New Zealand
University of Otago
Public university in New Zealand · Dunedin City
Public university in New ZealandDunedin City
The University of Otago is a public research collegiate university based in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.
It was established by ordinance of the Otago Provincial Council in 1869 and opened for teaching in 1871, making it New Zealand's oldest university.
Between 1874 and 1961 Otago was part of the University of New Zealand and conferred degrees in its name.
In July 2023 the university adopted the Māori identity Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka as part of a major rebrand, with the changes taking effect from May 2024.
Description adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Dunedin CityLocation
- 1869Founded
- 21,240Students
- February & JulyMain intakes
- Official website ↗Opens the university’s own site
The campus
Life at University of Otago
Our counsellors can tell you what the campus, the city and the cost of living are actually like before you commit.
Intakes
When to apply
Teaching starts in the months below. The window is when to start your file, not a deadline — each course sets its own closing date, and we confirm it before you apply.
- Semester 1 (main)FebruaryTeaching startsAugust – NovemberApply fromThe main university intake.
- Semester 2JulyTeaching startsFebruary – AprilApply fromA second intake, though not every programme runs in it.
How it works
From the first call to your first day
The same counsellor stays with your file the whole way through
- 01
Free counselling
We look at your marks, your budget and what you want afterwards, and tell you what is realistic. No fee and no obligation.
- 02
Shortlist and eligibility
We check your profile against the entry requirements for each course, and tell you where you qualify today and where you do not.
- 03
Documents
Transcripts, statement of purpose, references and the institution's own forms. We prepare them with you rather than for you.
- 04
Application filed
Sent to the institution directly through our partnership, then tracked to a decision.
- 05
Offer and fees
We go through the offer, its conditions and the fee schedule before you pay anything, and apply for whatever scholarship you qualify for.
- 06
Visa file
Financial documents, proof of funds and the supporting paperwork assembled against the current published rules, checked before it is filed.
- 07
Pre-departure
Accommodation, forex, insurance and the first week, plus an introduction to students already on your campus.
- 08
After you arrive
Our London office and onshore partners stay reachable once you land, for the first term's paperwork, a change of course or a move of institution.
FAQ
About University of Otago
Still unsure? One call with a counsellor usually settles it.
Ask us directlyCan Vision Success apply to University of Otago for me?
Yes. We prepare and file the application, follow it to a decision, and handle the offer, the fee payment and the visa file that follows. University of Otago is one of the universities in New Zealand we counsel for.
What are the entry requirements?
They vary by programme and by level. Bring your transcripts and any English test result you already hold and we will tell you which courses you meet today, and what would close the gap on the rest.
What does it cost to study at University of Otago?
Tuition depends on the programme and the intake, and universities revise their fee schedules each year. We quote the current published figure for the exact course on your shortlist, with the living costs you must show for the visa.
How early should I start?
Six to nine months before your intake, and twelve to eighteen for the United States. Offers come back in weeks; the visa that follows is the longer part.
More in New Zealand
Other universities and colleges we apply to
University of Auckland
Massey University
Victoria University of Wellington
University of Canterbury
University of Waikato
Auckland University of Technology
Lincoln University
Let's talk
Ready to begin?
Book a free counselling session.
Phone, online or at any of our offices in Ladwa, Cheeka, Pehowa or London.
Mon–Sat · Replies within the day · No fee for the first consultation