Journalism
Qualifications
Overview
As news media embrace different forms of reporting and storytelling and new digital platforms, there is a growing need for graduates who are up to date with new technologies, multimedia skills, audience needs, and the ethical issues produced in a fast-moving digital media space. We aim to produce highly competent and multi-skilled professionals who think critically about their work and care about the communities they report on and for.
This major sits within the Bachelor of Communication and offers applied practice in journalism and media production. You will receive intensive training in media ethics and law, newsgathering and writing, research and analysis. You will also develop a range of multimedia skills, including photography, video, audio, and social and online media production.
Journalism students will also have opportunities to complete professional internships as part of their degree, through UC’s partnerships with national and local newsrooms, and other media industries.
- The Journalism major has a strong emphasis on practical learning, with students producing content for different media platforms and outlets, and courses in third year offering professional internships.
- UC maintains a close relationship with the profession through our many guest lecturers, including leading editors, award-winning senior journalists, and Wolfson Press Fellows.
- UC also maintains relationships with international partners in journalism and media studies. Some examples include fellows from Cardiff University, Lumsa University (Rome), Columbia Journalism School, University of Montana, and the Danish School of Media and Journalism.
- This flexible degree allows students to take elective courses that will further shape their journalism skills, for example in languages, politics, and data sciences.
- UC’s renowned Graduate Diploma in Journalism programme has produced graduates found in newsrooms throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, many of whom are recipients of national awards in news reporting, editorials, and overseas documentary films.
Journalism is open to all students and no previous study is required. However, a strong interest in news and current affairs, and a good standard of oral and written English is important.
Mid-year (July) starts for the Bachelor of Communication are possible, however students in the Journalism major are strongly recommended to begin their degree in February due to the limited entry and coursework requirements. Please contact a Te Rāngai Toi Tangata | College of Arts Student Advisor for more information and help planning your study
From the second year, entry to the Journalism major is limited to 25 places in total, and a special application is required by October 31 of the preceding year. See how to apply or contact Te Tari Mātai Pāpāho | Department of Media and Communication for more information.
UC offers a major in Journalism as part of the Bachelor of Communication.
The major offers applied practice in the journalism skills of research, reporting, interviewing, and analysis, and applying them to a variety of writing styles and subjects, as well as multimedia and digital technologies including television and radio.
See also Media and Communication available as a major or minor in other degrees at UC.
Journalism major
Courses towards the Journalism major begin in your second year. To complete the major you will need to take the following courses throughout the degree:
200-level
- COMS 231 Digital Media Production
- COMS 232 Risk and Crisis Communication
- COMS 233 Media Law for Journalists
300-level
Students may find taking courses in Sociology, Political Science and International Relations, Statistics, Māori and Indigenous Studies, and Te Reo Māori alongside their Journalism studies particularly useful.
Journalism graduates will be well prepared for work in modern newsrooms, both in Aotearoa and overseas, due to their extensive multimedia skills and ability to independently investigate and report news for online newsroom platforms, television, radio, and newspapers.
Graduates will also be suited to work in other roles in the communication and creative industries, such as a communications advisor/manager, producer, social media manager, content creator, editor, or publisher.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
Contact us
Te Kura Mātāpuna Tangata | School of Language, Social and Political Sciences
Phone +64 3 369 3377
Email artsdegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Level 6, Elsie Locke Building – see campus maps
Postal address
Te Rāngai Toi Tangata | College of Arts
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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