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Pacific at Otago

Haere mai, welcome to the History

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 and Art History and Theory including:

Master of Arts (MA)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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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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

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

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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"Employers value what they call visual literacy, and you’ll definitely get that from art history (and visual culture).”
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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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"The skills I learned in the first three years – research, writing, critiquing, always working to deadline... "
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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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Chanelle Carrick is a big fan of contemporary New Zealand art and photography. But it's the artists themselves she's keen to work with.
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Otago Profile

Are Colin McCahon’s religious paintings akin to “graffiti on the walls of some celestial lavatory?” At Otago you can decide for yourself.
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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 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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History is the study of how and why the past has meaning in the present

Qualifications

Postgraduate and research

Quick links

Contact Us

Head of programme

Undergraduate enquiries

Postgraduate enquiries

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