Academic Orientation runs the week before the start of the first semester. It’s a great opportunity to find your way around campus and ensure that by the time classes start, you’re ready to get going.
Due to the Government’s announcement on Sunday 14 February that Auckland will move to Alert Level 3 and the rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 2 until Wednesday 17 February, the following events have been cancelled:
Vice-Chancellor's welcome for Parents and Students – Locals (5:30pm to 6:30pm)
Vice-Chancellor's welcome for Parents and Students – Residential Colleges (2:00pm to 3:00pm)
Any events due to take place after Wednesday 17 February are currently scheduled to go ahead as planned. However, we will continue to update our website with the latest information as soon as we have it.
Pacific first-year students' orientation: Growing Pacific scholars 2021 (held over two days)
Monday 22 February 2021 at 8:30am - Te Huka Mātauraka (the Māori Centre), 515 and 519 Castle Street North
There are two pōwhiri: one in the morning (buses depart at 8:30am) for tauira studying in the Sciences, Commerce and Humanities; one in the afternoon (buses depart at 11:00am) for tauira studying First Year Health Sciences.
Monday 22 February 2021 at 9:00am - AskOtago Central Hub
A team of student advisers is available to help answer your questions about your chosen qualification every weekday during Orientation from Monday 22 February to Friday 5 March.
Monday 22 February 2021 at 9:00am - AskOtago Central Hub
Ask about papers, courses, qualifications or about your future. Student Advisers sit with you kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face) to help you review your study choices and check you’re on track to gain the most from your degree. Offered from Monday 22 February to Friday 19 March (weekdays only).
Monday 22 February 2021 at 9:00am - St David Complex Seminar Rooms A and B
Being IT and online ready is essential for successful study. Get your device set up, an learn how to access and use the IT systems at the University in these 20 minute sessions run between 9:00am and 4:30pm.
Monday 22 February 2021 at 10:00am - Big screen behind Student IT booth in AskOtago area (Ground floor of Central library).
Today there are two learning labs - 10:00am & 2:00pm and are approximately two hours long. If you are the only person at the session we can cover any topic you need to know about.
Monday 22 February 2021 at 10:00am - St David Complex Lecture Theatre
This is your first formal lecture. We will highlight academic differences between secondary school and university, provide you with advice to support your success and identify successful academic behaviours for you to utilise at university.
Monday 22 February 2021 at 10:15am - Front entrance of St David Complex in the courtyard area
Today there are four campus tours commencing at 10:15am, 11:15am, 12:15pm and 1:15pm — tours are approximately 45 minutes long. Tours of the campus will show you around University and focus on the particular area in which you intend to study.
Monday 22 February 2021 at 1:00pm - St David Complex Lecture Theatre
This will be your first formal lecture. We will highlight academic differences between secondary school and university, provide you with advice to support your success and identify successful academic behaviours for you to utilise at university.
Monday 22 February 2021 at 2:00pm - Main Common Room, Union Buiding
Meet other Locals in your papers so you have a familiar face to look for in your first week!
Monday 22 February 2021 at 4:00pm - Forsyth Barr Stadium
The Convocation Ceremony marks your formal welcome to the University of Otago. You will need to be seated by 3:50pm for the 4:00pm start.
Tuesday 23 February 2021 at 9:00am - AskOtago Central Hub
Ask about papers, courses, qualifications or about your future. Student Advisers sit with you kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face) to help you review your study choices and check you’re on track to gain the most from your degree. Offered from Monday 15 February to Friday 26 February (weekdays only).
Tuesday 23 February 2021 at 9:00am - AskOtago Central Hub
A team of student advisers is available to help answer your questions about your chosen qualification every weekday during Orientation from Monday 22 February to Friday 5 March.
Tuesday 23 February 2021 at 9:30am - St David Complex Seminar Rooms A and B
Being IT and online ready is essential for successful study. Get your device set up, an learn how to access and use the IT systems at the University in these 20 minute sessions rung between 9:00am and 11:30am.
