Meet University of Otago
The University of Otago was founded in 1869 and began teaching in 1871. Dunedin is its main campus, with additional teaching and research activity in other New Zealand cities. Its academic divisions cover business, health sciences, humanities and sciences. Applicants should check the location and selection process for their intended qualification, particularly in health disciplines.
Source: Official university background.
Understanding University of Otago
Otago's main campus is in Dunedin, with other teaching locations across New Zealand. Its academic divisions include business, health sciences, humanities and sciences. The subject guide distinguishes majors, minors and individual papers, giving applicants a useful way to plan a broader bachelor degree.
University background and academic context reviewed : Subjects available to new students | University of Otago · University of Otago Campuses and maps, About us | University of Otago · University of Otago Campuses and maps, About us | University of Otago. The comparison questions below are StudyFlyway planning suggestions.
What this means for your shortlist
Use the qualification regulations to check which subjects can be combined and which papers are required. For a health-related or other professional route, investigate its own entry and selection rules. An option listed in the subject guide is not proof that it can be added freely to every degree or studied at every campus.
- Map the intended major, any minor and compulsory papers within the qualification.
- Check the teaching location and separate selection rules of a professional route.
Ranking and international community
- QS World University Rankings (2027)
- 198
- International students
- 3,168
Ranking and student total: QS institutional profile. QS institutional profile; underlying census year not specified in the displayed statistics. Figures were checked 2026-10-04; rankings and enrolment totals can change between editions.
Notable alumni
Explore the people who studied at University of Otago and the work they went on to do.
Richard Hamilton
Otago alumnus
Marine biologist. University source
Temperance Tinker-Kays
Otago alumna
Teacher recognised with a Milken Educator Award. University source
Connections checked 2026-10-04. Former students and predecessor institutions are identified where applicable. These examples illustrate individual careers; they do not predict graduate outcomes.
Key information
- Institution type
- Research university
- Founded
- 1869
- Study levels
- Undergraduate · postgraduate taught · doctoral research
- Teaching language
- English; check programme-specific requirements
- Main campus location
- Dunedin main campus; additional health-science and other teaching locations
Confirm location and language on the official programme listing.
Academic options
Subject areas to explore include:
- Business
- Health sciences
- Humanities
- Sciences
These are broad subject areas, not a complete course list. Check the degree title, study level, campus and teaching language before shortlisting.
International admissions
Compare international academic and English requirements, including the documents requested for your qualification. Some professional programmes have selection stages beyond general university entrance.
Requirements vary by programme. Pakistani applicants should compare academic prerequisites, qualification recognition, language evidence, required documents and deadlines for their intended intake. Postgraduate taught and research applications may follow different routes; contact the university if your qualification is not clearly covered.
Build your application plan
For New Zealand study, distinguish the qualification, major or specialisation, and the individual courses or papers that contribute to it. Confirm the campus and attendance mode for the whole programme. If comparing a conjoint, honours or research option, check its additional requirements and total duration rather than treating it as identical to a standard bachelor or taught degree.
Choose the right study route
- First undergraduate degree: compare your secondary-school qualifications, required subjects and language evidence with the course requirements. If direct entry is unclear, ask admissions about recognised preparation routes before paying for one.
- Taught postgraduate study: check the required degree background and relevant modules. Save your transcript, grading scale and course descriptions so you can explain your preparation accurately.
- Research study: identify a relevant research group, investigate supervisor availability and check whether a proposal is needed. Keep admission, supervision and funding decisions separate.
Keep a course-specific deadline record
Record the application deadline, document deadline, scholarship deadline and offer-response date separately. Include the intake year and the official page where each date appears. If instructions conflict, send admissions the course code and ask which deadline applies to your applicant category.
Check University of Otago application instructions · Document checklist · Compare IELTS and PTE preparation
Tuition and scholarships
Use the university’s current fee information for your exact programme, study year and fee status. Include compulsory student charges, housing, insurance, course materials and travel in your budget. Scholarship eligibility, coverage and application dates must be checked separately.
No numerical tuition estimate is published here. Obtain the current fee for your programme and year directly from the university. StudyFlyway is an independent information portal.
Related scholarship guide
Compare the full offer, not just tuition
Build a budget for the complete qualification at University of Otago. A first-year tuition figure is not the same as the total course cost, and an advertised scholarship maximum is not a personal funding offer.
| Part of your plan | What to record |
|---|---|
| Academic costs | Programme fee, charging period, compulsory charges, deposit, refund terms and any practical materials or equipment. |
| Living arrangements | Housing contract length, utilities, meals, transport to the teaching campus and costs during vacation periods. |
| Funding | Confirmed award amount, duration, renewal conditions, permitted combinations and whether a separate application is required. |
| Course commitments | Attendance, practical activities, research or placement requirements, and any travel between teaching locations. |
Keep amounts in the university’s billing currency and date your exchange-rate estimate. Treat unconfirmed scholarships and possible employment income as uncertain, then compare the same cost categories across your shortlisted institutions.
Find official programme costs · Investigate university funding · Create a complete study budget
Life on campus
Dunedin’s university area supports a substantial student community. Otago offers residential colleges and other university-managed accommodation, alongside private housing choices. Libraries and study spaces support academic work. Student clubs, volunteering and sport provide activities beyond lectures, while international and first-year support services help students adjust to living and studying at Otago.
Compare accommodation contracts, room facilities, commute and application dates directly with the provider. Availability and support arrangements can change.
A closer look at campus
Genuine photographs of university buildings and grounds. Photographs may predate current facilities; captions identify historical views where relevant.
Images are displayed at responsive sizes; header and directory previews may be cropped by the layout. Each photograph retains its linked reuse licence. University photo credits
Continue comparing universities in New Zealand
Use the same subject, qualification level and cost checklist for each option. These links are browsing suggestions, not a ranking or a claim that the institutions offer equivalent courses.
- University of Waikato — Hamilton and Tauranga
- Victoria University of Wellington — Wellington
- Auckland University of Technology — Auckland
Read the New Zealand study guide · Browse all listed universities in New Zealand
Official university links
Sources and last checked date
Last checked . Original summaries draw on these official university resources. Programme details, fees and services can change; the official provider has the final information.
- Official university website
- History and university background
- Academic structure
- Courses and study options
- International admissions and applications
- Tuition fees and study costs
- Scholarships and funding
- Accommodation options
- Student life and campus facilities
- Student support services
Photo descriptions and licences: the Wikimedia Commons source linked beneath each image. This directory is a starting point for research, not a ranking or endorsement.