University of Otago

The University of Otago is an internationally recognised university located among the natural beauty of New Zealand’s spectacular South Island. As a student at New Zealand’s oldest university, you will become part of a unique educational experience. Otago’s attractive campus is a mixture of historic and modern buildings located in the centre of Dunedin. The campus is a short walk from the city’s central shopping and services. The University of Otago has earned an international reputation for the quality of its research and teaching.  

Students make up one sixth of Dunedin’s population, creating an energy and atmosphere that you will only find at Otago. Otago students rate its campus lifestyle as one of its strongest attractions.  

Available exchanges

The University of Otago hosts the University-wide exchange and Subject-specific exchanges for students in the following subjects:

  • Business 
  • Psychology

Restrictions

  • Medicine, Dentistry, Psychiatry, Physiotherapy, Pharmacology, Pharmacy or any other clinical course are not open to exchange students. 
  • Some Otago courses such as MBA, Wildlife Management and Master of Science Communication are restricted in admissions.    
  • Otago is not deemed suitable for Economics. 

Your responsibilities

  • The information provided here serves as a guide.
  • It is your responsibility to research whether the partner provides appropriate courses for your degree programme.
  • Even if there are no restrictions on your degree subject, this does not mean that there are appropriate courses for you..  

Courses at the University of Otago are called 'papers'. 

You can browse the lists of subjects and papers in the course catalogue:  

Otago course catalogue

Level 100 courses are often 1st year courses with no prerequisites, and Level 200 and 300 courses are 2nd and 3rd year courses, which will have prerequisites.  You are expected to take Level 300 courses, though it is possible that some Level 200 courses may be suitable.  As academic requirements and course suitability varies by degree programme, you should discuss the suitability of the courses you are interested in with your Exchange Coordinator.  Level 400 and above are Honours/Graduate level papers.   


Guaranteed accommodation?

Yes

University accommodation  

The University of Otago is renowned for its residential campus environment, and offers different types of accommodation.  Find out more at the links below:

Student Accommodation Home, Student Accommodation | University of Otago

International student accommodation | University of Otago

University Flats offer a shared living situation where a local host student lives with several international students. University Flats are the recommended option for Study Abroad and Exchange students. All University Flats are located within an easy walk of the University campus and main shopping centre. Students share the cleaning and cooking duties and usually shop together for food. The residential fee includes the cost of your room, electricity, internet, bed linen, community events and the services of the Uni Flats team. All Uni Flats are fully furnished, including a basic kitchen setup. Find out more at the link below:

University flats homepage, University Flats | University of Otago 

Private accommodation

Otago offers advice about sourcing private rental accommodation on the webpage below:

Rental accommodation, Student Accommodation | University of Otago


How much it will cost to go on exchange to Otago?

You will need to consider establishment costs, which may include buying furniture, paying a rental bond, and setting up electricity, gas and mobile phone accounts. Other expenses, such as visa and medical fees (see ‘Health insurance’, below), as well as return airfares, should also be considered. Remember that exchange rate variations may also affect your budget. 

You can find more information about the cost of living on Otago's website:

Living costs | University of Otago

Visa considerations

Visit Immigration New Zealand to check the cost and requirements of an exchange student visa: 

Exchange Student Visa » Immigration New Zealand 

Health insurance

It's the law in New Zealand that all international students must have suitable travel and medical insurance.  

As an international student at Otago, you’ll be enrolled in their Studentsafe insurance plan, which is something you pay for when you are accepted by Otago. You may be able to apply to use the University of Edinburgh’s travel insurance policy as a waiver for the Studentsafe policy.  More information about the policy and applying for a waiver can be found below: 


Otago's academic calendar and key dates for international students can be found at the links below:

The University of Otago Calendar | University of Otago

Key dates for international students, Prepare for Otago | University of Otago


Read Otago's factsheet to find further useful information for prospective exchange students:


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