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Otago University Admissions 2026: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

Q: What is the admission process at the University of Otago?

International students can apply for the University of Otago admission process via the official website of this university. The international students must gather LORs , SOP , Official transcripts of academic credentials, English test scores, SAT, ACT, GMAT or GRE score, Bank support letter in case of a loan before you apply to the University. Below are the steps to complete the University of Otago application process: Step 1: Accept the admission by visiting the website: evision.otago.ac.nz/, after which the university staff will be ready with your enrollment process. Step 2: Choose your degree programme by taking help and advice from the 'Student Development' group. Step 3: The students should choose the papers you will study for completing the degree programme on Evision students can also change them later if required. Step 4: Now, students can pay tuition fees. Students who have a scholarship need to pay only the balance fees obtained after deducting their scholarship from the original fees. Step 5: After payment of fees, the students should apply for a student VISA by attaching their admission offer letter. Upon getting a VISA, insurance (both travelling and medical) should be obtained as it is mandatory for all international students. Step 6: On getting the insurance cover, the students can register for the international enrolment and orientation seminar, which is again compulsory for all the students. The students will have to carry their student VISA and passport while attending this seminar.

Q: What does the MS in Toxicology programme at University of Otago involve and what are the admission requirements for international students?

Like all the Otago University MS programs , the MS in Toxicology also includes coursework and research preparation, while the second year focuses on thesis research. This programme is for studying the harmful effects of drugs, industrial chemicals, etc. The coursework includes papers such as Master's Thesis Preparation, Current Research Literature in Toxicology, and three approved 400-level papers. Before starting the thesis, students must secure the approval of the research topic and supervisors. Mentioned below are the admission requirements for international students: A bachelor's degree with strong performance Detailed research proposal submission An updated CV Proof of English language proficiency Official transcripts and identity documents

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Last updated on 26 Aug '26

Otago University Admissions
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Planning to apply to University of Otago? Admission 2026-27 are now open. Check out this space for admission requirements.

Otago University Admissions

Table of contents

University of Otago Application Deadlines 2027
How to get into University of Otago from India?
University of Otago Admission Requirements 2027
Otago University Application process
University of Otago Enrollment Statistics 2027
+ 2 more items

University of Otago Application Deadlines 2027

There are two main intakes at the University of Otago for international students: one in February (Semester 1) and the other in July (Semester 2). For programs like PhD (Thesis) level, the application deadlines can be year-around.

Intake	Application Period	Deadlines
Feb 2026 (Sem 1)	May 1 – Nov 15, 2025	Offshore: Nov 15
		Onshore: Dec 10
		Study Abroad: Dec 1
		Accommodation: Dec 1
July 2025 (Sem 2)	May 1 – Apr 30, 2025	Varies

Commonly asked questions

Q: Are there any admission deadlines at the University of Otago?

Yes, there are admission deadlines at the Uni of Otago. There are two main intakes at this university. The application deadline for Semester 1 in 2027 at the University of Otago is Nov 15, 2026.

How to get into University of Otago from India?

The application process at University of Otago can be done via eVision. It is available for both UG and PG Courses.

Here are the steps to complete the application process -

Choose a course and apply for it before the deadlines.
Then go to the official online application portal of the University and submit the documents that are mentioned in the checklist below:

University of Otago UG Application	University of Otago PG Application
High School Degree	UG Degree
Academic Transcripts	Transcripts
English Language Test	English Proficiency Tests
SOP	SOP
LOR	Work experience and CV
Standardized Tests - ACT/SAT (if applicable)	GRE/GMAT (if applicable)
CV	LOR -2

Then the application would be reviewed by the University.
After receiving the confirmation letters, students should submit their first-year tuition fee to secure an admission.

Commonly asked questions

Q: Is the University of Otago a good university?

The University of Otago is very well-known for its strong academic reputation as its ranked in top 1% universities in the world, excellent teaching quality, global employability and a string sense of community. Based on the Shiksha rankings, this university is ranked at #2 among the best universities in New Zealand.

