The University         

The University of Otago is New Zealand’s oldest university. It maintains a strong reputation in the sciences, and has excellent facilities which are centrally located. The university campus is an attractive blend of historic and modern buildings, situated only a few minutes from the city center. Otago is strongly committed to a policy of international education, which is enhanced by its large number of alumni scattered throughout the world.

Dunedin, the city in which the University of Otago is located, is very accessible. While it is large enough to offer all the attractions of a big city, it is compact enough to travel about in without a car. The city’s location on the coast keeps the climate temperate throughout the year.

The Program

This is a direct enrollment program in which participants are enrolled in classes with regularly-enrolled New Zealand students. These classes include courses in (but are not limited to): accounting, anthropology, chemistry, computer science, economics, education, English, geology, human nutrition, information science, management, Maori and pacific studies, martketing, mathematics, philosophy, psychology, women’s studies, and zoology. Students enroll for a minimum of 12 credits or 18 Otago points.

Program Dates

• Fall - early July to mid November
• Spring - February to June

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.  Acceptance is based on the student’s academic standing, recommendations, and personal study statement.

Housing and Meals

Students have the option of being housed in residence halls on campus, or sharing rooms in local apartments with New Zealand students. On-campus housing offers fully-catered, as well as self-catered, meal plans. Contact the program specialist, Ryan Lemon, for program specific housing options.