Kia ora (Hello) Partners, Welcome to the University of Otago International Education Consultant Newsletter - December 2025. |
|
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM NEW ZEALAND AND OUR HOLIDAY HOURS |
|
We would like to sincerely thank you for your continued support of Otago and wish you a joyful Christmas and a wonderful New Year holiday with family and friends. We look forward to working more closely with you in 2026.
The University of Otago will close from the afternoon of Tuesday 23 December 2025, and reopen on Monday 5 January 2026. Please note that part of our International Marketing and Recruitment team will return during the week of Monday 5th January, but the full team will be back from Monday 12 January 2026. |
|
OTAGO’S LATEST GLOBAL RANKING ACHIEVEMENTS IN SUSTAINABILITY, DENTISTRY, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY |
|
The University of Otago continues to demonstrate global excellence across key areas, reflecting our commitment to impactful research and leading education.
Sustainability: The University of Otago has been ranked 110th in the world in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026. This ranking acknowledges our ongoing commitment to a sustainable future, driven by cutting-edge research, campus projects, community action, and student-led initiatives.
Sustainability is integrated into the fabric of the University, evidenced by projects such as the Sustainability Neighbourhood, the Social Impact Studio, and our institutional goal of achieving Net Carbon Zero by 2030.
Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025 confirms the global standing of the University of Otago and demonstrates our commitment to world-class education: |
|
OTAGO GRADUATION CEREMONIES DECEMBER 2025 The University of Otago's December graduation ceremonies were concluding this week, marking the official admission of students to full membership of the University. Graduation ceremonies at Otago typically feature a colourful street procession led by the piping band, offering graduates and their families a memorable conclusion to their studies. We met with some incredible international students as they celebrated their graduation, and we also met with the people who supported them every step of the way: their parents. Together, they shared advice for future students, reflected on the experience of studying abroad, and spoke about what Otago has meant to them. Their stories remind us that every international journey is a family journey. |
|
UPDATED EVISION AGENT HANDBOOK We have recently refreshed our Agent Handbook (PDF), which serves as the comprehensive guide for successfully placing international student applications at the University of Otago. We kindly ask you to bookmark this document for your convenience while working on the eVision portal. Should you have any queries, please contact your Regional Market Manager directly. |
|
PRE-DEPARTURE WEBINARS FOR STUDENTS STARTING IN FEBRUARY 2026 If you missed our recent Pre-departure Webinar for students starting in Semester 1 (February 2026), you can now watch the recordings: Coming up in January 2026: We’ll be running our final live Pre-departure Webinar for full-degree students starting in Semester 1 (February 2026). Please feel free to register yourself or forward the invitation to your students so they can join us.
Pre-departure Webinar for full-degree students starting in Semester 1 (February 2026)
□ Thursday 15 January 2026
□ 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (New Zealand time)
□ Register here |
|
CHANGES IN WORK RIGHTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS FROM 3 NOVEMBER 2025 As you may have known, the New Zealand Government has recently increased the maximum working limit for eligible international students: You can find the most detailed and current information directly on the Immigration New Zealand website: www.immigration.govt.nz |
|
TUITION FEE RECEIPTS DURING HOLIDAY PERIODS A reminder that the official tuition fee receipt attached to student visa applications must be actively requested from the University of Otago (a screenshot from the eVision account is not sufficient). Receipts can only be issued once payment has been received in the University of Otago’s bank account. Please note it can take several days for international funds to clear.
For Diploma programmes (Arts, Commerce, Science) and all other full degree programmes (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PGCert, PGDip and PhDs) plus Study Abroad applications submitted through eVision: Receipts are requested and sent via eVision. Students will receive an alert notification and can download the receipt directly from the alert. If students need to send the receipt to their agent, they will need to do so themselves once the receipt is available in eVision.
For English Language and Foundation Studies Certificate students, tuition fee receipts will be automatically sent to the email address recorded in EBS, without the need for students to request them once payment has been made.
Of note, receipts are not required for Exchange students or those whose fees are paid directly to the University of Otago on their behalf.
Note that the holiday season is approaching – the University closes from 23 December 2025 and re-opens on Monday 5th January 2026. Tuition fee receipts will not be produced during this time. If the receipt deadline on your AIP letters falls during this period, please ensure you communicate promptly with INZ. |
|
REMINDER: STUDENT VISA APPLICATIONS If your students have received unconditional offers, we strongly advise that you submit a complete visa application to INZ now. This is a top priority action if you have not already done so. A friendly reminder to please ensure you review the following resources provided by INZ while supporting your students in applying for student visas: INZ’s webinars/ guidance: Immigration New Zealand (INZ) typically experiences peak season for student visa applications from October to March, corresponding to the start of the New Zealand academic year in January/ February. During these peak times, applications may take longer to process due to the high volume of demand. INZ strongly encourages applicants to submit their applications as early as possible (ideally at least three months in advance for students) to avoid delays and the risk of missing a start date or travel date.
If you have any questions about student visa applications, please contact INZ directly via email at educationagent@mbie.govt.nz
|
|
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STAYING AT OTAGO’S RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES Offer Acceptance Students must formally accept their on-campus accommodation offer promptly, then follow all instructions carefully to confirm their place (e.g., payment of deposit, providing a guarantor, signing the accommodation contract). Failure to accept will require a re-application, with no guarantee of future availability. Please note that securing on-campus accommodation is a separate process from accepting your admission offer. Residents' Guide and College handbooks These handbooks, available here, provide extensive information regarding college living. Students are required to confirm they have read and understood these documents when accepting their offer. Early Arrival International college students arriving earlier than the scheduled move-in weekends need to check directly with their colleges regarding early move-in. Please note that early move-in may not be possible as many colleges host conferences right up until the final day before the official move-in period begins.
Early arriving students can potentially be accommodated temporarily at Hayward College before moving to their assigned college:
The cost is $85 per day, which includes single accommodation with shared facilities, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Guidance for Parents/Guests During Orientation We strongly advise parents to urgently book their own accommodation if they plan to join their child for arrival. Please note hotels and flights to Dunedin are booking up quickly – the college move in weekend is the peak time of year when new students move from around New Zealand to start studies at Otago.
|
|
GOIN’ – CONNECTING NEW STUDENTS BEFORE ARRIVING ON CAMPUS
All new international students who have accepted their full offer to come to Otago have been invited to join Goin’ – a digital platform/app designed for new international students.
This platform is not for education consultants or university staff. Rather, it is a platform to help new students to connect and make friends and find interest groups, before they come to Otago! Invitations have been sent directly to students who have accepted their full unconditional offer of place at Otago.
|
|
If you have any additional questions or need help, please contact your Regional Market Manager. Ngā mihi nui - Kind regards, International Marketing and Recruitment Team
University of Otago |
|
University of Otago - International 362 Leith Street University of Otago Dunedin, Otago 9016 |
|
|
|
|
OfferEasy
/ 选学校
/ 新西兰大学
/ 奥塔哥大学
