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.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Arts along with other subjects
Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Commerce, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
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.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in Film and Media Studies
Explore postgraduate study in Film and Media Studies at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportuniti...
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.
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | 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 | Screen Form and Culture | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO102 | 2026 | Media, Power, Society | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO103 | 2026 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO202 | 2026 | Theory of Communication Studies | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO203 | 2026 | Media History | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO205 | 2026 | Communication Research Methods | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO210 | 2026 | Theory of Film and Media | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO212 | 2026 | Global Media and Communication | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO213 | 2026 | Media Genres | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO216 | 2026 | Cinema of Aotearoa New Zealand | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO217 | 2026 | Television Studies | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO220 | 2026 | Writing for the Media | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO222 | 2026 | Science, Technology, and Society | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO223 | 2026 | Documentary and Reality Media | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO224 | 2026 | Studying Selfies: Celebrity, Surveillance and Cyberspace | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO225 | 2026 | Crime and the Media | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO242 | 2026 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO250 | 2026 | Celebrity | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2027 |
| MFCO251 | 2026 | Television Studio Production | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO301 | 2026 | Critical Problems in Film and Media | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO303 | 2026 | Critical Problems in Communication Studies | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO305 | 2026 | Communication Research Methods | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO306 | 2026 | Cinema of Aotearoa New Zealand | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO307 | 2026 | Political Economy of Communication | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO312 | 2026 | Communication and the City | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO313 | 2026 | Culture, Politics and Media | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO315 | 2026 | Digital Media and Society | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO318 | 2026 | Indigenous Media | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO319 | 2026 | Contemporary American Cinema | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO323 | 2026 | Documentary and Reality Media | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO330 | 2026 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO333 | 2026 | Film Festivals | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO350 | 2026 | Celebrity | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2027 |
| MFCO401 | 2026 | Advanced Media, Film and Communication Theory | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO406 | 2026 | Audience Studies | 30 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO408 | 2026 | Screening Gender | 30 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO411 | 2026 | Independent Study in Media, Film and Communication | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO412 | 2026 | Communicating the Self | 30 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO414 | 2026 | Discourse Theory and Practice | 30 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO416 | 2026 | Communication Policy: Issues and Approaches | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO417 | 2026 | Postcolonial Media and Communication | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO441 | 2026 | Special Topic | 30 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| MFCO490 | 2026 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 11 June 2027) |
| MFCO590 | 2026 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period (27 February 2026 - 19 February 2027), 2nd Non standard period (17 July 2026 - 9 July 2027) |
More information
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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