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University of Otago

School Profile: Undergraduate | Graduate/Postgraduate

School Information

Country
New Zealand
Address
PO Box 56 Dunedin
Website
www.otago.ac.nz
Switchboard
64 3 4798344
Fax
64 3 479 8367
Email
international.admissions@otago.ac.nz

Admissions Contact

Name
International Admissions
Email
international.admissions@otago.ac.nz
Fax
64 3 479 8367

WGST 2008 Venues

Meet representatives from our University at the World Grad School Tour in 2008

  • Beijing
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  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Nanjing
  • Shanghai

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As New Zealand's first university, founded in 1869, Otago has earned an international reputation for the quality of its research and teaching, and is New Zealand's top-ranked university for research.

In 2008, the University of Otago has over 20,000 students enrolled and has a presence throughout New Zealand. Most undergraduate and postgraduate study takes place on the Dunedin campus, but the University is also represented in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Invercargill.

At the forefront of modern scholarship, Otago is able to attract first-rate academics, and our graduates are renowned for their independence and audacity of spirit, which makes them highly regarded by prospective employers.

Otago offers a rich cultural life, reflecting a diverse international student community and New Zealand's own multicultural population. It also has a network of some 70,000 graduates living in more than 120 countries and has establisehed alumni branches in many of the world's major sities including London, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur.
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Faculty
Number of International Faculty Staff Headcount: 947 FTE: 817
Number of academic faculty staff who are of foreign nationality. The term ‘international’ is hereby determined by citizenship. For EU countries, this includes all foreign nationals, even if from another EU state. In Hong Kong, this includes professors from Mainland China. Inclusion and exclusion mirrors those for academic faculty staff.
Number of Faculty Staff Headcount: 1,457 FTE: 1,257
Total number of academic faculty staff who are responsible for planning, directing and undertaking teaching only, research only or both teaching and research. Please include: vice-chancellors, deputy vice-chancellors, principals, professors, heads of school, associate professors, principal lecturers and tutors. Please exclude research assistants*, PhD students who contribute to teaching, and exchange scholars or visiting professors who are members of another university. *FAQ: How is research assistant defined?
Undergraduate Information
Number of Undergraduate Students Headcount: 16,548 FTE: 15,372
Number of students pursuing a Bachelor’s level or equivalent degree. This excludes certificates/diplomas and associate’s degrees.
Number of International Undergraduate Students Headcount: 3,624 FTE: 3,096
Number of undergraduate students who are foreign nationals. The term ‘international’ is hereby determined by citizenship. For EU countries, this includes all foreign nationals, even nationals of other EU states. In Hong Kong, this includes students from Mainland China. Please exclude all exchange students.
Average International Undergraduate Fees $ USD 16,367
Average tuition fees per academic year (two semesters) that an international student would be expected to pay for an undergraduate program, with ‘program’ referring to the complete range of courses contributing to a degree. FAQ: How do I calculate average fees?
Graduate / Postgraduate Information
Number of Graduate / Postgraduate Students Headcount: 4,585 FTE: 2,853
Students pursuing a higher-level degree (Master and Doctorate), including both taught and research postgraduates (e.g. PhD students)
Number of International Graduate Students Headcount: 1,369 FTE: 934
Number of graduate / postgraduate students who are foreign nationals. The term ‘international’ is hereby determined by citizenship. For EU countries, this includes all foreign nationals, even nationals of other EU states. In Hong Kong, this includes students from Mainland China.
Average International Graduate / Postgraduate Fees $ USD 17,657
Average tuition fees per academic year (two semesters) that an international student would be expected to pay for a graduate / postgraduate program, with ‘program’ referring to the complete range of courses contributing to a degree. FAQ: How do I calculate average fees?
Average Domestic Graduate / Postgraduate Fees $ USD 10,400
Average tuition fees per academic year (two semesters) that a domestic student would be expected to pay for a graduate / postgraduate program, with ‘program’ referring to the complete range of courses contributing to a degree. FAQ: How do I calculate average fees?
Students
Total Students Headcount: 17,739
Total number of students.
Total International Students Headcount: 2,192
Number of students who are foreign nationals. The term ‘international’ is hereby determined by citizenship. For EU countries, this includes all foreign nationals, even nationals of other EU states. In Hong Kong, this includes students from Mainland China.
Average International Student Fees $ USD 16,666
Average tuition fees per year that an international student would be expected to pay for any course
Average Domestic Student Fees $ USD 9,740
Average tuition fees per academic year (two semesters) that a domestic student would be expected to pay for any program, with ‘program’ referring to the complete range of courses contributing to a degree. FAQ: How do I calculate average fees?
Graduate Output
Proportion of Graduates Employed 92%
Proportion of graduates (excluding those opting to pursue further study) in permanent employment within 6 months of graduation
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Main claims to international academic or non-academic excellence

The University of Otago is New Zealand's most research-intensive university (Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. Research & Development in New Zealand, Wellington, 2006).

