Overview
Your future starts here.
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree lets you explore a range of subjects, from politics, philosophy and history, to criminology, anthropology, music, English and more. The Otago BA is designed to be flexible – giving you the freedom to change your major or minor subjects.
The BA opens up a diverse range of career pathways – it teaches you critical thinking, and how to harness your imagination and empathy to become a great leader and valued team member in any industry.
Turn your passion into a career. Study a BA at Otago.
- Undergraduate
- Semester 1 2025: 24 FebruarySemester 2 2025: 14 July
- 3 years
- Domestic fee 2025: NZ $7,000 – NZ $8,700 International fee 2025: NZ $35,600
- Dunedin
Ready to apply?
If this is the qualification for you, get started with your application today.
Programme details
Pick your major
This is the subject you intend to specialise in throughout your degree, continuing into your second year and beyond. Select your major subject below.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
majoring in:| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | Two 100-level RELS papers | 36 |
| 200-level | Three 200-level RELS papers | 54 |
| One of ANTH 225, ANTH 228, DHUM 201, HIST 215, HIST 244, PHIL 229 or POLS 210 may be substituted for one 200-level RELS paper | ||
| 300-level | Four 300-level RELS papers | 72 |
| One of ANTH 325, ANTH 328, CLAS 342, HIST 308, or PHIL 329, may be substituted for one 300-level RELS paper | ||
| 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 |
General entry requirements
A university entrance qualification is essential for admission to the University of Otago for all types of programmes. You must also be at least 16 years of age by the first day of classes in your period of study and meet English language requirements.
Domestic students
You need to have met the New Zealand University Entrance standard, based on your achievement in secondary school or other prior study. Learn about the different categories for achieving University Entrance and what information you may need to provide with your application.
International students
Check recognised entry qualifications by country, and find out what documents you need to provide for a successful application.
English language requirements
All students must be proficient in the use of English. If your first language is not English, there are several ways you may provide evidence of English proficiency, including through prior secondary or tertiary study, internationally recognised English language tests, and foundation language programmes.
The level of English proficiency required for undergraduate study is equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0, with no individual band below 5.5.
For details about what is accepted as evidence of English proficiency, please refer to:
Domestic application dates
Semester 1, 2025
- Applications open: 1 May 2024
- Applications due: 10 December 2024
- Semester starts: 24 February 2025
Please note: Late applications may be accepted. Some subjects may have preliminary lectures on 21 February 2025.
Semester 2, 2025
- Applications open: 1 May 2024
- Applications due: 15 June 2025
- Semester starts: 14 July 2025
Please note: Late applications may be accepted. Not all subjects are available for a Semester 2 start.
- See all the due dates for future students at Otago
- View the academic key dates including semesters, holidays, exams, and graduation
International application dates
Semester 1, 2025
- Applications open: 1 May 2024
- Applications due: 15 November 2024
- Semester starts: 24 February 2025
Please note: Compulsory orientation week and enrolment seminars run from 17 to 21 February 2025.
Semester 2, 2025
- Applications open: 1 May 2024
- Applications due: 30 April 2025
- Semester starts: 14 July 2025
Please note: Not all subjects are available for a Semester 2 start. Compulsory orientation week and enrolment seminars run from 7 to 11 July 2025.
Estimated annual tuition fees for 2025
Domestic
NZ $7,000 - $8,700
International
NZ $35,600
Please note: The yearly tuition fees listed above are only a guide and may vary based on your final paper selection. They exclude living expenses and may not reflect the total cost of your programme of study. Students are responsible for any additional fees beyond the estimated amount displayed.
Important fees notes
The University of Otago is required by Government regulation to ensure a range of support services are available to students. These are funded through the charging of the Student Services Fee, which is estimated at NZ $1,152 for the Dunedin campus in 2025.
Australian citizens and permanent residents pay the same fees as New Zealand citizens if they are studying in New Zealand. If they are studying distance learning papers from outside of New Zealand they will need to pay international fees.
International Students studying at Otago pay international tuition fees. Study Abroad students pay a flat fee per semester.
As of the end of 2024, Fees-free study is no longer available for your first year of study. From 2025, Fees-free is available to full-time and part-time students who are in their final year of their first programme of study. You will not be able to use Fees-free in both your first and final years of study.
Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships, grants and awards that can help pay for your study — find yours by searching our browsing through the link below.
Student loans and allowances
Student loans and allowances provide financial support to domestic students via StudyLink.
University jargon
Starting to research your study options and already feeling lost in the jargon? Here are some handy links for common terms you’re likely to come across.
- What’s a degree and how does it work?
- What’s a double degree?
- What’s a combined degree?
- Explore all terminology
Minor subjects
A minor subject can be included in many 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.
Selecting a minor subject is not compulsory and there may be other combinations of papers more appropriate to your degree.
Further study
We offer postgraduate opportunities tailored to your interests at Honours, Master's and PhD level.
More information
Contact our Schools' Liaison and International teams
Want to connect with a real person and get some advice? Find your Schools' Liaison officer, chat with our International team in New Zealand or your own country, or submit a question through our online form.
