Once you receive your Offer of Place, you must complete important enrolment steps before arriving on campus.
Key international application dates
The main international student application period is 1 May–15 November, for studies commencing in semester 1 (February).
International student applications can be submitted from 1 May–30 April for studies commencing the following semester 2 (July).
Note: Some programmes have different application periods (e.g. programmes in teaching, oral health, dental technology, postgraduate dentistry, postgraduate nursing). PhD and thesis-only Masters' applications can be submitted year-round, with support from a supervisor.
Key dates leading to semester 2 2025
| 1 May 2024 | Application round opened for studies commencing in 2025 (semester 1 or semester 2) |
|---|---|
| 1 April 2025 | Applications open for residential colleges and for Uni Flats |
| 30 April 2025 | Deadline for international applications for studies commencing in semester 2, 2025 |
| 1 June 2025 | Deadline to apply for accommodation for semester 2 (in residential colleges or Uni Flats) |
| 3 July 2025 | Uni Flats contract start date for semester 2 (possible to move in from this date) |
| 6 July 2025 | Recommended last day to arrive on campus for new international students starting in semester 2, 2025 |
| 7-11 July 2025 | Orientation Week – compulsory international orientation and enrolment seminars |
| 14 July 2025 | Semester 2, 2025 – formal classes begin |
Key dates leading to semester 1 2026
| 1 May 2025 | Application round opens for studies commencing in 2026 (semester 1 or semester 2) |
|---|---|
| 1 July 2025 | Applications open for undergraduate entrance scholarships (for domestic and onshore international students in a New Zealand high school) |
| 1 August 2025 | Applications open for residential college places (suitable for first-year undergraduate full degree students and Pathway students) |
| 1 August 2025 | Applications open for Uni Flats accommodation (suitable for exchange, Study Abroad, postgraduate and some other groups of students) |
| 15 August 2025 | Deadline for onshore international students to apply for Otago entrance scholarships |
| 30 September 2025 | Deadline for onshore international students to apply for residential colleges |
| 15 November 2025 | Deadline for offshore international students to submit an application for full degree studies commencing in semester 1, 2026 |
| 1 December 2025 | Deadline for Study Abroad applications |
| 1 December 2025 | Deadline for offshore international students to apply for Residential Colleges or Uni Flats accommodation |
| 10 December 2025 | Deadline for onshore international students to apply for studies commencing in semester 1, 2026 |
| TBC January 2026 | Uni Flats contract start date for semester 1 (possible to move in from this date) |
| 14-15 February 2026 | Residential colleges “move-in weekend” |
| 15 February 2026 | Recommended last day to arrive on campus for new international students studying in semester 1 |
| 16-20 February 2026 | Orientation Week – compulsory international orientation and enrolment seminars |
| 20 February 2026 | Preliminary lectures |
| 23 February 2026 | Semester 1, 2026 – formal lectures begin |
Key dates leading to semester 2 2026
| 1 May 2025 | Application round opened for studies commencing in 2026 (semester 1 or semester 2) |
|---|---|
| 1 April 2026 | Applications open for residential colleges and for Uni Flats |
| 30 April 2026 | Deadline for international applications commencing in semester 2, 2026 |
| 1 June 2026 | Deadline to apply for accommodation for semester 2 (in residential colleges or Uni Flats) |
| TBC July 2026 | Uni Flats contract start date for semester 2 (possible to move in from this date) |
| 5 July 2026 | Recommended last day to arrive on campus for new international students starting in semester 2, 2026 |
| 6-10 July 2026 | Orientation Week – compulsory international orientation and enrolment seminars |
| 13 July 2026 | Semester 2, 2026 – formal classes begin |