About University of Otago

The University of Otago (Māori: Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo) is a public collegiate universitylocated in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. It scores highly for average research quality, and in 2006 was second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A-rated academic researchers it employs.[2] The university ranks highly in national league table; in the past it has topped the New Zealand Performance Based Research Fund evaluation.[3]
The university was created by a committee, including Thomas Burns,[4] and officially established by an ordinance of the Otago Provincial Council in 1869.[5] The university accepted its first students in July 1871, making it the oldest university in New Zealand and third-oldest in Oceania. Between 1874 and 1961 the University of Otago was a part of the federal University of

New Zealand, and issued degrees in its name.
Otago is known for its lively student life, particularly its flatting, which is often in old houses. Otago students (Scarfies) have a long standing tradition of naming their flats.[6] The nickname "Scarfie" comes from the habit of wearing a scarf during cold southern winters.[7] The university's graduation song, Gaudeamus igitur, iuvenes dum sumus ("Let us rejoice, while we are young"), acknowledges students will continue to live up to the challenge if not always in the way intended.

In addition to the main Dunedin campus, the university has small facilities in Auckland and Wellington (based at the Wellington Centre).[18] The medical schools have larger campuses near Christchurch and Wellington Hospitals. Additionally, the university has the Portobello Marine Laboratory inside Otago Harbour.

Why Choose University of Otago

Established in 1869 in the city of Dunedin, Otago is New Zealand's first university.

Otago is ranked in the top 3% of universities in the world.

The university has grown with the city, and today education is the main focus of the city; 22,000 of the 120,000 residents are students at Otago.

Dunedin is Australasia's only true student city, and provides an unmatched residential campus life, where you can live in the neighbourhoods with local students and have a true "kiwi" student experience.

Otago’s extremely beautiful campus is within 10 minutes' walk of Dunedin’s vibrant city centre.

Dunedin is also on the doorstep many of New Zealand's famed natural environments, from golden sand beaches complete with penguin residents, to vineyards, towering alpine peaks, impressive fjords, and glaciers tumbling through pristine sub-tropical rainforest. The south of the South Island is sure to hold great appeal for the adventure seeking study abroad student.

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