one year of Bachelor's degree at a recognised university in Vietnam, with passing grades in all courses.

Recognised tertiary institutions and universities are those acknowledged as offering programme equivalent to those of Waikato. To find out whether your institution or university is recognised, please contact international@waikato.ac.nz

English language entry requirements

To provide flexibility to students during COVID-19 who are affected by the closure of testing centres, the University of Waikato will accept the following alternative tests for all 2021 and 2022 intakes. Please note this policy is subject to review.

IELTS Indicator (this is an online version of the regular IELTS test)
TOEFL iBT Home (Plus) (this is an online version of the regular TOEFL test)
Duolingo English Test (DET) with the following scores:
- DET score of 90 for pre-degree programmes (IELTS 5.5 equivalent)
- DET score of 100 for undergraduate programmes (excluding those listed below)
- DET score of 110 for postgraduate programmes (excluding doctoral programmes)

The University of Waikato will accept Duolingo (DET) as an alternative means of meeting the English language entry requirements for the majority of its programmes (excluding all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, BSW and LLB) while test centres remain closed and until further notice.

Students who are accepted into their programme using any of the three language tests named above will be issued an unconditional offer, but will be required to undertake a supplementary online language assessment. For doctoral students using DET to gain admission, you will be required to undertake a supplementary assessment prior to an offer being issued.

The University teaches in the medium of English and requires all students to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English.

The University’s English language entry requirements are set out below. If you do not meet the English language entry requirements you can enrol in an English Language programme with our University of Waikato College.

If English was the language of instruction in the last two years of secondary/tertiary studies, an English language waiver may be considered. Students need to provide evidence of this at the time of application.

English language test	Undergraduate (all courses except those listed below)
IELTS (Academic)	6.0 overall (no band less than 5.5)
iBT (internet-based) TOEFL	80 with a score of 21 in writing
iBT (home-based) TOEFL	80 with a score of 21 in writing
C1 Advanced (formally known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE))	169 and no bands below 162
C2 Proficiency (formally known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE))	169 and no bands below 162
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS)	C1 Expert with an overall pass and no less than pass in each skill
NCUK English for Academic Purposes	Minimum of a C grade overall and no less than D grade in each component. Some programmes have additional entry requirements. For further details, visit our dedicated NCUK information page.
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL)	Level 4 (Academic)
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)	Minimum score of 80
Pearson PTE Academic	50 with no PTE communicative skills below 42
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE)	II with distinction in all four components
University of Waikato College	Successful completion of Level 7 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) programme

English language test	Undergraduate Bachelor of Teaching Bachelor of Education Graduate Diploma in Teaching	Bachelor of Laws (LLB)	Bachelor of Social Work
IELTS (Academic)	7.0 overall (no band less than 7.0)	6.5 overall (no less than 6.0 in any band)	6.5 overall (no band less than 6.5)
iBT (internet-based) TOEFL		90 with a score of 21 in writing	85 with a score of 22 in writing
Pearson PTE Academic		58 with no PTE communicative skills below 50
University of Waikato College		Successful completion of Level 8 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) programme

Fees & Scholarships
Estimated Fees* (International): $31,775 per year
Career Prospect
- Advertising account executive
- Brand and campaign manager
- Communications advisor
- Community engagement manager
- Digital content writer
- Digital strategist
- Creative art director
- Digital marketing specialist
- Documentary film producer
- Events manager
- Film or television producer
- Game designer
- Interactive media artist
- Marketing/sales manager
- Internal communications manager
- Market researcher
- Media relations advisor
- Multimedia journalist
- Podcaster
- Press secretary
- Product category manager
- Producer - film, TV, web series
- Public relations manager
- Social media advisor
- Sound designer
- Sponsorship/fundraising manager
- User experience (UX) designer
- Web designer/developer
- Web editor

Cost Of Studying At University of Waikato

Interest rates as low as 8.9% ^*

250K+

Students Assisted

800Cr+

Loan Amount Disbursed

5000+

Loans Sanctioned

Check Loan Eligibility

BC Bachelor of Communication at University of Waikato