Learner attending their postgraduate communication course at UC Online. Learner attending their postgraduate communication course at UC Online.
Postgraduate

Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Communication

27 October 2026

Gain the practical tools and proven strategies to design ethical, effective campaigns that connect organisations with their communities. Study part-time online, across one year.

 

Apply now to learn online in 2027!

HOW TO APPLY

Price

Domestic learners

$1,123* per 15 point course

International learners

$4,275* per 15 point course

*Fees outlined are based on the 2026 fee schedule and are subject to revision each year. Prices include GST where applicable. Non-tuition fees, such as the Student Services Levy (SSL), will also apply.

Qualification

PGCertStratCom
60 points

Duration tooltip: Duration is subject to course availability

1 year part-time

Start dates

22 February 2027
19 July 2027
February 2028
July 2028

2027 applications open now, apply early to secure your place.

Delivery

Fully online

Or available on-campus at UC

2027 programme changes

From 2027, our online Strategic Communication programmes have a new structure, giving you more choice and flexibility in your study. You’ll primarily study across semesters, with a wider range of electives in organisational psychology, project management and sustainability.

Overview


Grow your knowledge of strategic communication online, at your pace. With our flexible Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Communication, you'll learn how to build influence with diverse audiences, and develop the skills needed to create impactful, ethical campaigns.  

Through your choice of specialist online communication courses, you’ll explore key theories and practical tools to effectively communicate with targeted audiences. Through a mix of case studies, academic frameworks, and applied learning, you’ll build the ability to think critically and strategically about communication in both bicultural and global contexts.

Whether you're looking to bring more communication expertise into your current role, or pivot into a new career, this fully online programme gives you versatile, real-world skills for use across nonprofits, government agencies, companies and community groups.

The Postgraduate Certificate also serves as a direct pathway to the Postgraduate Diploma and Master of Strategic Communication qualifications, making it the perfect first step to advance your career!

Grow as you go — credit your courses to advance your career

With flexible study options, you can choose to graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Communication, or take your learning further by crediting your courses towards a Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Strategic Communication. You don't have to decide now — choose what's right for you as you grow and learn online!


Requirements


To ensure that learners with a variety of work experience and academic study backgrounds have a pathway to study with us, there are flexible admission requirements for this Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Communication, including:

  • A bachelor's degree with a grade average of B or higher
  • A bachelor's degree, plus at least three years of relevant work experience 
  • At least five years of relevant work experience 
  • Any other pathway that the Amo Matua, Toi Tangata | Executive Dean of Arts or delegate approves

(Note: Your eligibility will be considered upon enrolment, with successful applicants approved as students by the Amo Matua, Toi Tangata | Executive Dean of Arts or delegate.)

If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements with an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5, and no individual score below 6.5. Preference will be given to learners with a score of 7 or over. 

For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Communication or use the admission requirements checker. 

Unsure about your suitability?
As part of our application process, your eligibility will be assessed by our communication academic team to make sure that your academic and/or professional background meets the entry criteria. Unfortunately our Tuihono UC | UC Online team cannot confirm your eligibility before your application is submitted, beyond referring you to the requirements above. We are happy to help answer any general questions you have about the programme or online learning, however. You can get in touch with us here.

Not sure if you want to study online or on-campus?

Whether you decide to study online or on-campus, our UC team is here to support you every step of the way.


Structure        


The 60-point Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Communication is designed to fit around your work, whānau and community commitments. You can study part-time over 1 year (subject to course availability), and you'll have up to 2 years to complete the qualification.

Time commitment
Part-time learners complete 30 points of course(s) each semester, requiring about 20 hours of study per week. Study time includes taking in course material, reflection time and writing assessments. 

Upcoming dates 
View upcoming semester dates.

Begin

Group of learners discussing communication theory and tools in a strategic communication course.

Start your learning journey with your first online strategic communication course.

 

You'll explore strategic communication theories you can utilise in the workplace, grow your know-how in communication ethics, and gain the first 30 points of your postgraduate certificate. 

 

Course taken: Foundations of Strategic Communication (COMS421).

