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Master's degree

Master of Strategic Communication

MStratCom
03 October 2023

UC's Master of Strategic Communication (MStratCom) prepares you for a career in complex, professional media for corporations, public relations, and advocacy. Learn more about studying an MStratCom through our Te Kaupeka Toi Tangata | Faculty of Arts.

START

Master of Strategic Communication

Degree Structure - Start In
Semester 1 (February)

POINTS

180

DURATION

Master of Strategic Communication

Degree Structure - Duration
1 year full-time

Overview


Master of Strategic Communication

Introduction

The Master of Strategic Communication (MStratCom) prepares you for a career in complex, professional media for corporations, public relations, and advocacy. You will learn how to generate communications using creative understanding of the audience and corporate goals, media ethics, and using a range of research and data analytics.

This taught Master’s is well-suited for students wanting to develop skills in public media relations and organisational communication, including those who have no previous experience in these areas, or are wanting to change their career focus.

Strategic communication students presenting

Master of Strategic Communication

Why study a Master of Strategic Communication at UC?

  • UC’s Te Tari Mātai Pāpāho | Department of Media and Communication maintains close relationships with professional media outlets and frequently hosts guest speakers from the industry, including internationally renowned professors from other universities. Recent examples include lecturers from Cardiff University and the Danish School of Media and Journalism.
  • UC’s Journalism graduates can be found in leading newsrooms throughout the country, and many have received national awards in news reporting and editorial writing.
  • You will have the opportunity to complete an industry internship to credit towards your Master’s, with UC’s extensive contacts with key local corporations.

Master of Strategic Communication

Entry requirements

You should have achieved at least a B Grade Point Average in 300-level courses in your undergraduate degree, or have relevant professional work experience.

If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.

For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Strategic Communication or use the admission requirements checker.

How to apply

You can apply online at myUC.

See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.

Master of Strategic Communication

How do I plan my degree?

The MStratCom includes 180 points of coursework, including one 60-point dissertation.

This can be completed in 1 year (starting in February) full-time study, or up to 3 years part-time.

For full requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Strategic Communication.

Domestic students

2024 tuition fee estimate: $11,998 (180 points)
2025 tuition fee estimate: $12,718 (180 points)

International students

2024 Special Programme Fee: $46,350 (180 points)
2025 Special Programme Fee: $48,600 (180 points)

Master of Strategic Communication

Subjects and courses

The MStratCom requires 180 points of coursework, with two compulsory courses, a dissertation, and two elective courses:

Elective courses – choose two:

Please contact the Internship Coordinator, PACE (paceinternships@canterbury.ac.nz) as soon as possible if you are interested in PACE495.

Dissertation

Master of Strategic Communication

Further study

You can go on to study a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Media and Communication, or Journalism.

Master of Strategic Communication

Career opportunities

Graduate students of the MStratCom will have advanced skills in communications writing and editorial knowledge for different kinds of media. They will be prepared to lead professional and business communications that go out to clients, and large audiences or communities.

Strategic Communication graduates will find their skills highly valued within organisations involved in public policy and advocacy, government agencies, public relations, and also internal communications within companies.

You may also find work in a variety of fields such as news media, publishing, communications advisories, non-profit organisations, social media, and strategic marketing.

Useful information:

Brochures

Postgraduate Prospectus 2024

Whakatairanga Tāura

Download (application/pdf, 6 MB)
Download

International Prospectus 2024/2025

Download (application/pdf, 6 MB)
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