Graduate Diploma in Journalism
The skills and knowledge required of a journalist are forever changing. In addition to core newswriting and newsgathering skills, journalists are increasingly required to have multimedia skills, the ability to use social media and other forms of audience interaction, and an ability to tailor media content for different platforms.
UC is a leading provider of journalism education in Aotearoa New Zealand. Studying the Graduate Diploma in Journalism (GradDipJour) will enable you to:
acquire advanced knowledge and skills in journalism practice and research
build on your problem solving and analytical skills developed at undergraduate level
develop a critical understanding of journalism practices and their context.
Graduates gain the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to be highly effective journalists. They receive intensive training on media ethics and law, newsgathering and writing, research and analysis, and multimedia skills. UC graduates are work-ready and highly adaptable.
Campus Information
Ilam Campus
UC is based on the main Ilam campus in Christchurch, but we also have a number of other locations. These include Dovedale campus, Arts Centre, Nelson campus, and our field stations
Intakes
- Feb
- July
Application Processing Time in Days: 20
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
All courses offer work-related experience (WRE) as part of your course. They're designed to prepare you for work in industries related to your studies.
Finding work experience shouldn't be difficult when you're a student at Canterbury Christ Church University. With strong connections across different industries, we provide a variety of different WRE opportunities. These can include:
mini or short-term placements
live projects
industry-set briefs
research.
You'll also be able to benefit from employability sessions as part of your course. These range from guest lectures, alumni visits, careers fairs, and location-based field trips.
There are plenty of other opportunities to gain valuable and relevant work experience outside your degree. Many of our teaching staff have strong connections with businesses and organisations, offering the possibility of gaining further work experience, internships, or placements.
You may even be eligible for some financial support via our Career Development Fund. Reaching your career goals should always be a possibility, so we ensure that you can do this regardless of your income. This fund can help you gain invaluable work experience without worrying about the cost. This can cover:
travel expenses
purchasing suitable workwear
ad-hoc childcare for the time you're working
specialist software needed to fulfil the role.
PSW Opportunity
Level 7 (Bachelor’s degree)
- Duration: Equal to length of study (typically up to 3 years)
- Requirement: minimum 30 weeks full time study in NZ
Level 7 (Graduate Diploma)
Eligible for PSWV
Conditions:
- Must also hold a Bachelor’s degree (NZ or overseas)
- Duration: Up to length of study (typically 1 year)
Level 8 (Postgraduate Diploma)
- Duration: Equal to length of study, OR
- Up to 3 years in some cases (if part of higher qualification pathway)
Level 9 and 10 (Master’s degree and Doctoral degree)
- Duration: 3 years
- Condition: Must study at least 30 weeks in New Zealand
- Most eligible international students can work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during scheduled breaks, only if their student visa includes work rights.
- Foundation, pathway and short courses have different rules.
- Not allowed for part time students.
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
Academic entry requirements
The academic entry requirements for admission to this qualification are:
- A qualification is equivalent to a New Zealand university bachelor's degree with a minimum overall grade comparable to a B grade at UC and in a relevant subject area.
CAE or CPE
Score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
CCEL EAP
Level 2 with a minimum B+ grade.
FluentIQ
Overall mark of 8/10 with nothing less than a 7 being scored in a single category.
IELTS Academic
An average score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
ISE
ISE III with a pass in all 4 components.
LanguageCert
C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) with HIGH PASS.
NZAPA
English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 3 (with no skill lower than Level 2).
NZCEL
Level 5.
Pearson Test of English (Academic)
PTE with an overall score of 58 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.
TOEFL iBT
Total minimum score of 90, minimum score of 19 in reading, writing and listening. Please note UC only accepts TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date, not MyBest scores.
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Post Graduate Diploma or Certificate
- Duration: 01 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
31600 NZD
Average Cost of Living: 20000 NZD /year
Application Fee: N/A
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