University of Otago

The University of Otago is a public research university in Dunedin, New Zealand. It is the country’s oldest university, founded in 1869, and the university presents Otago as a student-focused, research-led institution with a nationally significant residential college system and a strong international reputation.

Public university

• Establishment Date: 1869

• Comprehensive university education across humanities, commerce, sciences, health sciences, law, and related disciplines.
• Research-informed teaching and strong student academic performance.

• University status under New Zealand law: Established under the University of Otago Ordinance 1869 and current New Zealand education law framework.
• Academic Quality Agency (AQA) audit: Otago’s 2024 Annual Report states an academic audit was undertaken by the Academic Quality Agency for New Zealand Universities (AQA) in 2024.

• The university is ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.
• The 2024 Annual Report states Otago ranked 214th globally and second nationally in the QS World University Rankings.
• The same report states four Otago subject areas were in the QS world top 50: Sports-Related Subjects (12th), Anatomy and Physiology (30th), Dentistry (40th), and Hospitality and Leisure Studies (44th).

• Otago ranked first overall in three of the four national Educational Performance Indicators in 2024.
• The university reported 18,690 EFTS in 2024.
• More than 3,500 students lived in residential colleges in 2024.
• Otago has campuses in five main centres, but Dunedin is the main campus location.