Develop

Gain further expertise through one or two more strategic communication courses. Choose to explore the ins and outs of social data analysis in campaigns, or grow your crisis communication skills and learn how to utilise research skills in your mahi | work.

 

Courses taken: Campaign Planning with Social Data Analysis (COMS425) OR Crisis Management in Strategic Communication (COMS436) and Impactful Research Design (ARTS410) — view options.

Graduate

Congratulations! After you've successfully completed 60 points worth of courses, you can graduate with your Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Communication from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury.

 

Keen to keep learning? Graduates with a grade average of B or higher can apply to credit these courses towards a Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Strategic Communication!

Careers and job opportunities

Graduates of this programme, our Postgraduate Diploma and Master of Strategic Communication are ready to lead strategic, professional communications across a wide range of industries and organisations, from government departments to PR agencies. 

Throughout this programme, you’ll build advanced communication skills and gain the confidence to effectively engage clients, stakeholders, and communities. 

Check out our UC graduate stories to see where strategic communication study could take you!

What you'll study


You'll study two or three NZQF level 8 courses for the Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Communication. Want to take your learning further? You may be eligible to credit you courses towards a Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Strategic Communication.

Know which courses you want to take?
All learners will study COMS421, but the elective course(s) you take depends on what time of the year you start studying.

  • If you want to study COMS436 and ARTS410 you’ll need to enrol to start learning in semester 1 (February). 
  • If you want to take COMS425 you’ll need to enrol to start learning in semester 2 (July). 

Have a question, or need support? Our Enrolment Support team is here to help. 

Please note: this course is required. You may then choose to take either COMS425 OR COMS436 + ARTS410.

Description
This course covers foundational theories and research about different aspects in the practices of strategic communication, including the groups/organizations, targets of the messages, the media outlet for the messages. How the theories can be applied in real-life situations will be explored, including professional strategies in advertising and public relations. Ethical practices in the professional environment will be discussed. You will develop a proposal for extended research on communication strategies that can prepare for the Masters of Strategic Communication dissertation. This course teaches skills in analysis and research and requires students to develop and share research and analysis with others, in order to learn from and support each other.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Explain key theoretical concepts and theories underpinning strategic communication research.
  2. Compare and critically evaluate competing communication models underpinning strategic communication research.
  3. Apply strategic communication theories to case studies of organizations’ strategic communication and publics’ response to and engagement with strategic communication efforts and initiatives.
  4. Critically evaluate organizations’ strategic communication efforts.
  5. Identify and discuss ethical dimensions of organizational strategic communication.

Description
This is a course about planning media campaigns, in particular, it focuses on the use of social data analysis in planning campaigns. The course will introduce what campaigns are, their purposes and effects, their importance in the society, and the strategies of developing a media advocacy plan. A significant portion of the course will be about the use of social data analysis, including big data and social network analysis, in informing and evaluating campaigns. Students will be given opportunities to manage social data and develop their campaign plans according to their interests based on the data. Such plans can be related to social policies, public health and safety, human rights, etc., and can be delivered through different communication channels including traditional mass media and social media. Controversies around the ethical uses of social data for campaign planning will be discussed, and students will need to identify ethical practices of using the data.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the course, it is expected that learners will be able to: 

  1. Describe the process of creating a campaign.
  2. Locate relevant primary and secondary data that can inform your campaign.
  3. Create campaign goals and objectives.
  4. Develop and pitch campaign strategies, messages and tactics to a client.
  5. Apply theoretical principles and research about campaigns to critically evaluate strategic campaigns.
  6. Identify and manage ethical issues throughout campaign development.

Please note: this course is studied alongside ARTS410.

Description
In today’s digital and interconnected world, organisations face crises that can shape their reputations, stakeholder trust, and long-term viability. This course provides students with the theoretical foundations and practical skills necessary to manage crises effectively. Students will explore crisis typologies, strategic response models, media relations, stakeholder communication, and ethical considerations in crisis management. Through case studies, real-world simulations, and expert insights, students will learn how to analyse crises, develop strategic responses, and implement effective communication strategies across various platforms.

