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

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

Rediscover the Pacific.

New Zealand is the world’s largest Polynesian country, and the number of institutions and businesses needing employees with knowledge of Pacific cultures and societies is growing rapidly.

Excellent employment prospects await graduates who have knowledge of issues affecting Pacific peoples and skills in intercultural communication in the Pacific context.

Pacific Islands Studies at Otago

Pacific Islands Studies combines well with other papers from a wide range of subjects, including Anthropology, Sociology, Politics, Indigenous Studies, Geography, Planning, Management, and History. 

The university helps you to interpret these different disciplines from a Pacific Islands point of view.

You are required to do core papers in Pacific Islands Studies in combination with papers offered in participating departments that have a particular indigenous focus. These departments/subject areas include:

• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Geography
• History
• Indigenous Development
• Māori Studies
• Media, Film, and Communication
• Music
• Politics
• Social Work
• Theology
• Religion

• 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.

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).