The University of Otago, founded in 1869 by an ordinance of the Otago Provincial Council, is New Zealand’s oldest university. The university has five campuses across New Zealand. Situated in Dunedin, the main campus houses central administration, Otago Business School and the departments of sciences, humanities and health sciences. 

The Christchurch campus is home to Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The campus is also the center of distance learning, postgraduate education, research, and clinical education. 

The University of Otago’s Wellington campus is based at the University of Otago, Wellington. The Wellington campus has the Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and it is also the center of distance learning, postgraduate education, research, and clinical education. 

The Auckland campus is responsible for children's issue, distance education, liaison, and course information. 

Invercargill campus hosts education and health sciences students and academic and clinical staff.

The university has two sites in Invercargill:

• College of Education Invercargill Campus on Nelson Street
• Health Sciences Study Hub at Southland Hospital

Here, at Otago, you will have unprecedented opportunities. You will be taught by international experts in their fields; you will gain a world-class qualification, and you will be able to contribute to ground-breaking research. The student experience at Otago is exceptional. 

Academic departments and schools at the University of Otago are divided into four academic divisions.

• Division of Health Sciences
• Division of Humanities
• Division of Sciences
• Otago Business School (Division of Commerce)

The University of Otago delivers teaching, research and outreach activities at campuses and facilities extending the length of New Zealand, from Auckland in the north to Invercargill in the south.

The University’s main campus in Dunedin has been recognized as one of the most beautiful university campuses in the world, with an intriguing mixture of historic and state-of-the-art, purpose-built buildings, beautiful green spaces, and the Leith River flowing through the middle of campus. 

The University has an ambitious campus development plan with several new facilities recently completed or built.

Mellor Laboratories

Home to the departments of Human Nutrition, Food Science and Chemistry, the Mellor Laboratories offer state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, a dietetics laboratory, a bioengineering laboratory and a metal-free Clean Lab.

Unipol Recreation Services

Located on campus in Dunedin’s premier stadium, Unipol offers weight training and cardio rooms, group fitness classes, outdoor rental and activities, and social sports.

New Zealand’s only dental school 

The Faculty of Dentistry’s new Clinical Services Building opened in 2019 and is the most technologically advanced facility in Australasia for teaching, patient care and research. 

In 2021, a new dental teaching facility and patient treatment clinic was opened in Auckland.

Central Library 

Housed in the award-winning Information Services Building, the Central Library is a warm and comfortable space to study and offers access to a vast array of resources.

Music, Theatre, Dance and Performing Arts Centre 

Opened in 2020, this purpose-built facility incorporates a recording studio, performance spaces, recording booths and practice rooms, all equipped with cutting-edge technology.