Learning outcomes

  1. Define and differentiate crises, issues, and reputation threats in strategic communication.
  2. Analyse crisis situations using theoretical frameworks and historical case studies.
  3. Develop a comprehensive crisis communication plan, including key messages, stakeholder engagement, and digital response strategies.
  4. Apply strategic messaging to different crisis scenarios through media relations, press releases, and social media responses.
  5. Assess the ethical and legal considerations in crisis communication, including cultural sensitivity and corporate responsibility.
  6. Evaluate the role of leadership, organisational culture, and corporate reputation in crisis prevention and response.
  7. Engage in real-time crisis simulations to practice decision-making, message development, and response tactics.
  8. Critically examine crisis response effectiveness using metrics, media analysis, and public sentiment.

Please note: this course is studied alongside COMS436.

Description
Research is a creative, adaptable form of inquiry that allows professionals to explore and gain in-depth understandings of unique, local, human experiences, broader trends, and social and communication practices. This course focuses on the decisions that research practitioners need to make as they collect, analyse and evaluate data to solve real-world problems. In addition to a grounding in specific qualitative and quantitative data strategies like interviews, focus groups, participatory methods and surveys, the course invites students to critically evaluate design decisions and their own positionality as researchers, ethical issues, cultural responsiveness in research, and the use of generative artificial intelligence.


Learning Outcomes

  1. Justify research design decisions.
  2. Develop interview, focus group and survey questions that connect to professional practice and industry needs.
  3. Use a data collection strategy to obtain answers to research questions in an ethical, culturally responsive way.
  4. Apply foundational skills in qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
  5. Reflect on when to use and when to refuse AI during the research process.
  6. Articulate how your positionality shapes data collection and analysis.
  7. Identify and manage ethical issues in data collection and analysis.
  8. Communicate quantitative and qualitative data convincingly.

Reviews


Curious about what studying online is really like? Here's what recent learners thought of our online strategic communication courses. 

Our people


The Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Communication is directed by Dr Kirstie McAllum and coordinated by Dr Samara Anarbaeva, with contributions from other industry professionals and Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury academics.

Kirstie McAllum, Associate professor in the Department of Media and Communication for the University of Canterbury

Associate Professor Kirstie McAllum

Programme Director, University of Canterbury

Kirstie McAllum is an Associate Professor in the Department of Media and Communication at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. Her research focuses on the meanings of non-standard work, the communicative patterns of collaboration and conflict, and compassion and care organizing in multiple health and social care contexts.

Kirstie is committed to working with community and organisational partners to envisage and implement strategies to create more compassionate workplaces. 

Dr Samara Anarbaeva an Associate Professor of Journalism and Public Relations at California State University and Programme Coordinator for the University of Canterbury

Dr Samara Anarbaeva

Programme Coordinator, University of Canterbury

Samara Anarbaeva is an Associate Professor of Journalism and Public Relations at California State University and a Lecturer and Administrator for the Master of Strategic Communication at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. Her research focuses on online pedagogy, crisis communication, social media, and influencer marketing.

As a communication consultant, she helps organizations with strategic planning, digital strategy, campaigns, crisis communication, and inclusive practices. Outside of work, she enjoys practicing yoga, sipping tea, and spending time outdoors.

Please note: our experts develop and present video content within their courses, but are not always the course facilitator. The course facilitator will engage with learners in the course forums, answer queries and mark assignments.

Stay updated


If you’re keen to know more, stay updated on when enrolments open or ask a question, please sign up for updates below.

Cap & minimum enrolment threshold: a minimum number of learners is needed for effective interaction and feedback, while a maximum cap of learners ensures high quality learning and support. If the minimum number of enrolments required for a course isn’t met, or the maximum cap is exceeded, learners will be given the option to defer their study or receive a refund.

FAQ

Graduates of this PGCertStratCom will have practical skills in communications writing and editorial knowledge for different kinds of media. You will be prepared to use proven strategies to design ethical, effective campaigns that connect organisations with their communities.

Learners will find their skills highly valued within organisations involved in public policy and advocacy, government agencies, public relations, and also internal communications within companies.

Graduates may also find work in a variety of fields such as news media, publishing, communications advisories, non-profit organisations, social media, and strategic marketing. This online postgraduate certificate prepares you for a career in complex, professional media for corporations, public relations, and advocacy. 

