What are the admission requirements for the University of Otago?

The University of Otago requires HSC/Intermediate students to have one year of successful study at a recognized institution or completion of a Foundation Year program. For Indian students, a minimum average of 75% in the All-India Senior School Examination or Indian School Certificate Examination, with at least 70% in English, is necessary. Postgraduate applicants typically need a bachelor-level qualification in the relevant field, along with any additional requirements specific to their program.

What are the language requirements for studying at the University of Otago?

Students must meet specific English language proficiency standards, such as an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no band lower than 5.5) or a TOEFL score of 80 (with a minimum writing score of 20). Other accepted tests include PTE, requiring an overall score of 50 with no communicative skills score below 42.

How much are the tuition fees for international students at the University of Otago?

Tuition fees for international students at the University of Otago vary by program. For example, bachelor's programs range from NZD 31,366 for an Arts Degree to NZD 38,311 for specialized fields like Data Science. Master's programs can range from NZD 34,566 to NZD 60,978 depending on the course.

What scholarships are available for international students at the University of Otago?

The University of Otago offers several scholarships for international students, such as the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship for Excellence and the Otago International Excellence Scholarships, each providing NZD 10,000 towards tuition fees for the first year of study.

What courses are offered at the University of Otago?

The University of Otago offers a wide range of courses including Accounting and Finance, Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology, MBA, Engineering, Computer Science, Law, Nursing, Health Science, and Food Science, among others.

University of Otago

November 5, 2025

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The institution of Otago was New Zealand’s first school. It opened its doors in 1869. It is in Dunedin on the South Island and is famous for its outstanding academics, world-class study, and fun student life. This school is consistently ranked among the top 1% of universities worldwide.

Qualifying Schools (QS) have named Otago one of the top 200 universities in the world for 2026. The university is also ranked among the top 250 in the world for research impact, teaching excellence, and a global focus in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026. Every year, students from over 100 countries come to Otago because of its commitment to new ideas in the classroom and to meeting with people from all over the world.

https://www.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Admission

A recognized secondary school qualification such as A Levels, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, NCEA Level 3, or an equivalent international qualification.
Applicants who do not meet direct entry requirements may be required to complete the Foundation Studies Certificate at Otago.
Competitive programs such as Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences require higher grades and may include interviews or additional entrance assessments.
Proof of English language proficiency is required for all international students.

Postgraduate Admission

A recognized bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with at least a B average or equivalent GPA (5.0 on the New Zealand scale).
Some postgraduate programs, including the MBA, may require relevant work experience, an interview, or a portfolio submission.
Applicants must also meet both academic and language entry requirements specific to their chosen program.

PhD Admission

Applicants for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree must hold a master’s degree or an equivalent qualification that includes a significant research component.
A strong academic record, prior research experience, and the submission of a well-developed research proposal are required.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate their ability to conduct independent research and must secure the support of an academic supervisor within the university.
Admission is competitive and based on academic merit, research potential, and supervisor availability.

English Language Requirements

Undergraduate Programs

IELTS (Academic): Overall 6.0 with no band below 6.0
TOEFL iBT: 80 overall
PTE Academic: 58 overall
Cambridge English: Minimum score of 169

Postgraduate Programs

IELTS (Academic): Overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0
TOEFL iBT: 90 overall
PTE Academic: 61 overall
Cambridge English: Minimum score of 176

PhD Programs

IELTS (Academic): Overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0
TOEFL iBT: 95 overall
PTE Academic: 64 overall
Cambridge English: Minimum score of 180

Students who do not meet these language requirements may enroll in the University of Otago English Language Centre’s Pre-Sessional English Course before starting their program.

