Career opportunities
Our graduates work in a variety of fields, including media production, journalism, education, advertising, administration, archival and curatorial work, media policy analysis, public relations, and tourism. Some go on to postgraduate study in our honours, master's and PhD programmes.
A degree from our programme prepares you for a wide range of career options, including new and emerging career pathways. In the future, media will play an increasingly central role in how we understand and navigate our rapidly changing world. The skills and competencies developed across our two majors – the ability to think critically, communicate in a range of different ways, appreciate diversity, and respond effectively to change – will be in strong demand.
Transform media and storytelling
Explore how studying Media, Film, and Communication at Otago helps you navigate storytelling, digital trends, and the power of human connection in an evolving media landscape.
Film and Media Studies at Otago
Film and Media Studies is one of two majors offered by the Media, Film and Communication Studies Programme. The other major is Communication Studies.
Our major subjects
We offer majors in Communication Studies, and Film and Media Studies. Students are able to tailor their studies to pursue their specific interests and goals. Our degrees can also be combined with other subjects to form a double-major or double-degree programme of study.
Communication Studies
In the Communication major, we explore:
- How everyday life is structured through media and digital technologies.
- The relationship between data and social power.
- The historical development of communication theory and practice.
- How to intervene and communicate critically in our mediatised world.
- How media creates new public and political formations.
Film and Media Studies
In the Film and Media major, we explore:
- The role of audio-visual technologies in shaping our reality.
- The historical development of film and media.
- The historical development of theories of film and media.
- The aesthetic, cultural and social developments of cinema, television & new screen technologies.
Teaching style
Our academic staff are experts in their fields (you can read about their areas of interest at the staff page on our website).
Our papers are designed to help you engage with cutting edge research and ideas through a range of coursework and assessment that will help you develop your written, oral and visual communication skills and critical competencies.
Generic skills
In addition to the specialist skills gained, our programmes enable you to develop general personal and professional skills that are highly valued by employers. These are the kinds of skills that are applicable in many career contexts and in many aspects of your life:
- clear and effective written expression
- verbal reasoning and clear and effective speaking skills
- team work
- research skills
- a broad general knowledge about the world and current events
- the ability to analyse and contribute to debates
- appreciation of diverse points of view
- the ability to think broadly, critically and creatively about social and cultural processes.
Recommended background
No prior background is required.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Arts along with other subjects
Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Commerce, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in Film and Media Studies
Explore postgraduate study in Film and Media Studies at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportuniti...
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | MFCO 101 Screen Form and Culture | 18 |
| MFCO 102 Media, Power, Society | 18 | |
| 200-level | MFCO 210 Theory of Film and Media | 18 |
Two further papers from 200-level MFCO papers One of ASIA 201 or ANTH 210 or GEND 205 may be substituted for one 200-level MFCO paper. | 36 | |
| 300-level | MFCO 301 Critical Problems in Film and Media | 18 |
Three further 300-level MFCO papers One of GEND 305 or POLS 315 or ASIA 311 or ANTH 312 may be substituted for one 300-level MFCO paper. | 54 | |
| Plus | 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. | 198 |
| Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | ||
| Total | 360 |
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | 36 | |
| Above 100-level | MFCO 210 Theory of Film and Media Two further MFCO papers, of which one must be above 200-level Note: GEND 205 or 305 may be substituted for one MFCO paper at the same level. | 18 36 |
| Total | 90 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
MFCO papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MFCO101 | 2025 | Screen Form and Culture | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO102 | 2025 | Media, Power, Society | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO103 | 2025 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO201 | 2025 | The History of Film | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO202 | 2025 | Theory of Communication Studies | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO203 | 2025 | Media History | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO205 | 2025 | Communication Research Methods | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO210 | 2025 | Theory of Film and Media | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO212 | 2025 | Global Media and Communication | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO213 | 2025 | Media Genres | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO216 | 2025 | Cinema of Aotearoa New Zealand | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO217 | 2025 | Television Studies | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO220 | 2025 | Writing for the Media | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| MFCO222 | 2025 | Science, Technology, and Society | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO223 | 2025 | Documentary and Reality Media | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO224 | 2025 | Studying Selfies: Celebrity, Surveillance and Cyberspace | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO231 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO242 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO250 | 2025 | Celebrity | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO251 | 2025 | Television Studio Production | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO301 | 2025 | Critical Problems in Film and Media | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO303 | 2025 | Critical Problems in Communication Studies | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO312 | 2025 | Communication and the City | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO313 | 2025 | Culture, Politics and Media | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO314 | 2025 | French Cinema | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO315 | 2025 | Digital Media and Society | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO317 | 2025 | Digital Culture | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO318 | 2025 | Indigenous Media | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO319 | 2025 | Contemporary American Cinema | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO323 | 2025 | Documentary and Reality Media | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO330 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO333 | 2025 | Film Festivals | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO350 | 2025 | Celebrity | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO401 | 2025 | Advanced Media, Film and Communication Theory | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO406 | 2025 | Audience Studies | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO408 | 2025 | Screening Gender | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO410 | 2025 | Documentary Film and Media | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO411 | 2025 | Independent Study in Media, Film and Communication | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| MFCO412 | 2025 | Communicating the Self | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO414 | 2025 | Discourse Theory and Practice | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| MFCO441 | 2025 | Special Topic | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MFCO490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 12 June 2026) |
| MFCO590 | 2025 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026) |
More information
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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