Public Relations Major - Bachelor of Communication Studies

You'll learn from lecturers who have industry and academic expertise with a national and global outlook. Their strong industry connections mean that as a public relations student you have the opportunity to go on industry field trips and gain paid PR experience during your degree.

You’ll explore topics like reputation management, relationship management, strategic communication, communication in a business environment, sponsorship and promotion, internal communication, persuasion and negotiation, social media strategies and moral philosophy.

Year 1

This year you take eight core courses that give you an overview of the media world and communication theories:

• COMM505 Text, Image and Sound
• COMM512 Communication Ethics
• COMM513 Media Technology and Society
• COMM514 Intercultural Communication
• COMM515 Media, Politics and Citizenship
• COMM516 Media Production Foundations
• COMM517 Media Production Studio
• DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practices

Year 2

This year you take four courses related to public relations, covering topics like reputation management, relationship management, strategic messaging, communication in business and political environments and the power of persuasion.

You Study The Following Courses:

• PUBL602 Public Relations Practice and Specialisms
• PUBL603 Power and Persuasion
• PUBL604 Strategic Messaging
• PUBL605 Reputation Management

Year 3

Our students can plan and execute PR strategies through Outside the Square (OTS), our student-run public relations consultancy. You work in teams to interpret a brief from a real client, develop a communication strategy and implement the plan on time and on budget. Recent clients included Child Cancer Foundation, Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust, Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ), House of Science West Auckland, The Y North Shore, Kaipātiki Project, Citizens Advice Bureau Auckland Central, Oke Charity and Duffy Books in Homes.

You Study The Following Courses:

• PUBL701 Digital Public Relations
• PUBL707 Public Relations Theory and Practice
• PUBL709 Public Image and Campaigns
• PUBL710 Public Relations Industry Project