To expand your career prospects, the Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Communication includes advanced courses to help you effectively engage clients, stakeholders, and communities.

The 60-point professional portfolio as part of our MStratCom (COMS693 - Strategic Communication Portfolio) will give you a portfolio of work to showcase your advanced skills and knowledge. 

What happens after this study or training?

The overall cost of tuition fees per 15-point course based on the 2026 fee schedule:

  • for domestic learners is $1,123* incl GST
  • for international learners is $4,275* plus GST if applicable.

Total programme investment for 60-point programme based on the 2026 fee schedule:

  • for domestic learners is $4,492* incl GST
  • for international learners is $17,100* plus GST if applicable.

Please note that the fees are charged on a per year basis and the amount charged reflects the number of courses/points enrolled in the current year. These are based on the 2026 fee structure and subject to revision – you can learn more about the University of Canterbury’s Tuition fee structure here.

Student Services Levy costs
Each year university students around Aotearoa New Zealand are charged a Student Services Levy (SSL) in addition to their tuition fees. All the SSL money collected can only be used for the benefit of students - never for academic or administrative costs.

The SSL is automatically calculated on how many points you enrol in per academic year, capped at a maximum of 150 points. Tuihono UC | UC Online learners are charged a reduced SSL rate, which is 20% of the usual on-campus student levy. This is calculated as $2.14 per academic point in 2027. You can learn more about the Student Services Levy here, and more about UC Support Services here.

PGCertStratCom learners have access to the same support services as on-campus students, including academic advising, technical support, and library resources. There are also great resources for both Canterbury based and remote learners at the UC RecCentre. Learn more here.

Learners also have the support of our Tuihono UC Learner Experience team. 

Whether you need advice finding the right course for you or support with the enrolment process, we’re here to help! Contact our enrolment support team for course information, technical help and enrolment support.

Applications for this online programme are made online through our Tuihono UC | UC Online website – please sign up for updates to stay in the loop about when applications open. 

If you are a domestic learner, the below process will apply. If you are an international learner, the application process is slightly different, and we recommend getting in touch with our enrolment team at info@uconline.ac.nz to answer any questions.

For domestic learners, your application will be assessed by our academic team to make sure you meet all entrance criteria (including academic and english language requirements). We may be in touch to ask you further questions about your experience, or to request additional supporting documentation. If your application is accepted, you will be sent an 'Offer of Place' to let you know your enrolment has been conditionally approved.

Following this, we will generate an ‘Enrolment Agreement’ outlining your courses, fees and student agreement, which you need to sign and accept. Your enrolment is only complete when the fees outlined in this agreement are paid in full (view payment options), at which point you’ll become ‘Fully Enrolled’ and receive a ‘Welcome to Tuihono UC | UC Online’ email with details of your next steps to start learning. If you have any questions during the enrolment process, please get in touch with our team via info@uconline.ac.nz. 

Yes, if you complete your courses with a grade average of B or higher, you can apply to credit your courses towards the Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Strategic Communication. In these online programmes, you'll complete four additional advanced communication courses, plus a 60-point professional portfolio to showcase your advanced expertise for career success.

We are also developing our online offerings – if you'd like to hear about our latest news and offers, join our mailing list. 

Yes, our online PGCertStratCom is a real university qualification.

Successful learners will graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Communication from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, and be eligible to attend graduation! You can either receive your testamur (qualification certificate) on-stage, or elect to receive your certificate in the mail.

This online postgraduate certificate can be completed in one year of part-time study (subject to course availability), and must be finished within two years. 

Bringing together the latest industry-informed learning applicable to your life and career, the Tuihono UC | UC Online PGCertStratCom gives you the same quality education as our on-campus programme, with the flexibility of online learning.

This includes 24/7 access, academic advice and technical support, giving you the support to study anywhere, anytime, at your pace.

An on-campus version of the Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Communication is available through the University of Canterbury. You can also explore other on-campus postgraduate media and communication qualifications. 

We are also developing our online offerings – if you'd like to hear about our latest news and offers, join our mailing list. 

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