Full Curriculum at University of Otago in Dunedin

New Zealand Student With Mountain 614422070
What's Included

We invite you to study abroad in Dunedin, New Zealand at the University of Otago. The oldest university in the country, the University of Otago is known as one of the top universities in New Zealand in terms of quality of learning, living, support, and student services. You can select from a broad array of courses in the fields of Business, Health Sciences, Humanities, and Natural Sciences. This program also offers opportunities for fieldwork and research in the areas of marine and geological sciences.

Enroll in classes with students from across the world, earn valuable credit toward your degree, experience life in the "Wildlife Capital of New Zealand," and explore all this beautiful country has to offer!

What's Included?

Highlights

Pre Departure Services

Advising

APIConnect Platform

Orientation Materials and Resources

API Alumni Network

Scholarships

On Site Services

Airport Reception

On-Site Orientation

Housing

Resident Coordinator

Tuition

Medical and Life Insurance

Excursions

Social and Cultural Activities

Welcome and Farewell Group Meals

Volunteer Opportunities

Re-Entry Services

Re-Entry Materials and Support

Post-Program Evaluation

Transcript

Alumni Network and API Ambassador Program
View all opportunities and amenities

Application Requirements

  • 3.0 G.P.A.
  • Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors
  • Completed API application
  • University Approval Form
  • Official transcript
  • One letter of recommendation
  • Entry requirements: valid passport with student visa
Dates & Fees
Session Program Dates Program Cost Application Deadline Extended Application Deadline Payment Deadline
Spring Feb 15, 2024 - Jun 20, 2024 $19,500 Nov 15, 2023 No Extension Dec 15, 2023
Fall Jul 4, 2024 - Nov 10, 2024 $19,900 Apr 15, 2024 No Extension May 15, 2024
Academic Year Jul, 2024 - Jun, 2025 $41,900 Apr 15, 2024 No Extension May 15, 2024

*Tuition and fees are included in the program fee but please note some universities charge extra tuition/fees for specialty areas in some science and engineering disciplines, for example, to cover laboratory, studio, or fieldwork. These fees will be billed separately but students will know in advance which papers are subject to additional fees.

Excursions

API students participate in excursions designed to help familiarize them with the culture and surrounding areas of their host city and country. The following is a listing of potential excursions for API Dunedin programs. API may need to modify the excursions offered in a given term due to travel restrictions or health and safety concerns.

  • Dunedin - Orientation

    API New Zealand students will begin their program with a 2.5-day arrival orientation in their host city of Dunedin. This orientation will provide the opportunity to get to know fellow participants, API, and university procedures, and rules, to explore your new host city and to allow for a smoother transition into New Zealand life. Students will spend two nights together in a hotel before moving into their semester housing on day three.

  • Catlin's Road Trip

    Some of the most wonderful places around this area are south of Dunedin. Often students forget about heading south and forget about the hidden gems down there. During this trip the students will get to see McLeans falls, Nugget point lighthouse, petrified forest and Purakanui falls. This will give the students a taste of the wonderful nature that NZ has.

  • Esplanade Surf School

    Students will have the amazing opportunity to learn to surf in New Zealand. All materials will be provided, and students will get first-hand experience and will be riding the waves in no time!

  • Hiking in Dunedin

    Together, students will choose one of the moderate hiking trails in Dunedin. Other arrangements can be made for students who are not physically able to complete this walk.

  • Lord of the Rings Tour

    On this full day excursion, students will see some of the beautiful scenery and famous Lord of the Rings movie sites on the South Island of New Zealand.

  • Orokonui Ecosanctuary Tour and API Gives Back

    Students will visit the Orokonui Eco-Sanctuary where a lot of New Zealand’s native insects, birds, plants, trees and animals reside. This trip will include a guided tour of the Eco-Sanctuary, where the group will learn about the ongoing conservation work to help preserve the native forest and the birds that live in it. Students will also have the opportunity to get their hands dirty with some volunteering. This could involve trimming flax bushes, clearing the path, or other tasks that need to be done. The excursion will conclude with a light afternoon tea at the Eco-Sanctuary classroom.

  • Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour

    This excursion is designed to show the students the many things that Dunedin has to offer. The tour will begin with a trip to the world's steepest street, and will proceed 40km around the harbor to Tairoa Head, where the Royal Albatross colony is located- the only land based colony in the world. Students will participate in an hourlong tour around the colony, seeing chicks on the nests and hearing about the pest prevention program. The group will then head around the coast to the Penguin Place, where a penguin hospital exists for injured or sick penguins. The tour continues in the conversation land through tunnels and trenches to see the penguins that have taken residence in the conservation park. Here visitors can get up close to yellow eyed penguins and the New Zealand fur seal. This walk will offer stunning views of some of Otago’s rough beautiful coastlines and forestry.

  • Otago Museum

    Students will visit the Otago Museum to learn about the historical foundation of their host city. A top attraction in Dunedin, this museum hosts one of the largest collections in all of New Zealand.

  • Rotorua

    You will fly to Rotorua, middle of the North Island, for a three-night adventure. This excursion will include opportunities to learn about the Maori culture, the flora and fauna unique to the country, and partake in some fun activities!

  • Dunedin - Orientation

    API New Zealand students will begin their program with a 2.5-day arrival orientation in their host city of Dunedin. This orientation will provide the opportunity to get to know fellow participants, API, and university procedures, and rules, to explore your new host city and to allow for a smoother transition into New Zealand life. Students will spend two nights together in a hotel before moving into their semester housing on day three.

  • Catlin's Road Trip

    Some of the most wonderful places around this area are south of Dunedin. Often students forget about heading south and forget about the hidden gems down there. During this trip the students will get to see McLeans falls, Nugget point lighthouse, petrified forest and Purakanui falls. This will give the students a taste of the wonderful nature that NZ has.

  • Esplanade Surf School

    Students will have the amazing opportunity to learn to surf in New Zealand. All materials will be provided, and students will get first-hand experience and will be riding the waves in no time!

  • Highlanders Rugby Game

    Students will attend a game of rugby under the roof of the only covered stadium in NZ, watch the Otago Highlanders take on one of their competitors!

  • Orokonui Ecosanctuary Tour and API Gives Back

    Students will visit the Orokonui Eco-Sanctuary where a lot of New Zealand’s native insects, birds, plants, trees and animals reside. This trip will include a guided tour of the Eco-Sanctuary, where the group will learn about the ongoing conservation work to help preserve the native forest and the birds that live in it. Students will also have the opportunity to get their hands dirty with some volunteering. This could involve trimming flax bushes, clearing the path, or other tasks that need to be done. The excursion will conclude with a light afternoon tea at the Eco-Sanctuary classroom.

  • Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour

    This excursion is designed to show the students the many things that Dunedin has to offer. The tour will begin with a trip to the world's steepest street, and will proceed 40km around the harbor to Tairoa Head, where the Royal Albatross colony is located- the only land based colony in the world. Students will participate in an hourlong tour around the colony, seeing chicks on the nests and hearing about the pest prevention program. The group will then head around the coast to the Penguin Place, where a penguin hospital exists for injured or sick penguins. The tour continues in the conversation land through tunnels and trenches to see the penguins that have taken residence in the conservation park. Here visitors can get up close to yellow eyed penguins and the New Zealand fur seal. This walk will offer stunning views of some of Otago’s rough beautiful coastlines and forestry.

  • Rotorua

    You will fly to Rotorua, middle of the North Island, for a three-night adventure. This excursion will include opportunities to learn about the Maori culture, the flora and fauna unique to the country, and partake in some fun activities!

  • Dunedin - Orientation

    API New Zealand students will begin their program with a 2.5-day arrival orientation in their host city of Dunedin. This orientation will provide the opportunity to get to know fellow participants, API, and university procedures, and rules, to explore your new host city and to allow for a smoother transition into New Zealand life. Students will spend two nights together in a hotel before moving into their semester housing on day three.

  • Catlin's Road Trip

    Some of the most wonderful places around this area are south of Dunedin. Often students forget about heading south and forget about the hidden gems down there. During this trip the students will get to see McLeans falls, Nugget point lighthouse, petrified forest and Purakanui falls. This will give the students a taste of the wonderful nature that NZ has.

  • Esplanade Surf School

    Students will have the amazing opportunity to learn to surf in New Zealand. All materials will be provided, and students will get first-hand experience and will be riding the waves in no time!

