School subject selection guide for Otago Polytechnic qualifications
It can be difficult to decide which subjects to take at school and it is important that you think about your future career while you make these choices. This way, you will ensure you are prepared for the tertiary study you need to reach your career goals. This guide lists high school subjects that are recommended as helpful preparation for your chosen area of study at Otago Polytechnic.
Important Note: For full entry criteria, including the required number of NCEA credits for each qualification, please check on each programme information sheet.
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Career Pathway |
Recommended Subjects |
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Health, Community and Education Careers |
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Nursing |
Biology, Chemistry, English, Physical Education, Health, Te Reo Māori, Geography, History,Classics,Historyof Art, Media Studies, Religious StudiesBachelor of Nursing essential subjects: Biology/Chemistry + English/English-rich subject* (Level 3) |
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Midwifery |
Biology, Chemistry, English, Statistics, Health, Te Reo Māori, Social Studies, History, GeographyBachelor of Midwifery essential subjects: Biology/Chemistry + English/English-rich subject* (Level 3) |
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Occupational Therapy |
Biology, Physical Education, Social Studies, Health, Te Reo Māori, Statistics, English |
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Social Services |
Te Reo Māori, Social Studies, Health, History, English |
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Early Childhood Studies |
Biology, Te Reo Māori, English, Health |
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Creative Careers |
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Design (Communication, Fashion, Product) |
Design, Art, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Photography, Painting, Printmaking, Media Studies, Technology, Computing/Digital Technologies, History of Art, Sculpture, Textiles |
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Architectural Studies |
Design, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Digital Technologies, English, Mathematics, Media Studies, Painting, Photography, Physics, Printmaking, Science, Technology |
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Visual Arts |
Art, History of Art, Photography, Painting, Printmaking, Media Studies, Design, Metal Work, Woodwork, Computing/Digital Technologies, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Sculpture, Textiles |
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Media and Photography Careers |
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Film and Television |
Media Studies, Computing/Digital Technologies, Drama, Photography, Art, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Creative Writing |
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Photography |
Photography, Computing/Digital Technologies, Art, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Media Studies |
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Physical Activity and Wellbeing Careers |
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Sport, Exercise and Health |
Physical Education, Science, Health, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geography, Statistics, Social Studies, English |
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Massage Therapy |
Biology, Chemistry, Physical Education, Social Studies, Health, Te Reo Māori, English |
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Adventure and Snowsports ^ |
Physical Education, Science, Health, Geography, Social Studies, English |
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Beauty and Hairdressing Careers |
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Beauty Therapy |
Biology, Chemistry, English, Physical Education, Health, Science |
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Hairdressing |
English, Health, Science, Mathematics, Art |
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Natural Sciences Careers |
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Agriculture/Farming ^ |
Agriculture and Horticulture, Science, Economics, Mathematics |
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Horticulture/Viticulture/Arboriculture |
Agriculture and Horticulture, Science, Biology, English, Mathematics |
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Sports Turf Management ^ |
Science, Agriculture and Horticulture, Engineering, Mathematics, English, Computing, Mechanics (Youth Guarantee or Trades Academy), Gateway, Unit 1153 Use Sports Turf Machinery and Equipment (Level 3) |
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Veterinary Nursing/Animal Health |
Science, Biology, Health, Computing, English, Mathematics |
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Hospitality Careers |
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Cookery |
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Culinary Arts |
English-rich subjects*, Mathematics, Food related subjects, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Technology, Visual Art/Photography |
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Food and Beverage Service |
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Brewing |
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Hospitality Management |
English-rich subjects*, Mathematics, Food related subjects, Business Studies |
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Business, Tourism and IT Careers |
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Accounting |
Accounting, Economics, Computing/Digital Technologies, English, Statistics, Business Studies, Mathematics |
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Applied Management/Business |
Economics, Tourism, Media Studies, Statistics, Computing/Digital Technologies, Accounting, Social Studies, English, Business Studies |
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Information Technology |
Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Computing/Digital Technologies, Physics, Statistics, Science, Mathematics, Calculus |
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Tourism |
Tourism, Geography, Media Studies, Languages, English, Social Studies |
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Construction Careers |
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Architectural Studies |
Design, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Digital Technologies, English, Mathematics, Media Studies, Painting, Photography, Physics, Printmaking, Science, Technology |
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Quantity Surveying/ Construction Management |
Mathematics, English, Physics, Science, Digital Technologies, Economics, Accounting, Statistics, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Technology |
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Carpentry |
Mathematics, English, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Technology |
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Stonemasonry ^ |
Mathematics, English, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Technology |
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Engineering Careers |
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Engineering Technology (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical) |
Mathematics, Calculus, Algebra, Physics, Chemistry, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Digital Technologies, English, Science, Technology Bachelor of Engineering Technology essential subjects: Calculus + Physics (Level 3) New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Technology essential subjects: Mathematics (Level 2) |
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Engineering Trades (Automotive, Mechanical, Electrical) |
Mathematics, English, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Science, Technology, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication |
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Bicycle Mechanics ^ |
Mathematics, Physics, English, Physical Education |
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Leadership for Change |
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| There is no list of specific subjects that we would recommend. It is more important that you are learning in areas you are passionate about and that might inform the change you want to make in the world. We are really interested to hear about any opportunities you have taken to step up as a leader and to make a difference. This might be in your school community, the community where you live, your iwi, your whanau or in your part time work. | |
*English-rich subjects include: Classical Studies, English, Geography, History, History of Art, Media Studies
Approved subjects for degree entrance: Accounting, Agriculture and Horticulture, Biology, Business Studies, Calculus, Chemistry, Chinese, Classical Studies, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Cook Islands Māori, Dance, Design, Design and Visual Communication, Digital Technologies, Drama, Earth and Space Science, Economics, Education for Sustainability, English, French, Geography, German, Health Education, History, History of Art, Home Economics, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Mathematics, Media Studies, Music Studies, Painting, Photography, Physical Education, Physics, Printmaking, Processing Technologies, Religious Studies, Samoan, Science, Sculpture, Spanish, Social Studies, Statistics, Technology, Te Reo Māori, Te Reo Rangatira, Tongan.
^ Only offered in Central Otago