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

Ready to enrol?

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Dunedin, 2025
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Dunedin, 2025
Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Dunedin, 2025
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc), Dunedin, 2025
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)), Dunedin, 2025
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), Dunedin, 2025
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts), Dunedin, 2025
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)), Dunedin, 2025
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)), Dunedin, 2025
Master of Education and Learning (MEdLn), Dunedin, 2025
Doctor of Education (EdD), Dunedin, 2025
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Dunedin, 2025

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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

See all programmes

Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Education

Level	Papers	Points
100-level	EDUC 101 Education and Society	18
100-level	EDUC 102 Human Development	18
200-level	Three 200-level EDUC papers	54
300-level	Four 300-level EDUC papers	72
Plus	198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above.	198
Plus	Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts
Total		360

Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Education

Papers
EDUC 480 Research Essay
Either EDUC 411 Conceptualising and Designing Quality Educational Research or EDUC 412 Research Design and Methodology: Evidence-based Practice in Education
Three further 400-level EDUC papers

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Education

Dissertation / Studio Project Requirements
EDUC 580 MEd Dissertation
HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities
Either HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research or HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities
And further papers worth a total of 60 points from:
EDUC 401, EDUC 421, EDUC 423, EDUC 428, EDUC 429, EDUC 430, EDUC 431 , EDUC 432, EDUC 433, EDUC 434, EDUC 435, EDUC 438, EDUC 439, EDUC 440 , EDUC 441, EDUC 444, EDUC 451, EDUC 453, EDUC 459, EDUC 461, EDUC 462 , EDUC 463, EDUC 464, EDUC 465

Papers-Only Requirements
HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities
Either HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research or HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities
And further papers worth a total of 120 points from:
EDUC 401, EDUC 421, EDUC 423, EDUC 428, EDUC 429, EDUC 430, EDUC 431 , EDUC 432, EDUC 433, EDUC 434, EDUC 435, EDUC 438, EDUC 439, EDUC 440 , EDUC 441, EDUC 444, EDUC 451, EDUC 453, EDUC 459, EDUC 461, EDUC 462 , EDUC 463, EDUC 464, EDUC 465
Note: Students are able to take one of HUMS 501-503 not already taken as an optional paper in this pathway.

Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Education

Thesis
Thesis: EDUC 5 Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Education or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Education must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Education prior to undertaking the thesis.

Thesis

Thesis: EDUC 5

Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Education or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Education must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Education prior to undertaking the thesis.

Master of Education and Learning (MEdLn)

Endorsed option	Papers required
Curriculum	EDUC 402 Current Issues in Education (20 points) EDUC 403 Perspectives on Teaching and Learning (20 points) EDUC 411 Conceptualising and Designing Quality Educational Research (20 points) or EDUC 412 Research Design and Methodology: Evidence-based Practice in Education (20 points) Two 400-level Curriculum papers offered by the College of Education (worth a total of 40 points) EDUC 591 Research Project (40 points) or EDUC 592 Professional Inquiry (40 points) EDUC 495 Thought in Action (20 points) or EDUC 590 Professional Practice Portfolio (60 points)*
Digital Technologies	EDUC 402 Current Issues in Education (20 points) EDUC 403 Perspectives on Teaching and Learning (20 points) EDUC 411 Conceptualising and Designing Quality Educational Research (20 points) or EDUC 412 Research Design and Methodology: Evidence-based Practice in Education (20 points) Two 400-level Digital Technologies papers offered by the College of Education (worth a total of 40 points) EDUC 591 Research Project (40 points) or EDUC 592 Professional Inquiry (40 points) EDUC 495 Thought in Action (20 points) or EDUC 590 Professional Practice Portfolio (60 points)*
Early Childhood Education	EDUC 402 Current Issues in Education (20 points) EDUC 403 Perspectives on Teaching and Learning (20 points) EDUC 411 Conceptualising and Designing Quality Educational Research (20 points) or EDUC 412 Research Design and Methodology: Evidence-based Practice in Education (20 points) Two 400-level Early Childhood Education papers offered by the College of Education (worth a total of 60 points) EDUC 591 Research Project (40 points) or EDUC 592 Professional Inquiry (40 points) EDUC 495 Thought in Action (20 points) or EDUC 590 Professional Practice Portfolio (60 points)*
Leadership	EDUC 402 Current Issues in Education (20 points) EDUC 403 Perspectives on Teaching and Learning (20 points) EDUC 411 Conceptualising and Designing Quality Educational Research (20 points) or EDUC 412 Research Design and Methodology: Evidence-based Practice in Education (20 points) Two 400-level Leadership papers offered by the College of Education (worth a total of 60 points) EDUC 591 Research Project (40 points) or EDUC 592 Professional Inquiry (40 points) EDUC 495 Thought in Action (20 points) or EDUC 590 Professional Practice Portfolio (60 points)*
Studies in Teacher Education	EDUC 402 Current Issues in Education (20 points) EDUC 403 Perspectives on Teaching and Learning (20 points) EDUC 411 Conceptualising and Designing Quality Educational Research (20 points) or EDUC 412 Research Design and Methodology: Evidence-based Practice in Education (20 points) Two 400-level Teacher Education papers offered by the College of Education (worth a total of 60 points) EDUC 591 Research Project (40 points) or EDUC 592 Professional Inquiry (40 points) EDUC 495 Thought in Action (20 points) or EDUC 590 Professional Practice Portfolio (60 points)*

*The EDUC 590 portfolio or EDUC 591 or EDUC 592 project must focus on the area of endorsement.

Master of Education (MEd)

No new enrolments will be accepted for this programme.

Papers
EDUC 407 Researching Educational Issues or another approved research methods paper (20 points) EDUC 580 MEd Dissertation (60 points) Further papers worth a total of 160 points, (normally selected from those prescribed for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Education, the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects in Education, or the degree of Master of Education)

Master of Teaching (MTchg)

No new enrolments will be accepted for this programme.

Papers
EDUC 440 Critical Analysis of Teaching or EDUC 423 Technology-enhanced Learning EDUC 441 Researching Personal Teaching Practice EDUC 590 Professional Practice Portfolio Other 400-level EDUC papers worth a total of 80 points

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

Level	Papers	Points
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

Level

Papers

Points

100-level

EDUC 101 Education and Society

EDUC 102 Human Development

Above 200-level

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

Total

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, Semester 2
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, Semester 2
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), 2nd Non standard period (11 November 2024 - 12 December 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)

Qualifications

Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.

More information

Contact us

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

For enquiries related to postgraduate study please contact AskOtago

Studying at Otago

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

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Are you interested in becoming a teacher?

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Why study Education?

Career opportunities

Education at Otago

Southland campus

Degree options

Student exchange

Background required

Requirements

EDUC papers

Qualifications

More information

Contact us

Studying at Otago

Study Education at Otago

Are you interested in becoming a teacher?

Ready to enrol?

Why study Education?

Career opportunities

Education at Otago

Southland campus

Degree options

Student exchange

Background required

Requirements

Minor subject requirements

Papers

EDUC papers

Qualifications

More information

Contact us

Studying at Otago