About the university
The University of Otago was founded in 1869 and is New Zealand's oldest university. It is ranked 198th in the world by QS and in the 351–375 band by Times Higher Education in 2027. Otago is best known for health sciences: it runs New Zealand's only dental school, one of its two medical schools, and highly regarded pharmacy, physiotherapy and biomedical science programmes.
The main campus is in Dunedin, a small university city in the south of the South Island, with Victorian and Edwardian stone buildings along the Water of Leith stream. Students make up a large share of the city's population, which gives it a lively, close-knit campus atmosphere. Otago also has health sciences campuses in Christchurch and Wellington.
Beyond health, Otago has strong programmes in business, computer science, law and the sciences. Its Business School offers one-year Master of Business degrees in subjects such as Business Analytics, Finance and Marketing, and the Master of Science (Coursework) includes artificial intelligence and computer science options.
Dunedin is cheaper to live in than Auckland or Wellington, and Otago offers several scholarships worth NZ$10,000–15,000 to international students, including India. The trade-off is a cooler climate and a smaller job market in Dunedin itself, so many graduates move to larger cities to work.
- Founded
- 1869, New Zealand's oldest university
- Type
- Public research university
- Total students
- About 18,400 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 19% (THE 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 20.8 to 1 (THE 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Dunedin (main); health sciences campuses in Christchurch and Wellington
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
198 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
351–375 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Master of Business (Business Analytics)
- Fee / year
- NZ$68,145
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
- English
- Check the qualification page (Otago usually asks for IELTS 6.5 for postgraduate study)
- Postgraduate
Master of Science (Coursework) in Computer Science
- Fee / year
- NZ$74,760
- Duration
- 1–1.5 years (180 points)
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
- English
- Check the qualification page (Otago usually asks for IELTS 6.5 for postgraduate study)
- Postgraduate
Master of Science (Coursework) in Artificial Intelligence
- Fee / year
- NZ$73,395
- Duration
- 1–1.5 years
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
- English
- Check the qualification page (Otago usually asks for IELTS 6.5 for postgraduate study)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- NZ$64,785
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
- English
- Check the qualification page (Otago usually asks for IELTS 6.5 for postgraduate study)
- Postgraduate
Master of Business (Marketing)
- Fee / year
- NZ$64,785
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
- English
- Check the qualification page (Otago usually asks for IELTS 6.5 for postgraduate study)
- Postgraduate
Master of Business (Accounting and Finance)
- Fee / year
- NZ$64,785
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
- English
- Check the qualification page (Otago usually asks for IELTS 6.5 for postgraduate study)
- Postgraduate
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Fee / year
- NZ$76,240
- Duration
- 15 months (240 points)
- Intakes
- See the MBA page
- English
- Check the qualification page (Otago usually asks for IELTS 6.5 for postgraduate study)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- NZ$42,780
- Duration
- 1 year (120 points)
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July)
- English
- Check the qualification page (Otago usually asks for IELTS 6.5 for postgraduate study)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (NZD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Business (Business Analytics) | 1 year | NZ$68,145 | ≈ ₹36.8 lakh |
| Master of Science (Coursework) in Computer Science | 1–1.5 years (180 points) | NZ$74,760 | ≈ ₹40.4 lakh |
| Master of Science (Coursework) in Artificial Intelligence | 1–1.5 years | NZ$73,395 | ≈ ₹39.6 lakh |
| Master of Business (Finance) | 1 year | NZ$64,785 | ≈ ₹35 lakh |
| Master of Business (Marketing) | 1 year | NZ$64,785 | ≈ ₹35 lakh |
| Master of Business (Accounting and Finance) | 1 year | NZ$64,785 | ≈ ₹35 lakh |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | 15 months (240 points) | NZ$76,240 | ≈ ₹41.2 lakh |
| Master of Commerce | 1 year (120 points) | NZ$42,780 | ≈ ₹23.1 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of Otago with similar universities in New Zealand.
Scholarships
- Bachelor's
Otago Global Scholarships
Value: NZ$15,000
Eligibility: New full-time bachelor's students from eligible countries, including India. Tick 'yes' to the international scholarship question in your eVision application.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Bachelor's
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship for International Students
Value: NZ$10,000 towards tuition
Eligibility: New full-time international bachelor's students. Apply through the eVision scholarship question.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Coursework master's and postgraduate diplomas (not MBA or Science Communication)
Vice-Chancellor's International Postgraduate Scholarship
Value: NZ$10,000 towards tuition
Eligibility: Full-time international students in a programme of at least two semesters.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Bachelor's
International Academic Excellence Scholarship
Value: About NZ$35,000 (first-year accommodation plus tuition support in years 2 and 3)
Eligibility: High-achieving students who studied overseas; invited to apply after accepting another Otago scholarship. Competitive.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Bachelor's and taught master's
New Zealand Excellence Awards (India)
Value: NZ$10,000 in the 2024 round; check the current round
Eligibility: Exclusive to Indian students.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Bachelor's entry is based on your Class 12 results; Otago lists the requirement for Indian boards on its entry pages.
