Explore the relationship between media and society
We’re surrounded by media—from social media to podcasts, news, advertising, television, and music. We rely on media to inform us about society and our place in it.
New technologies are rapidly changing the media landscape. Examine how media and society influence each other and investigate how changing technologies have impacted the way we interact.
You’ll explore topics such as social media, television studies, popular culture, popular music, political economy, and politics.
Why Wellington
Make the most of our decades of scholarship and teaching in Media Studies, which we’ve been offering since 2001.
Wellington is home to some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s biggest news media outlets, including RNZ, Stuff, and Scoop Independent News. Here you’ll also find more than 40 leading marketing, communications, and public relations agencies.
Wellington was named as a UNESCO City of Film in 2019 and is home to Aotearoa New Zealand’s film industry. Wētā FX, Park Road Post Production, and 600 other film related companies are all in Wellington.
The city also hosts Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, Archives New Zealand, the National Library of New Zealand, and a thriving film culture scene.
Choose your study path
You can do Media Studies as a major or minor in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Communication.
Media Studies is distinctive in drawing from both the humanities and social sciences.
You can combine Media Studies with another Arts or Communication major or minor, or study Media Studies in a conjoint degree. For example, a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Media Studies combines well with a Bachelor of Laws.
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 take Media Studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
Media Studies graduates work in a wide variety of roles that make the most of their analytical, technical, collaboration, and communication skills.
Media Studies helps you build skills for roles in content creation, media production, marketing, and communications, as well as other industries.
With further study you could aim for roles in journalism, experience design, and media research.
Commercial Communications Council graduate programme
The Commercial Communications Council is the peak body for advertising and communications agencies in Aotearoa New Zealand. It runs a graduate recruitment programme each year.
More career information
Find out more about careers.
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. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
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The Erasmus Scholarship is open to second year students at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington who want to major in Greek or Latin.
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This scholarship is designed to support second year students studying English at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington by removing financial barriers to study.
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This scholarship is designed to support second year students studying History at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington by removing financial barriers to study.
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.
Other scholarships
We also offer specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
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The Erasmus Scholarship is open to second year students at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington who want to major in Greek or Latin.
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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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This scholarship was established to encourage students to complete a major in Language Sciences at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, and continue to further study or careers in this field.
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
Postgraduate study can be useful for careers in research and policy. If you choose to continue to postgraduate study with us after finishing your degree, you’ll join a talented team of internationally recognised researchers.
If you get good results in your undergraduate study, could continue on to study a Master’s. And if you want to do independent research, you could study for a PhD.
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.