The University of Otago, founded in 1869, is New Zealand's oldest university. Its main campus is in Dunedin, a compact university city on the South Island, and the university runs a Medicine programme, Health Sciences, and the Otago Business School, which offers the Bachelor of Commerce. From year four onward, Medicine's clinical training is split across Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington.
This guide covers how Otago handles international admissions, tuition and cost of living, the entry routes into its two most popular areas (Medicine and Business), the English tests it accepts, and the Post-Study Work Visa that lets graduates stay and work in New Zealand. Program-specific articles are linked below.
University of Otago Acceptance Rate
Otago does not publish an official acceptance rate for the university as a whole or for its international intake. The figures you see on third-party websites are estimates, and they vary widely between sources, so this guide does not quote one.
Selectivity differs sharply by programme. Admission to Medicine is the most competitive, because the Medicine route depends on Health Sciences First Year results and a UCAT ANZ score with fixed thresholds, and only a limited number of places are open to international students. Commerce and other general undergraduate programmes are assessed on academic qualifications and English language evidence against published entry requirements. For a sense of the competition in a specific programme, check the official course page and the admissions information for your intake year.
Tuition and Cost of Attendance
Otago publishes international tuition fees each year in New Zealand dollars (NZD). The official 2027 fee schedule for the Otago Business School shows annual tuition for Bachelor of Commerce majors ranging from about NZ$42,840 (Tourism) to NZ$46,200 (Business Analytics). Selected examples:
| Programme (2027 intake) | International Tuition (NZD per year) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Commerce, International Business | $43,680 |
| Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting | $44,520 |
| Bachelor of Commerce, Management | $45,360 |
| Bachelor of Commerce, Finance | $45,570 |
| Bachelor of Commerce, Business Analytics | $46,200 |
For Medicine, the official 2027 fee schedule lists NZ$45,415 for the Health Sciences First Year, NZ$101,567 per year for Medicine years 2 and 3, and NZ$116,080 per year for years 4 to 6. Those figures are much higher than the Business rates, so budget for Medicine separately.
Fees are set annually, and the figures above are for the 2027 intake. Confirm the current year's rate on Otago's international fee pages before you commit.
Cost of living: Otago's living-cost guidance was not retrieved during research, so this guide does not quote a living-cost figure. Students should budget for accommodation, food, transport, health insurance, and study materials, and check Otago's current cost-of-living estimate for the year they plan to enrol. Because Dunedin is a small university city, check accommodation availability and costs early in your planning.
Scholarships: Otago offers international scholarships, but award criteria change by year and programme. Check the current list on the university's scholarships pages.
Admission Requirements
Admission routes depend on your previous study and the programme you choose.
Undergraduate, direct from school or a non-university qualification. Most international school leavers and applicants who have not previously studied at a university apply for entry through the Otago admissions process using their secondary qualification. Entry requirements are set per qualification and per programme. Otago's international admissions team confirms how your curriculum maps, so check your qualification's equivalency before applying.
Undergraduate, with previous university study. Applicants who have completed a university degree or transferable university-level papers may be assessed on that record, which can change the entry route and the required documents.
Medicine (MB ChB). Medicine has its own pathways, covered in the Medicine acceptance and fees article. In brief, the degree takes five years after admission through either Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) in Dunedin or a qualifying New Zealand degree, and entry depends on academic results and UCAT ANZ thresholds.
How to Get Into University of Otago
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Confirm your qualification's equivalency before you apply. Otago assesses each international qualification against its own requirements, so an early check avoids delays and prevents you from choosing a programme your results don't meet.
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Decide whether your goal is Medicine, Business, or a broader degree. Medicine has a separate and highly structured route with its own deadlines and thresholds. Commerce and other undergraduate programmes use the standard application process. Choosing the route first saves you from applying to the wrong one.
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Take the English test early and aim above the minimum. Some Otago programmes, especially in health sciences, set higher English requirements than the general undergraduate minimum. Check the requirements for your programme, not just the university-wide figure.
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Use the English for Otago pathway if you are close. Otago's English Language Centre runs the English for Otago pathway for students who need extra language preparation before entering their chosen degree.
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Plan around Otago's deadlines. Medicine's selection calendar and HSFY deadlines differ from the general undergraduate timetable. Check the official dates for your intake, because missing a deadline can mean waiting a full year.
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo Requirements
English requirements at Otago are set by programme. The published figures for undergraduate entry, as reported by third-party sources, are:
| Test | Reported Undergraduate Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall, with no band below 5.5 (some programmes set higher) |
| TOEFL iBT | 80, with a writing score of 21 or more (some sources cite 90 for other programmes) |
| PTE Academic | 50 (reported) |
| Duolingo English Test | Not confirmed for direct entry; check with Otago |
These figures conflict across sources, and the official Otago English requirements page could not be read during research. Confirm the exact score for your programme on Otago's website before booking a test.
Health sciences and Medicine set higher English standards. Third-party summaries cite an IELTS 7.5 requirement for health programmes, but this should be confirmed directly. Medicine's English requirement is set by the Medical Admissions Committee, depending on the entry category.
If you are close to the minimum, the English for Otago pathway is the official route for building your score and academic English before starting your degree.
Career Outcomes and Post-Study Work Visa
Otago reports high graduate destination rates. A third-party summary of Otago's Graduate Destination Survey cites around 96% of graduates in employment or further study within six months, but this figure should be checked against Otago's own survey publications. Health sciences graduates are reported to have the strongest outcomes, which is consistent with the demand for doctors and allied health staff in New Zealand.
Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV): Immigration New Zealand's Post-Study Work Visa lets eligible graduates stay and work in New Zealand after finishing a qualifying course. Key points from the official guidance:
- The visa can last up to three years. The exact length depends on your qualification level and how long you studied.
- For a qualification at level 7 or higher, you must have studied full time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand.
- Applications should normally be made within three months of your student visa expiring. Some exceptions apply.
- The application fee is listed from NZD $1,670, so check the current amount before you apply.
- From 16 November 2026, eligibility will extend to graduates with a full-time New Zealand level 7 graduate diploma and to bachelor's degrees completed overseas, so check the updated rules if your timeline depends on them.
Medicine graduates follow a separate professional registration process in New Zealand, so the PSWV is one part of a longer career plan for them. See the Medicine article for details.
Is the University of Otago the Right Fit?
Otago suits students who want a research-focused university in New Zealand, a clear and structured Medicine pathway if they meet its selective requirements, and a strong Business School offering the Bachelor of Commerce. It is a weaker fit if your priority is a low tuition bill, since Otago's international fees are high compared with many public universities, or if you want a large city campus, since Dunedin is a small university city.
The two decisions that matter most are which entry route you can realistically meet and whether your English score is comfortably above the programme's requirement. Check both early, because the Medicine calendar and the English requirements can close off options if you leave them until the last minute.