Theology with purpose and passion
Discover Otago’s dynamic and diverse Theology programme – where deep exploration meets real-world impact. Join a community committed to faith, scholarship, and transformation in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and beyond.
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Ko mātai whakapono Kraitiana tātau ti Ōtākou. We are Theology at Otago. And we provide the only university-based theological programme in Aotearoa, NZ. Our unique offering sets the gold standard for theological education in this part of the world.
We are a diverse team of theologians, each committed to helping our students contribute to the good of the world. And the church. We welcome a diverse cohort of students, from school leavers to retirees. Our students are Māori, Pasifika, Pākehā, Asian and African.
We are not a stay-dusty institution, reluctant to try new approaches, open new doors, or take up new opportunities. Rather, there is an entrepreneurial spirit at play here. We take every opportunity to encourage students. To take theology as a worthy component of their degree. To help them draw on well-informed theological perspectives. To see them grow and flourish. Kia puāwai te tangata. And as a result, see them contribute to the good of Aotearoa, New Zealand society. And the church.
Simply put, we are committed to being an effective Christian witness in our contemporary world. And we see teaching and scholarship as ministry. To this end, we’ve developed a substantial and growing reach. We’ve 14 current degree and diploma programmes. And the comprehensive research faculty, catering for students across the country and throughout the Pacific.
We’ve also developed strong working partnerships outside of our immediate circle and increased interest and capacity in Māori theology and bicultural education. We are an accomplished academic programme. But we’re not a source of easy academic answers. No, we’re not.
We are here to help in-depth exploration of scripture and the real world. So we’re comfortable with complexities. We are ecumenical. We are missional. We are categorically God-centred.
Come, journey with us. Journey with us. Nau mai, haere mai. Come, journey with us.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in Pastoral Studies
Explore postgraduate study in Pastoral Studies at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportunities in ...
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
Level | Papers | Points |
---|---|---|
100-level | Two 100-level CHTH papers | 36 |
200-level | Two 200-level PAST papers | 36 |
300-level | One 300-level PAST paper | 18 |
Total | 90 |
Note: This minor subject is not available for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Theology (BTheol).
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
PAST papers
Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
---|---|---|---|---|
PAST216 | 2025 | Current Perspectives on Pastoral Care | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
PAST219 | 2025 | Christian Witness in a Secular World | 18 points | Semester 1 |
PAST225 | 2025 | Special Topic: Pastoral Theology: Moana-Pacific Perspectives | 18 points | Semester 2 |
PAST307 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | 1st Non standard period (27 January 2025 - 18 June 2025) |
PAST311 | 2025 | Preaching and Communication in a Contemporary Context | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
PAST314 | 2025 | Cultures, Migration and Faith | 18 points | Semester 2 |
PAST316 | 2025 | Current Perspectives on Pastoral Care (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
PAST318 | 2025 | Pastoral Care in Dying, Grief and Loss | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
PAST319 | 2025 | Christian Witness in a Secular World | 18 points | Semester 1 |
PAST320 | 2025 | Church in Mission: Theology in Changing Cultures | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
PAST321 | 2025 | Missional God, Missional People | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
PAST322 | 2025 | Christian Theology and the Arts | 18 points | Semester 2 |
PAST323 | 2025 | Christian ministry in te ao Māori (the Māori World) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
PAST324 | 2025 | The Chaplain as Ceremonial Leader | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
PAST325 | 2025 | Special Topic: Pastoral Theology: Moana-Pacific Perspectives (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
PAST490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026), 3rd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026) |
More information
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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