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Why Study at Otago?

A University City

As a student at New Zealand's oldest university you will become part of a unique educational experience. Otago's attractive campus is a mixture of historic and modern buildings located in the centre of Dunedin. The campus is a short walk from the city's central shopping and services.

Otago students rate its campus lifestyle as one of its strongest attractions. The students live as a community immediately around the campus area in student Colleges of Residence or self-catering flats. University students and staff constitute one-sixth of the population of Dunedin.

A University of International Standing

Otago's high international standing is reflected in its performance in international rankings. Shanghai Jiao Tong University's ranking of the world's universities in 2009 placed Otago in the 201-302 bracket of universities together with the University of Auckland. Otago and Auckland are the top-ranked New Zealand universities in this survey.

In the 2009 THES/QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd ranking of world universities Otago was placed 125th in the world. Otago recorded the highest score of any New Zealand university for citations per faculty. Otago was ranked in the top 100 universities in the discipline areas of Life Sciences and Biomedicine and Arts and Humanities.

A National University

Otago is a national university in the sense that the majority of its students come from outside the city. In 2008 approximately 75% of enrolled students came from outside of Dunedin, and approximately 65% from outside of the Otago/Southland region. This provides for a friendly and social campus where it is easy to make friends and share experiences.

In addition to Otago's main campus in Dunedin, the University has campuses in Christchurch and Wellington (principally for Medicine and Health Science).

A Research-Led University

The University of Otago is New Zealand's most research-intensive university (Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. Research and Development in New Zealand. (Wellington, 2006)). Otago is also New Zealand's top-ranked university for research quality (Tertiary Education Commission. PBRF Quality Evaluation 2006. (Wellington, 2007)). The PBRF ranked Otago first in more subjects areas than any other institution. These included:

• Biomedical Sciences
• Clinical Medicine
• Earth Sciences
• Economics
• Education
• English Language and Literature
• History and Classics
• Law
• Philosophy
• Public Health
• Religious Studies and Theology
• Sports Recreation and Exercise Science

Otago also has more first or second-ranked subject areas than any other institution and more than 50% of Otago's academic staff were identified as nationally or internationally distinguished.

The University has developed Research Themes and Areas of Research Strength to encourage multidisciplinary research across academic fields. The University has also invested in a Centre for Innovation, bringing academic and applied researchers together to pursue commercial development of research outcomes.

The Information Services Building

The latest addition to the University's facilities is the Information Services Building (ISB). This complex houses the Central Library and extensive computer laboratories. The ISB features greatly expanded reader spaces, multimedia and online searching, and facility for students to use their own laptops for web browsing or email. For further information please visit http://www.otago.ac.nz/library

Pathways to Study

For students who need further academic preparation before commencing undergraduate study the University offers an eight month Foundation Year programme. After completion of the foundation Year to the required standard, students are guaranteed a place in the first year course for which they have prepared.

For students who need specific English language preparation the University's Language Centre offers English for academic purposes, and is a registered test centre for IELTS and TOEFL.

Support for Students

The University of Otago is committed to providing a conducive learning environment for students. The International Office provides special services to International Students prior to and after enrolment, and the Student Learning Centre provides help with essay writing and study skills. Our residential colleges are especially useful in helping school-leavers make the transition to university life because they offer support and guidance and are a great way to make new friends and share new experiences.

In 2008 the University was winner of the 'Excellence for Student Support' award at the Education New Zealand conference. The award recognized the University's 'culture of care' for international students.

The University offers two papers, LING 121 English for Academic Purposes and LING 122 Advanced Academic English, which are intended to help students for whom English is a second language and which can also be credited to many degree programmes.

Experience Otago

Obviously, there's more to university life than study. Spectacular scenery and awesome recreation opportunities are just a few hours' drive away. The South Island is home to some of the best ski and boarding resorts, adventure tourism and hiking opportunities. Visit the The City & Region page for further information.

Joining the Otago Alumni Community

An Otago degree is recognised as providing a stepping-stone to professional careers in New Zealand and overseas. An Otago graduate is widely regarded for his/her wide skills base and ability to relate to people across cultural boundaries. Otago graduates are located around the world, and alumni associations have been formed in Sydney, Melbourne, Toronto, London and Kuala Lumpur. Please visit the Unversity of Otago's Alumni website for further information.