Turn ideas into impact
Marketing Communication teaches you how businesses use communication to connect with their audiences—through advertising, public relations, and marketing campaigns.
In this major, you’ll learn how consumers think and make decisions, how brands are built, and how to plan and run effective marketing campaigns. The subject also covers how to communicate across different cultures, manage a crisis when things go wrong, and deal with ethical questions that come up in marketing communications.
You’ll gain practical skills that you can apply across many types of organisations—whether it’s a corporation, a non-profit, or a government agency. You can choose from specialisations in crisis communication, social marketing, and health marketing, giving you an edge in a range of career paths.
Choose your study path
You can study Marketing Communication as either a major or a minor. The workload for a minor is lighter than for a major—fewer courses to do, fewer points needed.
Major or minor in the Bachelor of Communication
Marketing Communication is a major or minor subject in the Bachelor of Communication (BC). In the BC, you need to take at least one major along with a second subject, which can be a major or a minor.
Complementary subjects
If you do a major in Marketing Communication along with a second major, you’ll finish your degree with a double major. This may take longer to complete than the standard six trimesters for a single-major degree.
The complementary majors and minors for Marketing Communication are:
- Asian Studies
- Health Promotion
- Information Systems
- International Business
- Māori Studies
- Media Studies
- Pacific Studies
- Political Communication
- any language offered in the Bachelor of Arts.
Major or minor in other degrees
You can also take Marketing Communication as an ‘outside’ major or minor in one of these degrees:
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Study options
Find out how you can study Marketing Communication at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
A degree majoring in Marketing Communication can set you up for a career in a business, non-profit, or government organisation.
Some roles that you might move into include:
- Marketing roles—marketing coordinator, digital marketing specialist
- Communications and PR roles—communications advisor, public relations (PR) coordinator
- Content and creative roles—copywriter, content strategist
- Business and client-facing roles—account manager, business development coordinator
More career information
Find out more about careers in communication.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have first-year and school-leaver scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
Scholarships for Communication
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This scholarship was established in 1980 by the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Marshall, GBE, CH, BA, LLM, Hon. LLD, to encourage the study of Political Science at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. The Scholarship was extended to include International Relations.
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The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
We also offer specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
Scholarships for Communication
-
This scholarship was established in 1980 by the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Marshall, GBE, CH, BA, LLM, Hon. LLD, to encourage the study of Political Science at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. The Scholarship was extended to include International Relations.
Globally ranked
Our Communications and Media Studies subjects are ranked in the top 250 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.
Postgraduate study
If you choose to continue to postgraduate study with us after finishing your degree, you’ll join a talented team of internationally recognised researchers doing innovative work.
If you get good results in your undergraduate study, you could continue on to study for a Master of Communication.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you're facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Wellington Global Exchange
If you're a current student at Victoria University of Wellington, you can complete part of your degree overseas. Choose from our 140 partner universities worldwide.
Study Abroad and Exchange Programme
If you're an overseas student, you can spend a trimester or a year at Victoria University of Wellington. You'll earn credits at your home university while you study here.