The University of Otago campus has received reviews on Shiksha, based on which, this university receives an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5.0. In parameters like internships, part-time jobs, post-study jobs, permanent immigration, safety, and Indian food, this university has received a perfect 5.0 rating.

University of Otago Admission Requirements 2027

At the University of Otago, Indian students can choose from over 147 courses. It is very important for these applicants to meet the University of Otago course-specific eligibility based on academic performance, application documentation, and English language requirements. The University of Otago most popular courses are offered in majors like Data Science, Applied Science, Geophysics, Software Development and Molecular Biology. To get in, the applicants have to meet the basic University of Otago eligibility and submit all the required documents. The University of Otago admission requirements for international students are given below in the table, take a look:

Programs	Academic Qualifications	English Proficiency Requirements	First-Year Tuition Fees
B.Sc. (3 years)	A XII from a recognized university with minimum 75 percentage	Duolingo: 105 score/marks IELTS: 6 score/marks PTE: 50 - 58 score/marks TOEFL: 80 score/marks	NZD 41,350 - 43,785
B.Com (3 years)	A XII from a recognized university with minimum 75 percentage	IELTS: 6 score/marks PTE: 58 score/marks TOEFL: 80 score/marks	N/A
MBBS (6 years)	A XII from a recognized university with minimum 75 percentage	Duolingo: 105 score/marks IELTS: 6 score/marks PTE: 50 score/marks TOEFL: 80 score/marks	NZD 92,100
B.E. / B.Tech (3 years)	A XII from a recognized university with minimum 75 percentage	Duolingo: 105 score/marks IELTS: 6 score/marks PTE: 50 - 58 score/marks TOEFL: 80 score/marks	NZD 42,845 - 42,900
BHM (3 years)	A XII from a recognized university with minimum 75 percentage	Duolingo: 105 score/marks IELTS: 6 score/marks PTE: 58 score/marks TOEFL: 80 score/marks	NZD 40,272
BBA (3 years)	A XII from a recognized university with minimum 75 percentage	IELTS: 6 score/marks	N/A
B.A. (3 years)	A XII from a recognized university with minimum 75 percentage	Duolingo: 105 score/marks IELTS: 6 score/marks PTE: 50 score/marks TOEFL: 80 score/marks	NZD 39,485
B.Pharma (3 years)	A XII from a recognized university with minimum 75 percentage	IELTS: 6 score/marks	N/A

University of Otago Visa Requirements for International Students

After getting the admission confirmation from the University of Otago, the students must arrange all these documents with the VISA fee:

Passport
Official documents transcripts
Offer letter from the University of Otago (UC)
Fee receipt
Proof of funds (NZD 20 K per year)
Visa application fee
Medical fitness proof
English Language Proficiency Proofs
Travel and medical insurance
Evidence of travel plans
Financial documents (Bank statements or other documents that might prove the financial background)
Support letter issued by the bank in case of a loan

The VISA application fee for New Zealand is NZD 375 (INR 18,951) , which is non-refundable in case of a rejection.

(NZD 1 = INR 50.67)

Commonly asked questions
On Admissions

Q: What GPA is needed to take admission at the University of Otago?

The acceptance rate at the University of Otago stands at 60 to 70% meaning out of every 100 applicants, only 60 to 70 are rolled out an offer letter. It makes this university a little difficult to get admission at. Below are the admission requirements and the GPA required for students at both levels:

Undergraduate (UG) Admissions:

· International students must have completed 12 years of schooling with a minimal overall average of 75 to 80%, with an English score requirement of 65%

· English language proficiency is needed for which international students can take tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic, with specified minimum scores.

· For some of the University of Otago Bachelor's courses, a minimum SAT or Act score is required.

Postgraduate (UG) Admissions:

· A relevant bachelor's degree is required with a 4.0 GPA or higher

· English language proficiency is needed for which international students can take tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic, with specified minimum scores.

· Some programs may require work experience or professional registration in New Zealand

· For programs like PhD, a research proposal may be required.

Q: What are the admission requirements at the University of Otago?

