Founded in 1869, Otago is New Zealand’s first University.
In the almost 150 years since, Otago has prided itself on being a research-led University with an international reputation for excellence. It is ranked 151 in the 2017/18 QS World University Rankings and in the top 100 in 12 subject areas.
It received a Five Stars Plus QS Stars University rating in 2016.
Most undergraduate and postgraduate study takes place on the Dunedin campus, but the University also has Schools of Medicine and Health Sciences in Wellington and Christchurch, which are home to many leading medical researchers.
Otago offers more than 195 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across four divisions:
Health Sciences
Sciences
Humanities
Otago School of Business
It also offers a Summer School, International School and Distance Learning programmes.
UNDERGRADUATE
Established in 1869, the University of Otago is New Zealand’s first university and the first choice for more than 20,000 students.
Gathered from all over New Zealand and around the world, students at Otago soon become part of a tradition of innovation and enjoy the benefits of a worldwide reputation for academic excellence. Otago’s position at the forefront of modern scholarship is based on its long and respected history as well as the latest in groundbreaking research and vibrant education.
That’s why Otago is able to attract first-rate academics, and why Otago graduates find their degrees open doors around the world. Lots of employers say that they choose Otago graduates because they show real independence and an ability to hit the ground running. Otago’s degrees are challenging and relevant to the modern world, so you can be confident that you can lay the foundations of a successful career.
But student life is not all work. Otago is also famous for its campus lifestyle, where you can work, play and live in a safe and welcoming environment (all within about a three-kilometre radius from its Dunedin campus). You’ll never regret choosing the quality all round experience that only Otago can offer.
POSTGRADUATE
The University of Otago provides excellent opportunities for students considering postgraduate study in Sciences, Health Sciences, Humanities or Business.
Founded in 1869, the University of Otago is New Zealand's oldest university, but it is also a place that prepares students for the demands of the 21st century. Otago is highly committed to using our research strengths to improve the health, prosperity and well-being of people in New Zealand and around the world.
Otago is New Zealand's leading postgraduate university, with unrivalled access to world-class research teams and academic leaders. For every 100 postgraduate students, we have 20 or more research-active staff who are leaders in their disciplines.
As well as our main campus in Dunedin, Australasia's only true university city, we have postgraduate study options in our Wellington and Christchurch Medical and Health Science campuses, and by Distance Learning.
As New Zealand's first university, founded in 1869, the University of Otago has earned an international reputation for the quality of its research and teaching.
New Zealand's leading postgraduate research institution, Otago attracts the best and brightest students from within New Zealand and around the globe. Based on national data, we have the best performance indicators for any university in the country for successful completion of courses and qualifications, student progression to higher level study, and students retained in study.
Achieving high approval ratings in employer surveys, Otago graduates are sought after and appreciated with many occupying influential positions in industry, government and within their communities across the world.
We strongly encourage students to undertake postgraduate study at Otago; we have a higher proportion of PhD students than any other university in New Zealand.
Our academic staff hold more national teaching awards and produce more highly cited papers per capita than any other university in the country.
Otago has the highest concentration of internationally trained staff anywhere in New Zealand and the fifth highest concentration of internationally trained staff in the world. 70% of Otago’s academic staff are foreign born or are New Zealanders who have gained their PhD overseas. Otago’s staff are truly world class.
Campus life
Dunedin is the only true university city in New Zealand and Australia with more than 18,000 young people coming not only to learn, but also to live in our beautiful coastal city. In 2013, the Huffington Post listed the University of Otago as one of the fifteen most beautiful university campuses in the world.
Located on the edge of the Dunedin Botanic Garden, Otago’s stunning campus offers students an unrivalled campus experience and vibrant cultural life. Situated just a few blocks from the city centre, almost all students live within walking distance of the campus and key facilities. Most undergraduates study at the main campus in Dunedin and stay at one of our 15 residential colleges or in character-filled flats/apartments close to campus.
Otago has world-class teaching facilities and libraries and our state-of-the-art gymnasium enables students to get fit and stay fit while they study. Our students are also enjoy living in New Zealand’s first ‘Gigatown’, meaning that the city has access to the fastest internet in the Southern Hemisphere.
Academic programmes
Otago has teaching and research strengths across the areas of Business, Health Science, Humanities and Science Divisions.
Many of our programmes are the only ones of their kind in New Zealand. Otago is home to the country’s only dental school, the only school of surveying and the country’s only standalone botany programme. We have the largest science communication programme in the world and the most successful genetics programme in Australasia. Our law school is regarded as one of the best in the country and ours is the oldest and largest medical school in New Zealand.
Otago’s annual Foreign Policy School continues to attract leading national and international speakers. For more than two decades, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs has used the school to train the new cohorts of New Zealand diplomats.
