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A university entrance qualification is essential for admission to the University of Otago for all types of programmes.

Undergraduate entrance requirements

We recognise many other qualifications as equivalent to the New Zealand qualification for entrance. To check if we recognise your previous studies, select the country where you gained the qualification below.

We also accept the following International qualifications:

• International Baccalaureate: IB Diploma with a minimum of 26 points.
• GCE Advanced Levels: minimum grade of 8. 
• Satisfactory completion of one year’s study at an approved tertiary institution.

Selection into Health Sciences Professional Programmes is limited and occurs after the completion of Health Sciences First Year. View Undergraduate Health Science Information for International Students.

Postgraduate entrance requirements

Entrance requirements for postgraduate study vary by programme with most requiring a minimum bachelor-level qualification in the same field, and some having additional requirements such as relevant work experience and/or professional registration in New Zealand. 

A postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma can usually be taken at any time after the completion of your bachelor’s degree.

If you hold an honours degree or postgraduate diploma you may be able to eligible for master’s study by thesis only. In some cases if you hold a bachelor’s degree you may apply for a coursework master’s degree or for master’s study by coursework and thesis.

To study a PhD you usually require the completion of a master’s degree, or a first-class or upper second-class honours degree in the same area of study, or a related discipline, as your intended area of research.

Check the individual programme page for specific information on the entrance requirements of the programme you are interested in.

Applying for a research only Masters or PhD programme?

Before applying, you need to:

1. Visit the website of the academic department appropriate to your subject.
2. Identify the research interests of the relevant department(s) and individual staff members. The University of Otago expertise database is a good place to start.
3. Develop a possible research topic that fits in with these interests.
4. Approach a potential supervisor to see if vacancies exist for research supervision.

When applying, you need to include the following documents with your application:

• The documents detailed above (academic transcripts, ECE, and proof of identity).
• A detailed research proposal that shows you are familiar with current literature surrounding your topic.
• An up-to date curriculum vitae.
• The name of the academic staff member who has agreed to be your supervisor.
• An approximate start date.

Don’t meet the entrance requirements?

To help students acheive their goal of studying at Otago, the University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year (UOLCFY) offers a pathway for students to meet the entrance requirements. It also provides a excellent preparation for academic study at the University of Otago.

See Also: University of Otago Admissions