University profile
University of Otago
Dunedin, New Zealand
About
Why study at University of Otago?
The University of Otago, established in Dunedin in 1869, is New Zealand's oldest university. Its main Dunedin campus houses the health sciences, humanities, sciences and business divisions, and the university is particularly known for medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy and other health sciences, supported by clinical and research campuses in Christchurch and Wellington.
At a glance
University of Otago in numbers
- 5Campuses
- 1869Founded
- #198QS World Ranking 2027
- 351–400THE World Ranking 2026
Rankings
How it ranks
#198
QS World University Rankings 2027
351–400
Times Higher Education World Rankings 2026
Where you'll study
Campus locations
Dunedin Campus
The main campus in central Dunedin, home to the university's central administration and its Health Sciences, Humanities, Sciences and Business School divisions.
Visit websiteChristchurch Campus
The University of Otago, Christchurch, next to Christchurch Hospital, offering more than 50 postgraduate taught health sciences courses and clinical training for medical and physiotherapy students.
Visit websiteWellington Campus
The University of Otago, Wellington, where medicine, radiation therapy and physiotherapy are taught alongside postgraduate health sciences qualifications and health research.
Visit websiteAuckland Campus
Dentistry facilities and the Auckland Centre, which delivers teaching and distance learning courses and acts as the university's link with Auckland.
Visit websiteInvercargill Campus
The Southland campus, offering University of Otago College of Education teacher training programmes plus the Health Sciences Southland Study Hub at Southland Hospital.
Visit websiteSomewhere to live
Student accommodation at University of Otago
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Arana College
A university-owned catered college dating from 1943 with 401 undergraduate and postgraduate residents; charged at the standard residential college fee of NZD 19,988 for the 40-week academic year on the university's published 2025 costs. · Dunedin Campus
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Cumberland College
A university-owned catered college for 436 undergraduate students, opened in 1989; charged at the standard residential college fee of NZD 19,988 for the 40-week academic year on the university's published 2025 costs. · Dunedin Campus
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St Margaret's College
One of four independently owned colleges affiliated to the university, founded in 1911 and housing 227 undergraduates; 2026 accommodation fees of NZD 23,674 for new members paying by instalment, covering mid-February to early November. · Dunedin Campus
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Te Rangihiroa College
A university-owned catered college for 450 first-year students that opened in 2024; the university's published living-cost figures put the standard residential college fee at NZD 19,988 for the 40-week academic year plus a NZD 949 accommodation activity fee (2025 costs). · Dunedin Campus
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University College
Known as UniCol, the university's largest residential college with 518 residents, fully catered and university-owned; charged at the standard residential college fee of NZD 19,988 for the 40-week academic year on the university's published 2025 costs. · Dunedin Campus
Prices are indicative — bookings are made directly with the university or provider.
Funding
Scholarships
Ask your counsellor which of these you may be eligible for — they'll confirm the details before you apply.
- University of Otago Global Scholarship - NZD 15,000 credited against tuition fees, unlimited offers and no separate application, for new international undergraduates holding a passport from one of 13 nominated countries including India, China, Malaysia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka
- University of Otago International Academic Excellence Scholarship - around NZD 35,000 over three years, covering residential college accommodation fees in the first year (about NZD 19,000) plus NZD 7,000 towards tuition in years two and three
- Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship for International Students - NZD 10,000 credited against tuition fees for international students entering full-time degree-level undergraduate study; not open to students sponsored by their home or the New Zealand government
- Vice-Chancellor's International Postgraduate Scholarship - NZD 10,000 towards tuition fees for international students starting selected taught master's degrees or postgraduate coursework diplomas of at least two semesters; MBA and Science Communication excluded
- University of Otago Master's Global Scholarship - NZD 15,000 towards tuition fees, unlimited offers, for international students starting selected taught master's programmes and holding a passport from one of the nominated countries
Get to where you want to be with University of Otago
One application covers up to five universities, ranked in the order you prefer them.
