Foundation Year at University of Otago

New Zealand

The University of Otago is ranked in the top 100 universities in the world (Times Higher Education Supplement). Otago’s Foundation Year was one of the first to be established in New Zealand in 1997 and is located in the heart of the Otago campus.

The Foundation Year Certificate is designed for both international students and New Zealand citizens and Permanent Residents wanting to gain an entry qualification to university and is an internationally recognised qualification allowing students admission to all universities in New Zealand, most in Australia, and partial admission to universities in the UK, Canada and the USA.

Foundation Year prepares students for degrees in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, International Business, Information Science, Design Studies, Environmental Management, Telecommunications, Molecular Biotechnology and more…

Guaranteed places are offered in some University of Otago Health Science fields if international students meet requirements

There is a diverse student body with people coming from over 25 countries including New Zealand. Each year 89% of student who come to Foundation Year are admitted to university.

Course details:

Foundation Year offers 6 streams of study: Commerce, Commerce Essentials, Arts

Health Science, Life Science, Applied Science

Students are taught in university lecture theatres and laboratories on campus ensuring that they feel confident and familiar with the university environment and free one-on-one consultation times with teachers assist students with learning new information and study skills.

Intakes: February and June. Bridging courses start in January and May.

Tuition Fees: NZ$15,750 for international students and NZ$3,500 for New Zealand citizens and Permanent Residents

English Language Requirements:

IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 525 or NCEA Level 2

Services :

Student Advisors, an Academic Dean, Accommodation Advisors and an Activity Co-ordinator are specialists in their areas and will support and advise students with personal, study, or accommodation questions. Accommodation options include homestay, a private college, or flatting

A student ID card gives access to University of Otago resources including information services, 24 hour computer suites, student health, clubs and societies, cafes and discounts on shopping, entertainment and travel

Our online visa service  can renew student visas or change a visitor visa to a student visa in 48 hours.

Weekly activities include football, badminton, basketball golf, horse riding, art classes, visiting a chocolate factory or taking an historic train journey. We also organise a student dance and food festival and take groups to Fiordland and Stewart Island and on a ski trip to Queenstown.

The University of Otago Foundation Year

PO Box 56

Dunedin, New Zealand

Ph: 64 3 479 5700

Fax: 64 3 479 5701

Email: foundation-year@otago.ac.nz

Website: www.otago.ac.nz/foundationstudies