Accommodation and Living Costs
We understand that finding good accommodation is important to help you succeed in your study. There are a number of options available to you. Here at the University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year we have assessed all homestay and university owned accommodation options. They are all suitable for you. All other types of accommodation have not been assessed by us.
- Homestay Accommodation
- Meeting you in Dunedin
- University Owned Accommodation
- Flatting
- Temporary Accommodation
- Financial Matters and the Cost of Living in New Zealand
Homestay Accommodation
Homestay is an option that allows students to concentrate on their studies while also offering them the opportunity to join in a family lifestyle if they wish.
Students will be provided with breakfast and dinner Monday to Friday and three meals a day at the weekends. The student's bedroom is private and is furnished with a study desk, heater and bedroom furniture. Students are given a key to their host's home so they can be as independent as they wish.
Hosts are all visited by an accommodation coordinator and with over 300 hosts on our database, we can offer a variety of host accommodation i.e. vegetarian, families with children, independent flat-like accommodation, young couples, older couples, farm stays... you choose - we can find something to suit everyone!
Homestay Fees
Homestay fees are located on our Dates and Fees page.
Homestay Application Form
Download the Homestay Application form:
More Information
For more information Ph: 64 3 479 5710 or Email: uolcfy.accommodation@otago.ac.nz
Meeting you at the airport or bus station when you arrive in Dunedin
If you are staying in a homestay you will be met by your host family at Dunedin airport or the bus station. Please make sure you have told us the date and time that you will arrive by emailing us at: uolcfy.accommodation@otago.ac.nz. When we have your arrival date and time we will arrange for your homestay family to meet you and take you to their home. This is a free service.
If you have decided to live in a residential college, flat, studio or private hostel accommodation, you will need to take a shuttle or a taxi to your accommodation. This will cost you a shuttle or taxi fare, so please ensure that you have money to pay the driver.
University Owned Accommodation
International students at Foundation Year may be placed in university-owned accommodation.
Flatting
Flatting means that you share a house with other people. They are called flat mates.
You share the cost of the rent, food, electricity and telephone and/or Internet charges.
Houses are owned by landlords.
You can find a house (flat) by:
- Visiting the University of Otago Accommodation Office for a list of houses to rent
- Looking in the Saturday edition of the Otago Daily Times newspaper
- Visiting a real estate agent
You will need to book temporary accommodation to live in when you first arrive. This is important as your first choice of accommodation may not be available.
Language Centre and Foundation Year staff do NOT assess or inspect private flats.
Accommodation Contracts
- You should be aware that once you have signed an accommodation contract with a privately owned hostel or flat, you are bound by that contract.
- There are financial penalties if you change your mind after signing the accommodation contract.
Sample Accommodation Budget
A sample accommodation budget for a full-time student flatting is available on the University of Otago website at: http://www.otago.ac.nz/about/accommodation/budget.html
Temporary Accommodation
We recommend you apply for accommodation as soon as possible.
You will need to book temporary accommodation to live in when you first arrive. This is important as your first choice of accommodation may not be available.
Temporary accommodation options are available on the University of Otago website at http://www.otago.ac.nz/about/accommodation/temp_accommodation.html
Financial Matters and the Cost of Living in New Zealand
- In order to live comfortably while you are in Dunedin, you will need to have about $NZ12,000 - $NZ15,000 per year available for living costs, above the cost of your tuition.
- You will receive advice from student support at the orientation programme on how best to handle your money.
- It is important that you have some New Zealand cash for immediate costs (eg airport costs or transport). You may need further funds in the form of travellers cheques which can be readily cashed. There are foreign exchange offices at the international terminals of each New Zealand airport.
- We strongly recommend that while in New Zealand you do not carry large amounts of cash on your person or leave cash in your room.
- We suggest opening a bank account as soon as possible after arrival. There are three banks with branches in the campus area: the Bank of New Zealand, ANZ Bank and the National Bank, and there are numerous automatic teller machines that dispense cash 24 hours a day.
- You can also purchase goods using EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) at nearly all retailers. Any major amounts of money may be sent in the form of a bank draft, but electronic transfers are, in most cases, the most efficient method of sending funds to New Zealand.
- Overseas cheques are sometimes difficult to clear and are not recommended.