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.
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Programme details
Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Structure of the Programme
Every degree programme shall consist of papers worth not less that 360 points,
shall include at least 180 points for papers above 100-level, of which at least 72 points shall be for papers above 200-level,
may include one or more optional minor subjects which satisfy the Minor Subject Requirements listed in Arts and Music Schedule A, or Science Schedule A, or Commerce Schedule A, or BHealSc Schedule Part 2. No paper may count for both a Major and a Minor Subject Requirement or for more than one Minor Subject Requirement unless that paper is at 100- or 200-level and is specified as compulsory for both Requirements.
may include papers which are not listed in Arts and Music Schedule C
Every programme of study shall satisfy the requirements for prerequisites, corequisites, and restrictions set out in the Prescriptions (published in the Guide to Enrolment).
A candidate with outstanding results in a subject prior to entering the University may be permitted by the Head of Department concerned to enrol for a paper at 200-level without having satisfied the normal prerequisites. In such cases the candidate shall not be credited with the prerequisite papers, but shall be exempted from including those papers in a Major Subject Requirement. A candidate may not, having passed any such paper at 200-level, enrol subsequently for any paper for which the exemption has been given.
Cross Credits
A candidate who is enrolled for the degree concurrently with another degree, or who has completed one degree and is proceeding with the other, may cross credit 100- and 200-level papers which are common to both degrees up to a maximum of 126 points where the other degree is a three-year degree and up to a maximum of 180 points where the other degree is longer than a three-year degree.
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
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.
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.
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