Internataional students are required to meet certain admission requirements by the University of Otago.

These admission requirements for the University of Otago courses are mentioned below:

Undergraduate (UG) Admissions:

International students must have completed 12 years of schooling with a minimal overall average of 75 to 80%, with an English score requirement of 65%
English language proficiency is needed for international students can take tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic, with specified minimum scores.
For some of the University of Otago Bachelor's courses, a minimum SAT or ACT score is required.

For postgraduate admissions, below mentioned are the requirements for international students are as follows:

A minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher
Bachelor's degree from a recognized institution
International students are required to demonstrate their English language proficiency via tests such as IELTS/TOEFL, or PTE Academic
To study in New Zealand, some courses and programs may also require professional work experience.

University of Otago MS Admission 2027

36 courses 1 year - 30 months

The University of Otago MS course which has gain the maximum popularity and scope among the Indian students. The University of Otago MS course is offered for a span of 12 months to 18 months in specializations like Computer Science Engineering. University of Otago have sets of different fee structure for each course which is usually created keeping the duration of time in mind for all its courses and degrees. The tuition fee for MS is between these cost ranges NZD 45,225 - 48,785. The minimum qualification requirements that would secure an even selection process at University of Otago for MS for Indian students includes: references, proof of English Language tests and PG or its equivalent.

Total Tuition Fees₹ 19.5L - 30.7L

Eligibility Criteria

Undergraduate Degree with 55% aggregate
Accepting Exams: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo

Commonly asked questions
On MS Admissions

Q: What does the MS in Toxicology programme at University of Otago involve and what are the admission requirements for international students?

Like all the Otago University MS programs, the MS in Toxicology also includes coursework and research preparation, while the second year focuses on thesis research. This programme is for studying the harmful effects of drugs, industrial chemicals, etc. The coursework includes papers such as Master's Thesis Preparation, Current Research Literature in Toxicology, and three approved 400-level papers. Before starting the thesis, students must secure the approval of the research topic and supervisors.

Mentioned below are the admission requirements for international students:

A bachelor's degree with strong performance
Detailed research proposal submission
An updated CV
Proof of English language proficiency
Official transcripts and identity documents

View course details

University of Otago MBA Admissions 2027

5 courses 12 - 15 months

According to the official website of this university, the Otago MBA is ranked #1 in New Zealand by QS World. The start date for the MBA on-campus program is March every year, with a duration of 15 months. The students are given the flexibility to opt for a part-time MBA, too. MBA at this university is offered under the B-school named Otago Business School, which holds dual accreditations like EQUIS and AACSB.

University of Otago MBA Admission Requirements:

· Bachelor’s degree with

· Work experience

· English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)

· Official transcripts

· Statement of purpose

· Resume

· Letters of recommendation

· Passport details

Total Tuition Fees₹ 33.1L - 36.5L

Eligibility Criteria

Undergraduate Degree with 55% aggregate
Accepting Exams: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, GMAT

Commonly asked questions
On MBA/PGDM Admissions

Q: What are the key features and structure of the MBA programme at the University of Otago for international students?

The Otago MBA is ranked the best in New Zealand, and it is internationally accredited by EQUIS and AACSB, which are two of the most reputed accreditations in the world, and very universities have both of these. Below are the key features of the Otago MBA:

It is a two-phase full-time programme starting in March each year.
Phase one of the MBA course at this university involves 10 months of on-campus study, which covers ten important core papers with a live case study.
Phase two is flexible and includes on-campus electives, international exchange with a Business project lasting 6 to 12 months.
There is a strong emphasis on practical experiences, networking, and career development.
Allowing personalized mentoring and interactive learning, the Otago MBA class size is small.

Q: What are the admission requirements for Otago MBA for international students?

