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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 applicants who have completed Years 12 and 13 in a New Zealand school, or a University of Otago Pathway | Te Huarahi programme (or an equivalent foundation course at another New Zealand tertiary institution), are eligible for many of the same entrance scholarships available to domestic students, and can apply by the same process, as outlined above.

International applicants (both in New Zealand and offshore) are also eligible for a dedicated international scholarship – the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship for International Students. This scholarship supports all eligible international students commencing study at Otago, whether you completed high school in New Zealand or in another country, and applies to both on-campus and online studies.

Learn more about the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship for International Students

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.

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
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