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Study Education at Otago

Learn how to change the world.

Education is a powerful tool that can transform the lives of children, adults, families and communities. How has education shaped your own life, for better or worse? What aspects of education have sparked your curiosity and excitement about the world?

If you study education, you will also learn about history, philosophy, psychology, politics and sociology. You will explore how education has changed the lives of people and communities in the past, and about the ways different people have made sense of education as a cornerstone of society. You will encounter different ideas about the purpose of education, what a good education looks like, and how people learn. You will learn about people, and how they think.

Are you interested in becoming a teacher?

See information about teaching qualifications

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Why study Education?

We are involved with education throughout our lives. Education papers investigate how education changes lives and how learning happens, and they identify and address patterns of success and failure in education.

Topics of interest:

  • Educational psychology (how children, young people, and adults learn)
  • How education systems evolve and how they function
  • The role of education in the lives of families, whānau and communities
  • The historical influences that have shaped institutions of childhood and education systems nationally and internationally
  • The cultural, social, and political influences on the school curriculum
  • Gender, disability, Māori education, ICT and research methods also feature in the undergraduate programme

The study of Education is diverse and interdisciplinary. It will give you a range of sought-after skills including critical thinking, problem solving, strong interpersonal skills, and both written and verbal communication skills.

Career opportunities

Students with a major in Education can apply for a diverse range of jobs. Education can be an especially useful background for careers in research, policy analysis, social work, the counselling professions and many areas of public service.

Educational processes are important in almost all settings and Education graduates can have a valuable role in most organisations.

Education at Otago

You can study towards a major in Education as part of a three-year degree programme.

In your first year, you will learn about the political, social and cultural dimensions of contemporary educational practice. You also will study lifespan development in its social context. This includes the studies of families, of cultures within New Zealand and of disability.

Beyond your first year, you'll develop understanding of how people learn, ways of facilitating learning and how education in New Zealand has developed over time.

We offer papers that allow you to focus your studies in the following areas:

  • Psychology of education
  • Sociology of education
  • Pedagogy of education
  • Equity in education
  • Disability studies and education

Southland campus

The Southland campus, based in Invercargill, offers some Education papers.

Degree options

You can study Education as a major or minor for a range of degrees. You may elect to do a combined degree, a double major or a double degree.

Education papers can enhance any degree, as all professionals are involved in learning.

Student exchange

The University of Otago has exchange agreements with over 100 institutions worldwide. You have the opportunity to study at an international partnership institution while paying only New Zealand fees, and completing your qualification within the same timeframe as if you'd never been away.

Background required

There are no specific subjects you need to have studied at school in order to study education.

