🇳🇿 University of Otago: Tuition, Scholarships & Visa Pathway for International Students
Real tuition figures, real scholarships, and the honest visa pathway after graduation, not marketing copy.
Quick Facts
| Location | Dunedin, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Global Ranking | QS World Ranking: #198 (2027 rankings), essentially stable after climbing from #214 (2025) to #197 (2026) — New Zealand's oldest university, founded 1869, and #1 in New Zealand for international student experience, with 25 subject areas in the world's top 200. |
| International Students | Around 2,500-3,000 international students from 90+ countries; ranked #8 globally for Dentistry — New Zealand's first-ever top-10 QS subject ranking. |
| Class 12 Minimum (Indian students) | 75% overall with at least 60% in English for AISSC, ISC, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal boards; 80% overall with at least 65% in English for all other state boards |
| English Requirement (Undergraduate) | IELTS 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5 |
| English Requirement (Postgraduate) | IELTS 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 |
| Approx. Acceptance Rate | ~58 to 70%, meaningfully less selective than Auckland at similar published minimums |
Tuition for International Students (2026)
NZD $23,000 to $65,000+/year. Notably affordable relative to Auckland for comparable global ranking, with Medicine and Dentistry at the top end
Real Scholarships: Not Just a List of Names
University of Otago Global Scholarships
Up to NZD $15,000 for students from India, Bangladesh, Nigeria and other eligible countries.
Visa & Post-Study Work Pathway
Yes — Otago graduates are eligible for New Zealand's Post-Study Work Visa, typically valid for up to 3 years for bachelor's degree or higher qualifications, with no employer sponsorship needed to hold the visa itself.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Otago good for international students?
University of Otago is a well-regarded university in New Zealand. QS World Ranking: #198 (2027 rankings), essentially stable after climbing from #214 (2025), New Zealand's oldest university, founded 1869, and #8 globally for Dentistry. A long institutional history speaks to stability, but it won't tell you about today's tuition, scholarships, or post-study work rights — check those directly before applying.
What tuition does Otago charge international students?
NZD $23,000 to $65,000+/year. Notably affordable relative to Auckland for comparable global ranking, with Medicine and Dentistry at the top end
What IELTS score and Class 12 percentage do I need for Otago?
IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for undergraduate, 6.5 (no band below 6.0) for postgraduate. For Class 12, 75% overall with at least 60% in English for AISSC, ISC, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal boards, or 80% overall with at least 65% in English for other state boards. Medicine and Dentistry require higher scores plus additional criteria.
Can I work in New Zealand after graduating from Otago?
Yes — Otago graduates are eligible for New Zealand's Post-Study Work Visa, typically valid for up to 3 years for bachelor's degree or higher qualifications, with no employer sponsorship needed to hold the visa itself.
See the full New Zealand university landscape and visa pathway.
🇳🇿 Study in New Zealand Guide 🔗 Official Otago WebsiteMethodology
Tuition, ranking and scholarship figures are compiled from each university's official admissions/scholarship pages and the QS World University Rankings 2026, cross-checked in July 2026. Figures are ranges and change annually, always confirm exact costs on the university's official site before applying or paying any fees.
Limitations
- Tuition varies significantly by specific programme/faculty; the ranges shown are indicative, not a quote for any specific course.
- Scholarship values and eligibility criteria change annually and by nationality; always verify current terms directly with the university.
- This page does not constitute admissions or immigration advice.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute admissions or immigration advice. Page last reviewed July 12, 2026.
VisaCalc is not affiliated with University of Otago and does not represent the university. All figures are independently compiled for informational purposes. Always confirm tuition, scholarships and admission requirements directly on the official Otago website before applying or paying any fees.