Why studying Surveying?
There are many reasons for considering a professional career in surveying – a career that is only taught in New Zealand at Otago University. The surveying programme at Otago is recognized internationally in terms of the quality of its research, teaching and overall student experience. Consider the following wide-ranging benefits of studying Surveying at Otago.
There is a world-wide shortage of surveyors. No country in the English speaking world is producing enough graduates to meet its national demand and Otago's BSurv graduates have an employment record which matches medicine and exceeds other career paths such as law, architecture and environmental science.
Surveying is a career that has an indoor and outdoor balance and the basic skills, once learned, can be applied in many different settings and countries. New Zealand has a reciprocal licensing arrangement with all Australian states. The skills and knowledge of a New Zealand Licensed Cadastral Surveyor are fully recognized in Australia and vice versa allowing ease of movement across the Tasman in both directions.
As a surveyor you become eligible to join a profession that has a long and proud history in the development of New Zealand. Charles Heaphy, Thomas Cass, John Turnbull-Thompson, Thomas Brunner, Professor James Park, Sir Holmes-Miller, Sir Barry Curtis and the Hon. Sir William Birch, were all surveyors.
Otago University is not just a great student environment but it is recognized internationally for its academic excellence.
Preparation to enrol
The first requirement is that you gain entry to Otago University. The university liaison staff at liaison@otago.ac.nz, will provide detailed information on this. There are typically two paths for entrants to the degree:
Resources for schools
It is recommended strongly that students take mathematics, physics and English to NCEA Level 2 and mathematics (with Calculus/algebra) to NCEA Level 3. While it is possible for a good student to follow almost any programme of study at NCEA Level 3, an ideal programme might consist of English, Maths with Stats, Maths with Calculus, Geography and Information Management. If you have not taken these subjects to NCEA Level 3 (particularly the maths), or have had difficulties during the year, we can almost always construct a first year programme at university that will make up the shortfall.