Anthropology University of Otago

Overview

The Anthropology programme at the University of Otago provides a profound exploration into the cultural foundations of social life and the complexities of the human condition. Students engage with diverse global perspectives to understand how different societies organise their lives, create meaning, and navigate the challenges of a globalised world.

This course encourages students to make the "strange familiar and the familiar strange" by examining everyday practices alongside major global forces. Through the study of contemporary cultures, participants develop a sophisticated understanding of human variation, ethical engagement, and the systematic analysis of social structures across various historical and modern contexts.

Why Anthropology at the University of Otago?

The university boasts a long-standing tradition in this field, having taught the subject as a major since 1966. Students benefit from facilities that support both social anthropology and archaeology, providing a holistic view of human development and contemporary social issues.

Distinctive teaching features include hands-on learning through immersion in ongoing research projects, such as those focusing on friendship and ethnographic practice. The institution also maintains exchange agreements with over 70 international partners, offering students the chance for deep cultural immersion in more than 30 countries.

The programme is highly flexible, allowing for double majors with subjects like Law, Psychology, or Māori Studies. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that graduates possess a broad intellectual toolkit, combining scientific rigour with humanistic insight to address complex societal problems.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: NZD 37380 per year
• National fee: NZD 6938 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

• Anthropology
• Global and Local Cultures
• Human Origins and Civilisations
• Asian Archaeology
• Pacific and New Zealand Archaeology
• Anthropology and the Contemporary Pacific
• Anthropology of Globalisation
• Archaeological Methods
• Oceanic Prehistory
• Bodies, Technologies and Medicines
• Anthropology of Evil
• Anthropology of Transnationalism and Diaspora
• Archaeological Theory
• People, Culture and Development

Careers with Anthropology

Graduates develop highly transferable skills, including emotional intelligence, project management, and critical analysis. These competencies lead to diverse roles in government policy, community development, and non-governmental organisations such as Volunteer Service Abroad.

Many alumni find success in sectors such as journalism, international aid, museum curation, and historic preservation. The degree also prepares students for specialist careers in consultancy, applied research, and academia, often following further postgraduate study at the university.