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.

Providing global opportunities

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Tourism, Languages, and Cultures is a three-year degree for those who wish to work in the field of tourism in New Zealand or overseas. 

Knowing the language and culture of another country is invaluable when communicating with people from that country. 

The global tourism industry is seeking graduates who have multilingual skills and intercultural competencies. 

This qualification cements the critical and creative attributes typical of Humanities graduates with the cross-cultural agility afforded specifically by BAs in Languages and Cultures.

The University of Otago is the only New Zealand university to offer a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree combination of this nature, in which students can combine their study of tourism and a specific language and culture of a country in one degree.

Student exchange and internships

Students will have the opportunity to attend an overseas institution for one or two semesters. 

Students only pay New Zealand fees and can complete the qualification in the usual three-year timeframe. 

The minimum grade for students to apply for exchange opportunities is a B average.

Students may also gain practical experience in a workplace through internship opportunities. 

Ask one of the program advisers about possible internship options. Contact details are on this page (below).

• 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

Students do not require any particular background to enrol in this subject, and do not need to have studied a language previously.

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).