Postgraduate Study in Anatomy
The inside story.
Anatomy – you can’t leave home without it. It’s with you everywhere you go. It holds you together, it controls what you think and do, it enables you to run, jump, and play.
So as you might expect, there is more to studying Anatomy than immediately meets the eye.
There’s cell biology, neurobiology, clinical and functional anatomy, body systems, reproductive biology, developmental biology, and biological anthropology.
The University of Otago is the only New Zealand university to offer a bachelor’s degree majoring in Anatomy. You have the opportunity to explore the traditional approaches to studying Anatomy, as well as using the latest techniques and hi-tech equipment to explore the human body at all levels of its structure: from single cells to multi-organ systems.
Why study Anatomy?
Anatomy is a diverse, vibrant, and visual subject. It explores the relationship between the structure of the body and the functions it performs, and can be studied from microscopic to macroscopic levels.
Some of the things you will learn include:
- How the body develops from just a single cell to an individual with millions of cells organised into many different tissues and organ systems.
- How the desire to move is transmitted from the brain to the muscles.
- How you can tell the age a person was when they died just by looking at their bones.
- What changes occur when we develop from child to adult.
- How our brains control what we think how we feel, and what we do.
- How the reproductive system functions.
- Using skeletal remains to track movement, culture, and health of ancient people.
Studying papers in Anatomy will expose you to world-leading research in the anatomical sciences. You will learn techniques such as immunohistochemistry, cell culture, and gene sequencing, and have access to state-of-the-art equipment such as electron and confocal microscopes, and next-generation sequencing technology.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Anatomy as an undergraduate at Otago.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, Master’s, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a Master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
A one-year programme which builds on an undergraduate science degree, encompassing coursework and a chosen research topic
Master of Science (MSc)
A two-year degree with a wide range of subject options, the MSc may be taken by a combination of coursework and thesis, or by thesis only
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Engage in original research leading to a doctoral thesis, supported by comprehensive academic and social networks
Graduate Qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
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Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
Contacts
Department of Anatomy
School of Biomedical Sciences
Email anatomy@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/anatomy
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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