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Study Neuroscience at Otago

Neuroscience is all about understanding how the brain and wider nervous system works, and it's one of the fastest growing areas of science.

The University of Otago is the only New Zealand university to offer an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience.

Neuroscientists apply a wide range of scientific disciplines, including Anatomy, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Pharmacology, Physiology, Psychology, and Zoology. As an interdisciplinary programme, Neuroscience is taught by staff from varied departments across the University. Each teaches a separate “neuro” component, resulting in a coherent and integrated subject.

Why study Neuroscience?

The brain is a final frontier… a last great unknown.

Neuroscientists are its explorers. They try to understand how the brain functions, how it deals with injury or damage, and how it develops and changes over time.

What they find helps neurologists, psychiatrists and clinical psychologists – and provides important models for high-level information processing and robotics.

Knowing how the brain perceives stimuli and controls movement helps those working on human performance, from sports science to space medicine

Career opportunities

To become a neuroscientist, you would need to complete postgraduate study following your Bachelor of Science (BSc). With a BSc(Hons), postgraduate diploma or master's degree, you could have an exciting research career in a university, research institute, or in the pharmaceutical industry. With a PhD, you could be a leader in new research, combined with teaching at a university or in a research institution.

Neuroscience also provides a convenient first degree for those proceeding to postgraduate specialisation in professional or applied fields, such as law, medicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy, audiology or bioengineering.

Graduates with a BSc in Neuroscience possess valuable skills that are widely sought after by employers, including technical expertise in areas where there is a global shortage of skilled workers. You can read what some of our graduates have been up to on our website.

Explore the brain’s secrets

Discover the fascinating world of neuroscience at Otago, where expert teaching and diverse study options unlock the mysteries of the brain and prepare you for impactful careers.

Read transcript

Emma Bultitude:

Hi, my name is Emma, and I’m currently in my first year of postgraduate study in neuroscience. What I love about neuroscience is that the brain is such a complex organ, but this degree really breaks it down into all these different, really interesting components that you can hone in on to choose your own field. I feel like you can’t get this with any other degree at all, so if that sounds like you, then neuroscience is definitely the degree to study.

I would recommend neuroscience to anyone who’s got a really keen interest in how the body works, especially in regard to the brain, and also to anyone that’s interested in some of the different conditions and disorders that can arise, because so many of these are related to the brain.

Associate Professor Beulah Leitch:

Hello, my name is Beulah Leech, and I’m the director of the neuroscience programme here at the University of Otago. The University of Otago is the only university in New Zealand offering neuroscience as an undergraduate degree.

So, what is neuroscience? You won’t have studied it at school, but neuroscience is the study of the brain and the nervous system. Your brain is amazing—it’s packed with brain cells called neurons, and it’s been estimated that there are about 86 billion neurons in your brain. To put that into perspective, that’s almost equivalent to the number of stars in our galaxy, the Milky Way. So, the brain is one of the largest, most complex organs in our bodies, and studying it requires approaching it in a multidisciplinary way.

The brain is studied from its structure related to its function, from early development through childhood, adulthood, and into aging, as well as in disease and health.

Emma (continued):

Something which surprised me about neuroscience was the actual extent of all the processes that take place in the brain just to do something like lift your hand up. I was also surprised by how many different fields of study neuroscience crosses into. This is so useful because you can pick so many papers that are really specific to your overall desires.

Beulah (continued):

Our neuroscientists are spread across all different departments in the university, in health sciences and sciences, and they bring their expertise to teaching neuroscience to our undergraduates. So, if you come and study neuroscience at Otago, you will get access to those world experts in neuroscience across all the disciplines.

You will study the brain and the nervous system by taking core papers, but you also have a wide choice of papers that you can select as you get interested in the brain. This allows you to tailor your degree to your specific interests.

Emma (continued):

When I graduate, I’m hoping to continue my research aspect, but I’m also looking at getting involved in some sort of clinical neuroscience in my later life and using my knowledge to help people out.

