The University of Otago

Established as New Zealand's first university in 1869, the University of Otago holds great prestige and recognition in New Zealand and throughout the world. As a research-led university, Otago has been ranked as the top university in New Zealand for research quality and intensity (PBRF Quality Evaluation, 2006; Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, 2006). Academic excellence is at the fore within a vibrant city where 1 in 6 of the residents are Otago students. Couple this with a top location for exploring the amazing scenery and adventures the South Island offers, Otago International Students consistently return glowing reviews of their time studying in New Zealand.

Dunedin - Australasia's True University City

The University of Otago is located in the city of Dunedin, with a population of 120,000 - 20,000 of whom are students at the university. Education is the main industry of Dunedin, thus identifying this place as the true University City in Australasia. The centre of Dunedin city, the student residences and major sporting facilities are no more than 10 minutes' walk from campus. International Students often identify the seamless connection of the campus with the city and the strong sense of Otago student community and identity as key points that enrich their experience of living in Dunedin.

Academic Offerings

The university offers a comprehensive range of qualifications from Bachelor degrees through to PhD. The qualifications are offered by the following academic divisions:

• Division of Humanities
• Division of Sciences
• Division of Health Sciences
• Division of Commerce - School of Business

Otago is consistently ranked within the world's top 150 universities and is noted for particular strengths in Psychology, Sociology, Law, English Language and Literature, Modern Languages, History, Philosophy, Geography and Area Studies, Medicine, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Marine Science, Mathematics and Environmental Sciences. Otago's School of Business is within an elite group of business schools in the world that hold both AACSB and EQUIS accreditation.

Undergraduate Students

The University of Otago holds a demographic unique when compared with other universities in New Zealand, in that the vast majority of Otago students come from outside the local region, in fact more than 70% of Otago students are not from Dunedin - such is the pull of the University of Otago, that many high school graduates choose Dunedin as the city to assert their independence in life in another city apart from family and high school friends. As such, Dunedin maintains a residential college system. Thirteen undergraduate residential colleges, each with their own distinctive identity and traditions (some dating back to the 19th century), provide new students with the best opportunity for making friends for life and succeeding in academic endeavours at the University of Otago.

Postgraduate Students

The University of Otago is a "research-led" university, meaning research is at the heart of our academic departments' activities. Master and PhD research supervision is provided by academic staff members who may be leading the international academic community with cutting edge research in their respective disciplines. Typically a Master degree is a two year "Research Master", where the first year of coursework leads to a final year of dedicated research. The first year may also be credited as a terminal qualification known as the "Postgraduate Diploma". In addition the University offers single year coursework master degrees including, Master of International Studies, Master of Indigenous Studies, and Master of Tourism. A limited number of scholarships are available for the second year of a research Master degree and for coursework Master degrees.

PhD Students

Most PhD students are eligible for domestic student tuition fees, typically in the range of £3,000 - £5,000 GBP. In addition there are numerous full tuition scholarships including a generous stipend offered by the University of Otago and New Zealand government. Information about these scholarships may be found on the University of Otago International Office website.

Facilities and Support

The University of Otago has the very enviable position of being central to the city of Dunedin. Most of the main facilities of the city are no further than a 15 minute walk from the campus and the main neighbourhoods of student housing.

A brand new gym on campus was completed in 2012, and this is free for students to use! The gym features a floor area of 5000m2 and boasts extensive cardio and weight training equipment, plus courts for a huge array of sports. Many now consider this the best gym facility of any university in Australasia. The gym is adjacent to Dunedin's new 30,000 seat covered stadium, which hosts student events, concerts, and is a centre-point for students to support the local rugby team, The Highlanders!

As one would expect with a student city, the students' association (OUSA) is particularly active. Administering over 100 different clubs and societies and dedicated facilities for training and socialising, OUSA ensures the Otago student community remains strong.

The colourful city centre of Dunedin, just a few minutes' walk from the historic campus area, is full of cafes, restaurants, bars, boutiques and shopping of an international standard. The harbour, a popular place for kayaking, rowing, wind-surfing, fishing and yachting, is also a short distance from the eastern side of the campus. The city's Botanic Gardens, located just a few hundred meters from lecture theatres, is a popular lunch-time venue.

The city centre hosts a modern public art gallery housing one of New Zealand's best international art collections, and theatres, museums and libraries which rank among New Zealand's finest.

For more information please see our online prospectus and webpage, or email study.abroad@otago.ac.nz