The BA Communication major offers courses on interpersonal, intercultural, organisational and global communication. The courses develop understanding of communication, both applied and theoretical, and facilitate the practice of personal communication skills. They will enable you to develop the generic tools of analysis, information gathering and dissemination, and argument. The programme particularly focuses on linking theory with workplace practice.

The BA Communication major is designed to develop graduates who are confident and practical communicators with a strong strategic focus, who are able to analyse and use information logically, write concisely and clearly, and communicate effectively at personal, group and organisational levels. Graduates will be competent at analysing and addressing complex communication issues and problems, and arriving at practical solutions.

Download a copy of the brochure for this programme and the Course Information Handbook 
( .pdf 932kb and 551kb) documents will open in a new window.

Programme structure

To complete a BA with a Communication major, you will be required to gain 360 credits by passing courses selected from the following:

Major courses (200 credits)

Level 5

72142 Information Access
72144 Professional & Technical Writing
72145 An Introduction to Human Communication

Level 6

72251 Intercultural Communication
72252 Interpersonal Communication
72253 Organisational Communication

Level 7

72363 Mass Communication
72365 Communication Management
72366 Global Communication
74342 Research Paper OR 74347 Practicum

Elective courses (160 credits)

Electives can be selected as follows: 100 credits from major courses in the BA offered by The Open Polytechnic; 60 credits from any degree course offered by an accredited New Zealand Institute.

Please check for prerequisites and availability.

Course availability

See the Course availability page

Entry requirements

See the Bachelor of Arts page

Level of study

Level 5-7 (Find out about levels of study)

Hours of study

We suggest you begin your studies at Level 5 and work your way up to the next levels. You may gain a maximum of 160 credits at Level 5 and a minimum of 80 credits at Level 7.

If you want to complete your degree in three years you will need to gain 120 credits a year. However, if you are working and studying part-time, we suggest you begin with one course. A 20 credit course will take about 180-200 hours of study over 17 weeks, and a 60 credit course will take about 500-600 hours over 40 weeks.

Fees

Download a copy of the 2010 fees schedule, ( .pdf 123kb) document will open in a new window. 

What do I do now?

Request a copy of the brochure.
Download an enrolment form.
For further information free phone 0508 650 200 or email