Beulah (continued):

Our neuroscience graduates are wanted worldwide for different jobs. They’re very much in demand and desirable, and we’ve got students who are placed right around the globe, working in many different disciplines. In fact, 95% of our undergraduates and 100% of our postgraduates are in work or in further education within 18 months of completing their degree.

Emma (final thoughts):

Dunedin is an awesome place to study as well. It’s not too cold, and the student life is fantastic, as well as the university itself, which is just amazing.

Beulah (final thoughts):

Neuroscience is one of the most rapidly advancing and exciting fields of study. Neuroscientists are discovering every day more about how our brain works, how it makes us who we are, and how disease affects us. But there is so much more we need to know. The brain really is the final frontier—the last great unknown. Neuroscientists are its explorers. Come explore the brain with us here at Otago.

What papers will I take?

First year

Essential first-year papers provide introductions to cellular biology (CELS 191); human biology, particularly of the nervous system (HUBS 191); and biological psychology (PSYC 111).

Additional papers are required – most students choose chemistry (CHEM 191) but other options are available.

Please see our website for more details.

Note that most of these papers are included in the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) course, with the exception of PSYC 111. Students who start their degree in HSFY and then change to Neuroscience can take PSYC 111 in their second year.

Second year

Here you can begin to “custom design” your Neuroscience degree. Neuroscience students take core papers in psychology, anatomy and physiology; as well as choosing optional papers from zoology, pharmacology, biochemistry and genetics.

Third year

Following their interests, third-year students choose from a variety of papers covering advanced topics in neuroscience, with an emphasis on the latest findings in research.

How will I study?

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of Neuroscience at Otago, teaching styles vary between papers. Many first- and second-year papers are taught through a combination of lectures and laboratory sessions, while third-year papers will include group projects and discussions. Assessments are varied and include written examinations and laboratory reports.

Neuroscience research at Otago

Neuroscientists at the University of Otago are involved in a range of exciting research. Neuroscience students learn about cutting-edge research being conducted at Otago, as well as research from around the world, and can work in the lab with Otago's neuroscientists as postgraduates.

Some examples of research being conducted at Otago:

  • Professor Cliff Abraham is interested in the neural mechanisms of memory. His lab is also investigating biomarkers and therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease.
  • Dr Olivia Harrison's research is focused on mental health and its relationship to interoception (how we perceive our body), with a particular focus on breathing.
  • Associate Professor Yusuf Cakmak's research focuses on non-invasive peripheral neuromodulation, wearable sensors and mobile health applications.
  • Professor Beulah Leitch is interested in the changes that occur at synapses (the contacts between brain cells that allow them to communicate with each other) during ageing and various brain disorders including epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease.
  • Professor Colin Brown investigates how the brain controls reproduction and cardiovascular function.
  • Dr Rosie Brown investigates the neural circuitry underlying parenting behaviour, and how hormones alter mood and behaviour in mothers.
  • Associate Professor Stephanie Hughes studies how lysosomes (the waste disposal system in cells) contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, including childhood Batten disease, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
  • Dr Paul Szyszka investigates olfactory search behavior in insects – what are their perceptual limits in olfaction, and what patterns of neural activities are behaviourally relevant?

Postgraduate options

Students who do particularly well can apply for entry to the Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) programme after completing their Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Neuroscience. This elite course offers ideal preparation for those interested in a career in neuroscience research.

Students can also enrol in a one-year postgraduate diploma or a two-year Master of Science (MSc).

Recommended background

Taking chemistry and biology until Year 13 is recommended. Students without good marks in chemistry are strongly advised to enrol in the Chemistry Bridging paper (BP607) during Summer School, prior to their first year of study.

Choose a study option

Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.

Undergraduate qualifications

For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.

Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.

Ready to apply?

Take the first step towards your future in this subject.

Further study opportunities

Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.

testimonial-image
I really liked studying Neuroscience at Otago – it taught me how to  look at research critically, to think about information being presented, and to apply a lens of curiosity over it.

Deanna Barwick

Programme details

Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).

Papers

View a list of all related papers below.

More information

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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.

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