Tuesday 23 February 2021 at 10:00am - Big screen behind Student IT booth in AskOtago area (Ground floor of Central library).
Today there are two learning labs - 10:00am & 2:00pm and are approximately two hours long. If you are the only person at the session we can cover any topic you need to know about.
Tuesday 23 February 2021 at 10:00am - St David Complex Lecture Theatre
This will be your first formal lecture. We will highlight academic differences between secondary school and university, provide you with advice to support your success and identify successful academic behaviours for you to utilise at university.
Tuesday 23 February 2021 at 10:15am - Front entrance of St David Complex in the courtyard
Today there are two campus tours commencing at 10:15am and 11:15am — tours are approximately 45 minutes long. Tours of the campus will show you around University and focus on the particular area in which you intend to study.
Tuesday 23 February 2021 at 11:30am - Meet at Locals HQ (top floor, Union Building)
Compete against the other collegiate communities in football, netball, volleyball and touch.
Tuesday 23 February 2021 at 1:30pm - Logan Park
First-year students from residential colleges, Uni Flats, and the Locals collegiate community meet and participate in an afternoon of social sport. including touch, netball, soccer and volleyball.
Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 9:00am - AskOtago Centre Hub
Ask about papers, courses, qualifications or about your future. Student Advisers sit with you kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face) to help you review your study choices and check you’re on track to gain the most from your degree.
Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 9:00am - AskOtago Central Hub
A team of student advisers is available to help answer your questions about your chosen qualification every weekday during Orientation from Monday 22 February to Friday 5 March.
Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 9:30am - St David Complex Seminar Rooms A and B
Being IT and online ready is essential for successful study. Get your device set up, an learn how to access and use the IT systems at the University in these 20 minute sessions run between 9:00am and 4:30pm.
Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 10:00am - Big screen behind Student IT booth in AskOtago area (Ground floor of Central library).
Today there are two learning labs - 10:00am & 2:00pm and are approximately two hours long. If you are the only person at the session we can cover any topic you need to know about.
Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 10:00am - St David Complex Lecture Theatre
This will be your first formal lecture. We will highlight academic differences between secondary school and university, provide you with advice to support your success and identify successful academic behaviours for you to utilise at university.
Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 10:15am - Front entrance of St David Complex in the courtyard
Today there are four campus tours commencing at 10:15am, 11:15am, 1:15pm and 2:15pm — tours are approximately 45 minutes long. Tours of the campus will show you around University and focus on the particular area in which you intend to study.
Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 11:00am - Locals HQ (top floor, Union Building)
Learn how to navigate campus so you don’t get lost when going to classes, and find all the support services available to students.
Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 11:15am - Castle 1 Lecture Theatre
International students new to Otago are invited to attend the Official Welcome.
Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 1:00pm - St David Complex Lecture Theatre
This will be your first formal lecture. We will highlight academic differences between secondary school and university, provide you with advice to support your success and identify successful academic behaviours for you to utilise at university.
Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 2:15pm - St David Complex Lecture Theatre
Meet staff, lecturers and students who will be part of your BA journey for the next three years. This orientation is your introduction to everything about the BA at Otago.
Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 2:15pm - Castle 1 Lecture Theatre
In this seminar you will get information and tips to help you navigate the Otago community.
Wednesday 24 February 2021 at 6:00pm - Starters Bar
Enjoy the lead up to your Toga Party in style with Locals and OUSA at Starters! We have sheets and expert Toga tiers ready to help you.
Thursday 25 February 2021 at 9:00am - Otago Museum Reserve
Find the perfect club or society you want to make part of your uni experience.
Thursday 25 February 2021 at 9:00am - AskOtago Central Hub
A team of student advisers is available to help answer your questions about your chosen qualification every weekday during Orientation from Monday 22 February to Friday 5 March.
Thursday 25 February 2021 at 9:00am - AskOtago Central Hub
Ask about papers, courses, qualifications or about your future. Student Advisers sit with you kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face) to help you review your study choices and check you’re on track to gain the most from your degree.
