18 June 2026: QS World University Rankings 2027 has been released on 18 June 2026. University of Otago is ranked #198 among 1,500+ universities. Check out QS World University Rankings 2027 trend analysis
University of Otago, Dunedin, Courses, Rankings, Admission Criteria, Fees & Scholarships
Dunedin, South Island
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Why Study at University of Otago?
- Programs: University of Otago allows international students to choose from over 200 programs at undergraduate and graduate level. The university is highly coveted for its excellent medical and agricultural programs. Dentistry is one of the most sought after programs at the university and has been ranked #43 in the QS World Rankings by Subject, 2021. Around 20 undergraduate programs at University of Otago are considered among the general bachelor’s degrees and need Entry Pathways for admission. There are also 13 specialized bachelor's degrees on offer with specific course curriculum and entry requirements for international students.
- Admission Requirements: Indian students with a minimum overall CBSE or CISCE score of 75% and 70% in English are eligible to study in the university. Research proposal is required for the PG and doctorate programs. Academic transcripts, CV and immigration documents are the mandatory admission requirements.
- Cost of Attendance: The cost of studying at University of Otago is program-specific and variable. The cost of pursuing the undergraduate programs is 5,000-17,000 NZD (~2.6-9.4 lakh INR). The cost of the postgraduate programs widely varies from 6,600 NZD (~3.51 lakh INR) up to 37,900 NZD (~20.15 lakh INR). Apart from these, students can estimate a living cost between 18,000-22,000 NZD (~9.57-11.69 lakh INR).
- Campus and Accommodation: The university welcomes around 3000 international students from more than 100 countries. This reflects the multicultural diversity of the University Campus. It is known for its 14 residential college communities. Students can seek accommodation in rental houses of a different pattern. The accommodation cost in the residential college is 16,340 NZD (~8.6 lakh INR).
- Scholarships: The institute has several scholarships on offer for international students. The undergraduate scholarships offer up to 10,000 NZD for tuition fees. On the other hand, postgraduate students can avail up to 15,000 NZD per year along with a partial tuition fee waiver. Students unable to avail the of university scholarships can explore external scholarships from New Zealand Government and other organizations. Explore: Popular Scholarships to study in New Zealand
- Placements: The university maniests 17 placement portals for distinct departments. Besides, the career development center helps students in exploring career possibilities, and self-assessment. Renowned companies recruiting University of Otago graduates include Deloitte, Hilton, Bank of New Zealand, Fulton Hogan, ANZ Bank and many more.
University of Otago Rankings
- #2 in Best Global Universities in New Zealand by US News and World Report, 2022
- #17 in Best Global Universities in Australia/ New Zealand by US News and World Report, 2022
- #230 in Best Global Universities by US News and World Report, 2022
- #194 by QS World University Rankings 2022
- #251-300 in Graduate Employability Rankings by QS World University Rankings, 2022
- #201–250 in World University Rankings by Times Higher Education, 2022
- #57 in Impact Rankings by Times Higher Education, 2021.
Highlights
| University Type | Public University |
| Campus Setting | Urban |
| Establishment Year | 1869 |
| No. of Campuses | 5 |
| No. of Residential Colleges | 15 |
| Graduate Job Rate | 95% (full time) |
| Research Funding | 170 Million NZD |
| Cost of Attendance | 5,000-37,900 NZD |
| Applications Accepted | Online (through eVision) |
| Work-Study | Available |
| Intake Type | Semester wise |
| Mode of Program | Full time and online |
University of Otago Programs
- University of Otago offers over 200 programs through its four academic departments; Otago Business School, Division of Health Sciences, Division of Humanities and Division of Sciences.
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Some of the most sought-after and highly-ranked programs offered by University of Otago include medicine, pharmacy, dentistry and computer science.
Top courses at University of Otago
| Programs | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 19,322 | |
| Master Finance | 28,934 |
| Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] | 30,750 |
| Master Economics | 28,934 |
| Master Business Data Science | 29,995 |
University of Otago Campus
University of Otago houses five campuses throughout the New Zealand.
- Dunedin Campus. The University of Otago main campus is located in Dunedin. The Dunedin campus houses Central administration along with four academic divisions including Business, Health Sciences, Humanities and Sciences.
- Christchurch campus. The University of Otago’s Christchurch campus is home to Health Sciences, Otago Medical School, Clinical training, School of Physiotherapy and Clinical education.
- Auckland Cmpus. Auckland Centre administrates Children’s Issues, Course Information and Liaison and Distance Education
- Invercargill campuses. These include College of Education Southland Campus and Health Sciences Southland Study Hub.
