Fund your study with a scholarship, so you can focus on what matters.
A scholarship is an award of money to help pay for your university study. Entrance scholarships are available for full-time, first-year undergraduate study.
The University of Otago offers a range of undergraduate entrance scholarships that recognise academic excellence, leadership qualities, ethnicity, financial hardship, disability, and excellence in sporting or cultural pursuits.
If you are going to be living in a residential college, your scholarship will help with your costs, or possibly cover those costs entirely. If you have a fees-free first year, you can use your scholarship for your fees in your second year of study. If you are an international student, your scholarship will be paid as a credit to your tuition fees.
You don't need to worry about applying for specific scholarships. Based on the information you provide in your application, you will be considered for all applicable scholarships and awards open on the date we receive your application.
Applications open on 1 July each year. Closing dates vary, but many close on 15 August.
International students
International students who will achieve university entrance having studied at a New Zealand high school, or at a New Zealand-based foundation programme are also eligible to apply for the Otago Entrance Scholarships. You need to actively apply for the Otago Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships, following the same process and deadlines as domestic students and as explained through the Prepare and Apply links on this page.
If you have studied overseas, you can learn more about other types of international scholarships here:
Learn more about all Scholarships for International Students
Pathway | Te Huarahi programmes
The University of Otago Pathway | Te Huarahi programme offers university entrance qualifications for students who have not otherwise met UE requirements. The Foundation Studies Certificate (FSC) prepares you for all undergraduate degrees offered at the University of Otago through the four academic divisions – Health Sciences, Commerce, Humanities and Sciences. The Diploma in Arts and Diploma in Commerce allow direct progression to the second year of a relevant bachelor's degree.
Māori and Pacific students
There are two scholarship programme opportunities to support Māori and Pacific students through the Foundation Studies Certificate Health Sciences course in preparation for future tertiary health-related study.
- Ngā Koroī: A Health Sciences scholarship programme for Māori students
- The POPO Foundation Scholarship Programme (PFP)
International students
The University of Otago Pathway | Te Huarahi Scholarship supports international students commencing the pathway programmes.
Further information
To find out more about entrance scholarships, please contact us:
Email entrance.scholarships@otago.ac.nz
Freephone 0800 80 80 98 (within New Zealand)
Tel +64 3 479 7000
Find us on Facebook