Theology at the University of Otago
The Theology Programme at the University of Otago offers the opportunity to think deeply about Christian faith. Christian students have found our papers to be constructive and helpful; such study can enrich, broaden and deepen your understanding of your faith. We study Theology from within the Christian tradition, with academic depth.
Study toward a qualification, or you can take a single paper (or more) for interest, or as part of another degree. Most University of Otago students can include up to 5 Theology papers in their degree.
If you're looking for a qualification then we offer the Diploma in Theology, the Bachelor of Theology degree, as well as Postgraduate degrees in Theology, Ministry, Chaplaincy, and Faith-Based Leadership and Management, the MTheol and PhD. If you've already got another degree, we offer a Diploma for Graduates, which is 7 papers, 4 at 300-level. This is the equivalent of one full year’s study of Theology, but can be split up across several years.
The subjects on offer include Old Testament and New Testament Studies, Church History, Systematic Theology, Māori Theology, Moana Pasifika Theology, Ethics, Practical Theology and Ministry (including Chaplaincy Studies), and Biblical languages (Hebrew and New Testament Greek). The Theology Programme has a Centre for Theology and Public Issues, offering papers with a strong social justice focus on contemporary issues.
In pre-Christmas Summer School this year (10 Nov-13 Dec, 2025), we have a paper entitled Christianity, War and Violence (CHTH 231/331). We also have two Semester 1 papers where the teaching is done in intensives prior to the Semester (with assessment during the Semester). These are Women in the New Testament and Early Church (BIBS 324/423, taught by Prof Lynn Cohick) with a block course 26-30 Jan, 2026 in Dunedin (details here: https://www.otago.ac.nz/theology/women-in-the-new-testament-and-early-church ), and Christian Ministry in te ao Māori (PAST 323/MINS 415) with a block course on a marae in Lower Hutt, 9-13 Feb, 2026.