  • Highlanders Rugby Game

    Students will attend a game of rugby under the roof of the only covered stadium in NZ, watch the Otago Highlanders take on one of their competitors!

  • Local Hiking Exploration

    Together the group will choose one of the many great walks around Dunedin. Starting from the bottom, students will work our way up the walking track to the top. This won’t be a casual walk in the park, but it’s not extreme mountaineering either.

  • Orokonui Ecosanctuary Tour and API Gives Back

    Students will visit the Orokonui Eco-Sanctuary where a lot of New Zealand’s native insects, birds, plants, trees and animals reside. This trip will include a guided tour of the Eco-Sanctuary, where the group will learn about the ongoing conservation work to help preserve the native forest and the birds that live in it. Students will also have the opportunity to get their hands dirty with some volunteering. This could involve trimming flax bushes, clearing the path, or other tasks that need to be done. The excursion will conclude with a light afternoon tea at the Eco-Sanctuary classroom.

  • Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour

    This excursion is designed to show the students the many things that Dunedin has to offer. The tour will begin with a trip to the world's steepest street, and will proceed 40km around the harbor to Tairoa Head, where the Royal Albatross colony is located- the only land based colony in the world. Students will participate in an hourlong tour around the colony, seeing chicks on the nests and hearing about the pest prevention program. The group will then head around the coast to the Penguin Place, where a penguin hospital exists for injured or sick penguins. The tour continues in the conversation land through tunnels and trenches to see the penguins that have taken residence in the conservation park. Here visitors can get up close to yellow eyed penguins and the New Zealand fur seal. This walk will offer stunning views of some of Otago’s rough beautiful coastlines and forestry.

  • Rotorua

    You will fly to Rotorua, middle of the North Island, for a three-night adventure. This excursion will include opportunities to learn about the Maori culture, the flora and fauna unique to the country, and partake in some fun activities!

Program Details

What You’ll Study

TOTAL CREDITS - 12-15 credits per semester

API students in Dunedin will have the opportunity to study at New Zealand’s oldest university – the University of Otago. The University of Otago has been rated by international students as one of the top universities in New Zealand in terms of quality of learning, living, support, and student services. API students will study alongside “Kiwis” and other international students. There are also opportunities for fieldwork and research in the areas of marine and geological sciences. For more information on these options, contact the API office.

EXTEND YOUR STAY

As the spring semester ends shortly before the summer program, students may elect to extend their stay in Dunedin by staying on after the spring term. Students who repeat programs are eligible for program discounts. Contact the API office for more information on these options.

TRANSCRIPTS

Students receive an official transcript from the University of Otago upon completion of their program.

  • Stephanni Greenan headshot

    Stephanni Greenan

    Stephanni Greenan will be your Program Coordinator and will help you prepare to go abroad!

    (she/her/hers)

  • Hugo Borges Photo

    Hugo Borges

    Hugo Borges is the Dunedin Resident Director and will be there for you during your stay abroad.

    (he/him/his)

Courses
Click Here to Find Classes

COURSE OFFERINGS

CREDIT INFORMATION

API partner universities in New Zealand operate on a credit ‘point’ system. Courses in New Zealand are commonly referred to as “papers.” The credit point weight per paper varies from 15-20, depending on the course with 18 credit points most common. Generally speaking, one 18 point paper is generally equivalent to 3-4 U.S. semester credits. Most students take 3-4 papers per semester for 54-72 credit points per semester or 12-16 U.S. semester credits. Given that point values vary, the way in which credits completed abroad will transfer to a student’s home campus will be under the discretion of the student’s home institution, and should be verified in advance.

Courses at University of Otago

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Courses at University of Otago

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Courses at University of Otago

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Highlights
  • Top business accreditations (AACSB, EQUIS)
  • One of the world’s best oceanography programs (#1 in 2011)
  • New Zealand’s oldest university
  • Unique Teacher Education Program
Housing

All API Dunedin students will be housed close to each other in shared university flats on/near campus. Students will have their own private bedrooms, and share common areas such as a kitchen, dining/lounge room, and bathroom facilities with their flatmates. Internet and utilities are included.

378A B C Leith St 37039625556 O
480 Leith St3 37087279141 O
94 Forths Street 36392630214 O
Castle St Purpose Built 36392630894 O
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