International students are required to meet certain admission requirements to study an MBA at the University of Otago. This is a two-year program, and below are its eligibility requirements:

International applicants must have an undergraduate degree with an acceptable level of management experience.
Work experience of 3 years is required
GMAT is required, and a score of 550 or higher is required
Students are required to meet English language proficiency requirements with an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent (such as TOEFL iBT 90+, PTE 58+, or Duolingo 120+)
An ECE evaluation report is needed along with official academic transcripts, proof of English proficiency, and a copy of their passport

View course details

University of Otago B.E. / B.Tech Admission 2026

6 courses 3 years

Indian students are also open to apply for B.E. / B.Tech course at University of Otago. 6 courses are offered to international students at University of Otago. The University of Otago, has also come up with the UG degree program in the specializations such as Electronics Engineering. The tuition fee for B.E. / B.Tech at University of Otago is between these particular fee ranges NZD 42,845 - 42,900.

Total Tuition Fees₹ 18.8L - 24.2L

Eligibility Criteria

10+2 with 75% aggregate
Accepting Exams: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo

Commonly asked questions
On B.E. / B.Tech Admissions

Q: What B.Tech courses are opted by Indian students at Otago?

The University of Otago offers only 6 B.E/B.Tech courses for its students for a period of three years. The tuition fee for the course lies somewhere between INR 18.79 L – 24.21 L.

· The most opted specialisation are-

· Bachelor of Applied Science in Data Science

· Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

· Bach of Applied Science majoring in Software Engineering

View course details

Otago University
Application process

Commonly asked questions
On Application Process

Q: What is the admission process at the University of Otago?

International students can apply for the University of Otago admission process via the official website of this university.

The international students must gather LORs, SOP, Official transcripts of academic credentials, English test scores, SAT, ACT, GMAT or GRE score, Bank support letter in case of a loan before you apply to the University.

Below are the steps to complete the University of Otago application process:

Step 1: Accept the admission by visiting the website: evision.otago.ac.nz/, after which the university staff will be ready with your enrollment process.

Step 2: Choose your degree programme by taking help and advice from the 'Student Development' group.

Step 3: The students should choose the papers you will study for completing the degree programme on Evision students can also change them later if required.

Step 4: Now, students can pay tuition fees. Students who have a scholarship need to pay only the balance fees obtained after deducting their scholarship from the original fees.

Step 5: After payment of fees, the students should apply for a student VISA by attaching their admission offer letter. Upon getting a VISA, insurance (both travelling and medical) should be obtained as it is mandatory for all international students.

Step 6: On getting the insurance cover, the students can register for the international enrolment and orientation seminar, which is again compulsory for all the students. The students will have to carry their student VISA and passport while attending this seminar.

Q: What are the documents required to apply to the University of Otago?

The students are required to submit the documents to make a successful application at the University of Otago. The documents like statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, official transcripts of academic documents, standardized test score results etc.

Please note that the is no application fee at the University of Otago. After attaining all the mentioned documents, the students can make an application at the Evision portal.

Q: Do international students require a visa for the University of Otago?

Yes, international students are required to obtain a visa at the University of Otago as this university is situated in New Zealand. The VISA application fee for New Zealand, is NZD 375 (INR 18,951) which is non-refundable in case of a rejection.

Below are the documents required that are required to be submitted with the visa fee for the German Consulate or the embassy:

· Passport

· Official documents transcripts

· Offer letter from the University of Otago (UC)

· Fee receipt

· Proof of funds (NZD 20 K per year)

· Visa application fee

· Medical fitness proof

· English Language Proficiency Proofs

· Travel and medical insurance

· Evidence of travel plans

· Financial documents (Bank statements or another documents that might prove the financial background)

· Support letter issued by the bank in case of a loan

University of Otago Enrollment Statistics 2027

According to an unofficial source University of Otago acceptance rate stands at 60% to 70% which means that out of every 100 applications, 60 to 70 applicants receive offer letter making it a little difficult to get into. In year 2022 this acceptance rate stood at 99% indicating tightening of Otago application process as this acceptance rate dropped significantly.

Based on table given below the total enrolment of students at this university was 3982 out of which 2247 students were international making up 56.4% of total Otago enrolment which can be considered very convincing number as it suggests that university is quite welcoming towards international students.