It is also the top-ranked university for research quality (Tertiary Education Commission. PBRF Quality Evaluation 2006. Wellington, 2007)

Basic TOEFL/IELTS requirements

IELTS: score of 6.0 in the academic module (no band below 6.0)

TOEFL (internet-based): score of 80 (writing score 20)

TOEFL (paper-based): score of 550 (TWE4.5)

TOEFL (computer-based): score of 213 (essay 4.5)

Accommodation

The University of Otago has a dedicated Accommodation Office, and accommodation can be booked pre-arrival. For further information, go to: http://www.otago.ac.nz/about/accommodation/intl_students.html

Entry Requirements

Entry to undergraduate programmes varies according to student's educational background. Generally speaking, students need to have the equivalent of 3 UK A-levels, with a minimum of 'C' passes, and have to meet the English language requirements.

Language Support

The University of Otago Language Centre offers a wide range of English-language courses at different levels. Information available at: http://www.otago.ac.nz/foundationyear/uolc

In addition to this, the University's Student Learning Centre offers free and confidential support to all students at any level of study.

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Otago International Masters' Awards. 4 available @ USD 20,000

This Award is offered by the University of Otago for Masters thesis study in any subject.

Tenure of a Postgraduate Award by a Master's degree student is for one year, or until the thesis is submitted, (whichever period is the shorter.) Students must be in the first year of their thesis research to be eligible for an Award. A shorter period of tenure shall be awarded in cases where four months or more of registration as a candidate for the degree have already been completed at the time of the award. Overseas tenure of a Postgraduate Award is not permitted.

Please note: the value of the scholarship varies according to the cost of tuition. The figure above is based on tuition fees of NZ$19,000.

The scholarship consists of an emolument of NZ$13,000 plus tuition fees at the International student level and costs incurred in the production of two hard bound theses.

Specialisation
Master's by Thesis

Application Process
Applications are made on the University of Otago Postgraduate Scholarships and Awards application form. In addition to the scholarship application applicants must complete a application form for admission to the University, and be accepted for a course of study before an Award or Scholarship is granted.

Postgraduate Awards are awarded by the University Council, on the recommendation of the Senate, to International candidates in the first year of their thesis research for a Master's degree.

Application URL
http://www.otago.ac.nz/study/scholarships/postgraduate_scholarships#internationalmastersawards

Deadline
1st November 2009

Otago Postgraduate Scholarships. 150 available @ USD 14,500

This Scholarship is offered by the University of Otago for PhD study in any subject.

Tenure of a Postgraduate Scholarship by a PhD student is for three years, or until the thesis is submitted (whichever period is the shorter), subject to the provision of satisfactory Annual PhD Progress Reports by the Department in which the student is registered. A shorter period of tenure shall be awarded in cases where six months or more of registration as a candidate for the degree have already been completed at the time of the award.

Overseas tenure of a Postgraduate Scholarship is not normally permitted. In exceptional circumstances, a period of up to one year's overseas tenure may be granted by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and International.

Please note: the value of the scholarship varies according to the cost of tuition, and the figure given above is based on tution fees of NZ$4000.

The Otago Postgraduate Scholarship consists of an emolument of NZ$20,000 per annum, plus tuition fees (at the NZ student level), and costs incurred in the production of two hard bound theses.


Specialisation
PhD

Application Process
Applications are made on the University of Otago Postgraduate Scholarships and Awards application form.

Postgraduate Scholarships are awarded by the University Council, on the recommendation of the Senate, to candidates proceeding to a course of study for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Application URL
http://www.otago.ac.nz/study/scholarships/postgraduate_scholarships#postgraduatescholarships

Deadline
1st November 2009

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  • 2007
Area Rank
Overall 114
Arts & Humanities 81
Life Sciences & Biomedicine 90
Social Sciences 92
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