All new incoming international students must register for and attend a New International Student Enrolment and Orientation seminar before completing enrolment.
International students starting on campus in semester 2, 2025
If you are an international PhD or research master's (thesis-based) student enrolling on campus for the first-time instructions, please see instructions in the next section of this webpage.
For all other students, the semester 2, 2025 orientation and enrolment seminars are due to take place 7-11 July 2025.
We recommend new international students arrive on campus by 7 July at the latest to complete enrolment, participate in orientation activities and adjust to their new surroundings ahead of the first day of class.
- Certificate of Proficiency (COP) students who are here on a Study Abroad or Exchange programme: please register for the Study Abroad and Exchange Seminar at 10am or 2pm on Monday, 7 July.
- If you are in a postgraduate programme by coursework (postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma, honours, or masters) register for the Postgraduate seminar at 9:30am on Wednesday, 9 July.
All other students may select any remaining seminar. Any student can register for these seminars if the recommended seminars do not work for you.
After registering
You must email a high-quality PDF scan of your passport bio page and facing page and the PDF of your visa once you have received it from Immigration New Zealand.
Email international.orientation@otago.ac.nz
Please write your full legal name and student ID number in the email so that we can identify you. You will also need to bring your passport to the seminar with you and have it ready to present at the attendance desk.
Please contact the International Office if you have any questions.
Email international.orientation@otago.ac.nz
Research masters' or PhD students starting on campus
If you are an international PhD or research master's (thesis-based) student enrolling on campus for the first time (this includes students who have already begun their study remotely/online), you must report to the AskOtago Central Hub in Dunedin, or the AskOtago reception if you are studying at one of the other Otago campuses.
In Dunedin, the AskOtago Central Hub is located in the Information Services Building. The drop-in hours are:
- Monday to Friday: 10:30am–4:00pm (during semester)
- Monday to Friday: 11:00am–3:00pm (during semester break)
You will need to bring your passport and electronic visa with you to be verified. This step activates a series of important steps and services to support you with a smooth transition for your studies on campus, including an on-campus orientation session (mandatory to attend).
Please also register for an on-campus orientation/welcome session for PhD/masters' students by completing this survey:
Enrolment and orientation seminar registration survey – PhD/master's
Distance learning students
Students starting their qualification by distance learning should contact international.orientation@otago.ac.nz for a seminar day and time to attend orientation online.
International students starting on campus in Summer School and semester 1, 2026
Dates and registration details will be published later this year.