CGHS – Powered by CareerWise
Otago University Programme Updates
Programme updates
New Business Analytics major 2026 (TBC) A proposal awaiting approval early this year is to make Business Analytics a major subject in the Bachelor of Commerce. The successful introduction of Business Analytics as a minor, and the need for graduates in this field, has warranted it to become a major. According to Forbes, 94% of enterprises surveyed noted that data analysis was key to their business growth and digital transformation. There are a range of opportunities available for students who pursue Business Analytics. The main pathway is that of a data or business intelligence analyst, and other roles including marketing, customer relationship management, financial and human resource analysts.
Changes to the Data Science Programme 2026 (TBC) Given the increasing importance of Data Science in a range of disciplines, we have decided to give the programme a refresh. This will provide more opportunities to include papers from other disciplines. While the programme will maintain a strong emphasis on Computing and Statistics, there will be increased options for students to explore areas of data ethics, indigenous data sovereignty, and digital humanities. We are also offering Data Science as a major under the Bachelor of Arts, in addition to the current pathway of Bachelor of Science.
Changes in energy majors 2026 (TBC) We are hopeful that a merger of our two energy majors will be approved early this year. Energy Management and Energy Science and Technology will be consolidated into a single major: Sustainable Energy Engineering. It will focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy, and is a technically focused, applied physics and mathematics course.
New Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Software Engineering 2026 (TBC) There is a proposal to replace the existing Software Engineering major in the Bachelor of Science with a four-year accredited Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) degree. This programme will include practical project work, alongside contemporary software development, and computer science teaching. The intention is to be accredited through Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau – aligned with the Washington Accord – meaning that it will be an internationally-recognised, professional degree that opens a wide array of options to graduates.
Deletion of Information Science major 2026 (TBC) The Computer and Information Science departments have been merged into the new School of Computing. We expect 2025 to be the last year that enrolments are accepted into the Information Science programme. From 2026, a revised Computer Science programme will integrate elements of Information Science and Computer Science into a single major.
Change of due dates 2025
Applications for the Bachelors of Oral Health, Dental Technology, and Radiation Therapy open every year on 1 July and close 14 August.
Applications for the Bachelor of Teaching open on 1 May, and are encouraged before 31 July as the first round of interviewing will commence in August. Applications are open until 30 November.
-
NCEA Level 2 (or equivalent);
-
Have completed or be completing Mathematics or Statistics or Calculus at NCEA Level 3 (or equivalents) with a minimum of 14 credits per subject;
-
Have completed or be completing Physics or Biology, at NCEA Level 3 (or equivalents) with a minimum of 14 credits per subject.
-
Applicants must have completed NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent) within the last five years and may be required to attend an interview.
