New Zealand's oldest university, founded in 1869 in Dunedin. Otago is best known for health sciences, medicine, and research — its medical school is the country's most established. Students benefit from strong graduate employment rates and a campus-focused community rare among research universities.
Dunedin, New Zealand
Top 250 (206th)
Top 3 in New Zealand
Top 100 globally for Medicine (QS 2025)
Ranked 1st in NZ for research quality (PBRF)
90%+ graduates employed within 6 months
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
Bachelors DegreeDuration
72 Months
Intake
Feb
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
Bachelor of Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
Master of Public Health
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Feb
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
Master of Science (Neuroscience)
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
New Zealand's only dedicated medical school — training the majority of NZ's doctors since 1875.
Top-ranked for research quality — rated 1st in New Zealand in the PBRF assessment.
Compact residential campus — most students live within walking distance of lectures and labs.
Strong health sciences cluster — dentistry, pharmacy, and physiotherapy all taught on one campus.
Medicine and health science graduates are recruited by DHBs (District Health Boards) across New Zealand and Australia.
Law graduates enter top NZ firms including Chapman Tripp, Russell McVeagh, and the public sector.
Science and research graduates pursue PhD programmes or roles in government research institutes like ESR and GNS.
Business graduates move into finance, consulting, and management roles across New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region.
Undergrad
1st December (prior year)
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
1st May
Postgrad
Rolling
Otago's campus sits at the centre of Dunedin, a compact university city where most students live close to lectures. The campus is walkable and purpose-built for student life.
Dunedin has a strong student culture — around 20,000 students in a city of 130,000. Costs are low compared to Auckland or Wellington, and outdoor activities like surfing and hiking are 30 minutes away.
Valid offer letter from Otago
Proof of funds for fees and living costs
English proficiency test results
Valid passport (6+ months remaining)
Overseas student health cover (OSHC)
Completed NZ student visa application (INZ)
