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Study Communication Studies at Otago

    Make sense of your world.

    Communication Studies focuses on the social, technological, political and cultural implications of current and changing communicative practices and networks.

    With an emphasis on social and media-based communication, courses initiate a critical and creative understanding of digital, broadcast, print and mobile communication, and develop written and screens-based skills. These are central to comprehending the role of media and communication industries and practices in the wider context of society and culture.

    Challenge your mind and broaden your views in a diverse, stimulating learning environment that demands you be critical, creative and innovative.

    Why study Communication Studies?

    Our courses will challenge your mind, broaden your views, and help you develop an increased awareness of transformations in society and culture.

    Our goal is to prepare students to take their place as responsible and engaged citizens, who are critical, creative and innovative, equipped to connect with a diverse and fast-changing media world and to productively contribute to their communities and chosen professions. To serve this goal, our scholarship and teaching is interdisciplinary, inventive, and practical.

    But that is not all that we do. Almost all employers look for fundamental life-long skills – literacy, numeracy, communication skills, the ability to lead and contribute to teams, as well as the ability to solve problems through dependable research. All of these skills are taught in our programme; they underlie most of what we do. We also value and develop an understanding of cultural diversity and differing perspectives, so it is not surprising that our graduates are to be found in many walks of life.

    We have a well-established record of teaching and research, and staff who are internationally recognised in their disciplines.

    Career opportunities

    Our graduates work in a variety of fields,including media production, journalism, education, advertising, administration, archival and curatorial work, media policy analysis, public relations, tourism, and some go on to postgraduate study in our Honours, Masters and PhD programmes. A degree from our Programme prepares you for a wide range of career options, including career pathways that might not yet exist.

    Transform media and storytelling

    Explore how studying Media, Film, and Communication at Otago helps you navigate storytelling, digital trends, and the power of human connection in an evolving media landscape.

    Communication Studies at Otago

    Communication Studies is one of two majors offered by the Media, Film and Communication Studies Programme. The other major is Film and Media Studies.

    Teaching style

    Our academic staff are experts in their fields (you can read about their areas of interest on our staff page on our website.)  You will learn from the people who are doing the research. Our papers are designed to help you engage with cutting edge research and ideas through a range of coursework and assessment that will help you develop your written, oral and visual communication skills and critical competencies.

    Recommended high school subjects for undergraduate study

    No prior background is required.

    Choose a study option

    Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.

    Undergraduate qualifications

    For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.

    Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.

    Ready to apply?

    Take the first step towards your future in this subject.

    Further study opportunities

    Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject.

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-levelMFCO 102 Media, Power, Society 18
    MFCO 103 Introduction to Communication Studies 18
    200-level MFCO 202 Theory of Communication Studies 18

    Two further papers from 200-level MFCO papers

    One of ANTH 210, ASIA 201, or GEND 205 may be substituted for one 200-level MFCO paper

    		 36
    300-level MFCO 303 Critical Problems in Communication Studies 18

    Three further papers from 300-level MFCO papers

    One of ANTH 312, ASIA 311, GEND 305, or POLS 315 may be substituted for one 300-level MFCO paper

    		 54
    Plus 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. 198
    Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts  
    Total 360

    A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.

    Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.

    You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.

    Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level

    MFCO 102 Understanding Contemporary Media

    MFCO 103 Introduction to Communication Studies

    18

    18

    Above 100-level

    MFCO 202 Theory of Communication Studies

    Two further MFCO papers, of which one must be above 200-level

    Note: GEND 205 or 305 may be substituted for one MFCO paper at the same level.    		18

    36

    Total 90

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    MFCO papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    MFCO101 2025 Screen Form and Culture 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO102 2025 Media, Power, Society 18 points Semester 2
    MFCO103 2025 Introduction to Communication Studies 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO201 2025 The History of Film 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO202 2025 Theory of Communication Studies 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO203 2025 Media History 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO205 2025 Communication Research Methods 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO210 2025 Theory of Film and Media 18 points Semester 2
    MFCO212 2025 Global Media and Communication 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO213 2025 Media Genres 18 points Semester 2
    MFCO216 2025 Cinema of Aotearoa New Zealand 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO217 2025 Television Studies 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO220 2025 Writing for the Media 18 points Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
    MFCO222 2025 Science, Technology, and Society 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO223 2025 Documentary and Reality Media 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO224 2025 Studying Selfies: Celebrity, Surveillance and Cyberspace 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO231 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO242 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO250 2025 Celebrity 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO251 2025 Television Studio Production 18 points Semester 2
    MFCO301 2025 Critical Problems in Film and Media 18 points Semester 2
    MFCO303 2025 Critical Problems in Communication Studies 18 points Semester 2
    MFCO312 2025 Communication and the City 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO313 2025 Culture, Politics and Media 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO314 2025 French Cinema 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO315 2025 Digital Media and Society 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO317 2025 Digital Culture 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO318 2025 Indigenous Media 18 points Semester 2
    MFCO319 2025 Contemporary American Cinema 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO323 2025 Documentary and Reality Media 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO330 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO333 2025 Film Festivals 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO350 2025 Celebrity 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO401 2025 Advanced Media, Film and Communication Theory 30 points Semester 1
    MFCO406 2025 Audience Studies 30 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO408 2025 Screening Gender 30 points Semester 2
    MFCO410 2025 Documentary Film and Media 30 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO411 2025 Independent Study in Media, Film and Communication 30 points Semester 1
    MFCO412 2025 Communicating the Self 30 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO414 2025 Discourse Theory and Practice 30 points Semester 2
    MFCO441 2025 Special Topic 30 points Not offered in 2025
    MFCO490 2025 Dissertation 60 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 12 June 2026)
    MFCO590 2025 Research Dissertation 60 points 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026)

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