The University of Otago

The University of Otago is a public research collegiate university based in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Founded in 1869, Otago is New Zealand's oldest university and one of the oldest universities in Oceania. Their School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences is ranked 12th in the world by QS rankings

Key academic programs

We offer three undergraduate programmes.

The BSc Exercise Sports Science centres around exploring and critiquing how the subdisciplines of biomechanics, motor control/ learning development, exercise physiology and psychology can explain, and be used to enhance, human performance in a variety of sport and exercise contexts e.g., extreme environments, training and competition, in clinical settings), in a variety of participants, from elite athletes to recreational sportspeople.

The BSc/BA Sport Development and Management is an applied discipline focused on the impact sport has on society and society has on sport. This includes the development of sport, and how to make sport better from the community level to elite level, from the perspective of teachers, coaches, managers and administrators and sport psychologists. It also includes sport for development, how sport can be used as a vehicle to improve society. This includes the use of sport for international relations and diplomacy, sport for youth at risk and sport to promote cultural understanding.

The BSc Physical Education, Activity and Health provides students with a multidisciplinary understanding of the theory and practice of physical activity for health and well-being from an individual, community and population level using physiological, psychological and pedagogical perspectives. On graduation, our students contribute to supporting children and adults to find enjoyment through sport physical activity.

At the postgraduate level, we offer both coursework and researchbased qualifications.