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Graduate Diploma in Communication

CO0005

Course details

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
COMM710Communications 710730  

Group B: Elective

Module Code Module Name Level Credits Pre-requisites Co-requisites
PROF702Professional Practice 3730PROF601 or equivalent 
COMM720Communications 720715COMM620 or equivalent 
DFNZ701Design Factory Industry Project73075 credits at level 6 or
pre-requisites may be waived at the discretion
of the relevant Head of School/Centre Director
or designated authority
 
CRTV702Freelance Project715COMM610,
COMM620 or
DSGN610,
DSGN620 or
MAPA610,
MAPA620 or
CART610,
CART620 or equivalent
 
CRTV703Capstone Project715COMM710 or
DSGN710 or
MAPA710 or
CART710 or equivalent
 
CRTV701Research Methods715CRIT601 or equivalent 
CRTV705Creative Work Integrated Learning715PROF702 or equivalent 
PROF601Professional Practice 2615PROF501 or equivalent 
CRIT601Critical Methods 2615CRIT501 or equivalent 
DFNZ601Design Thinking Launchpad61560 credits at level 5 or equivalent 
COMM602Feature Writing615  
COMM603Advertising and Publicity 61545 credits at level 5
PROF501 or equivalent
 
CRTV601Creative Special Topic 361560 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 760  

​​​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:

  1. Apply online or download and complete an Application to Enrol Form.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. If you have them, provide certified copies of your prior academic transcripts. Find out more about supporting material for enrolment here.
  5. 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.

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.

Want to see full details of the entry criteria?
Don't meet the entry criteria?

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.

What you will need

Timetable information

All Wintec timetables are available online here.

How to find your way around

Campus maps can be found here.

Parking and bus information

Both the Rotokauri and City campuses have parking available - payment and permits may be required. The Gardens Campus has free parking available. Learn more about parking and find out about bus services here.

He reo pōwhiri, your official welcome to Wintec

Tēnei te mihi mahana ki a koe e piki nei, e kake nei ki te Kuratini o Waikato.

You are warmly invited to attend the official welcome to Wintec for all new students, staff and whānau (family) at either our marae, Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa or Rotokauri campus. The pōwhiri is a welcoming ceremony involving mihimihi (speeches), waiata (singing), and will conclude with kai timotimo (light refreshments). Please gather at the campus hubs, and a staff member will guide you through our pōwhiri.

Click here to find out when the next pōwhiri will be.

Paying for your study

Course-related costs

Additional information

Booklist

Purchasing textbooks

If your programme requires you to have access to textbooks, these can be purchased through a range of suppliers listed below:

    New Zealand-based suppliers

    General book suppliers

    First aid certificate

    Health status

    Uniform

    Equipment

    Clinical placement

    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.

    Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus

    Portfolio

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