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Bachelor of Arts

A Bachelor of Arts degree in History offers you opportunities to explore the histories, cultures and visual worlds of a diverse set of peoples, places, and time periods, giving you a broad perspective on the human and visual experience in the past and in the contemporary world.

All students are welcome to study history at Otago. No prior knowledge or qualifications is needed.

Many of our students combine their study with Politics, Classics, Philosophy, Design, Film and Media, Māori, Indigenous and Pacific Studies, English and Anthropology. Our students also take degrees in Law and Commerce.

Not only are the courses we offer diverse, but we also encourage and foster a research culture from undergraduate level. Dunedin is home to some of the premier cultural institutions in the country, and we regularly incorporate the art, photographs, and archives of local institutions, galleries and libraries into our undergraduate teaching.

We provide training in the core skills required for employment in the creative fields. You may want to become a curator, work in advertising, journalism, public relations, be involved in the heritage sector, or the world of fashion, get involved in the art market or preservation. A Bachelors of Arts in History will help you gain employment in these industries.

Student exchange

Including some study overseas is an easy way to enhance your understanding of our subject matter as well as your Otago BA, and a hugely rewarding experience. The University of Otago Student Exchange Programme enables you to study at a university overseas and credit papers towards your major or minor.

Because there are some important restrictions on 300-level papers and the Otago major, students interested in going on exchange are strongly encouraged to talk with the Department's Exchange Student Adviser early in their degree.

Student exchange information

Further information

For enquiries concerning undergraduate, please contact:

Professor Angela Wanhalla
Academic Subject Adviser (History)
Email angela.wanhalla@otago.ac.nz

Associate Professor Frances Steel
Academic Subject Adviser (History)
Email frances.steel@otago.ac.nz

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