Course overview
Bachelor of Science is a undergraduate (bachelor's) course in life sciences at University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. It takes 3 years, with intakes in Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July).
University of Otago is a public institution, ranked 198 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Read the full course description, modules and entry rules on the official course page.
Key highlights
| University | University of Otago (Public) |
|---|---|
| Location | Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Course | Bachelor of Science |
| Level | Bachelor's (undergraduate) |
| Subject area | Life Sciences |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Tuition per year | NZ$44,520 (≈ ₹24 lakh) |
| Intakes | Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July) |
| English requirement | Check the qualification page |
Interested in Bachelor of Science?A counsellor checks your eligibility and helps you apply, free of charge.
Fees and costs
Tuition for international students is NZ$44,520 a year, about ₹24 lakh. Over 3 years that is roughly NZ$133,560 (≈ ₹72.1 lakh) before any yearly increase.
2027 estimate from NZ$44,520 (Mathematics and Statistics) to NZ$50,925 (GIS) depending on subject
Living costs near the university
| Cost | 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 |
Living costs for New Zealand as a whole: NZ$20,000–27,000 a year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Plan my monthly living costsEligibility
General entry requirements at University of Otago for bachelor's courses. Some courses ask for more, so check the course page.
- 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.
English requirements
For this course: Check the qualification page.
| Test | What the university asks for |
|---|---|
| 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. |
Intakes
This course starts in: Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July).
Upcoming intakes and deadlines in New ZealandHow to apply
- Check the entry requirements and the deadline on the official course page.
- Take IELTS, PTE or the test the university accepts, if you need one.
- Prepare your documents: transcripts, statement of purpose, recommendation letters and CV.
- Apply on the university's application portal and pay any application fee.
- Accept your offer, meet any conditions and pay the deposit.
- Apply for your student visa for New Zealand, then arrange accommodation.
Documents you'll need
- 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)
Scholarships
Otago Global Scholarships
Bachelor's
Value: NZ$15,000
New full-time bachelor's students from eligible countries, including India. Tick 'yes' to the international scholarship question in your eVision application.
Official pageVice-Chancellor's Scholarship for International Students
Bachelor's
Value: NZ$10,000 towards tuition
New full-time international bachelor's students. Apply through the eVision scholarship question.
Official pageVice-Chancellor's International Postgraduate Scholarship
Coursework master's and postgraduate diplomas (not MBA or Science Communication)
Value: NZ$10,000 towards tuition
Full-time international students in a programme of at least two semesters.
Official pageInternational Academic Excellence Scholarship
Bachelor's
Value: About NZ$35,000 (first-year accommodation plus tuition support in years 2 and 3)
High-achieving students who studied overseas; invited to apply after accepting another Otago scholarship. Competitive.
Official pageNew Zealand Excellence Awards (India)
Bachelor's and taught master's
Value: NZ$10,000 in the 2024 round; check the current round
Exclusive to Indian students.
Official page
About University of Otago
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.
Similar courses
Life Sciences courses at other universities in New Zealand
- Bachelor of Agricultural ScienceLincoln University4 years full time · NZ$37,000 / year
- Bachelor of AgricultureLincoln University3 years full time · NZ$37,000 / year
- Bachelor of ScienceMassey University3 years · NZ$35,250 / year
- Bachelor of Veterinary ScienceMassey University5 years · NZ$86,750 / year
- Bachelor of ScienceUniversity of Auckland3 years · NZ$49,582 / year
- Bachelor of ScienceUniversity of Canterbury3 years · NZ$44,980 / year
More courses at University of Otago
- Master of Business (Business Analytics)1 year · NZ$68,145 / year
- Master of Science (Coursework) in Computer Science1–1.5 years (180 points) · NZ$74,760 / year
- Master of Science (Coursework) in Artificial Intelligence1–1.5 years · NZ$73,395 / year
- Master of Business (Finance)1 year · NZ$64,785 / year
- Master of Business (Marketing)1 year · NZ$64,785 / year
- Master of Business (Accounting and Finance)1 year · NZ$64,785 / year
FAQs
What is the fee for Bachelor of Science at University of Otago?
The tuition for international students is NZ$44,520 a year (about ₹24 lakh). 2027 estimate from NZ$44,520 (Mathematics and Statistics) to NZ$50,925 (GIS) depending on subject. Fees usually rise each year, so check the course page before you apply.
How long is Bachelor of Science?
The course takes 3 years.
What English score do I need?
Check the qualification page. Some universities also accept Class 12 English marks or other tests; confirm on the course page.
When can I start?
Intakes: Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July). Apply early: popular courses can fill up before the deadline.
Can Admission Mantra help me apply?
Yes. A counsellor checks your eligibility, helps you prepare your documents and statement of purpose, and guides you through the application and visa. The first conversation is free.
We researched this page on 23 Oct 2026 from the university's own pages. Fees, entry rules and intakes change every year; confirm them on the official course page before you apply. Listing a course doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents the university.
- University of Otago: Bachelor of Science (opens in a new tab)
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