History moves like tectonic plates: both imperceptibly, and with astonishing ruptures. What counts as historical truth in a world of ‘fake news’ and ‘alternative facts’? Studying history provides students with a deep sense of the ways time has shaped today’s complex world, and the intellectual tools to tackle an appealing array of professional and career challenges.
Career opportunities
History graduates enter a wide range of professions, including government service, industry, all levels of teaching, journalism, broadcasting, museum and library work. Our graduates have the ability to collect and analyse data and write clear, coherent and balanced assessments, together with the ability to think independently, flexibly and objectively. As artificial intelligence takes over much mundane work, these unique ‘humanities’ skills are increasingly sought after by high-quality employers.
We specialise in the histories of New Zealand, the Pacific, Asia, Europe, Britain and Ireland, and North America.

Postgraduate and research
We have a strong research culture and a vigorous postgraduate programme.
Because of the strength and range of its cultural institutions, Dunedin is an excellent location for undertaking undergraduate and postgraduate research in history.
Head of programme
Email Professor Mark Seymour
Undergraduate enquiries
Email Associate Professor Alex Trapeznik
Email Professor Mark Seymour
Postgraduate enquiries
Contact Us
2nd Floor Arts 1 (Burns) Building
Tel +64 3 479 8606
Email history@otago.ac.nz
History programme
University of Otago
P O Box 56
Dunedin 9054
New Zealand
Banner image
James Smetham, "The New Zealand Chiefs in Wesley's House", 1863, Hocken Pictorial Collections, University of Otago, Dunedin.