In the Foundation Studies Certificate, you will focus on one main area of study – this is your stream. Within each stream you will take ten papers, including two compulsory English papers. The Science stream allows students to choose some of their papers, although timetable restrictions could mean that not all papers you wish to take are available to you.
Advice and guidance will be provided by our Student Support Leader.
The streams are:
Arts/Humanities
Programme requirements
- Academic English I (PDF)
- Academic English II (PDF)
- New Zealand History (PDF)
- International Studies - Contemporary Environment (PDF)
- International Studies - An Historical Perpective (PDF)
- Foundations of Computing (PDF)
- Applications of Computing (PDF)
- Geography (PDF)
- Economics (PDF)
- Introduction to Marketing (PDF)
Degree options
Successful completion of the Arts stream may lead you to the following university degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Laws*
- Bachelor of Theology
- Bachelor of Teaching
- Bachelor of Social Work**
- Bachelor of Performing Arts
* There are limited places available in the second year of the Bachelor of Laws. Entry into the second year of the Bachelor of Laws is competitive and is based on the grades achieved in the Bachelor of Laws (First Year).
** This programme is conditional upon you fulfilling the various academic, English and other requirements specific to the programme.
Business/Commerce
Programme requirements
- Academic English I (PDF)
- Academic English II (PDF)
- Business (PDF)
- Introduction to Marketing (PDF)
- Introduction to Management (PDF)
- Introduction to Accounting (PDF)
- Introduction to Business Finance (PDF)
- Applications of Computing (PDF)
- Mathematics for Commerce (PDF)
- Economics (PDF)
Degree options
Successful completion of the Business/Commerce stream may lead you to the following university degrees:
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Arts and Commerce
- Bachelor of Science with a major in Computer Science
Health Science
Programme requirements
- Academic English I (PDF)
- Academic English II (PDF)
- Biology (PDF)
- Human Biology (PDF)
- Chemistry - Structure and Bonding (PDF)
- Chemistry - Reactivity (PDF)
- Physics - Mechanics, Materials and Electricity (PDF)
- Physics - Thermodynamics and Modern Physics (PDF)
- Health and Disease (PDF)
- Mathematics for Science (PDF)
Degree options
Successful completion of the Health Science stream may lead you to Health Science First Year (HSFY) programme.
Successful completion of the Health Science First Year may lead you to study towards the following university degrees:
- Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery*
- Bachelor of Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science*
- Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery*
- Bachelor of Pharmacy*
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy*
*Acceptance into these professional health sciences programmes at University of Otago is extremely competitive and places for international students may be limited. For information about availability of international student places, please visit Undergraduate Health Science: Information for International Students.
If you choose to practise your chosen profession in countries other than New Zealand, it is your responsibility to determine whether the University of Otago degree is recognised and if there are any other requirements to fulfil for registration and practise in that country. We recommend that you contact the relevant authorities for this information before you begin your course.
Science
Programme requirements
- Academic English I (PDF)
- Academic English II (PDF)
- Foundations of Computing (PDF)
- Applications of Computing (PDF)
- Mathematics for Science (PDF)
Elective papers
Please note: not all papers may be available for every intake.
- Biology (PDF)
- Human Biology (PDF)
- Chemistry - Structure and Bonding (PDF)
- Chemistry - Reactivity (PDF)
- Geography (PDF)
- Physics - Mechanics, Materials and Electricity (PDF)
- Physics - Thermodynamics and Modern Physics (PDF)
- Health and Disease (PDF)
- Business (PDF)
- Economics (PDF)
- Introduction to Marketing (PDF)
- Introduction to Management (PDF)
Degree options
Successful completion of the Science stream may lead you to the following university degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Arts and Science
- Bachelor of Applied Science
- Bachelor of Oral Health*
- Bachelor of Dental Technology*
- Bachelor of Surveying**
- Bachelor of Engineering (first year only at Otago)
* These programmes have competitive entry to the first year of study.
** This programme has competitive entry to the second year of study.