National Diploma in
Journalism (Multi-Media) (Level 5)

BM0901

Starts February
For one year full-time on campus or two years part-time online
Applications close 30 November
Domestic Student fees are $4,379 + extra costs *
International Student fees are $14,185 NZD *
Study part-time or full-time
Hamilton City Campus

Inquisitive, intelligent, informed, motivated,determined, lateral-thinking? If you think you have these qualities and like writing, you should consider a career in journalism.

The National Diploma in Journalism (Multi-Media) (Level 5) programme has been designed to equip you with the skills required to gain a career in the daily media.

It incorporates news gathering and writing for print, broadcast and internet, news photography, court and police reporting, media law and ethics, bi-cultural and multi-cultural perspectives and shorthand. You will also gain hands-on work experience in the media industry. In addition, the programme may include feature writing, radio / television news, layout and design of newspaper pages, internet literacy and multi-media.

The programme is offered in two ways:

1. as a full-time classroom-based programme at Wintec's Hamilton campus OR
2. as a part-time internet-based online programme of study for those who are not able to study full-time at a tertiary institution (please see separate flyer for more details)

The National Diploma in Journalism (Multi-Media) (Level 5) is the only entry qualification recognised by the journalism industry.

Key Features:

• You will leave with marketable skills
• Academic staff have extensive industry background in print, radio and TV journalism in New Zealand and overseas
• You will complete work experience at a media outlet during the programme
• Hamilton based students will have access to a fully equipped teaching room / newsroom with PCs, internet access, telephone, tape recorders and video cabinet
• You will write and edit stories for the award winning Fieldays Exhibitor newspaper
• The qualification is moderated by the New Zealand Journalists Training Organisation
• The programme is NZQA accredited

Programme Content

You will study:

• Shorthand 80wpm
• Maths for Journalists
• News Media Industry Experience
• Police, Court, Emergency
• Keyboarding 35 wpm
• News Gathering
• News Analysis
• Local Government
• News Writing
• Media Ethics
• Media Law
• News: Bi-cultural Perspective
• News: Multi-cultural Perspective
• News Photos

You will also study additional elective modules from the list below:

• Layout and Design Feature Writing: Magazine
• Feature Writing: Newspaper / Internet
• Radio News
• Television News
• Internet News Sites

Note: not all electives are offered in any given year

Career Opportunities

The National Diploma in Journalism (Multimedia) (Level 5) may lead to employment as a Journalist, Editor, Sub-editor, Television Presenter, Feature Writer, Online News-Writer, Radio Presenter or Media Advisor.

Entry Criteria

• 54 credits at NCEA Level 2 in four subjects, including English, or
• Equivalent qualification

Candidates with English as a second language are required to have an IELTS score of 6.0 or better in the academic module, with at least 5.5 in the written band. Special admission may be granted to candidates aged 20 years or over who do not meet the specified entry requirements. All candidates will be asked to attend an interview during which they will be required to demonstrate good writing skills and an interest in news media and current affairs.

Check what documents are required to enrol in this programme.

Related Study Options

Wintec also offers a journalism pathway in its three-year Bachelor of Media Arts (Communication) for those interested in pursuing a degree.

Secondary School Students

Want to experience journalism for a day? Talk to your STAR Coordinator or Careers Advisor and do Wintec’s Introduction to Journalism Taster.

About the Faculty

This programme is offered by the School of Media Arts who provide innovative, interdisciplinary education that prepares students for careers in the creative industries.

Experienced staff and state-of-the-art facilities help you develop a unique range of skills and the ability to apply them in the professional world. Check out examples of student work, some of our successful graduates, Media Arts' Industry connections, all the latest news and events, and more.