Otago Polytechnic Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

Otago Polytechnic is a public university in Otago, New Zealand. The university offers tertiary education across campuses in Dunedin, Central Otago, and Aukland. It offers career-focused education with small class size. Otago University also offers a range of courses available online through its e-campus.

The university is dedicated to sustainability through a range of initiatives, including the single-use plastic-free cafe, active plantations, and composting options. The university works for the welfare of the New Zealand South Island Maori tribe and is connected locally with them. This is a student-friendly university with more than a 90 percent student satisfaction rate.

Otago Polytechnic offers many facilities to students through a childcare centre, a student learning centre, a student health centre, and student IT services. In addition, the Otago Polytechnic Students’ association is a non-formal group of university students who support and celebrate various student-driven on-campus events.

 

Courses Offered

What are the courses available to international students?

Otago Polytechnic offers more than 150 programmes to international students at the university. Students can choose from a range of programmes at the UG and PG levels. The university has 92 certificate courses, 22 diploma courses, 21 bachelor’s courses, 18 graduate courses, 24 postgraduate courses, and 42 short courses. The significant areas of study at Otago Polytechnic are:

 

Eligibility & Documents Required

What are the eligibility requirements?

To apply to the various courses at Otago Polytechnic, international students must fulfil the minimum eligibility criteria. The requirements are as follows:

For UG programmes

• The applicant must have completed secondary school equivalent to New Zealand’s NCEA levels (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).

• The scores required in CBSE, HSC, or ISC examinations are:

For PG programmes

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognised institution is required.

• A minimum B- or grade 7 and equivalent during the bachelor’s course is required.

• Relevant work experience in a related field (for some courses, including Business and Management) is necessary.

English Language Requirements

International students whose first language is not English must demonstrate language proficiency through standardised test scores. The scores required in these tests for bachelor’s and master’s programmes are given below:

 

What are the documents needed for the application?

The documents required for applying to courses at Otago Polytechnic are listed below:

For UG programmes

• Academic documents demonstrating the successful completion of secondary school with relevant subjects are required.

• Transcripts of all documents that are not in English

• Portfolio and writing sample of 300 words

• Proof of English proficiency through standardised test scores

• Certified copies of proof of identity and proof of residency

• A curriculum vitae

• A copy of your passport

For PG programmes

• Academic documents demonstrating the successful completion of a bachelor’s programme in a related discipline are required.

• Transcripts of all documents that are not in English

• Portfolio and letter of introduction

• Proof of English proficiency through standardised test scores

• Certified copies of proof of identity and proof of residency

• Name and details of at least two referees

• A curriculum vitae

• Proof of relevant work experience (for some courses)

• A copy of your passport

 

Application & Tuition Fees

Is there any application fees?

Otago Polytechnic does not charge an application fee to international students applying to programmes at the university.

What is the fee structure of the courses offered by the university? 

Otago Polytechnic has different tuition fees for domestic and international students. The tuition fees for international students at the university depend on their levels of study and programme choices. The below chart shows the range of tuition fees for 2021-2022:

Source: Otago Polytechnic

Note: Fee is subject to change with course specialisation and progressive years.

 

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students?

Otago Polytechnic does not usually offer scholarships to international students. However, for 2021 and 2022, Otago Polytechnic will offer scholarships through significant tuition fee reduction for international students across various levels of study. There is no separate application for these scholarships. All eligible students are automatically awarded appropriate scholarships according to the availability of funds. These scholarships are only applicable to on-campus programmes and not the online courses offered by the university.

Here are the details of the Covid-19 relief scholarships offered by Otago Polytechnic:

 

Admission Process

When do the admissions start?

Otago Polytechnic has a rolling admission process so that students can apply for various courses at the university throughout the year. For most programmes, there are mainly two intake sessions, semester 1 and semester 2. A few courses have three intake sessions. International students are allowed to apply until the start date of the programmes. However, it is advised to apply at least three to four months before the programme start date.

The tentative deadlines for UG and PG courses are listed below:

Note: Deadlines are subject to change with course specialisation and progressive years.

How to apply to UG courses?

International students can apply for UG courses at Otago Polytechnic through the official application portal. The steps to follow while applying are as follows:

Step 1:

Visit the application portal at www.op.ac.nz/apply#Start and select your preferred course. Select the location and start date. Click on ‘confirm your selection’.

Step 2:

Enter your personal information, including your first and last name, email address, date of birth, and phone number. Then, click on next.

Step 3:

Create a new account using one of the options available from RealMe, Facebook, or Google. Set up your account by providing your email address with a phone number to receive the OTP and provide answers to a couple of security questions.

Step 4:

Upon registration, enter the remaining personal details and demographics, such as gender, residency status, and the last school attended.

Step 5:

Enter academic information and upload the academic record of the highest secondary school qualification.

Step 6:

Upload the proof of English proficiency through standardised test scores.

Step 7:

Next, provide a link to your portfolio website or upload your portfolio. Also, provide a writing sample or essay of 300 words.

