Graduate Diploma in Communication
CO0005
Course details
-
Feb 2025
- One year
- Full-time or Part-time
- $7,780*
- You may qualify for fee-free study under Fees Free Policy
- Level 7
- Available for International Students. International Fee Guideline
- Hamilton City Campus
Summary
This programme is for those who want to enhance their degree or work experience with knowledge and skills in public relations, advertising, and media practices. Students will work on live projects with real clients, with support from tutors with industry experience.
To be successful in public relations or advertising, students must be an excellent communicator, a problem solver, a lateral thinker, interested in contemporary issues, creative and able to work under pressure. The Graduate Diploma in Communication (Level 7) can help develop students' abilities in these areas and prepare them for a career in these exciting industries.
What you will learn
The Graduate Diploma in Communication (Level 7) is a one year full-time programme. It consists of eight papers offered over two semesters (16 weeks) from February to June and July to November. Students can also study this programme part-time. All assessments are internal with no end of year examinations.
View programme modules
Group A: Core modules
| Module Code | Module Name | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM710 | Communications 710 | 7 | 30 |
Group B: Elective
| Module Code | Module Name | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PROF702 | Professional Practice 3 | 7 | 30 | PROF601 or equivalent | |
| COMM720 | Communications 720 | 7 | 15 | COMM620 or equivalent | |
| DFNZ701 | Design Factory Industry Project | 7 | 30 | 75 credits at level 6 or pre-requisites may be waived at the discretion of the relevant Head of School/Centre Director or designated authority | |
| CRTV702 | Freelance Project | 7 | 15 | COMM610, COMM620 or DSGN610, DSGN620 or MAPA610, MAPA620 or CART610, CART620 or equivalent | |
| CRTV703 | Capstone Project | 7 | 15 | COMM710 or DSGN710 or MAPA710 or CART710 or equivalent | |
| CRTV701 | Research Methods | 7 | 15 | CRIT601 or equivalent | |
| CRTV705 | Creative Work Integrated Learning | 7 | 15 | PROF702 or equivalent | |
| COMM706 | Communication Freelance Project | 7 | 15 | COMM610 and COMM620 or equivalent | |
| COMM707 | Communication Capstone Project | 7 | 15 | COMM710 or equivalent | |
| PROF601 | Professional Practice 2 | 6 | 15 | PROF501 or equivalent | |
| CRIT601 | Critical Methods 2 | 6 | 15 | CRIT501 or equivalent | |
| DFNZ601 | Design Thinking Launchpad | 6 | 15 | 60 credits at level 5 or equivalent | |
| COMM602 | Feature Writing | 6 | 15 | ||
| COMM603 | Advertising and Publicity | 6 | 15 | 45 credits at level 5 PROF501 or equivalent | |
| COMM611 | Communication Special Topic 3 | 6 | 15 | 60 credits at level 5 | |
| CRTV601 | Creative Special Topic 3 | 6 | 15 | 60 credits at level 5 |
Group C: Free Choice
| Module Code | Module Name | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any level 5, 6 or 7 paper from the Graduate Diploma in Communication or Bachelor of Communication. Or electives from any other Wintec Degree by approval of the Programme Coordinator | 5, 6 or 7 | 60 |
Graduate story
L-R Ruth Seabright (Manager of Waikato Environment Centre), Karen McLeod, and Katy Ritchie
Katy Ritchie was ready for a change. After a legal career in New Zealand and the UK, she wanted something more family-friendly where her existing skills would still be useful. So she chose to study a Graduate Diploma in Communication specialising in Public Relations and Advertising.
She was awarded a Wintec Graduate Diploma Scholarship and says having all her fees paid was a great help. She also found being an adult student an advantage “as I came with skills and experience that were useful.”
Katy says her year of study was challenging yet rewarding. She enjoyed the small classes and says “the tutors have all been high calibre and rich with industry experience”. Interning at Hamilton Central Business Association, getting her work published through a Feature Writing class, and creating the brand for the Kaivolution Food Rescue Centre are just some of the highlights of her experience.
