The University of Otago

Teaching and Learning

• Otago has been consistently awarded for excellence, receiving the Prime Minister's supreme award for tertiary teaching excellence at the New Zealand Tertiary Teaching Awards for the seventh time in 10 years
• New international scholarships for 2023
• New Bachelor of Entrepreneurship
• New Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science
• New Master of Applied Science in Consumer Food Science

Facilities

• Otago University's world-class facility is New Zealand's only national centre for dentistry.
• Otago's Music, Theatre and Performing Arts Centre is a brand-new multi-purpose facility with a spacious live studio, and a variety of additional spaces including control rooms, percussion rooms, social spaces and practise booths.
• Otago Business School houses one of the largest academic trading labs in New Zealand, with 12 Bloomberg Professional terminals, giving students access to the same trading platform used by the world's leading investment companies, banks, and government agencies.

Otago is one of the top research institutions in the Asia-Pacific region, with world-class teaching and a team of expert and widely experienced faculty staff. The university offers flexible study programmes, where students can combine subject areas to earn a degree that will expand future career opportunities.

Otago students are globally connected with a network of peers, researchers, and experts in their chosen fields, collaborating nationally and internationally to address questions of global concern. Otago's Business School is ranked in the top one per cent of business schools in the world, and its MBA programme is ranked number one in New Zealand.

World-class teaching and supervision

• Otago's approachable, world-renowned teaching staff are dedicated to fostering creativity and independence and helping students achieve their visions for the future.
• Otago graduates are globally in demand, with 95 per cent of graduates going on to employment or further academic studies. Otago's Social Impact Studio provides volunteering and leadership opportunities, while programmes like ‘Audacious' support start-ups and entrepreneurs.
• Otago boasts some of the best completion rates for a doctorate or master's qualification in the world, with exceptional supervisory support.

State-of-the-art facilities

At Otago, old meets new, from iconic historic buildings to modern, award-winning laboratories and teaching spaces, on one of the most beautiful campuses in the world.

• Otago's Central Library is recognised as one of the best libraries in the world.
• Award-winning Mellor ‘super labs'.
• Award-winning, world-class dental school.
• Award-winning Music, Theatre and Performing Arts Centre.
• 12 Bloomberg Professional terminals at the Otago Business School.

Chat with Otago

Chat online with Otago's current international students to learn more.

Otago offers over 200 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Flexible courses allow students to choose elective courses to broaden the scope of their education and customise their learning experience. The Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom) allows 400 possible major combinations.

The university also has a range of taught and research postgraduate courses spanning four divisions – Health Sciences, Sciences, Humanities, and Otago School of Business.

Foundation Studies Certificate

The 26-week Foundation Studies Certificate enables students to meet the entrance requirements for degree study, with four academic pathways: business/commerce, health science, arts/humanities and science. Successful completion guarantees entry to first-year degree study, and is recognised by all New Zealand universities as an entrance qualification.

New Diploma in Arts and Diploma in Commerce

The Diploma in Commerce or the Level Diploma in Arts (Level 5) are ideal for international students who only just miss the direct entry requirements for undergraduate study at Otago.

Students who successfully complete one year of diploma study at the University of Otago can progress directly into the second year of the Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Arts degree programmes.

English language

The University of Otago offers five levels of expert tuition in general English from elementary to advanced at its specialised English Language Centre.

Summer School, Distance, and Online

Otago's Summer School runs from January to February and includes distance options for offshore students. A range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes can be taken remotely, and there are study abroad and exchange programmes available.

Otago's entry requirements for international students require evidence of a satisfactory level of English language proficiency to be provided. Students should include with their application a certified statement of results from an accepted English language test that has been taken within two years of the start of their proposed studies at Otago.

New Diploma in Commerce or Diploma in Arts

Applicants for this programme will have:

• an overall IELTS score of 5.5 (with no band less than 5) or equivalent
• completed the final year of their high school system with a minimum B- average across at least 3 relevant subjects.

Undergraduate Requirements

For undergraduate study, students will usually need the equivalent of IELTS 6.0 overall in the academic module, with no individual band below 5.5. Students also require an accredited university admission qualification, accompanied by a passing grade in a recognised English language assessment.

Otago provides generalised bachelor's degrees with limited capacity, and also specialised bachelors' degrees which typically have additional entry requirements.

Postgraduate Requirements

For postgraduate study, students will usually need the equivalent of IELTS 6.5 overall in the academic module, with no individual band below 6.0. Some courses may have a higher English language requirement and students are advised to check with the international office.

Otago offers scholarships at all levels of study: pathway, undergraduate, and postgraduate. It also offers a wide range of scholarships for students from specific countries, enrolling in specific programmes or at a specific level of study.

Discover Scholarships

Otago International Pathway Scholarship

The International Pathway Scholarship awards tuition fee contributions valued at NZD 3,000 to all students starting the Foundation Studies Certificate. The award supports hard working and motivated students in their preparation for degree level study at the University of Otago.

Additional, competitive pathway scholarships from NZD 5,000 are also available by application.

Master's and doctoral scholarships

Otago provides a range of generous master's awards as well as doctoral scholarships (for levels of study such as PhD and other doctoral levels of study). These awards are granted with recommendation from each department based on academic achievement and research ability.

Prospective applicants can visit the University of Otago's international scholarships page for the full listing of scholarships.

Ninety-five per cent of Otago graduates progress directly into employment or further studies, joining the university's global alumni network spanning over 140 countries. Otago graduates are in demand by employers and researchers, known for their negotiating and interpersonal skills, analytical and conceptual skills, and independent judgement.

• The Otago Business School is an Asia-Pacific leader in education and holds EQUIS and AACSB accreditation, ensuring its qualifications are globally portable and internationally recognised.
• Humanities graduates benefit from Otago's flexible degree structure, including combined degree programmes, which equip students with critical skills for a changing world and a global workforce.
• Health science graduates from the University of Otago are well respected throughout the world for their skills, and their clinical and research excellence.
• Students develop the experience, skills and knowledge necessary to prepare them for a successful global career as a result of all health science programmes at Otago including substantial clinical or laboratory-based learning.
• The Career Development Centre's new employability award programme, OtagoExtra equips students with skills required for life after graduation. For two consecutive years, the centre has been voted the best among New Zealand's universities by the New Zealand Association for Graduate Employers (NZAGE).

In her last year of undergraduate study in Applied Science, Bhaveet Chahal, now the co-founder of GoSkills, an award-winning online learning platform, entered Kickstart, an Otago student business competition.

''I was a winner in the first round and a finalist in the competition's second round. This opened up my eyes to a totally different world ... I then completed a Master of Entrepreneurship to learn practical skills to start and grow a business. This degree was right up my alley, I learned the fundamentals of business and felt prepared to one day start my own company.''