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Course advice and degree planning for new and returning students

It can be hard deciding which subject to study, or what qualification will help you achieve your goals.

Taking some time to organise your own study plans or talking with Otago's course advice experts from Student Development will help you map out your study plans with confidence. Making a plan and discussing your study options with the experts will:

  • Help you make decisions
  • Show you where and how to start
  • Organise your plans
  • Help ensure you complete your qualification in a reasonable time
  • Match your course with your goals

Make a plan

Maybe you already know what you want to study. That's great. Now you need to plan your first year.

We've put together some tools to help you plan your study so you're on the right track from the start.

Plan your study at Otago


Get expert advice

Maybe you don't even know where to begin or you're starting to feel like you've made a big mistake taking so many papers a semester. No worries. You don't need to figure it all out by yourself.

Course advice and planning is available as many times as you need throughout your time at Otago – even before you get here.

Course advice entrance @2x
Course advice from Student Development is available throughout the year near the AskOtago Central Hub in the Central Library (ISB Building).

First-year and current students

If you're unsure you're doing the right course, are considering a change, or simply want to check in with someone, talking with an experienced student adviser can help get you on a track that's right for you. Student advisers from Student Development can help connect you with other student support services available at Otago – whatever you need, to help you succeed.

Meet the advisers

An adviser will talk with you to answer your questions, listen and offer advice on:

  • Study options
  • Personalised degree structures
  • Changing your course of study
  • Student support services that you may not be aware of

Appointments are usually 30 minutes so there's plenty of time to talk through all your questions. You can also come back as many times as you need.

Request an appointment with a Student Development Student Adviser

Future students

Our Schools' Liaison team provides course advice to get you started. They can also tell you all about living and learning here at Otago.

You'll find Liaison staff at careers expos and information evenings throughout the country. They also visit every secondary school in New Zealand twice a year:

  • Terms 1 and 2: to talk about the opportunities for living and learning at Otago
  • Terms 3 and 4: to help plan your studies

Connect with the Schools' Liaison team

Careers advice

Career advice can help you with "bigger picture" questions such as which qualifications and majors will fit your career plans, or how to develop new career directions if your current course is not working out.

You may also find it helpful to talk to a Career Development Centre career adviser.

Connect with the Career Development Centre

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