- Wellington campus. The University of Otago’s Wellington includes Research, Distance education and Postgraduate education.
University of Otago Accommodation
University of Otago provides guaranteed accommodation facilities for freshmen students in residential colleges. Some of the housing options for studnets in New Zealand are mentioned below:
| Residential College | Fee (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Aquinas College | 16,340 |
| Selwyn College | 18,021 |
| Caroline Freeman College | 16,340 |
| Carrington College | 16,340 |
| Te Rangi Hiroa College | 17,860 |
University of Otago Admission Process
Application: Online application can be made on eVision, the official portal of University.
General Requirements:
- Academic transcripts
- ECE report
- ID proof.
For PG/Doctoral programmes:
- Research proposal
- CV along with a complete application are required for University of Otago admission.
Additional requirements:
- Passport copy
- Student visa for New Zealand
- Work Visa (part-time workers).
English Proficiency Requirements
International students arriving from a country with non-English primary language needs to demonstrate proficiency in English through on of the recognized standardized test scores. Following are the accepted English proficiency test scores and minimum scores required for admission:
| English proficiency tests | Minimum Scores |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 |
| TOEFL PBT | 550 |
| CAE/CPE | 176 |
| GCE A/ GCE AS/EUAP/ELA/ FCertEAP | Grade C |
| PTE Academic | 58 |
University of Otago Living Cost
An estimated cost of living in New Zealand for international students is mentioned below:
| Elements | Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation Fee | 15,846 |
| Average rent | 7,280 |
| Food | 3,600 |
| Gas/electricity, internet | 1,300 |
| Personal costs | 2,640 |
| Entertainment | 2,200 |
| Medical and travel insurance | 620 |
University of Otago Scholarships
Annually, international students (both UG and PG) are offered scholarships in New Zealand worth 15 million NZD and above. Some of the popular international scholarships offered by University of Otago are:
| Scholarship Name | Amount (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships | 10,000 |
| New Frontiers Scholarships | 5,000 |
| University of Otago Entrance Scholarship | 5,000 |
| Otago International Excellence Scholarships | 10,000 |
| University of Otago International Master's International Research Scholarship | 15,000 stipend |
| Otago International Pathway Scholarships | 4,000 |
| New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) | Varies |
University of Otago Alumni
The alumni may avail benefits such as, library membership, stay at campus at subsidized rate, IT training courses, career development opportunity, and discount on publication with the University’s press. Some of the notable alumni are Nathen Cohen, Janet Frame, and Silvia Cartwright.
University of Otago Placements
Career Development Centre at University of Otago helps students to explore career options and establish future career. Otago helps students with:
- Career planning: Explore various career and related study options.
- Job Applications: CV and cover letters, interview skills and applying for work in New Zealnd.
- Gaining Experience: Learn the right skills and volunteer.
- Finding Employment: Job search strategies, career events and looking for work.
- It’s a great time for international students to find work in New Zealand. New Zealand was less affected by the global financial crisis than many other countries, and employment conditions are strong.
Following are some of the highest paying professions of the University of Otago graduates and their average annual salaries:
| Professions | Average Annual Salary in NZD |
|---|---|
| Executive Management and Change | 260,000 |
| Financial Services | 240,000 |
| Compliance, AML, KYC and Monitoring | 184,000 |
| Legal Department | 175,000 |
| Program and Project Management | 173,000 |
| Finance Control and Strategy | 124,000 |
The University of Otago is a very well-known and successful university that has served over 150,000 students during its year of operations. It is a good option for international students willing to study in New Zealand. The university offers various scholarships and other financial aid options for its students.
FAQs
Ques. Is Otago a good university?
Ans. University of Otago is ranked in the top 1% universities of the world and is rated 5 Stars Plus in the QS global university performance ratings.
Ques. What is Otago University ranked in the world?
Ans. University of Otago is ranked 194 in the 2022 QS World University Rankings and in the top 100 in 15 subject areas.
Ques. How much does it cost to study at Otago?
Ans. At Christchurch campus 280 NZD per semester and at Wellington campus 212.89 NZD per semester.
Ques. What is Otago known for?
Ans. Otago is famous for the gold rushes and wool, which helped make Dunedin New Zealand's largest and wealthiest town.
Ques. Is there an income limit for the entrance scholarships for those with financial hardship?
Ans. No. There is no income bracket for students wishing to be considered for scholarships.
Ques. How do I apply for accommodation?
Ans. Applications for Residential Colleges or University Flats may be made online.
Ques. When can I apply for accommodation?
Ans. For full year accommodation and Semester 1, apply from 1 August. For Semester 2, you can apply after April 1.
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