Updating Results

Bachelor of Communication Studies (Public Relations Major)

  • Bachelor

Study public relations at AUT and embark on an exciting career where every day promises to be different. Get real PR experience and make industry connections during your studies.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor

About this course

Study public relations at AUT and embark on an exciting career where every day promises to be different. Get real PR experience and make industry connections during your studies.

Career pathways

Majoring in public relations will prepare you for a wide range of roles, including:

  • Corporate communications executive
  • Public relations consultant
  • Marketing communications executive
  • Government communicator
  • Internal communications advisor
  • Community relations manager
  • Cultural mediator
  • Media relations manager
  • Influencer campaign manager

Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

Public Relations Careers

[PDF, 1.0 MB]

Course structure

You'll explore topics like reputation management, relationship management, strategic communication, communication in a business environment, sponsorship and promotion, internal communication, persuasion and negotiation, social media strategies and moral philosophy.

Year 1

This year you take eight core courses that give you an overview of the media world and communication theories:

Year 2

This year you take four courses related to public relations, covering topics like reputation management, relationship management, strategic messaging, communication in business and political environments and the power of persuasion.

You study the following courses:

You also take courses from your second major, your minor(s) or elective courses.

Year 3

Our students can plan and execute PR strategies through Outside the Square (OTS), our student-run public relations consultancy. You work in teams to interpret a brief from a real client, develop a communication strategy and implement the plan on time and on budget. Recent clients included Child Cancer Foundation, Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust, Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ), House of Science West Auckland, The Y North Shore, Kaipatiki Project, Citizens Advice Bureau Auckland Central, Oke Charity and Duffy Books in Homes.

Outside the Square website

Other courses this year focus on the role of multimedia in public relation campaigns, political and election campaigns, and developing a strategic communication plan.

You study the following courses:

You also continue to take courses from your second major, your minor(s) or elective courses.

Build your degree

Use our online tool to build your own degree and see what your three years of study could look like.

https://www.aut.ac.nz/study/study-options/communication-studies/courses/bachelor-of-communication-studies/public-relations-major