Otago

The southern hemisphere’s first public girls’ secondary school opened in Otago in 1871, establishing the region’s tradition of helping generations of high school students to reach their full potential.

Otago secondary schools teach more than 40 internationally-recognised subjects, and give extensive support to English language learners. They also provide international students with safe and secure learning and living conditions.

Schools teach the National Certificate in Education Achievement (NCEA), which enables students to enter university and other tertiary education institutions in New Zealand and around the world. Some Otago schools also offer other globally-recognised awards and qualifications, such as the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

With a higher-than-average number of residents who speak English as their first language, Dunedin and the Otago region are an ideal destination for students wanting to study in an immersive English language environment.

Otago’s higher education institutions and specialist English language providers offer intensive foundation studies and English language learning programmes.

Students are given the support they need to reach their goals, whether they want to improve their English in a specific professional field or gain the language skills to progress to a certificate, diploma or degree programme.

Short-term English study programmes are also available for groups.

Otago has wide open spaces, accessible wilderness areas, white sandy beaches and awe-inspiring scenery - all without the crowds.

It’s easy to get around in Otago, and there’s lots to see. It’s a great place for outdoor adventure, with rivers, lakes and mountains on your doorstep.

You can ski, snowboard, surf, fish, walk, skydive, bungy jump, explore the region’s significant arts and culture, visit former gold rush towns, experience world-class vineyards or meet the local wildlife - including penguins, seals and albatross. Otago’s relaxed, hurried pace of life gives you more time to focus on living as well as studying.

Study in Otago and you’ll find it easy to meet people your age. Almost half the people in Dunedin are under the age of 30, the youngest population of any New Zealand city.

Otago has a strong social culture and a relaxed lifestyle. Whether you’re living in lively Dunedin, one of Central Otago’s close-knit small towns or the laid-back lakeside community and tourism hub of Wanaka, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet young people and make lifelong friendships.

The Sexy Summer Jobs programme matches students who want paid internships with Dunedin employers.

A speed-dating event gives students a chance to meet prospective employers while developing their interview skills.

Available to all university and polytechnic students, the programme gives students valuable work experience. It also gets results - half of students are offered a job after their internships.

For budding entrepreneurs, the Audacious programme offers Otago university and polytechnic students a chance to further their startup ideas with workshops, business coaching, a startup space and a Dragons’ Den-style business challenge.

Otago’s educational institutions have developed pathways to help international students achieve their study and career goals.

The region’s tertiary institutions work to make it easier for students to progress from school to undergraduate courses, and to graduate and postgraduate study.

Students may have opportunities to work in Otago after graduation. The local economy has strengths in education, healthcare, hospitality, tourism, retail and manufacturing, plus a growing tech industry.