Bachelor of Arts (BA) Majoring in Global Studies
Dunedin, New Zealand
BA
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jul 2026
TUITION FEES
NZD 40,100 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international fee | NZD 7700 - 8400 domestic fee
Key Summary
About: The University of Otago Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Global Studies explores global citizenship across cultures, including Aotearoa New Zealand. This interdisciplinary programme studies issues such as climate change, poverty, migration, human rights, conflict, AI harms, misinformation and authoritarianism through politics, philosophy, history and social sciences. The flexible BA develops critical thinking, empathy and leadership.
Career Outcomes: Career opportunities include public policy, international development, human rights, diplomacy, journalism, education, NGO work, migration services, climate advocacy and ethical tech roles. Employers will value your analytical, cross-cultural, communication and leadership skills for government, international organizations, NGOs, media and consultancy sectors.
What does it mean to be a “global citizen”? Does it mean the same thing for anyone, anywhere? Or does it mean different things for different people around the world, including for us in Aotearoa New Zealand? Why are “global perspectives” so important in today’s world and how do we develop them?
These questions inform the content and methodology of this interdisciplinary paper. We develop critical knowledge on how global issues (such as climate crisis, poverty, involuntary migration, human rights, war and military conflicts, adverse outcomes of AI technology, misinformation and disinformation, authoritarianism, societal polarization) impact upon different cultures and societies worldwide.
Your future starts here
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree lets you explore a range of subjects, from politics, philosophy and history, to criminology, anthropology, music, English and more. The Otago BA is designed to be flexible – giving you the freedom to change your major or minor subjects.
The BA opens up a diverse range of career pathways – it teaches you critical thinking, and how to harness your imagination and empathy to become a great leader and valued team member in any industry.
Turn your passion into a career. Study a BA at Otago.