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History is the study of how and why the past has meaning in the present

We specialise in the histories of New Zealand, the Pacific, Asia, Europe, Britain and Ireland, and North America.

Qualifications

We offer a complete range of degree programmes in History including:

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.

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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

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James Smetham, "The New Zealand Chiefs in Wesley's House", 1863, Hocken Pictorial Collections, University of Otago, Dunedin.

James Smetham, The New Zealand Chiefs in Wesley's House, 1863, Hocken Pictorial Collections, University of Otago, Dunedin.

Otago Profile

“I wouldn’t have studied anywhere elsewhere in New Zealand. I was taught by people who had previously held roles in governments, including the ex-foreign affairs minister of Afghanistan, and academics who are internationally renowned for their work. Otago is a great place to study.”
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If Robert Peden had his way, he would start on another PhD tomorrow. “I loved every minute of it,” he says. “It was an absolute privilege. It was one of the most challenging, rewarding, satisfying and interesting things I have ever done.”
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“The great thing about the Treasury is that it’s a relatively flat structure. You get opportunities that are quite rare in graduate jobs.”
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Otago Profile

I enjoyed history at school and university and became really interested in medical anthropology - the interaction between people and medicine.
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Finding out Professor Hilary Radner was based at Otago was the clincher that brought Bronwyn Polaschek back to New Zealand and into a PhD programme.
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"I've always been a bit of a film geek so was excited to be able to watch a variety of different types of films and learn more about how films are put together."
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Otago Profile

Time takes on peculiar qualities for many PhD students, and for Michael Stevens perhaps more than most.
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"Without the enthusiasm and encouragement from the history department staff I might never have developed my passion for history and research."
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“Policy is about identifying problems and coming up with solutions. The critical thinking skills gained in a Humanities degree allow you to think more laterally, to think outside the box. The writing and verbal communication skills you get are also very useful in a policy context."
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Helen Chapman’s experience provides support for the idea that in order to plan for the future you have to understand the past.
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History is the study of how and why the past has meaning in the present

Qualifications

Postgraduate and research

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