english@otago.ac.nz
otago.ac.nz/writing

" />
Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon
Skip to main content

Study Writing at Otago

    Sharpen your creative, academic, or professional writing at the University of Otago, where you can take papers from the essentials of writing to game writing and creative nonfiction. Tailor the Writing minor to your own specific needs.

    In annual surveys, prospective employers report how much they value graduates who have mastered complex writing and communication skills.

    Love writing? Live writing

    Study writing in New Zealand’s UNESCO City of Literature, explore the country’s eco-tourism capital, and gain inspiration from our stunning South Island landscapes.

    Study writing with award-winning novelists, game designers, and editors. Our writing instructors feature the editor of New Zealand’s longest running and most-prestigious literary journal; an award-winning crime fiction novelist; and an award-winning game designer. We teach writing as a way of thinking and actively research best practice in the field of writing instruction.

    We have an internationally recognised track record in teaching with digital writing technologies and across digital platforms. We offer hands-on experience with a range of digital writing tools and cutting-edge instruction on writing in the age of AI.

    You can complete the Writing minor along with any other major you choose, including English.

    Minor-only subject

    Please note: this subject can only be taken as a minor.

    A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.

    Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.

    You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject.

    A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.

    Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.

    You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.

    Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level

    ENGL 127 Essentials of Writing

    Either ENGL 120 or ENGL 128

    		18

    18

    Above 100-level

    At least three of ENGL 220, ENGL 227, ENGL 228, ENGL 230, MFCO 220, THEA 241, ENGL 320, ENGL 327, ENGL 337, ENGL 342, ENGL 368, THEA 341, including at least one paper at 300-level

    Note: THEA 241 and THEA 341 are limited-entry papers.    		54
    Total 90

    More information

    Contact our Schools' Liaison and International teams

    Want to connect with a real person and get some advice? Find your Schools' Liaison officer, chat with our International team in New Zealand or your own country, or submit a question through our online form.

    Connect with us

    This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.

    Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.

    Not sure what to study?

    Take our short quiz to uncover study options matched to your background and interests.

    Take the quiz
    Undergraduate student
    Back to top