Applying for a Postgraduate Programme
Applying to Otago is a simple process. All you need to do is:
Complete our online application (follow the link and click the qualification you wish to apply for)
Meet our academic entrance requirements
Meet our postgraduate English requirements
If you are applying for a research only Masters programme:
Prior to application, you need to:
Identify the research interests of the relevant department(s) and individual staff members. TheUniversity of Otago expertise database is a good place to start.
Develop a possible research topic that fits in with these interests.
Approach a potential supervisor to see if vacancies exist for research supervision.
When applying, you need to include the following with your application:
A detailed research proposal that shows you are familiar with current literature surrounding your topic.
An up-to date curriculum vitae.
The name of the academic staff member with whom you have been in contact.
An approximate start date.
Meeting the English language requirements
If your first language is not English you must provide evidence of a satisfactory level of English language proficiency. You can submit your application without an English result and provide this at a later date. The English language test must have been taken within two years of the proposed study start date.
Any offer made will be conditional until the English requirement has been met.
The English language tests we recognise are as follows:
University of Otago Foundation Studies Ltd: Completion of 'English for Postgraduate Academic Purposes' with a grade of C or higher
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0)
Paper-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 587 with TWE (Test of Written English) 4.5
Internet-based TOEFL score of 95 with a minimum writing score of 22
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169)
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169)
APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 64 with no communicative skills score below 57
The following programmes require higher levels of achievement than the minimum requirements listed above:
Postgraduate Diploma/Master/PhD in Public Health - IELTS of 7.5 - must be provided before applications will be considered
Master of Teaching and Learning / Graduate Diploma in Teaching - IELTS of 7.5 in the academic module with no individual band below 7.5
Postgraduate Marketing (School of Business) - IELTS of 7.0 in the academic module, or University of Otago Foundation Studies Ltd: Completion of 'English for Postgraduate Academic Purposes' with a grade of B- or higher
Postgraduate Dentistry, Law, and Surveying courses -
• Internet-based TOEFL - 102 or better with a minimum of 24 in each section
• Paper-based TOEFL - 600 or better with a TWE (Test of Written English) of 5.0 or better
• IELTS (Academic) of 7.5 overall with a minimum of 7 in each band
Master of Dietetics – IELTS 7.5 in the academic module with no individual band below 7.0
Students enrolling in courses leading to the Diploma for Graduates (regardless of content or endorsement) must meet the standard postgraduate English requirements above.
The University of Otago TOEFL institution code is: 9483
