As New Zealand's first university established in 1869, University of Otago has prided itself on being a research-led university with an international reputation for excellence in the past 150 years. It is ranked 206 in the 2023 QS World University Rankings and in the top 100 in 13 subject areas. Our more than 21,000 students make up one fifth of Dunedin’s population, creating an energy and atmosphere that you’ll only find at Otago.

Most undergraduate and postgraduate study takes place on the Dunedin campus, but the university also has Schools of Medicine and Health Sciences in Wellington and Christchurch, which are home to many leading medical researchers. Otago offers more than 200 undergraduate and postgraduate programs across four divisions: Health Sciences, Sciences, Humanities, Otago School of Business. It also offers a Summer School, Study Abroad and Distance Learning programs.

The town and the Otago’s campus developed together, so Dunedin is one of just a handful of places worldwide where education is the main activity of the city.