Otago Polytechnic for International Students: Courses, Fees and How to Apply
TL;DR: Otago Polytechnic is a New Zealand polytechnic with its main campus in Dunedin, Central Otago campuses in Cromwell and Wānaka, and an Auckland International Campus. Published international tuition runs from about NZD 23,400 a year for applied management to NZD 44,400 for a master's. Upcoming intakes start in February 2027, with Auckland adding April, July and October starts.
Three questions decide whether Otago Polytechnic fits you: what the qualification is worth, what it costs and when you can start. This guide answers each from Otago Polytechnic's own pages and Immigration New Zealand (INZ). Check your eligibility with Prosper before you shortlist a programme.
What is Otago Polytechnic like for international students?
Otago Polytechnic teaches applied, career-focused qualifications, from certificates to master's degrees. It says that from 1 January 2026 it is no longer part of Te Pūkenga, and the New Zealand Government appointed its own Polytechnic Council on 2 December 2025. On the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), a bachelor's degree is Level 7 and a master's Level 9. Our guide to New Zealand qualification levels explains the scale, and you can check any New Zealand education provider yourself.
Otago Polytechnic Dunedin and Auckland campuses
- Otago Polytechnic Dunedin: the main campus, with the widest programme range.
- Central Otago: campuses in Cromwell and Wānaka. Cromwell teaches horticulture, cookery and trades. Wānaka teaches snowsports.
- Otago Polytechnic Auckland: the Auckland International Campus at 350 Queen Street, for international students only. Its programmes are delivered by Future Skills Academy under a sub-contract arrangement with Otago Polytechnic.
Dunedin vs Auckland: which campus teaches what
| Programme type | Dunedin | Auckland |
|---|---|---|
| Applied management (diploma, bachelor's, graduate diploma, master's) | Yes | Yes |
| Business Information Systems (postgraduate diploma and master's) | No | Yes |
| Information technology (bachelor's, graduate diploma) | Yes | Yes |
| Construction, quantity surveying | Yes | Yes |
| Nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy | Yes | No |
| Engineering, architecture, design, visual arts | Yes | No |
| Culinary arts, hospitality, beauty | Yes | No |
| Main intakes (example: Bachelor of Information Technology) | February and July | February, April, July and October |
Source: Otago Polytechnic's fees table and programme pages, 29 October 2026.
Otago Polytechnic courses for international students and fees
Annual international tuition below comes from Otago Polytechnic's international fees table. The table names no fee year and some programme pages show a separate rate for 2026 Auckland intakes, so read these as the rates published on 29 October 2026. Your Offer of Place doubles as your invoice and confirms the amount.
| Programme | NZQF level | Campus | Duration | IELTS overall | Fee per year (NZD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma in Applied Management | 7 | Dunedin, Auckland | 1 year | 6.0 | 23,400 |
| Bachelor of Information Technology | 7 | Dunedin, Auckland | 3 years | 6.0 | 26,900 |
| Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying) | 7 | Dunedin, Auckland | 3 years | 6.0 | 26,900 |
| Bachelor of Nursing | 7 | Dunedin | 3 years | 6.5 | 29,000 |
| Master of Applied Management (Business Management) | 9 | Dunedin, Auckland | 18 months | 6.5 | 44,400 |
Fees are tuition only. The 2026 International Scholarships cut NZD 2,000 to 4,000 from first-year fees on selected programmes, for 2026 enrolments only, so check for a new round. For cost planning, see New Zealand tuition fees for international students.
Otago Polytechnic entry requirements
- Undergraduate: Otago Polytechnic asks for a secondary school qualification equivalent to New Zealand's NCEA, with a country table showing which one.
- Master's: the Master of Applied Management asks for a related bachelor's degree with a B- average or higher at Level 7 or 8.
- English: the Bachelor of Information Technology asks for Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5, and the master's 6.5 with no band below 6.0, from one test in the last two years. Otago Polytechnic also accepts PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge, OET, LanguageCert and Trinity ISE. Online tests are not accepted, and nursing and midwifery take only IELTS or OET.
NZQA's rules set equivalent scores and alternatives; our New Zealand English language requirements guide compares the tests.
Otago Polytechnic intakes
Programme pages list Dunedin starts in February and July 2027, and Auckland starts in February, April, July and October 2027. The academic calendar starts Semester 1 on 22 February 2027 and Semester 2 on 19 July 2027. Nursing has a February intake only.
Otago Polytechnic advises applying for your visa at least three months before travel.
