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    See media in a new light, understand its power, and make your mark in the film and media world.

    Why study Film and Media Studies?

    If you’re fascinated by film, television and online media, and how they influence culture, society and everyday life – this major is for you.

    At Otago, you’ll explore how moving images, screen technologies, and emerging AI tools make meaning, shape identities, and reflect power. You’ll learn to think critically and creatively about the media that surround us. Courses range from the history of cinema and television to new media and global screen cultures.

    You’ll build skills in visual literacy, research, writing and communication that are valued far beyond media careers. It’s a flexible programme that lets you combine Film and Media Studies with other subjects you’re passionate about, whether that’s psychology, marketing, history or another field.

    Career opportunities

    Studying Film and Media Studies opens paths both within media industries and beyond them. Some directions you could pursue include:

    • Media production (film, television, online platforms)
    • Journalism, content creation or editing
    • Public relations, marketing and communications roles
    • Archival and curatorial work in cultural institutions
    • Media policy, government or NGO roles

    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.

    How you will learn

    You’ll experience a mix of lectures, tutorials, screenings and creative projects that bring media to life. You’ll analyse films, TV shows and digital platforms, debate new ideas with classmates, and explore how theory connects to real-world media.

    In certain papers, you’ll also have practical experience using Otago’s editing suites and studio facilities – learning how to tell stories, frame arguments and think visually.

    Studying Film and Media Studies is dynamic, collaborative and hands-on.

    Recommended high school subjects for undergraduate study

    No prior specialist media study is required, but a strong interest in film, television or digital media is beneficial.

    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.

    Discover how critical thinking and creativity come together on screen

    Film and Media Studies at Otago connects critical thinking with creative exploration. You’ll focus into the forces shaping today’s media, from screen storytelling and digital culture to politics and identity.

    Our Media, Film and Communication programme brings together passionate lecturers and diverse perspectives, along with research into how media influences the way we live and communicate. You’ll develop the analytical insight and creative confidence to navigate and contribute to a fast-changing media landscape.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject.

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level MFCO 101 Screen Form and Culture 18
    MFCO 102 Media, Power, Society 18
    200-level MFCO 210 Theory of Film and Media 18

    Two further papers from 200-level MFCO papers

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

    		 36
    300-level MFCO 301 Critical Problems in Film and Media 18

    Three further 300-level MFCO papers

    One of GEND 305 or POLS 315 or ASIA 311 or ANTH 312 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 101, MFCO 102

    36

    Above 100-level

    MFCO 210 Theory of Film and Media

    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 2026, 2027 Screen Form and Culture 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO102 2026, 2027 Media, Power, Society 18 points Semester 2
    MFCO103 2026, 2027 Introduction to Communication Studies 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO202 2026, 2027 Theory of Communication Studies 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO203 2026, 2027 Media History 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MFCO205 2026, 2027 Communication Research Methods 18 points Semester 2, Semester 1
    MFCO210 2026, 2027 Theory of Film and Media 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO212 2026, 2027 Global Media and Communication 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO213 2026, 2027 Media Genres 18 points Not offered in 2026, Semester 1
    MFCO216 2026, 2027 Cinema of Aotearoa New Zealand 18 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2027
    MFCO217 2026, 2027 Television Studies 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MFCO220 2026, 2027 Writing for the Media 18 points Semester 2
    MFCO222 2026, 2027 Science, Technology, and Society 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MFCO223 2026, 2027 Documentary and Reality Media 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MFCO224 2026, 2027 Studying Selfies: Celebrity, Surveillance and Cyberspace 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MFCO225 2026, 2027 Crime and the Media 18 points Semester 2
    MFCO242 2026, 2027 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MFCO250 2026, 2027 Celebrity 18 points Not offered in 2026, Semester 2
    MFCO251 2026, 2027 Television Studio Production 18 points Semester 2
    MFCO301 2026, 2027 Critical Problems in Film and Media 18 points Semester 2
    MFCO303 2026, 2027 Critical Problems in Communication Studies 18 points Semester 2
    MFCO305 2026, 2027 Communication Research Methods 18 points Semester 2, Semester 1
    MFCO306 2026, 2027 Cinema of Aotearoa New Zealand 18 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2027
    MFCO307 2026, 2027 Political Economy of Communication 18 points Semester 2
    MFCO312 2026, 2027 Communication and the City 18 points Semester 2
    MFCO313 2026, 2027 Culture, Politics and Media 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO315 2026, 2027 Digital Media and Society 18 points Semester 1
    MFCO318 2026, 2027 Indigenous Media 18 points Not offered in 2026, Semester 1
    MFCO319 2026, 2027 Contemporary American Cinema 18 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028
    MFCO323 2026, 2027 Documentary and Reality Media 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MFCO330 2026, 2027 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MFCO333 2026, 2027 Film Festivals 18 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MFCO350 2026, 2027 Celebrity 18 points Not offered in 2026, Semester 2
    MFCO390 2027 Independent Essay in Media, Film and Communication 18 points Semester 1, Semester 2
    MFCO401 2026, 2027 Advanced Media, Film and Communication Theory 30 points Semester 1
    MFCO406 2026 Audience Studies 30 points Not offered in 2026
    MFCO408 2026, 2027 Screening Gender 30 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MFCO411 2026, 2027 Independent Study in Media, Film and Communication 30 points Semester 1
    MFCO412 2026, 2027 Communicating the Self 30 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MFCO414 2026, 2027 Discourse Theory and Practice 30 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MFCO416 2026, 2027 Communication Policy: Issues and Approaches 30 points Semester 2
    MFCO417 2026, 2027 Postcolonial Media and Communication 30 points Semester 1, Semester 2
    MFCO441 2026, 2027 Special Topic 30 points Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027
    MFCO490 2026, 2027 Dissertation 60 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 11 June 2027), 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 9 June 2028)
    MFCO518 2027 Global Audiences and Publics 30 points Semester 1
    MFCO590 2026, 2027 Research Dissertation 60 points 1st Non standard period (27 February 2026 - 19 February 2027), 2nd Non standard period (17 July 2026 - 9 July 2027), 1st Non standard period (5 March 2027 - 25 February 2028), 2nd Non standard period (16 July 2027 - 7 July 2028)

    More information

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    Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.

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