Postgraduate Study in Religious Studies
In a world shaped by religion, and divided by religious conflict, the academic and scientific study of religion has never been more important.
In Otago’s Religion programme, you will critically examine religious beliefs and practices and their influence on human behaviour. You’ll investigate religion’s evolutionary origins, psychological underpinnings and historical development as well as its links with modern politics, law and social movements.
Looking beyond ‘mainstream’ religions, you’ll examine those new forms of spiritual practice that have emerged alongside the traditional religions. Religion approaches these phenomena with both critical spirit and empathy and offers explanations that believers might be reluctant to accept, while also attempting to understand the believer’s point of view.
Why study Religious Studies?
Religion is as old as humanity itself. Despite the rise of science and modern technology, the majority of people in the world today are religious, and current demographic trends reveal that – as a whole – the world is becoming more religious. In order to understand humans, human history, and the contemporary world, we need to understand the multifaceted nature of religion and its place in human societies.
Religion offers you the opportunity to become familiar with religious movements, their history and the influence they currently wield. By studying religion, you will learn to enter empathetically into a world of thought that may be very different from your own, without losing the ability to ask critical questions about it.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Religious Studies as an undergraduate at Otago.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, Master’s, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a Master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
A two-semester programme of structured coursework, and in some cases supervised research, extending the knowledge and skills gained from the bachelor’s degree
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
A coursework degree with an optional research dissertation component, usually completed in 12 to 18 months of full-time study, or part-time over a longer period
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
A one- or two-year degree entailing a major research project, culminating in a thesis
Graduate Qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Papers |
|---|
RELS 490 Dissertation Two further 400-level RELS papers An approved paper may be substituted for one 400-level RELS paper |
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Religious Studies is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
| Dissertation / Studio Project Requirements |
|---|
| RELS 590 Research Dissertation |
| Two of: |
| HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research |
| HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities |
| HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities |
| And further: |
| RELS papers at either 400- or 500-level worth 60 points |
| Papers-Only Requirements |
| At least two of: |
| HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research |
| HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities |
| HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities |
| And further: |
| RELS papers at either 400- or 500-level worth 120 points |
| Note: Students are able to take one of HUMS 501-503 not already taken as an optional paper in this pathway. |
| Thesis |
|---|
Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Religious Studies or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Religious Studies must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Religious Studies prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
RELS papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RELS102 | 2025 | Introduction to Hinduism and Buddhism | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS110 | 2025 | Introduction to the Scientific Study of Religion | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| RELS111 | 2025 | Māori Spirituality and the World’s Religions | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| RELS202 | 2025 | The Religions of Southeast Asia | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS203 | 2025 | Ancient Religion: Egypt to Mesopotamia | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS209 | 2025 | The Body in Asian Religions | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| RELS214 | 2025 | Cults, Prophets, Apocalypse: Understanding New Religious Movements | 18 points | Summer School |
| RELS216 | 2025 | Zen Buddhism | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS217 | 2025 | Religion, Science, and Magic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS218 | 2025 | Yoga: Ancient and Modern | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| RELS225 | 2025 | Science, Religion and Knowledge | 18 points | Summer School |
| RELS226 | 2025 | Mahayana Buddhism | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS227 | 2025 | Buddhist Thought | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| RELS230 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS231 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS232 | 2025 | Pursuing Happiness in the Buddhist Tradition | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS235 | 2025 | Religion, Law and Politics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| RELS237 | 2025 | Psychology of Religion | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| RELS238 | 2025 | Religion and Human Behaviour | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| RELS239 | 2025 | Religion and Identity | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS240 | 2025 | The Cultural Evolution of Religious Systems | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS241 | 2025 | Religion, Conflict and Conspiracy Theory | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS244 | 2025 | Ancient Egypt: Magic and Mystery | 18 points | 1st Non standard period (10 November 2025 - 13 December 2025) |
| RELS302 | 2025 | Religions of Southeast Asia (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS303 | 2025 | Ancient Religion: Egypt to Mesopotamia (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS306 | 2025 | Cults, Prophets, Apocalypse: Understanding New Religious Movements (Advanced) | 18 points | Summer School |
| RELS309 | 2025 | The Body in Asian Religions | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| RELS314 | 2025 | Religion and Identity (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS316 | 2025 | Zen Buddhism | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS317 | 2025 | Religion, Science, and Magic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS318 | 2025 | Yoga: Ancient and Modern | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| RELS325 | 2025 | Science vs Religion? An Inquiry (Advanced) | 18 points | Summer School |
| RELS326 | 2025 | Mahayana Buddhism | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS327 | 2025 | Buddhist Thought | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| RELS330 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS331 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS332 | 2025 | Pursuing Happiness in the Buddhist Tradition (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS335 | 2025 | Religion, Law and Politics (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| RELS337 | 2025 | Psychology of Religion (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| RELS338 | 2025 | Religion and Human Behaviour (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| RELS340 | 2025 | The Cultural Evolution of Religious Systems | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS341 | 2025 | Religion, Conflict and Conspiracy Theory (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS344 | 2025 | Ancient Egypt: Magic and Mystery (Advanced) | 18 points | 1st Non standard period (10 November 2025 - 13 December 2025) |
| RELS490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS501 | 2025 | The Evolution of Religion | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| RELS521 | 2025 | Readings in Religious Texts | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| RELS523 | 2025 | Key Debates in Religious Studies | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| RELS531 | 2025 | Pali for Postgraduates | 30 points | Full Year |
| RELS532 | 2025 | Sanskrit for Postgraduates | 30 points | Full Year |
| RELS590 | 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) |
Contacts
Email religion@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/religion
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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