How Prosper applies to Otago Polytechnic for you
Prosper can apply to Otago Polytechnic for you. We check your eligibility, match you to a programme and campus, submit your application and help with documents after your offer. Otago Polytechnic asks you to pay tuition before your visa is issued and to hold approved medical and travel insurance.
The visa itself is the Fee Paying Student Visa, which needs NZD 20,000 a year for living costs per INZ fund rules. See our guides to student visa requirements, work hours and the changes INZ announced on 27 October 2026. Graduates of a Level 7 degree studied full time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand may qualify for INZ's Post-Study Work Visa for up to three years, depending on the study (our guide).
Applying from Sri Lanka
Otago Polytechnic's country table lists GCE A/L passes in at least 3 subjects as equivalent to NCEA Level 3 for degree-level study, and GCE O/L with 4 credit passes for certificate and diploma level. Keep certified copies of both certificates ready. Our guide to IOM document verification for a New Zealand student visa from Sri Lanka explains how documents are verified.
FAQ
Is Otago Polytechnic still part of Te Pūkenga?
No. Otago Polytechnic states that from 1 January 2026 it is no longer part of Te Pūkenga. It is governed by its own Polytechnic Council, appointed by the New Zealand Government in December 2025.
How much are Otago Polytechnic fees for international students?
Otago Polytechnic's fees table lists NZD 23,400 a year for applied management, NZD 26,900 for IT and construction degrees and NZD 44,400 for the Master of Applied Management. Fees are tuition only.
What IELTS score does Otago Polytechnic need?
Otago Polytechnic's Bachelor of Information Technology asks for Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5, and the Master of Applied Management 6.5 with no band below 6.0. PTE Academic and other approved tests are also accepted.
Does Otago Polytechnic have a campus in Auckland?
Yes. The Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus on Queen Street teaches business, IT and construction to international students, with four intakes a year.
PS: Otago Polytechnic's fees and entry rules are clear on paper. The harder part is matching your grades and budget to the right programme and intake. Check your eligibility with Prosper and we will tell you where you stand.
References
- International fees table, Otago Polytechnic, https://www.op.ac.nz/international/fees-and-scholarship/international-fees-table (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Fees for international students, Otago Polytechnic, https://www.op.ac.nz/explore/international-students/fees-for-international-students (accessed 29/10/2026)
- 2026 Otago Polytechnic International Scholarships, Otago Polytechnic, https://www.op.ac.nz/explore/international-students/international-scholarships/2026-otago-polytechnic-international-scholarships (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Bachelor of Information Technology, Otago Polytechnic, https://www.op.ac.nz/programmes/nzqa/bachelor-of-information-technology (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Master of Applied Management (Business Management), Otago Polytechnic, https://www.op.ac.nz/programmes/nzqa/master-of-applied-management-business-management/print (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Entry requirements, Otago Polytechnic, https://www.op.ac.nz/explore/international-students/entry-requirements (accessed 29/10/2026)
- English language requirements, Otago Polytechnic, https://www.op.ac.nz/explore/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Campuses, Otago Polytechnic, https://www.op.ac.nz/international/student-life/campuses (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Central Otago campuses, Otago Polytechnic, https://www.op.ac.nz/explore/campuses/central-otago-campuses (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Our Campus, Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus, https://auckland.op.ac.nz/about-aic/our-campus (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Governance and leadership: Te Pūkenga, Otago Polytechnic, https://www.op.ac.nz/about/te-pukenga (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Otago Polytechnic fact sheet, Otago Polytechnic, https://www.op.ac.nz/explore/international-students/otago-polytechnic-te-pukenga-fact-sheet (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Student visas, Otago Polytechnic, https://www.op.ac.nz/international/apply-and-enrol/student-visas (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Regional leadership returns to polytechnics, New Zealand Government, https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/regional-leadership-returns-polytechnics (accessed 29/10/2026)
- English language entry requirements for international students, NZQA, https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/tertiary/english-language-entry-requirements-for-international-students/ (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Fee Paying Student Visa, Immigration New Zealand, https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/fee-paying-student-visa/ (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Student fund requirements, Immigration New Zealand, https://www.immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/applying-for-a-visa/providing-evidence-and-documents-to-support-your-visa-application/student-fund-requirements/ (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Post-Study Work Visa, Immigration New Zealand, https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/post-study-work-visa/ (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Qualifications needed for a Post-Study Work Visa, Immigration New Zealand, https://www.immigration.govt.nz/study/after-you-finish-your-study/qualifications-needed-for-a-post-study-work-visa/ (accessed 29/10/2026)
- Changes to student visas, Immigration New Zealand, https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/changes-to-student-visas/ (accessed 29/10/2026)
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