Requirements

Education as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree

Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree

LevelPapersPoints
100-level

EDUC 101 Education and Society

EDUC 102 Human Development

18

18

Above 200-level

Three EDUC papers, including at least one above 200-level

54
Total 90

EDUC papers

Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
EDCR101 2024, 2025 Exploring Curriculum 18 points Semester 1
EDCR102 2024, 2025 The Languages of Children 18 points Semester 2
EDCR131 2024, 2025 English and Mathematics 1 18 points Semester 2
EDCR133 2024, 2025 Health and Physical Education 18 points Semester 1
EDCR135 2024, 2025 Introduction to The New Zealand Curriculum and Social Sciences 18 points Semester 1
EDCR152 2024, 2025 He Kākano Noaiho, Ngā Reo 18 points Full Year
EDCR155 2024, 2025 Whakatakinga Marautanga me Tikanga ā Iwi 18 points Semester 1
EDCR201 2024, 2025 Weaving Curriculum 18 points Semester 2
EDCR202 2024, 2025 People Under Three 18 points Semester 1
EDCR203 2024, 2025 Te Ohonga Ake o ngā Marautanga 18 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2025
EDCR220 2025 Te Ohoka Ake 18 points Semester 2
EDCR231 2024, 2025 English and Mathematics 2 18 points Semester 2, Semester 1
EDCR232 2024, 2025 Science and Technology 18 points Semester 2
EDCR233 2024, 2025 Visual Arts and Music 18 points Semester 1, Semester 2
EDCR235 2024, 2025 Dance and Drama 18 points Semester 1
EDCR236 2024, 2025 Toka Tū Moana – ngā Āhuatanga Māori 18 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
EDCR252 2024, 2025 Te Pupuke 18 points 1st Non standard period (26 February 2024 - 22 November 2024), Full Year
EDCR254 2024, 2025 Toi Ataata, Toi Pūoro 18 points Semester 1
EDCR301 2024, 2025 Living Curriculum 18 points Semester 1
EDCR302 2024, 2025 Debating Curriculum 18 points Semester 2
EDCR331 2024, 2025 English and Mathematics 3 18 points Semester 1
EDCR332 2024, 2025 Local Curriculum and Integration 18 points Semester 1
EDCR334 2024, 2025 English and Mathematics 4 18 points Semester 2
EDCR353 2024, 2025 Whakaurunga o ngā Marautanga 18 points Semester 1
EDDC911 2024, 2025 Doctor of Education Coursework 60 points 1st Non standard period (6 January 2024 - 20 June 2024), 2nd Non standard period (8 July 2024 - 13 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (6 January 2025 - 20 June 2025), 2nd Non standard period (7 July 2025 - 12 December 2025)
EDPR101 2024, 2025 The Practice of Early Childhood Teaching 1 18 points 1st Non standard period (19 February 2024 - 22 November 2024), 1st Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 21 November 2025)
EDPR102 2024, 2025 From Personal to Professional 18 points Semester 1
EDPR131 2024, 2025 Te Weu 18 points 1st Non standard period (19 February 2024 - 22 November 2024), 1st Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 21 November 2025)
EDPR151 2024, 2025 Te Mōhiotanga 18 points 1st Non standard period (19 February 2024 - 22 November 2024), 1st Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 21 November 2025)
EDPR201 2024, 2025 Relationships and the Practice of Teaching 2 18 points 1st Non standard period (26 February 2024 - 22 November 2024), 1st Non standard period (24 February 2025 - 21 November 2025)
EDPR202 2024, 2025 Relationships in Inclusive Settings 18 points Semester 1
EDPR231 2024, 2025 Te Aka and Learning Languages 18 points 1st Non standard period (26 February 2024 - 22 November 2024), 1st Non standard period (24 February 2025 - 21 November 2025)
EDPR240 2024, 2025 Engaging in Teaching 36 points Semester 1
EDPR251 2024, 2025 Te Mātauranga - Professional Studies and Practice 2 18 points 1st Non standard period (26 February 2024 - 22 November 2024), 1st Non standard period (24 February 2025 - 21 November 2025)
EDPR301 2024, 2025 Professional Inquiry in(to) Practice 3 18 points Semester 1 (26 January 2024 - 28 June 2024), 1st Non standard period (24 January 2025 - 27 June 2025)
EDPR302 2024, 2025 Professional Inquiry in(to) Practice 4 18 points Semester 2
EDPR303 2024, 2025 Politics, Policy and the Profession 18 points Semester 2
EDPR331 2024, 2025 Te Puāwaitanga 1 18 points Semester 1 (26 January 2024 - 28 June 2024), 1st Non standard period (27 January 2025 - 18 June 2025)
EDPR333 2024, 2025 Te Puāwaitanga 2 18 points Semester 2
EDPR351 2024, 2025 Te Māramatanga 18 points Semester 1 (26 January 2024 - 28 June 2024), 1st Non standard period (27 January 2025 - 27 June 2025)
EDSU110 2024, 2025 Children in Action 18 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
EDSU115 2024, 2025 Exploring the Visual Arts Through Drawing and Painting 18 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
EDUC101 2024, 2025 Education and Society 18 points Semester 2
EDUC102 2024, 2025 Human Development 18 points Semester 1
EDUC105 2024, 2025 Disability Studies: An Introduction 18 points Semester 1
EDUC211 2024, 2025 The Institutions of Childhood 18 points Semester 1
EDUC251 2024, 2025 Education in New Zealand: Policy and Treaty Issues 18 points Semester 2, Semester 1
EDUC252 2024, 2025 How People Learn 18 points Semester 1
EDUC254 2024, 2025 Family Resources, Culture, and Education 18 points Semester 1
EDUC259 2024, 2025 Educating Global Citizens for the 21st Century 18 points Semester 2
EDUC307 2024, 2025 Child Development 18 points Semester 1
EDUC308 2024, 2025 Future-Focused Literacies 18 points Semester 1
EDUC311 2024, 2025 Contemporary Understandings of Young Children as Learners 18 points Semester 1
EDUC312 2024, 2025 Children and Young People in History 18 points Semester 1
EDUC313 2024, 2025 Equity in Education 18 points Semester 1
EDUC318 2024, 2025 Gender Issues in Education 18 points Semester 2
EDUC321 2024, 2025 Educational Psychology 18 points Semester 2
EDUC331 2024, 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2024, Not offered in 2025