Here is the detailed table on enrolments made by University of Otago:

Particulars	Student Enrolment
Total first-year students	3,982
UG international students	1,429
PG international students	818
No. of female students	12,890
No. of male students	8,188

Commonly asked questions
On Admission

Q: What is the acceptance rate at the University of Otago?

It can be considered a little hard as the University of Otago acceptance rate stays around 60 to 70%, meaning that out of every 100 applications, only 60 to 70 students are rolled out an offer letter by the university. In thr previous year, this acceptance rate stood around 99% which could be considered really good.

This decline in acceptance rate suggests that the university id becoming less welcoming over the time.

Otago University
Students Ratings & Reviews

4.2/5

3 Verified Reviews Info Icon

Student Views (Based on Reviews)

33% students never faced discrimination in this university

Vibe of Campus

Friendly

Multi-dimensional

Academically oriented

Easy going

Internships3.7

Part time work4

Post study jobs4

Quality of faculty4.3

Student Life4.3

Value for money3.7

Public transportation4.3

Safety5

Indian Food4

Permanent Immigration4.3

Anonymous

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery - Batch of 2029

4.3

Great opportunities to explore.

Tips: Transitioning from high school to university was a big jump for me as I was the first in my family to ever make it to university. However, the transition was well supported for me because of the scholarship I received. Along with financial assistance, the scholarship also provided me with a personal mentor who supported me really well. I applied for the scholarship while I was still in year 12 in high school. The scholarship was for students who are the first in their families to go to university and were experiencing financial hardship. It was a long procedure that involved basic details collection, a letter describing why you deserve the scholarship, a mini interview, a formal online interview, and finally a selection process. I have lived most of my life in Wellington, NZ, so moving to Dunedin to study wasn't that big of a cultural shock. The only thing that did shock me however was the drinking culture at the University of Otago. On Friday and Saturday nights, it gets crazy. Personally, I am not a big fan of that, so I would recommend sitting out of it. I am quite satisfied with studying the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) at UoO. One of the coolest things about the course is that our university provides real cadavers to study with in the direction labs, which is not provided in all medical universities in the world.

Likes (Post study jobs): I am not entirely sure, but I am aware that there is a huge work opportunity for highly skilled international or immigrant students who use their resources properly. I would suggest that students do their own research on this, relating to their course and the types of fields they wish to go into.

Dislikes (Part time work): Part time job really depends on the individual person and the course they are doing. Personally, for me, managing a part time job and studying medicine is quite hard as I am already involved in many other extracurricular activities. However, I have considered tutoring students online as a part time job, which I think is more manageable as I get to choose my own hours. There are also students in medicine who work part time, and they have good management of their time.

Total Monthly ExpenseNZD 1500

Prepping time for classes21 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryNZD 85000

Reviewed on 31 Mar 2026Read more

Alok Parekh Verified Icon

Master of International Business (MIntBus) - Batch of 2025

3.7

Internships are not always relevant to your field of studies.

Tips: There was a huge cultural shift that I experienced after coming here, mostly evolving around the soft skills. I was awarded a scholarship of NZD 10,000, for which I didn't have to apply. One gets under the list as they fill out the application form. Later, two students, not sure about the number of students in other courses, were selected for the scholarship. Overall, I am pretty satisfied with the university and course, but not very happy with the country, as finding a full-time job, especially related to your field of study, could be challenging if you are an immigrant.

Likes (Student Life): A typical day at college involved a 2-hour lecture. Besides that, the library offers a wide selection of books covering various academic and non-academic genres. The university's student association organises numerous cultural events, such as Holi, Diwali, and Christmas, providing opportunities to connect with students from diverse backgrounds.

Dislikes (Internships): There is complete support from the concerned people on campus to find internships. They guide you in every step, right from creating a New Zealand-friendly CV to appearing for an interview. However, available internships are not always relevant to your field of studies and may clash with your academics.

Total Monthly ExpenseNZD 1500

Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryNZD 70000

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025Read more

Anonymous

Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance - Batch of 2025

4.5

An eye-opening experience with great faculty.

