In a world shaped by religion, and divided by religious conflict, the academic and scientific study of religion has never been more important.
In Otago’s Religion programme, you will critically examine religious beliefs and practices and their influence on human behaviour. You’ll investigate religion’s evolutionary origins, psychological underpinnings and historical development as well as its links with modern politics, law and social movements.
Looking beyond ‘mainstream’ religions, you’ll examine those new forms of spiritual practice that have emerged alongside the traditional religions. Religion approaches these phenomena with both critical spirit and empathy and offers explanations that believers might be reluctant to accept, while also attempting to understand the believer’s point of view.
Why study Religious Studies?
Religion is as old as humanity itself. Despite the rise of science and modern technology, the majority of people in the world today are religious, and current demographic trends reveal that – as a whole – the world is becoming more religious. In order to understand humans, human history, and the contemporary world, we need to understand the multifaceted nature of religion and its place in human societies.
Religion offers you the opportunity to become familiar with religious movements, their history and the influence they currently wield. By studying religion, you will learn to enter empathetically into a world of thought that may be very different from your own, without losing the ability to ask critical questions about it.
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.
An approved paper may be substituted for one 400-level RELS paper
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Religious Studies is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
RELS papers at either 400- or 500-level worth 120 points
Note: Students are able to take one of HUMS 501-503 not already taken as an optional paper in this pathway.
Thesis
Thesis: RELS 5
Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Religious Studies or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Religious Studies must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Religious Studies prior to undertaking the thesis.
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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The University of Otago has a global reputation for research excellence. Our expertise is vast across health, society, culture, sustainability and the environment.
