Academic Programs

The University of Otago is a comprehensive University with departments and schools grouped into four academic divisions – Commerce, Science, Health Science and Humanities. While many of the qualifications available are specific to the area of expertise in one department or school, others are cross-disciplinary and incorporate the expertise of staff from a number of areas. Students wishing to obtain an undergraduate degree will find all bachelor degree programs at: http://www.otago.ac.nz/courses/qualifications/index.html
Otago is home to world class research and researchers who are passionate about their fields of study. Potential post graduate students will also find a diverse array of Ph.D., Master's, and Postgraduate Diploma programs. Particular areas of strength are the Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Earth Sciences, Business, Education, Language and Literature, History, Law, Philosophy, Public Health, and Sport and Exercise Science. Students should be aware that, in most cases, in order to apply for a Ph.D. you should have already completed the equivalent to a Master's Degree. You are also encouraged to identify and approach the academic (professor) you would like to supervise your Ph.D. program.
Master's Degree programs at New Zealand universities are typically 2 years duration, incorporating 1 year course work plus 1 year research thesis. Often times, the 1 year course work component of the Master program is equivalent to the 1 year Post Graduate Diploma program (PGDip). As a result, it is common for students to first enroll in the 1 year PGDip with the intention of then continuing to also complete the 1 year Master (by thesis only) program. Some specialist post graduate programs include the MBA, Entrepreneurship, Bioethics and Health Law, Indigenous Studies, International Studies, Science Communication, and Wildlife Management.

For information about admissions requirements at the University of Otago please see the Undergraduate Admissions and Graduate Admissions pages.


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Subject and Degree Areas

The University of Otago offers a wide range of majors including: accounting, anthropology, aqua culture and fisheries, Asian studies, biochemistry, biotechnology, classics, clothing and textiles sciences, economics, education, environmental management, exercise and sport science, film and media, finance, food innovation, gender studies, genetics, human nutrition, management, Maori studies, marketing, medical laboratory science, music, neuroscience, performing arts, oral health, pharmacology, physiology, political studies, psychology, social and community work, software engineering, tourism, theology, zoology, and so on!

A complete list of Otago’s subjects is be found at:
http://www.otago.ac.nz/subjects/index.html
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Links to Otago’s different academic departments can be found at:
http://www.otago.ac.nz/departments/index.html
(This page will open in a new window)

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Tuition

The Center for International Studies does not charge for its services in preparing you for studying for a full degree at one of our partner institutions, therefore you will be responsible for paying only the direct fees charged by the university you attend. Unlike U.S. institutions, overseas universities charge different fees for different programs. An example would be that if you are interested in a program in the Humanities you would probably pay less than in the Sciences where lab expenses would be included.
Tuition amounts vary considerably but a range for an undergraduate degree may be between $US10,000 - $US12,00 for non laboratory-based programs and $US15,000 to $US18,000 for laboratory-based programs.
Post Graduate fees can range from $US11,500 - $US17,000 per year, although International Ph.D. students enrolling for the first time at a New Zealand university from 2006 are eligible to pay tuition fees at the New Zealand domestic level ($US2,900 - $US4,800) provided they are resident in New Zealand while studying. When you request information on a particular university a fee schedule will be provided by CIS. In addition to the tuition fees, you will want to be prepared for the other costs associated with traveling abroad such as travel expenses, meals (if you are not on a meal plan), local transportation, spending money, etc. For exact costs on your specific program please look at the tuition fees for the University of Otago.
http://www.otago.ac.nz/international/pdfs/2008NZIntlFees.pdf
(These pages will open in a new window).

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Studying at Otago

The University takes its name from the province, Otago, of which Dunedin is its principal city. Dunedin (population 120,000) offers students the best of both worlds. It has all the facilities, entertainment, and variety of a larger city, but is small enough to be safe, friendly, intimate, and un-crowded.
Dunedin is also an excellent gateway to Central Otago and Fiordland where opportunities abound for hiking, skiing, water sports, adventure tourism (including bungy-jumping), or admiring the spectacular landscapes. Dunedin’s coastal location and climate is ideal for a wide-range of sporting and recreational pursuits.
Throughout the duration of an academic program many exciting events are taking place in Dunedin including the New Zealand Masters Games, the Dunedin Summer Festival, and numerous sporting events.
The climate of Dunedin in general is temperate; however the city is recognized as having a large number of microclimates and the weather conditions often vary between suburbs mostly due to the city's topographical layout. It is also greatly modified by its proximity to the ocean. This leads to warm summers (65°- 80° Fahrenheit) and cool winters (50°- 60° Fahrenheit). Winter can be frosty, but significant snowfall is uncommon (perhaps every two or three years), except in the inland hill suburbs such as Halfway Bush and Wakari, which tend to receive a few days of light snowfall each year. Spring can feature "four seasons in a day" weather, but from November to April it is generally settled and mild.

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Student Life

To get the most out of your experience, we recommend that you join the Otago University Students Association (OUSA), which supports over one hundred different student sports, arts, cultural and faith groups, from rugby to the outdoors club to the student improv association. Clubs and Societies also provide valuable leadership opportunities and work experience for students involved as committee members and organizers. A Clubs and Societies Day is held twice a year at the beginning of each semester to give students the opportunity to find out about these active and diverse groups.

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Accommodation

Students at the University of Otago have a wide range of accommodation options to choose from and most are able to live close to the University. The University also provides an accommodation placement service and we encourage students to apply to the accommodation office, however we cannot guarantee accommodation for international students. All residential colleges and a large number of self-contained flats are located within walking distance of the main campus. When you choose your accommodation it is important to find a place that is suited to your particular needs.
The majority of students attending the University of Otago for the first time choose to stay in a residential college. Additional information on the 12 Residential Colleges can be found at: http://www.otago.ac.nz/about/accommodation/residentialcolleges.html
For other students the most common style of living is in student flats, or other options including private board and supervised flats. For additional information on flatting refer to: http://www.otago.ac.nz/about/accommodation/flatting.html
If you intend to organize your own accommodation we recommend you arrive in Dunedin at least two weeks before classes begin.

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Useful links

Click here for useful degree abroad links.

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