The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is the University of Otago's most flexible undergraduate degree program.

It is normally undertaken over three years of full-time or its equivalent in part-time study.

The ancient past and its legacy

Classics is the study of the civilizations of ancient Greece, Rome, and the Mediterranean world. 

These civilizations have had an immense influence on the development of the modern world – on words and ideas, religion, literature, art and architecture, drama, and philosophy.

Many legal and political systems also have their roots in these ancient cultures.

Classics aims to understand these ancient civilizations and appreciate what they achieved and how important they have been in historical terms. 

At the same time, Classics students are challenged to confront the major questions and problems that ancient people faced, and which humanity has continued to face down the ages: 

human behavior, human society, ethics, war, politics, and religion – indeed, the whole meaning and purpose of life.

Practical internships

The Classics program offers students the opportunity to make connections with employers and gain valuable work experience through internships.

The Humanities internship is a one-semester paper for undergraduates (HUMS 301). Entry into these papers is competitive.

• Academic Transcripts
• Educational Credential Evaluators report (ECE) (If required)
• Proof of your identity (Full name, date of birth, and nationality)
• Certified/notarised copy (passport or birth certificate)
• English Language Proficiency (If Available)

Undergraduate entrance requirements

The university recognizes many other qualifications as equivalent to the New Zealand qualification for entrance. 

To check if the university recognizes your previous studies, determine the country where you gained the qualification. Countries entrance requirements example:

China entrance requirements:

Senior High School graduation and one year of successful study at a recognized institution of university standing; 
Or Senior High School graduation and completion of a diploma with high passing grades at a recognized institute or university.

Students with the requisite scores in Gaokao may be given direct entry to bachelor degree programme.

India entrance requirements:

Minimum overall average of 75% in the All India Senior School Examination (CBSE) or Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) with a minimum of 70% in English.

The scores are calculated on the best four academic subjects excluding local languages and non-academic subjects.

Iran entrance requirements:

One year of successful study at a recognized institution of university standing, or successful completion of a University of Otago Foundation Year programme or equivalent.

The university also accepts the following international qualifications:

• International Baccalaureate: IB Diploma with a minimum of 24 points.
• Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) GCE Advanced Levels: minimum Numerical Score of 8.
• Northern Consortium United Kingdom (NCUK) International Foundation Year (IFY)
• Satisfactory completion of one year's study at a recognized tertiary institution.

Background required

No specialist knowledge is required, as Classical Studies, Greek and Latin are all taught from scratch. 

Pathway programme

Study in your chosen subject area and gain a university entrance qualification

The University of Otago Pathway programme offers a university entrance qualification within two 13-week semesters for domestic and international students. It is called the Foundation Studies Certificate (FSC).