University of Otago for International Students: Entry, Fees and Deadlines

TL;DR: The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university, and in 2025 it taught 21,295 students, 2,737 of them international. Estimated 2027 international fees start at about NZD 39,690 a year for a Bachelor of Arts and reach NZD 76,240 for the MBA. For Semester 1, 2027, offshore applications for full degrees close on 15 November 2026, and lectures begin on 1 March 2027.

The University of Otago is the name many students know first when they think of studying in New Zealand, and its application dates come earlier than most people expect. This guide sets out the fees, the entry rules and the deadlines in one place, so you can plan the next few weeks. If you want to know where your results fit before you apply, check your eligibility with Prosper.

What does the University of Otago offer international students?

The University of Otago was founded in 1869 and describes itself as New Zealand's oldest university. Its main campus is in Dunedin, in the south of the South Island. It also teaches at:

• Christchurch and Wellington, where the Faculty of Medicine trains medical and physiotherapy students and runs research and postgraduate study.
• Auckland, through the Auckland Centre on Queen Street.
• Invercargill, for education and health sciences.

Its fees and courses are organised into four areas: the Business School, Health Sciences, Humanities and Sciences. Its own figures for 2025 show 21,295 students, 2,737 of them international, and 3,975 full-time-equivalent staff.

University of Otago fees for international students

Otago publishes estimated international tuition fees for 2027, in New Zealand dollars per year:

International PhD students pay domestic fees. Student visa funds, insurance and living costs come on top of tuition, and our guide to New Zealand tuition fees for international students compares Otago with other universities.

University of Otago intakes and application deadlines

The 15 November date comes more than three months before lectures start, so it is easy to miss. If it is too close for you, the July intake gives you more time. Our guide to the New Zealand July intake explains the timeline.

University of Otago scholarships

• Global Scholarships: NZD 15,000 off tuition for one year. Offshore deadlines are 10 December for Semester 1 and 30 April for Semester 2.
• Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships: NZD 10,000 each, at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
• International Academic Excellence Scholarship: worth about NZD 35,000, covering first-year college accommodation and then NZD 7,000 a year in years 2 and 3. You apply within two weeks of being invited.

Otago's scholarships page still refers to earlier intakes in places, so confirm the current round before you rely on an award.

Check your eligibility ›

University of Otago entry requirements and English scores

Undergraduate. Otago lists accepted school qualifications country by country. Where a country is not listed, applicants need a year of successful study at a recognised institution or Otago's own Foundation Year, the Foundation Studies Certificate, which leads into commerce, health sciences, humanities and science degrees and asks for IELTS 5.5 with no band below 5.0.

Postgraduate. You normally need a bachelor's degree in the same field, and some programmes also ask for work experience.

English. Requirements depend on the programme. For example, the master's in Bioengineering and Nanomedicine asks for IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or TOEFL iBT 95 with 22 in writing. Check the exact scores on Otago's language requirements page for your programme, and read our guide to New Zealand English language requirements for the visa side.

Applying from Sri Lanka

Otago lists Sri Lankan qualifications on its international entrance page. For undergraduate entry it asks for three GCE Advanced Level passes at grade C (credit pass) or higher. Sri Lankan passport holders are also eligible for the Global Scholarships.

With the offshore deadline on 15 November 2026, prepare your A/L certificate, transcripts, passport and English test result now. After your offer, the student visa needs proof of funds and may need extra documents, so read our guides to New Zealand student visa requirements and the IOM document verification check.

Frequently asked questions

Is the University of Otago good for international students?

The University of Otago is New Zealand's oldest university, founded in 1869, and had 2,737 international students in 2025. It teaches across the Business School, Health Sciences, Humanities and Sciences.

How much does the University of Otago cost for international students?

The University of Otago's estimated 2027 international fees run from about NZD 39,690 a year for a Bachelor of Arts to NZD 50,925 for some science degrees, and NZD 76,240 for the MBA.

What is the University of Otago application deadline?

For Semester 1, 2027, the University of Otago's deadline is 15 November 2026 for applicants outside New Zealand and 10 December 2026 for those inside New Zealand. Semester 2 applications close on 30 April 2027.

Does the University of Otago accept A/L results?

Yes. The University of Otago accepts three GCE Advanced Level passes at grade C or higher for undergraduate entry from Sri Lanka, together with its English requirement.

Does the University of Otago offer scholarships to international students?

Yes. The University of Otago's Global Scholarships give NZD 15,000 off tuition for one year, and Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships are worth NZD 10,000.

PS: Otago's November deadline leaves little room for a slow start. Check your eligibility with Prosper and we will tell you whether March or July is the realistic intake for you.

Check your eligibility ›

References

1. Campuses, University of Otago, https://www.otago.ac.nz/about/campuses (accessed 01/11/2026)
2. Quick statistics, University of Otago, https://www.otago.ac.nz/about/quickstats (accessed 01/11/2026)
3. History, University of Otago, https://www.otago.ac.nz/about/history (accessed 01/11/2026)
4. International tuition fees, University of Otago, https://www.otago.ac.nz/study/fees/international-tuition-fees (accessed 01/11/2026)
5. Key dates for new international students, University of Otago, https://www.otago.ac.nz/international/future-students/prepare-for-otago/key-dates-for-new-international-students (accessed 01/11/2026)
6. International entrance requirements, University of Otago, https://www.otago.ac.nz/study/entry-requirements/international-entrance-requirements (accessed 01/11/2026)
7. Global Scholarships, University of Otago, https://www.otago.ac.nz/study/scholarships/global-scholarships (accessed 01/11/2026)
8. International Academic Excellence Scholarship, University of Otago, https://www.otago.ac.nz/courses/scholarships/international-academic-excellence-scholarship (accessed 01/11/2026)
9. Foundation Year entry requirements, University of Otago, https://www.otago.ac.nz/uolcfy/pathway/requirements (accessed 01/11/2026)
10. Master's in Bioengineering and Nanomedicine, University of Otago, https://www.otago.ac.nz/bioengineering/study/masters-degree-in-bioengineering-and-nanomedicine (accessed 01/11/2026)