Journalism Courses in New Zealand: A Guide

What better way to kickstart your career as a journalist than to enrol in one of the journalism courses in New Zealand? The country offers a host of amazing journalism courses that can equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the media industry. This blog will provide you with a comprehensive guide to the best journalism courses in New Zealand, their fees, eligibility criteria, visa requirements and post-study work opportunities. Read on to find out more!

Course Level	Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Duration	1-3 years
Eligibility	For UG courses – High school diploma or equivalent For PG courses – Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
Admission Process	Online application through university websites or agents
Course Fee	NZ$ 20,000 – NZ$ 40,000 per year
Career Opportunities	Journalist, Reporter, Editor, Producer, Media Consultant, etc.

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Journalism: Course Overview

Journalism is the practice of gathering, verifying, and presenting information to the public through various media platforms. Some of the major reasons why students opt to study Journalism in New Zealand are given below:

• Journalism courses in New Zealand aim to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the media industry.
• Students learn how to research, write, edit, and produce news stories for digital, print, television, and radio outlets.
• They also learn about the ethical, legal, and social aspects of journalism, as well as the current trends and challenges facing the profession.

Top 5 Universities Offering Journalism Courses in New Zealand

Many universities in New Zealand offer journalism courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Some of the top universities are:

University	Courses Offered	Tuition Fee
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)	Bachelor of Communication (Journalism), Master of Communication Studies (Journalism)	UG programs – NZ$ 6,750-7,500 per year PG programs – NZ$ 7,500-8,500 per year
University of Canterbury (UC)	PG Diploma in Journalism, Master of Journalism.	UG programs – NZ$ 6,000-7,000 per year PG programs – NZ$ 7,000-8,000 per year
Massey University	Bachelor of Communication, PG Diploma, and Master of Journalism.	UG programs – NZ$ 6,500-7,500 per year PG programs – NZ$ 7,500-8,500 per year
Ara Institute of Canterbury	Bachelor of Broadcasting Communication	UG programs – NZ$ 6,000-7,000 per year
Wintec	Bachelor of Media Arts	UG programs – NZ$ 6,000-7,000 per year

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Admission Process

The admission process for journalism courses in New Zealand is usually online and straightforward. You need to follow these steps:

• Choose a course and university that suits your interests and goals.
• Check the eligibility criteria and application deadlines for your chosen course.
• Fill out an online application form through the university website or an agent.
• Submit the required documents such as academic transcripts, English proficiency test scores, passport copy, etc.
• Pay the application fee if applicable.
• Wait for the admission decision from the university.
• Accept the offer letter and pay the tuition deposit if required.
• Apply for a New Zealand student visa if you are an international student.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for journalism courses in New Zealand, you need to meet certain academic and English language requirements. The specific criteria may vary depending on the course and university you choose, but generally you need to have:

1. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent for postgraduate courses; 
2. A high school diploma or equivalent for undergraduate courses
3. An IELTS score of at least 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0) or equivalent for English proficiency.

Documents Required

The documents required for applying to journalism courses in New Zealand may vary depending on the course and university you choose, but generally, you need to provide:

• Academic transcripts and certificates of your previous qualifications
• English test scores such as IELTS or TOEFL
• Passport-sized photos
• Copy of passport
• Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
• Statement of purpose (SOP) or personal statement
• Letters of recommendation (LOR) from teachers or employers
• Portfolio of your previous work samples, if applicable.

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Course Syllabus

The course syllabus for journalism courses in New Zealand may vary depending on the course and university you choose, but generally, it covers topics such as:

• Introduction to Journalism
• Media Law and Ethics
• Reporting and Writing
• Editing and Production
• Media Studies
• Specialised Journalism

Course Fee Structure

The course fee structure for journalism courses in New Zealand may vary depending on the course and university you choose, but generally, it ranges from NZ$ 20,000 – 40,000 per year for international students.

The course fee may include tuition fees, student services fees, and other miscellaneous fees. You will also need to pay for other living costs in New Zealand such as accommodation, food, transportation, books, etc.

Jobs & Salaries

Journalism courses in New Zealand can open up many career opportunities for graduates who want to work in the media industry. Some of the possible career paths are:

• Journalist
• Media Consultant
• Media Researcher
• Media Educator

Students can also go for some popular job profiles of their choice, depending on their experience, skills, qualifications, and employer. However, the average annual salary for some common job profiles is as follows:

Job Profile	Salary
Journalist	NZ$ 54,000
Reporter	NZ$ 49,000
Editor	NZ$ 63,000
Producer	NZ$ 60,000
Media Consultant	NZ$ 68,000

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FAQs

We hope that this blog provides you with all the information regarding Journalism courses in New Zealand. To discover more courses in New Zealand, keep following Leverage Edu. Thank you for reading!