Tuition Fees for International Students (Per Year)

Undergraduate Programs

BA (Bachelor of Arts): NZD 32,500
BSc (Bachelor of Science): NZD 36,000
BCom (Bachelor of Commerce): NZD 34,000
BHealthSc (Bachelor of Health Sciences): NZD 38,500
BBiomedSc (Bachelor of Biomedical Science): NZD 39,000
LLB (Bachelor of Laws): NZD 37,000
BCompSc (Bachelor of Computer Science): NZD 36,500
BArchSt (Bachelor of Architectural Studies): NZD 39,200

Postgraduate Programs

MBA (Master of Business Administration): NZD 57,000
MSc (Master of Science): NZD 38,000
MPH (Master of Public Health): NZD 40,000
MA (Master of Arts): NZD 35,000
MCompSc (Master of Computer Science): NZD 38,500
LLM (Master of Laws): NZD 37,500
MEd (Master of Education): NZD 34,000
MTour (Master of Tourism): NZD 36,000

PhD Programs

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy): Approximately NZD 40,000 per year

Tuition fees may vary by faculty and research area.

Additional Costs

Application Fee: NZD 100

Cost of Living in Dunedin

Accommodation	NZD 700 – 1,200 per month
Food and Utilities	300 – 500 per month
Transportation	NZD 80 – 120 per month
Overall Estimate	NZD 20,000 – 24,000 per academic year

Scholarships at the University of Otago

The University of Otago offers many scholarships for academic excellence, leadership, and research. These scholarships help overseas undergraduate and postgraduate students attend New Zealand’s top universities.

All scholarships are competitive and merit-based. The university offers stipends, tuition reductions, and research money. The top scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year are listed below.

Undergraduate Scholarships

University of Otago International Excellence Scholarship

Value
The University of Otago International Excellence Scholarship offers a tuition fee reduction of up to NZD 10,000 for the first year of study. The exact value awarded depends on the applicant’s academic record and the program of study.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be classified as international students for tuition fee purposes.
They must hold a valid offer of admission to a full-time undergraduate degree program at the University of Otago commencing in February or July 2026.
Applicants must demonstrate a strong record of academic excellence in their previous qualifications, such as A Levels, International Baccalaureate (IB), or equivalent national high school certificates.

How to Apply

No separate application is required for this scholarship. All eligible international applicants who apply for admission are automatically considered during the university’s selection process.
Successful candidates will receive confirmation of their award in their official offer of admission letter.

Purpose
This scholarship aims to attract high-achieving international students and support them financially as they begin their academic journey at Otago. It reflects the university’s commitment to recognizing global academic talent.

Postgraduate Scholarships

Otago International Master’s Research Scholarship

Value
The Otago International Master’s Research Scholarship provides a stipend of NZD 17,172 per year and a tuition fee waiver for one academic year.

Eligibility

Applicants must be international students enrolled in a research-based master’s program at the University of Otago.
They must have completed a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a New Zealand First-Class Honours, demonstrating a high level of academic excellence and research potential.
The scholarship is available for students beginning their postgraduate research study in 2026.

How to Apply
Applications for this scholarship are made directly through the University of Otago.

Scholarships Office portal.

Applicants are required to submit all necessary academic documents, references, and a research proposal if applicable.
Selection is based on academic merit, research capability, and the potential to contribute to the field of study.

University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship

Value
The University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship provides a stipend of NZD 32,544 per year and a tuition fee waiver for up to 36 months. This generous funding allows PhD candidates to focus on their research without financial burden.

Eligibility

The scholarship is open to both domestic and international PhD students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and strong research potential.
Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent qualification that includes a significant research component, and must have a clear and innovative research proposal approved by an academic supervisor at Otago.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a PhD application along with a detailed research proposal through the official University of Otago PhD application portal.
The selection committee evaluates each candidate based on academic excellence, previous research achievements, and the potential impact of the proposed study.

Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship for International Students

Value
The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship for International Students awards a tuition fee reduction of NZD 10,000 for the first year of study. It is one of the most prestigious scholarships offered by the University of Otago to international applicants.

Eligibility

To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must hold a valid offer of admission to a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate program starting in 2026.
They must be classified as international students and demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and leadership potential.
The university also values applicants who have shown involvement in community service, extracurricular activities, or voluntary work that highlights their commitment to personal and social development.

How to Apply

Applicants must first apply and receive an offer of admission from the University of Otago.
After obtaining the offer, they must submit a separate scholarship application through the university’s official online scholarship portal.
A personal statement outlining academic achievements, leadership experience, and career goals must accompany the application.

Deadline
For programs starting in February 2026, the deadline is December 1, 2025.
For programs beginning in July 2026, the deadline is May 31, 2026.

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