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Study English at Otago

    From the medieval to the modern, we offer an extensive range of papers to suit all tastes. English majors choose from a selection of course offerings including Māori and Pacific literature, literature and psychology, environmental literature, revolutions in poetry, and literary controversies.

    Why study English?

    Literature creates a space in which writers can explore alternatives to the status quo and rehearse solutions to problems, whether they are social, political or environmental. In a turbulent world, literature offers hope and a place where you can be yourself, while learning about others.

    Career opportunities

    Our graduates find work as:

    • Editors, copywriters, creative writers, and journalists
    • Teachers, librarians, and educational administrators
    • Analysts, diplomats, politicians, and policymakers

    How you will learn

    English at Otago teaches the arts of reading and writing in an integrated way, by studying and discussing literary texts, and by practising the techniques of writing. Our courses involve a combination of small-scale, discussion-based classes (tutorials) and larger-class teaching (lectures), which generally involve a variety of staff.

    In upper-level courses, class sizes are usually smaller and opportunities for discussion greater. At second and especially third year, there is generally a greater emphasis placed on independent and exploratory learning and research.

    Recommended high school subjects for undergraduate study

    No specific subjects required; students from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

    Choose a study option

    Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.

    Undergraduate qualifications

    For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.

    Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.

    Ready to apply?

    Take the first step towards your future in this subject.

    Further study opportunities

    Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.

    testimonial-image

    My degree taught me how to read between the lines and think critically while providing me with necessary writing skills. Words aren’t just a medium for storytelling and connection – they’re also a way to hold power to account and a crucial part of our democracy. The world quite literally needs writers.


    Naomii Seah

    Bachelor of Arts (Major: English)

    Readers are better thinkers

    We welcome and support diverse learners from all backgrounds and invite you to experience research-led teaching by leaders in their fields. Our graduates are known for their critical thinking skills, and employers value their abilities to analyse and interpret texts of all descriptions.

    Want to be a writer? It all begins with reading. The study of literature promotes empathy and emotional intelligence—the values that make us human. Immerse yourself in literary texts from classic works to the popular. Understand how great writing works by learning to read it closely and attentively.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject.

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level ENGL 121 English Literature: The Remix, or ENGL 131 Controversial Classics 18
    One further paper from:
    ENGL 120 Creative Writing: How to Captivate and Persuade
    ENGL 121 English Literature: The Remix
    ENGL 127 Essentials of Writing
    ENGL 128 Essentials of Communication
    ENGL 131 Controversial Classics
    LING 111 Language and its Structure
    18
    200-level Three 200-level ENGL papers 54
    One of DHUM 201 Digital Humanities: Method and Critique or EURO 202 The Culture of the European City may be substituted for one 200-level ENGL paper  
    300-level Four 300-level ENGL papers 72
    EURO 302 The Culture of the European City may be substituted for one 300-level ENGL paper  
    Plus 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. 198
    Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts  
    Total 360

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level LING 111 A World of Languages 18
    One 100-level ENGL paper (excluding ENGL 126 English for University Purposes) 18
    200-level LING 217 What's Behind Language: Sound and Structure 18
    Two 200-level ENGL papers 36
    One further 200-level LING paper (excluding LING 231 TESOL: Guide to Language Teaching) 18
    DHUM 201 Digital Humanities: Method and Critique may be substituted for one 200-level paper  
    300-level Two 300-level ENGL papers 36
    Two 300-level LING papers 36
    Plus 180 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above. 180
    Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts  
    Total 360

    A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.

    Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.

    You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.

    Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level

    Two of:
    ENGL 121 English Literature: A Survey
    ENGL 127 Essentials of Writing
    ENGL 128 Essentials of Communication
    ENGL 131 Controversial Classics

    36

    200-level

    Two papers from 200-level ENGL papers

    Note: EURO 202 or EURO 302 may be substituted for one 100- or 200-level ENGL paper

    36

    300-level

    One 300-level ENGL paper

    18
    Total 90

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    ENGL papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    ENGL120 2025 Creative Writing: How to Captivate and Persuade 18 points Semester 1
    ENGL121 2025 English Literature: The Remix 18 points Semester 1
    ENGL127 2025 Essentials of Writing 18 points Semester 1
    ENGL128 2025 Essentials of Communication 18 points Semester 2
    ENGL131 2025 Controversial Classics 18 points Semester 2
    ENGL216 2025 A Topic in English Language 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL218 2025 Shakespeare: Stage, Page and Screen 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL219 2025 Poetry and Music 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL220 2025 Creative Writing: Reading for Writers 18 points Semester 2
    ENGL222 2025 Literature and Activism: The Art of Protest 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL223 2025 Fantasy and the Imagination 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL227 2025 Essay and Feature Writing 18 points Semester 1
    ENGL228 2025 Writing for the Professions 18 points Semester 2
    ENGL230 2025 Creative Writing for Games and Interactive Media 18 points Semester 2
    ENGL233 2025 Literary Theory: From Marxism to Ecocriticism 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL241 2025 Irish-Scots Gothic and the Gothic as Genre 18 points Semester 1
    ENGL242 2025 New Zealand Literature: Connecting Worlds 18 points Semester 1
    ENGL251 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL254 2025 Magic and Treachery in Medieval Literature 18 points Semester 2
    ENGL311 2025 Renaissance Literature 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL312 2025 Literature in the Age of Invention 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL313 2025 Victorian Literature 18 points Semester 2
    ENGL319 2025 Poetic Revolt from Soho to Social Media 18 points Semester 1
    ENGL320 2025 Creative Writing: Crafting Voices 18 points Semester 2
    ENGL323 2025 Fantasy and the Imagination (Advanced) 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL327 2025 The Essay: Creative Non-Fiction 18 points Semester 2
    ENGL334 2025 Textuality and Visuality 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL335 2025 Romantics, Revolutionaries, and the Imagination 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL337 2025 Creative Writing: Travel Narratives 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL339 2025 Māori and Pacific Literature 18 points Semester 1
    ENGL340 2025 Modernism: Joyce 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL341 2025 Irish-Scots Gothic and the Gothic as Genre 18 points Semester 1
    ENGL342 2025 Digital Literature: Technologies of Storytelling 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL350 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL351 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL353 2025 Reading Minds: Literature and Psychology 18 points Semester 2
    ENGL354 2025 Monsters and Monstrosity in Medieval Literature 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL368 2025 Engaging Literary Stories 18 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL404 2025 A Topic in English Language 30 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL454 2025 Medieval Misogyny: Subverting the Antifeminist Tradition 30 points Semester 2
    ENGL465 2025 A Topic in New Zealand Literature 30 points Semester 1
    ENGL467 2025 Special Topic 30 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL469 2025 Writing Revolutions: How Modernism Changed the World 30 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL470 2025 Storyworlds and Cognition 30 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL471 2025 A Topic in Romanticism 30 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL473 2025 A Topic in 19th Century Literature 30 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL474 2025 Special Topic 30 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL475 2025 Reading and Writing Crime Fiction 30 points Semester 1
    ENGL476 2025 A Topic in English Literature 1660-1800 30 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL477 2025 A Topic in American Literature 30 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL478 2025 A Topic in Postcolonial Literatures 30 points Not offered in 2025
    ENGL490 2025 Dissertation 60 points Full Year
    ENGL590 2025 Research Dissertation 60 points 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026)

    More information

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    Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.

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