Completing the qualification as well as working as a Communications and Marketing Advisor at St John’s College Hamilton meant Katy put her new skills into practice immediately in her job. Katy has worked in marketing communication roles for Hamilton Gardens and St Peter's School and is now Senior Communications Advisor for Wise Group.
Key features
- Students will have opportunities to obtain marketable skills
- The diploma has a practical focus with students working on real projects with real clients
- Academic staff have extensive industry background
- Specialist teaching room with telephone, video, and internet access is provided
Career/further opportunities
The Graduate Diploma in Communication (Level 7) may lead to employment as a journalist, editor, sub-editor, television presenter, feature writer, online news-writer, radio presenter or media advisor.
Student projects
Look through our graduate publication to see the work students create. Here, you will find short bios and images of student projects from across the media arts disciplines.
Application Process:
- Apply online or download and complete an Application to Enrol Form.
- Complete the online self-disclosure form. If you have applied in hard copy, you will also need to complete a Self-Disclosure Form, if you have applied online this form is included as part of the online application process.
- If applying in hard copy, and you are unsure that you meet entry criteria, complete the Additional Information Form. This will enable us to assess your application further. If applying online, and if you are unsure that you meet the entry criteria, select discretionary entrance and this form is then included as part of the online application process.
- If you have them, provide certified copies of your prior academic transcripts. Find out more about supporting material for enrolment here.
- We may also need to verify your identity (your legal name and date of birth) as well as your residency status. If you are a domestic student, we may be able to do this through your National Student Number (NSN), if we can not access your NSN number, you will need to provide evidence of this by supplying verified copies of your birth certificate or passport.
Once you have submitted your application
- You will receive confirmation that your application has been received and will let you know if there is anything additional that we need from you.
- Your application will be assessed, and you will be informed of the outcome.
- Candidates may be required to attend an individual interview.
- If you are accepted to study, you will be sent an enrolment offer letter – you will need to accept this to confirm your place on the programme. Click here to find out more about enrolment and accepting your offer of place.
About the faculty
This programme is offered by the School of Media Arts who provide innovative, interdisciplinary education that prepares students for careers in the creative industries.
Experienced staff and state-of-the-art facilities help students develop a unique range of skills and the ability to apply them in the professional world. Check out examples of student work, some of our successful graduates, Media Arts' Industry connections, all the latest news and events, and more.
Come on tour!
Book a tour and learn more about the Wintec School of Media Arts.
Events
No events.
Disclaimers
Entry criteria
General academic admission
Candidates are required to have:
i. Successfully completed a bachelor's degree from a New Zealand institution; or
ii. Successfully completed a bachelor's degree from an approved and accredited overseas institution; or
iii. Successfully completed a level 6 or 7 diploma and relevant work and/or life experience (equivalent to a bachelor's degree); or
iv. Equivalent (as approved by the Centre Director or authorised nominee).
Special admission
Domestic applicants aged 20 years or above who have not met the general admission or entry requirements for a programme but whose skills, education or work experience indicate that they have a reasonable chance of success may be eligible for special admission. Special admission will be granted at the discretion of the relevant Head of School/Centre Director or designated nominee. Such applicants may be required to successfully complete a foundation, bridging or tertiary introductory programme as a condition of entry into higher level programmes.
Selection criteria
Selection will be determined on the basis of the candidate's application and academic performance. An interview and written language test may also be required as part of the selection process.
English language requirements
Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 6.0 with no individual ban score lower than 5.5; or equivalent.
Check what documents are required to enrol in this programme.
Pathways
To check what you need to gain direct entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.
Your first day
Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.
Semester 1 2025
Date: Monday 17 February 2025
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Events Room 1, City Campus
- Welcome and staff introductions
- Tours, ID cards, and parking
- Lunch
- Class
Prospectus (course guide)
The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.
Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus
The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.
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