Step 8:

Then, upload a copy of your passport. Finally, verify your application and mark it as complete. You will receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting the application.

How to apply to PG courses?

For admission to PG courses at Otago Polytechnic, international students must apply through the official application portal of the university. Here are the steps to follow for the application:

Step 1:

Visit the application portal at www.op.ac.nz/apply#Start and select your preferred PG course. Select the location and start date. Then, click on ‘confirm your selection’.

Step 2:

Enter your personal information, including your first and last name, email address, date of birth, and phone number. Then, click on next.

Step 3:

Create a new account using one of the options available from RealMe, Facebook, or Google. Set up your account by providing your email address with a phone number to receive the OTP and provide answers to a couple of security questions.

Step 4:

Upon registration, enter the remaining personal details and demographics, such as gender, residency status, and the last school attended.

Step 5:

Enter academic information and upload the academic record of the last programme you studied, such as your bachelor’s degree.

Step 6:

Upload the proof of English proficiency through standardised test scores. Then, provide details of at least two referees.

Step 7:

Next, provide a link to your portfolio website or upload your portfolio. Also, provide a writing sample or essay of 300 words.

Step 8:

At this stage, upload a copy of your passport. Finally, verify your application and mark it as complete. You will receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting the application.

 

When will I hear from the university after I submit my application?

Otago Polytechnic processes each application as they receive it. It takes around 2 weeks for the university to make an admission decision. Each applicant is notified of the admission decision through an official email from the university. International students can also check the status of their applications on the official application portal.

Student Diversity & Preferred Profile

What are the chances of getting into this college/university? What is the acceptance rate?

Otago Polytechnic has an average acceptance rate. Therefore, admission would be easy for most students with a consistently good academic record. For competitive courses, each applicant is assessed based on their academic records. Their admission is recommended to the OPAIC Director, Learning and Teaching, who approves the final selection.

For engineering courses, the applicants must have analytical and computer skills, good communication skills, and practical thinking. Admission to some courses may require interviews, which forms the basis for selection when shortlisting candidates for popular programmes with several applicants.

 

How many Indian/international students study at the university?

Otago Polytechnic has more than 8,000 students currently enrolled at the university. Out of these, more than 770 are international students.

Otago Polytechnic Students 2020

Here is a chart representing the international student body at Otago Polytechnic for 2020:

Source: Otago Polytechnic

 

Part Time Work While Studying

Can I work while studying here?

International students at Otago Polytechnic are allowed to work during their studies at the university. The minimum wage in New Zealand is NZD 18.90 per hour. Most international students get a part-time job that pays the minimum wage. However, an international student pursuing a master’s course or PhD programme can work full-time without time restrictions.

Visa Rules

A New Zealand student visa allows international students enrolled in UG programmes to work part-time for up to 20 hours during classes and full-time during holidays. The student must be enrolled in a full-time course for a minimum duration of two years. Full-time work during holidays is allowed if the course has a minimum of 120 credits and a duration of at least one year or two semesters.

 

Campuses & Accommodation

How many colleges and campuses does the university have?

Otago Polytechnic has a main campus in Dunedin, another campus in Central Otago, and an international campus in Auckland, New Zealand.

The university also offers many online courses through its e-campus and distance learning programmes for students around the world.

Is on-campus housing available? How much does it cost?

Otago Polytechnic offers on-campus accommodation to international students through housing options in its residential village. The 231-bed furnished residential village is close to the city centre, libraries, gyms, and sports grounds. The cost of on-campus accommodation at Otago Polytechnic is given below:

Dunedin Campus

Source: Otago Polytechnic

Meal Options

The catered room includes food options provided by the college. Self-catered rooms have a kitchenette near the room so that students can prepare food independently. Students can also order food from the Eden Cafe, Manaaki restaurant, or AKO Espresso Cafe on the campus. The approximate cost of food per week is 80 to 120 NZD.

Off-Campus Accommodation

Students can opt for off-campus accommodation to suit their preferences and facility requirements. These accommodations can be in the form of flats, studio apartments, homestays, and private accommodation units. The tentative cost of living is given below:

Dunedin

Source: Otago Polytechnic

Central Otago

Source: Otago Polytechnic

Auckland

Source: Otago Polytechnic

Living Expenses

 

University Contact Information

Whom should I contact in case of doubts?

In case of queries or doubts, international students can contact Otago Polytechnic through any of the following contacts:

Website: op.cwp.govt.nz/

Email: info@op.ac.nz

Address:

Auckland International Campus

Level 1, 350 Queen Street

PO Box 5268, Auckland

New Zealand 1142

Central Otago Campus

Corner Erris & Ray Streets

PO Box 16, Cromwell

New Zealand 9342

Dunedin Campus

Forth Street

Private Bag 1910, Dunedin

New Zealand 9054

Phone:

Auckland: +64 9 309 0301

Central Otago: +64 3 445 9900

Dunedin: +64 3 477 3014