Turn scientific discovery into powerful stories that inform, inspire and shape public understanding.
Why study postgraduate Science Communication
Want to make science more than lab reports and peer-reviewed papers? Postgraduate study in Science Communication lets you explore the “why” and “how” behind sharing scientific knowledge with the wider world.
At Otago, you’ll learn to craft stories that make complex ideas accessible and engaging. You’ll gain skills in creative non-fiction writing, multimedia, and public-facing projects, all while grounding your work in theory about how people consume, interpret and respond to scientific information.
Our field is deeply interdisciplinary: it draws on science, humanities, social sciences, creative arts and media. That means you can shape your own path, whether you’re drawn to filmmaking, public engagement, writing, multimedia, or research communication. With demand for clear, honest science communication growing, there are real opportunities to make a difference – using science not just to understand the world, but to connect people with it.
Career opportunities
Postgraduate training in Science Communication opens many different doors. Whether you want to work full-time in creative or public engagement roles, or blend science with media, these pathways could lead you where you want to go:
- Science writer or journalist, creating articles, features or popular-science content
- Multimedia producer, making films, podcasts or digital content about science and natural history
- Public engagement or outreach officer for research institutions, museums or environmental organisations
- Communications or policy roles in government, NGOs or science-based agencies
- Educator or communicator working on exhibitions, events or science outreach
What it’s like to study at this level
You’ll study with a mix of theory and creative practice – learning to tell science stories, produce multimedia content, and explore how different audiences engage with scientific ideas. Our papers are distance-taught and asynchronous, so you can work on your own schedule, whether full-time or part-time. An internship placement with one of our professional partners gives you real-world experience in science communication. You might produce films, podcasts, exhibitions or written work that reaches public audiences, and build a portfolio that shows your skills in action.
This is for you if ...
If you have a passion for science and a flair for writing, storytelling, multimedia or public engagement, you’ll be well prepared. You don’t need an academic background in any specific subject: what matters is curiosity, creativity and a willingness to communicate science in clear, engaging ways.
Learn from award-winning science communicators
Otago’s Science Communication programme brings together staff who are both award-winning creative communicators and active researchers in science communication. Because our courses are taught entirely by distance, you can study from wherever you are based – and still learn directly from leading professionals shaping how science is shared and understood today.
We have strong relationships with a range of industry and science communication partners, providing exciting internship opportunities for our students. These placements give you the chance to gain hands-on experience and build real-world connections while you study.
Our graduates have gone on to win major industry awards – from book prizes to international film and conservation-media honours – and have landed roles in publishing, film, museums, government, NGOs and other leading science-communication contexts.
If you want a flexible, professionally connected and well-regarded programme that equips you to communicate science with real impact, Otago gives you the tools and the network to do it.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Postgraduate Certificate in Science Communication (PGCertSciComm)
A distance-taught, coursework programme, consisting of three papers that can be taken as full- or part-time study, suitable for busy, working professionals
Postgraduate Diploma in Science Communication (PGDipSciComm)
A one-year full-time (or longer part-time) programme with a special focus on creative nonfiction science writing, taught entirely by distance
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Engage in original research leading to a doctoral thesis, supported by comprehensive academic and social networks
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
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Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
SCOM papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCOM419 | 2026 | Special Topic | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SCOM432 | 2026 | The Craft of Storytelling | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SCOM433 | 2026 | Science and Creative Non-Fiction Writing | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| SCOM434 | 2026 | Science Communication Internship | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| SCOM439 | 2026 | Introduction to Science Communication | 20 points | Semester 1 |
SCCM papers
Sorry, no papers matching this subject were found.
Contacts
Email sciencecommunication@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/science-communication
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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