EDUC351 2024, 2025 Research Methods in Education 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
EDUC401 2024, 2025 Education in Historical Perspective 20 points Semester 2
EDUC402 2024, 2025 Current Issues in Education 20 points Semester 1
EDUC403 2024, 2025 Perspectives on Teaching and Learning 20 points Semester 2
EDUC411 2024, 2025 Conceptualising and Designing Quality Educational Research 20 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 1
EDUC412 2024, 2025 Research Design and Methodology: Evidence-based Practice in Education 20 points Semester 1, Not offered in 2025
EDUC422 2024, 2025 Quantitative Research Methods in Education 20 points Not offered in 2024, Not offered in 2025
EDUC423 2024, 2025 Technology-enhanced Learning 20 points Not offered in 2024, Full Year
EDUC427 2024, 2025 Qualitative Research 20 points Not offered in 2024, Not offered in 2025
EDUC428 2024, 2025 Special Topic 40 points Not offered in 2024, Not offered in 2025
EDUC429 2024, 2025 Special Topic 2 20 points Full Year
EDUC431 2024, 2025 Special Topic 20 points Not offered in 2024, Not offered in 2025
EDUC432 2024, 2025 Special Topic 20 points Not offered in 2024, Not offered in 2025
EDUC435 2024, 2025 Introduction to Internet-based Learning 20 points Semester 2, Not offered in 2025
EDUC438 2024, 2025 Leadership for Learning 20 points Not offered in 2024, Full Year
EDUC439 2024, 2025 Strategic Educational Management 20 points Not offered in 2024, Not offered in 2025
EDUC444 2024, 2025 Pacific Education Issues: Culture, Identity and Schooling 20 points Not offered in 2024, Not offered in 2025
EDUC451 2024, 2025 Inclusive Education 20 points Not offered in 2024, Not offered in 2025
EDUC457 2024, 2025 Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education 20 points Not offered in 2024, Full Year
EDUC459 2024, 2025 Equality, Diversity and Education 20 points Not offered in 2024, Not offered in 2025
EDUC461 2024, 2025 The Construction of Curriculum in Early Childhood Education 20 points Full Year, Not offered in 2025
EDUC462 2024, 2025 Mentoring Teachers 20 points Semester 1
EDUC464 2024, 2025 Writing Journal Articles for Publication 20 points Not offered in 2024, Semester 2
EDUC465 2024, 2025 Science Education for Teachers 20 points Not offered in 2024, Full Year
EDUC471 2024, 2025 Teaching in a New Zealand Context 30 points 1st Non standard period (15 January 2024 - 28 June 2024), 1st Non standard period (13 January 2025 - 18 June 2025)
EDUC472 2024, 2025 Primary Curriculum 1 30 points 1st Non standard period (15 January 2024 - 28 June 2024), 1st Non standard period (13 January 2025 - 18 June 2025)
EDUC473 2024, 2025 Professional Experience (Primary) 30 points 1st Non standard period (15 January 2024 - 13 December 2024), 2nd Non standard period (1 February 2024 - 21 March 2024), 1st Non standard period (13 January 2025 - 19 December 2025)
EDUC474 2024, 2025 Early Childhood Curriculum 1 30 points 1st Non standard period (15 January 2024 - 13 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (13 January 2025 - 18 June 2025)
EDUC475 2024, 2025 Professional Experience (Early Childhood) 30 points 1st Non standard period (15 January 2024 - 13 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (13 January 2025 - 12 December 2025)
EDUC476 2024, 2025 Diversity and Inclusion 30 points 1st Non standard period (15 July 2024 - 13 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 19 December 2025)
EDUC477 2024, 2025 Secondary Curriculum 1 30 points 1st Non standard period (15 January 2024 - 28 June 2024), 1st Non standard period (13 January 2025 - 18 June 2025)
EDUC478 2024, 2025 Professional Experience (Secondary) 30 points 1st Non standard period (15 January 2024 - 13 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (13 January 2025 - 19 December 2025)
EDUC480 2024, 2025 Research Study 40 points 1st Non standard period (15 January 2024 - 13 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (13 January 2025 - 12 December 2025)
EDUC495 2024, 2025 Thought in Action 20 points Semester 1
EDUC572 2024, 2025 Primary Curriculum 2 30 points 1st Non standard period (15 July 2024 - 13 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 19 December 2025)
EDUC574 2024, 2025 Early Childhood Curriculum 2 30 points 1st Non standard period (15 July 2024 - 13 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 12 December 2025)
EDUC577 2024, 2025 Secondary Curriculum 2 30 points 1st Non standard period (15 July 2024 - 13 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 19 December 2025)
EDUC579 2024, 2025 Evidence-based Inquiry 30 points 1st Non standard period (15 July 2024 - 13 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 19 December 2025)
EDUC580 2024, 2025 Research Dissertation 60 points 1st Non standard period (15 January 2024 - 13 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026)
EDUC590 2024, 2025 Professional Practice Portfolio 60 points 1st Non standard period (15 January 2024 - 13 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026)
EDUC591 2024, 2025 Research Project 40 points 1st Non standard period (15 January 2024 - 13 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026)
EDUC592 2024, 2025 Professional Inquiry 40 points 1st Non standard period (15 January 2024 - 13 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026)

More information

Contact us

University of Otago College of Education
Freephone 0800 TO TEACH (0800 86 83224)
Tel 64 3 479 4914
Email collegeofeducation.askotago@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/education

For enquiries related to postgraduate study please contact collegeofeducation.askotago@otago.ac.nz

Studying at Otago

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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.

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