- Health sciences programmes such as pharmacy, physiotherapy and dentistry start with the competitive Health Sciences First Year.
- The University of Otago Foundation Year is a pathway if you need extra preparation.
Postgraduate
- Master's degrees need a relevant bachelor's degree with a good average (often a B average or better).
- The one-year Master of Business programmes suit graduates from many backgrounds; check each subject's prerequisites.
- Apply online through eVision; tick the international scholarship question to be considered for awards.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (bachelor's)
- Degree transcripts and certificate (master's)
- English test result
- CV and references where required
- Evidence of funds for the student visa (NZ$20,000 a year for living costs)
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Check each qualification's page; requirements differ between undergraduate, postgraduate and health programmes. |
| Higher bands | Nursing, dentistry and other clinical programmes set higher scores. |
| Other tests and pathways | PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT are accepted, and Otago's Language Centre offers English courses that lead into study. |
Accommodation and living costs
Otago guarantees a place in a residential college to many first-year students, and most later-year students flat close to campus in North Dunedin. Dunedin is cheaper than Auckland and Wellington, but older houses can be cold in winter. The costs below are our estimates built from the figures in our New Zealand study guide.
| Item | In NZD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared flatOur New Zealand estimate; Dunedin is usually at the lower end | NZ$650–1,400per month | ≈ ₹35,100 – ₹75,600 |
| Residential college or hallOur estimate; colleges usually include meals | NZ$1,450–2,400per month | ≈ ₹78,300 – ₹1.3 lakh |
| Public transportMany students walk to campus | NZ$60–160per month | ≈ ₹3,240 – ₹8,640 |
| Living funds to show for the visaImmigration New Zealand requirement | NZ$20,000per year | ≈ ₹10.8 lakh |
Campus and location
Dunedin is a coastal university city of about 130,000 people on the South Island, surrounded by hills, beaches and the Otago Peninsula wildlife areas.
- The main Dunedin campus is compact and walkable, with the clocktower building as its landmark.
- Health sciences are also taught in Christchurch and Wellington.
- Students make up a large part of Dunedin's population, so student life is central to the city.
- Winters are cold; budget for heating from June to August.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Many Otago graduates move to Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch for work. Graduates can apply for post-study work; outcomes depend on your course, experience and English.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Post-study work after a master's (at least 30 weeks in NZ) | Up to 3 years, open work rights | Immigration New Zealand |
| Work allowed during study | Up to 25 hours a week (since 3 November 2025); full time in holidays | Immigration New Zealand |
| Minimum wage | NZ$23.95 an hour from 1 April 2026 | New Zealand Government |
| International students at the university | 19% | THE World University Rankings 2027 data |
Studying in New Zealand
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in New Zealand. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in New Zealand
Photo: Colin Rose from Montreal, Canada, CC BY 2.0 PublicUniversity of Auckland (official website, opens in a new tab)
Auckland, New ZealandOften chosen for Engineering, Business & Management, Medicine & Health Sciences
Photo: Panamitsu, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicVictoria University of Wellington (official website, opens in a new tab)
Wellington, New ZealandOften chosen for Law, Computer Science & IT, Arts, Design & Media
Photo: Photograph by Greg O'Beirne, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicUniversity of Canterbury (official website, opens in a new tab)
Christchurch, New ZealandOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Business & Management
Photo: Sophbuchan, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicAuckland University of Technology (AUT) (official website, opens in a new tab)
Auckland, New ZealandOften chosen for Computer Science & IT, Business & Management, Nursing & Allied Health
Photo: Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicMassey University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Palmerston North, New ZealandOften chosen for Business & Management, Life Sciences, Arts, Design & Media
Photo: Nil NZ, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicUniversity of Waikato (official website, opens in a new tab)
Hamilton, New ZealandOften chosen for Computer Science & IT, Business & Management, Life Sciences
FAQs
What is Otago best known for?
Health sciences, including New Zealand's only dental school, medicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy and biomedical sciences. It also has strong business, science and law programmes.
How much is the Master of Business (Business Analytics)?
About NZ$68,145 for the one-year programme in 2027, according to Otago's fee table.
Are there scholarships for Indian students?
Yes. India is eligible for the NZ$15,000 Global Scholarships for bachelor's students, and postgraduate students can be considered for NZ$10,000 awards. Indian students can also apply for the New Zealand Excellence Awards.
Is Dunedin expensive?
It is usually cheaper than Auckland or Wellington. Many students flat close to campus and walk to class.
When can I start?
Most programmes start in February (Semester 1) or July (Semester 2).
Sources
- University of Otago: Business School international fees (opens in a new tab)
- University of Otago: Sciences international fees (opens in a new tab)
- University of Otago: Health Sciences international fees (opens in a new tab)
- University of Otago: Humanities international fees (opens in a new tab)
- University of Otago: scholarships for international students (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education: University of Otago (WUR 2027) (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration New Zealand: staying to work after study (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration New Zealand: student visa work rights (opens in a new tab)
- Study with New Zealand: cost of living (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.otago.ac.nz (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details