Science Communication

Entry requirements

A postgraduate diploma can usually be taken at any time after the completion of your bachelor's degree.

If your first language is not English you need to meet our English language requirements as follows: IELTS score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); we also accept a number of other English language tests. Due to COVID-19, we currently accept Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS Indicator Test, and TOEFL iBT Special home Edition.

Don’t meet the English language requirements? The University of Otago Language Centre English for Otago programme offers a pathway for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students to meet the English language requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Months of entry

February

Course content

Dunedin is a UNESCO City of Literature, supports an International Science Festival, and is the wildlife capital of New Zealand, with colonies of seals, albatross and penguins all within the city's boundaries. The outstanding natural environment and dynamic cultural environment provide an excellent setting for the University of Otago’s Centre for Science Communication, the home of story-telling and science.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Science Communication (PGDipSciComm) offers three Science Communication endorsements:

• Creative Non-Fiction Writing in Science
• Science and Natural History Filmmaking
• Science in Society

Programme Requirements

Postgraduate Diploma in Science Communication (PGDipSciComm) endorsed in Creative Non-Fiction Writing in Science

Papers

• SCOM 402 The Craft of Storytelling
• SCOM 403 Science and Creative Non-Fiction Writing
• SCOM 404 Science Communication Internship
• SCOM 409 Introduction to Science Communication
• SCOM 413 Digital Production for Science Communication
• one other 400-level paper

One other paper at 400-level may be substituted for one of the prescribed papers, with approval from the Director of the Centre for Science Communication.

Postgraduate Diploma in Science Communication (PGDipSciComm) endorsed in Science and Natural History Filmmaking

Papers

• SCOM 402 The Craft of Storytelling
• SCOM 405 Business of Filmmaking
• SCOM 409 Introduction to Science Communication
• SCOM 411 The Techniques of Natural History and Science Filmmaking 1
• SCOM 412 The Techniques of Natural History and Science Filmmaking 2
• SCOM 413 Digital Production for Science Communication

One other paper at 400-level may be substituted for one of the prescribed papers, with approval from the Director of the Centre for Science Communication.

Postgraduate Diploma in Science Communication (PGDipSciComm) endorsed in Science in Society

Papers

• SCOM 402 The Craft of Storytelling
• SCOM 404 Science Communication Internship
• SCOM 406 Science Exhibitions and Interpretation
• SCOM 409 Introduction to Science Communication
• SCOM 413 Digital Production for Science Communication
• and one other 400-level paper

One other paper at 400-level may be substituted for one of the prescribed papers, with approval from the Director of the Centre for Science Communication.

Postgraduate Diploma in Science Communication (PGDipSciComm) unendorsed option

Papers

Any six SCOM 400-level papers which do not satisfy the requirements for one of the other Postgraduate Diploma in Science Communication endorsements.

Up to two papers at 400-level may be substituted for two of the prescribed papers, with approval of the Director of the Centre for Science Communication.

Information for international students

Otago offers students an unrivalled campus experience and a vibrant, social student culture. The majority of Otago’s 21,000 students live, work and play in Dunedin - New Zealand’s only true university city. Otago is home to over 3,000 students, from over 100 countries.

Fees and funding