University of Otago Rankings

The University of Otago is ranked as one of the best universities in New Zealand and the world.

Top 1% of higher education institutions in the world

The University of Otago is one of the top 1% of higher education providers worldwide, and the second-highest ranked university in New Zealand with a global ranking of 214th in the QS World University Rankings.

5 Stars Plus rating

Otago has the highest-possible rating of 5 Stars Plus in the QS Stars global university ratings.

As part of the QS Stars Ratings, we received the maximum 5-star ratings for:

• Teaching
• Facilities
• Subject Rankings – Life Sciences and Medicine
• Employability
• Good Governance
• Environmental Impact
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Research
• Global Engagement

Top New Zealand university for educational performance

Otago ranks first overall for all four Tertiary Education Commission measures:

• First-year retention
• Qualification completion
• Course completion
• Progression from sub-degree programmes to undergraduate study

Unmatched record in National Teaching Excellence Awards

For 8 of the past 11 years, Otago has been the proud winner of the Prime Minister's Supreme Award for Teaching Excellence, standing out among other universities and polytechnics.

No. 2 in New Zealand for Sustainability

Otago ranks second in New Zealand for sustainability and is in the top 100 in the QS World Sustainability rankings.

No. 1 MBA programme in New Zealand

The Otago Online MBA is ranked top in New Zealand and is No. 37 in the world.

The Online MBA is No. 1 in the world for its Online Classroom Experience, and ranked third in the Asia Pacific Region.

New Zealand’s top-ranked subject

The University of Otago is home to New Zealand’s top ranked subject in the QS World University Subject Rankings.

No.1 subjects in New Zealand

Otago has three subjects in the global top 50, all of which rank top in New Zealand.

• Sports Related Subjects – #11 worldwide
• Anatomy & Physiology – #35 worldwide
• Dentistry – #45 worldwide

Global top 100 subjects

• Hospitality & Leisure Management – Top 51–100 worldwide
• Archaeology – Top 51–100 worldwide
• Theology, Divinity, and Religious Studies – Top 51–100 worldwide
• Classics and Ancient History – Top 51–150 worldwide

Otago also has a further 12 subjects ranked in the top 200 in the world, a further 10 subjects ranked between 201 and 300, and seven more in the global top 500.

Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)

Top 100 subjects worldwide

In the 2024 Shanghai Rankings, the University of Otago ranked 24 for Dentistry & Oral Sciences, in the top 50 for Hospitality & Tourism Management and in the top 100 for Food Science & Technology.

Top New Zealand subjects

Otago also ranked top in New Zealand in the following subjects:

• Dentistry – No. 1
• Earth Sciences – No. 1
• Biomedical Engineering – No. 1
• Medical Technology – No. 1
• Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Science – No. 1 equal

US News and Review

The University of Otago has a solid reputation for excellence, particularly in health sciences. Otago ranks top in New Zealand for four subjects:

• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Microbiology

Otago is also ranked second in New Zealand for a further seven other Health Sciences related subjects in the in US News Subjects Rankings.

University of Otago statistics

Annual statistics about students, staff, land, buildings, and the University of Otago Library