The University of Otago offers a wide range of major subjects. A major is the main subject you focus on in your degree. For a bachelor's degree, you select a major as the area you specialise in.
All general degrees include a major. This means you meet the specific requirements set for that subject. Each programme and major has its own requirements.
Some specialised degrees include major requirements, while others do not.
The University offers more than 140 subjects that you can study as part of a bachelor's degree. Depending on the subject, you may be able to study it as a major, a minor, or, in some cases, an endorsement.
Each subject page outlines which qualifications the subject is available in, the papers you can take, and potential employability and career pathways:
A double major is a programme of study for a single bachelor's degree, which includes the major subject requirements for two subjects.
A double major does not necessarily increase your workload or take longer, but some combinations of subjects might mean that you need more than 360 points worth of papers to complete your programme and may extend your degree beyond the typical three years.
With most degrees, you can also choose to add a minor subject alongside your major. A minor is a smaller sequence of papers in a subject and allows you to broaden your studies or complement your major.
Planning for two major subjects in your first year allows you to keep some flexibility. At the end of your first year, if you meet the requirements, you can:
- Continue with the double major
- Change one subject to a minor subject, or
- Continue your studies with a single major (some exceptions may apply)
If you are planning to undertake a double major, contact Student Development for more detailed advice about workload and course planning. They can provide specific guidance tailored to your situation.
If you are unsure which subject to choose, you can explore subject areas to compare options and see how different subjects fit within various degrees.
Contact our Liaison Officers if you are a school leaver seeking advice on how many papers to take or which papers to choose.
It is possible to make changes to your major subject during your degree.