Undergraduate study is your first degree - ideal for high school leavers or other students with no previous qualifications in the field. A major is your primary field of study and Politics is a major in two degree programmes. However, all students are encouraged to include some Politics in their degree.
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Politics major
For a BA majoring in Politics, a student is required to complete 360 points, of which at least 162 points (9 papers) must be POLS papers:
- at least two at the 100-level
- at least two at the 200-level
- at least four at the 300-level
- one other paper at 200-level or above
One of CHIN241, GEND201, GEND208, PHIL227, PHIL228, PSYC204, PUBH203 , RELS235 may be substituted for one 200-level POLS paper.
CLAS346 or MFCO313 may be substituted for one 300-level POLS paper.
For course advice on the BA (Politics):
Email politics@otago.ac.nz
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc), Politics major
The BASc enables students to take one major from Arts and one major from Science within the same degree. The BASc can be completed in four years of study, whereas a double-degree (BA and BSc) would take five years.
A BASc student majoring in Politics will be required to complete a minimum of 480 points in total, including 216 points from Arts and 216 points from Science. Within those 216 points a Politics major must take a minimum of 9 POLS papers:
- at least two at the 100-level
- at least two at the 200-level
- at least four at the 300-level
- one other paper at 200-level or above
One of CHIN241, GEND201, GEND208, PHIL227, PHIL228, PSYC204 , PUBH203, RELS235 may be substituted for one 200-level POLS paper.
CLAS346 or MFCO313 may be substituted for one 300-level POLS paper.
For further information on the BASc, visit:
otago.ac.nz/arts-science
For course advice on the BASc (Politics):
Email humanities.advice@otago.ac.nz
Politics minor
A minor in Politics allows students to enhance their degrees and explore an interest in Politics while majoring in another subject.
Students can study Politics as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) or Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree.
The Politics minor consists of at least five POLS papers (90 points) including:
- at least three papers above 100-level
- at least one paper at 300-level
For course advice on a Politics minor:
Email politics@otago.ac.nz
Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PHPE)
Philosophy, Politics & Economics is an interdisciplinary programme incorporating an attractive and intellectually stimulating combination of three long-established, influential disciplines. These have been a popular combination at Oxford University for some time. The aim of the programme is to give students a broader exposure to the range of analytical approaches in these three disciplines than would be gained within any one of the three traditional single-discipline majors.
For more information, contact:
Professor Lisa Ellis
PHPE representative
Email lisa.ellis@otago.ac.nz
Politics for every student
Every student would benefit from including a POLS paper or two in their degree.
Whether you are studying Law, Psychology, Geography, Economics, Communication Studies, History, Management or almost anything at Otago, diversify your degree with a POLS paper or two.
Questions?
Students are most welcome to discuss their study plans with staff.
Email politics@otago.ac.nz