Thursday 25 February 2021 at 9:30am - St David Complex Seminar Rooms A and B
Being IT and online ready is essential for successful study. Get your device set up, an learn how to access and use the IT systems at the University in these 20 minute sessions run between 9:00am and 4:30pm.
Thursday 25 February 2021 at 10:00am - St David Complex Lecture Theatre
This will be your first formal lecture. We will highlight academic differences between secondary school and university, provide you with advice to support your success and identify successful academic behaviours for you to utilise at university.
Thursday 25 February 2021 at 10:00am - Big screen behind Student IT booth in AskOtago area (Ground floor of Central library).
Today there are two learning labs - 10:00am & 2:00pm and are approximately two hours long. If you are the only person at the session we can cover any topic you need to know about.
Thursday 25 February 2021 at 10:15am - Front entrance of St David Complex in the courtyard
Today there are three campus tours commencing at 10:15am, 11:15am and 1:15pm — tours are approximately 45 minutes long. Tours of the campus will show you around University and focus on the particular area in which you intend to study.
Thursday 25 February 2021 at 11:00am - Locals HQ (top floor, Union Building)
Did you miss our first welcome event or did you want to meet more Locals? Don’t worry, because here we will make sure you have the same chance to meet some new Locals and the Locals team.
Thursday 25 February 2021 at 12:00pm - Te Huka Mātauraka, 515 and 519 Castle Street North
Tickets are available for purchase at Te Huka Mātauraka ($5 Students and $7 Staff / Community). Every ticket sold will go in the draw to win a prize at the hāngī.
Thursday 25 February 2021 at 1:00pm - St David Complex Lecture Theatre
This will be your first formal lecture. We will highlight academic differences between secondary school and university, provide you with advice to support your success and identify successful academic behaviours for you to utilise at university.
Thursday 25 February 2021 at 5:30pm - Castle 1 Lecture Theatre, (there will be a live stream in Castle 2), dinner will be served after the welcome.
This is the annual welcome hosted by University of Otago leaders to officially start the new academic year, and to welcome you to our aiga here at Otago. All new and returning Pacific students and their families are invited to attend.
Friday 26 February 2021
Many departments hold preliminary lectures – short presentations that give you important introductory information about the papers for which you are enrolled. Please note, not all papers offer preliminary lectures.
Friday 26 February 2021 - Locals HQ (top floor, Union Building)
Come and hang out with the Locals team in the HQ in between your prelim lectures. We can answer any questions you have and help you prepare for classes on Monday!
Friday 26 February 2021 at 9:00am - AskOtago Central Hub
A team of student advisers is available to help answer your questions about your chosen qualification every weekday during Orientation from Monday 22 February to Friday 5 March.
Friday 26 February 2021 at 9:00am - AskOtago Central Hub
Ask about papers, courses, qualifications or about your future. Student Advisers sit with you kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face) to help you review your study choices and check you’re on track to gain the most from your degree. Offered from Monday 15 February to Friday 26 February (weekdays only).
Friday 26 February 2021 at 9:00am - Castle 1 Lecture Theatre
An introduction to the combined degrees: Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc), Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc). All students taking the BACom, BASc or BComSc are encouraged to attend.
Friday 26 February 2021 at 10:00am - Big screen behind Student IT booth in AskOtago area (Ground floor of Central library).
Today there are two learning labs - 10:00am & 2:00pm and are approximately two hours long. If you are the only person at the session we can cover any topic you need to know about.
Friday 26 February 2021 at 11:30am - Castle 1 Lecture Theatre
Don't miss this introduction to the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree.
Friday 26 February 2021 at 1:00pm - Castle 1 Lecture Theatre
An introduction to the combined degrees: Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc), Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc). All students taking the BACom, BASc or BComSc are encouraged to attend.
Friday 26 February 2021 at 3:00pm - Castle 1 Lecture Theatre
Don't miss this introduction to the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree.
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