How much is Otago’s main scholarship for international undergraduates?
The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship provides NZD 10,000 toward tuition.
Is the scholarship automatic?
Yes. No separate application is required for the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship.
What is the offshore Semester 1 deadline?
10 December in the year before study.
What does this scholarship actually cover?
An umbrella record for Otago's international scholarships. The broadest undergraduate award is the NZD 10,000 Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship, while more competitive and postgraduate awards can be larger.
Other verified benefits
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship offers NZD 10,000 tuition support to new international undergraduates. International Academic Excellence awards can be worth about NZD 35,000, while graduate research scholarships have separate stipend/fee packages.
Costs not confirmed or not covered
The general NZD 10,000 Vice-Chancellor award does not cover full tuition or living costs. Other awards have separate terms.
Who is eligible to apply?
Depends on award. The Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship is open to new international students commencing full-time undergraduate study and is automatically assessed through admission.
For offshore Semester 1 entry, the Vice-Chancellor scholarship closes 10 December; Semester 2 offshore closing date is 30 April.
Eligible countries
International applicants; some named Otago scholarships have restricted passport lists.
Language requirements
Selected Otago programme requirements apply.
Which documents may be required conditionally?
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificate
- English test certificate
- Research proposal
How do you apply?
- Apply for an Otago programme.
- Allow the university to assess you automatically for eligible international scholarships.
- Accept any scholarship offer by the deadline in your scholarship letter.
- For research degrees, check the separate research scholarship requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Does University of Otago automatically consider international students for scholarships?
For several awards, yes. The Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship for International Students requires no separate application and is assessed during admission.