International student tuition fees

Find out about international tuition fees, along with additional costs and important information for international students.

International students are generally required to pay international tuition fees to study at Otago.

However, there are some exceptions:

• If you are an international PhD student, you are eligible to pay domestic tuition fees. 
  Learn more about tuition fees for international PhD students
• If you are an exchange student, you do not pay tuition fees to Otago.
• If you are an Australian student, you must check whether you qualify as a domestic or international fee-paying student.
  Information for Australian students

Paying your fees as an international student

To learn about tuition fee due dates and payment options, visit our 'Payment of Fees' page.

Find out how to pay your fees

Understanding international tuition fees

The figures listed in the fees schedules are a guide only and represent the tuition fee for a normal full-time course made up entirely of papers from the specified subject area. However, many students take papers from various subject areas.

As a result, your actual tuition fee is calculated based on the fees for each specific paper that you include in your course.

Tuition fees may change from year to year. If your programme extends beyond a calendar year (January–December), you'll need to pay the updated fee for each year you study.

Tuition fees for students continuing their existing programme of study may only increase by a maximum of 5% per annum.

Approximate tuition fees for specific undergraduate programmes are listed on their qualification pages.

Additional costs to consider

Please note that tuition fees do not cover the following additional expenses:

• Student Services Fee
  This compulsory fee funds the services available to students while studying at Otago. 
  Find out the cost of the Student Services Fee
• Administration fees
  You may need to pay additional administration fees while studying at Otago.
  View the different types of administration fees
• Insurance costs
  International students should consult the International Office regarding medical and travel insurance requirements.
  Learn about international student insurance requirements
• Accommodation costs
  We offer a variety of accommodation options for international students across all University of Otago campuses.
  Find out more about accommodation and living costs

Requesting a tuition fee receipt for your student visa

Tuition fee receipts are not generated automatically. To obtain a tuition fee receipt for your student visa application, please complete and submit the following form:

International tuition fee receipt form

Note that tuition fee receipts can only be issued once your payment has been received in the University of Otago's bank account.

To allow sufficient time for the Student Finance Office to prepare your receipt, we recommend that new students make their payment well in advance of their student visa application deadline.

Paying your fees with a scholarship

If you have received a scholarship, find out how your scholarship affects your tuition fees, where you can find the tuition scholarship value, and what steps to take to pay any remaining balance.

Learn more about fee payments with a scholarship

Tuition fees for international PhD students

If you are an international Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student, you are eligible to pay domestic tuition fees. To be classified as a domestic fee-paying student, you must reside in New Zealand throughout your studies, except for approved temporary absences abroad for doctoral research.
PhD students' dependents pay domestic student fees for primary schools (approximately ages 5–12) and secondary schools (approximately ages 13–18).

Find out more about fees for graduate research candidates (Research Master's and PhD)

Changes to your residency or citizenship status

International students who are granted New Zealand residency while enrolled may be eligible to pay domestic fees for the current year and for subsequent years (see below). To demonstrate a change of residential status, you must present an original passport along with a letter confirming your eVisa approval.

To be considered for a refund of fees to match the domestic fee level, the date of your residence visa award (as printed on the eVisa approval letter) must be prior to:

If a residence visa is awarded after these dates, international tuition rates will continue to apply for the duration of the paper(s).

If you are a new or current international student with pending New Zealand residency, you should seek advice from the University about your situation.

Contact us for help with your fees

For further information about fees please log an enquiry with AskOtago.
AskOtago enquiry form

Student Finance Office
Tel  +64 3 479 9006