School subject selection guide for Otago Polytechnic qualifications

It can be difficult to decide which subjects to take at school - but you should think about your future career while you make these choices. This way you know you'll be prepared for the tertiary study you need to reach your career goals. This guide lists high school subjects that are recommended as 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.

CAREER PATHWAY	RECOMMENDED SUBJECTS
Health, Community and Education Careers
Nursing	Biology, Chemistry, English, Physical Education, Health, Te Reo Māori, Geography, History, Classics, History of Art, Media Studies, Religious Studies *Bachelor of Nursing essential subjects: Biology/Chemistry + English/English-rich subject (Level 3)**
Midwifery	Biology, Chemistry, English, Statistics, Health, Te Reo Māori, Social Studies, History, Geography *Bachelor of Midwifery essential subjects: Biology/Chemistry + English/English-rich subject (Level 3)**
Occupational Therapy	Biology, Physical Education, Social Studies, Health, Te Reo Māori, Statistics, English
Social Services	Te Reo Māori, Social Studies, Health, History, English
Early Childhood Studies	Biology, Te Reo Māori, English, Health
Creative Careers
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
Architectural Studies	Design, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Digital Technologies, English, Mathematics, Media Studies, Painting, Photography, Physics, Printmaking, Science, Technology
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
Media and Photography Careers
Film and Television	Media Studies, Computing/Digital Technologies, Drama, Photography, Art, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Creative Writing
Photography	Photography, Computing/Digital Technologies, Art, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Media Studies
Physical Activity and Wellbeing Careers
Sport, Exercise and Health	Physical Education, Science, Health, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geography, Statistics, Social Studies, English
Massage Therapy	Biology, Chemistry, Physical Education, Social Studies, Health, Te Reo Māori, English
Adventure and Snowsports ^	Physical Education, Science, Health, Geography, Social Studies, English
Beauty and Hairdressing Careers
Beauty Therapy	Biology, Chemistry, English, Physical Education, Health, Science
Hairdressing	English, Health, Science, Mathematics, Art
Natural Sciences Careers
Agriculture/Farming ^	Agriculture and Horticulture, Science, Economics, Mathematics
Horticulture/Viticulture/Arboriculture/ Apiculture	Agriculture and Horticulture, Science, Biology, English, Mathematics
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)
Veterinary Nursing/Animal Health	Science, Biology, Health, Computing, English, Mathematics
Hospitality Careers
Cookery/Food and Beverage Service	Food-related subjects
Culinary Arts	English-rich subjects*, Mathematics, Food related subjects, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Technology, Visual Art/Photography
Brewing	Chemistry, Maths
Hospitality Management	English-rich subjects*, Mathematics, Food related subjects, Business Studies
Business, Tourism and IT Careers
Accounting	Accounting, Economics, Computing/Digital Technologies, English, Statistics, Business Studies, Mathematics
Applied Management/Business	Economics, Tourism, Media Studies, Statistics, Computing/Digital Technologies, Accounting, Social Studies, English, Business Studies
Information Technology	Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Computing/Digital Technologies, Physics, Statistics, Science, Mathematics, Calculus
Tourism	Tourism, Geography, Media Studies, Languages, English, Social Studies
Construction Careers
Architectural Studies	Design, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Digital Technologies, English, Mathematics, Media Studies, Painting, Photography, Physics, Printmaking, Science, Technology
Quantity Surveying/ Construction Management	Mathematics, English, Physics, Science, Digital Technologies, Economics, Accounting, Statistics, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Technology
Carpentry	Mathematics, English, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Technology
Stonemasonry ^	Mathematics, English, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Technology
Engineering Careers
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)
Engineering Trades (Automotive, Mechanical, Electrical)	Mathematics, English, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Science, Technology, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication
Bicycle Mechanics ^	Mathematics, Physics, English, Physical Education
Leadership for Change
	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. This 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, New Zealand Sign Language, Painting, Photography, Physical Education, Physics, Printmaking, Processing Technologies, Psychology, Religious Studies, Samoan, Science, Sculpture, Spanish, Social Studies, Statistics, Technology, Te Reo Māori, Te Reo Rangatira, Tongan.

^ Only offered in Central Otago

See the NZQA website for a full list of approved subjects to enter a degree >

DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE SUBJECT SELECTION GUIDE >