Tips: It's really difficult adjusting to the new environment but once you are used to it, you will really enjoy it. The most important thing is to not get lazy or sack off. Really difficult to get scholarships for international students. There are just more scholarships for domestic students.

Likes (Internships): There are many opportunities to get internships with many local and international companies, especially companies like Big 4. The university also provides many support services regarding the application process and creating your CV. The application process might be a bit tedious sometimes.

Dislikes (Value for money): The tuition fee is really expensive. In my opinion, it's not justified compared to the rates they charge domestic students. But then again, there are many support services available for international students that are not available for domestic students.

Total Monthly ExpenseNZD 1600

Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryNZD

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2024Read more

View All 3 Reviews

University of Otago Admission FAQs

Q: How many colleges and campuses does University of Otago have?

The University of Otago has a total of five campuses and 14 residential colleges. The campuses are listed below:

Dunedin
Auckland
Christchurch
Invercargill
Wellington

The 14 residential colleges are divided across 4 departments, viz. Business, health sciences, humanities, and sciences. The residential colleges of the University Of Otago are listed below:

Aquinas College
Arana College
Caroline Freeman College
Carrington College
Cumberland College
Hayward College
Knox College
St. Margaret’s College
Salmond College
Selwyn College
Studholme College
Te Rangi Hiroa College
Toroa College
University College

It provides numerous accommodation facilities to the international students who study at its various campuses. The university's accommodation is ideal for the newcomers until they get acquainted with the region's lifestyle and environment. The university is located near the campus and other important parts of the city, making it easy for the residing students to access everything.

Q: Is expensive to take admission at the University of Otago?

Tuition fee is an imporatant factor while considering a university. The University Otago can be considered a little expensive as the total cost is made up of components like tuition, hostel, health insurance, and miscellaneous expenses.

The first year tuition fee for UG courses can range anywhere between INR 13.09 L and 21.28 L, for PG courses, it ranges from INR 17.17 L to 55.99 L for a year. By adding up all the other costs, the tuition fee for international student can be significantly higher, for example, for Otago MBA, a student has to pay a total of INR 39.17 L for the first year.

Comments

Otago University

Student Forum

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What are the University of Otago Global scholarships?

Answered a week ago

Indian students who are starting the Bachelor's courses at the University of Otago can avail University of Otago Global scholarships. The scholarship value is NZD 15,000 (Around INR 8.45 L). No extra scholarship is required for this and students are considered automatically.

Nishtha Shukla

Contributor-Level 10

How long is the University of Otago Master of Social and Community Work (Applied)?

Answered a week ago

The University of Otago Master of Social and Community Work (Applied) is of 2 years. The international student fee is NZD 45,570 (Around INR 26 L). For admission to this course, a Bachelor's degree is required. Course is available both on campus and via distance education.

Gunjan Thapa

Contributor-Level 10

What is the acceptance rate for Otago?

Answered a month ago

As per an unofficial source, the University of Otago acceptance rate is around 73% which means that this university is not that selective. Indian students would require to meet the Otago University admission requirements as given below -

Relevant qualification
Min score of 75% overall
English langua

Divya Shukla

Contributor-Level 10

How hard is it to get into the University of Otago?

Answered a month ago

It may be moderately hard for Indian students to get into the University of Otago as its acceptance rate is around 58% to 65%.

For most standard undergrads and postgraduate degrees, admission to Otago University is pretty much guaranteed the students meet the base requirements.

But, the admissions m

Kanika Pandey

Contributor-Level 10

Is University of Otago free for Indian students?

Answered 2 months ago

Studying at the University of Otago in New Zealand is not free for Indian students. It can be considered bit expensive for Indian students as cost sums up to be around INR 14.81 L - 63.36 L on an average.

Kanishka Gambhir

Contributor-Level 10

About the author

Khushi Arora

Study Abroad Expert

Khushi Arora is an education writer with an experience of over 3 years. She helps students from India to choose between different courses that align with their interests in the favourable Universities abroad. She leads content for Un... Read Full Bio