Get advice
Tertiary study opens up a lot of opportunities and gives you both academic, and life skills. Explore the resources we have in place for you and get advice on anything and everything - from what to study, what it's like on campus and even career advice.
We're here to help
Whether you're after study advice, don't know which course to choose, or need a hand easing into tertiary education, we have loads of people who can answer your questions, show you around our campus and programmes and help you with any decisions.
Our teams are here to support you before, during and after your studies, ensuring you get the most out of your time as a student.
Customer Services
If you’re in Dunedin, you are welcome to pop into our Forth Street office any time and talk to one of our friendly and knowledgeable team at our Customer Services desk. Just as you walk in the main entrance of The Hub, you will see the desk and people to help you.
Our team can even help you apply right then-and-there! We have a computer set up and can provide guidance as you go. This is a great option if you don’t have access to a computer or an internet connection. You can also apply using your mobile phone.
Help over the phone
We have a team of helpful staff waiting for the phone to ring too! This is a great option if you’re on our website and need something explained in more detail or you can’t find what you’re looking for. Call 0800 762 786 to talk to someone in our Contact Centre.
Liaison Advisors
Whether you’d like a guided campus tour, help with your application, or detailed information about what Otago Polytechnic has to offer, our Liaison team is ready to help.
Steph and Carly know all about our programme offerings, student services and campuses. They can help you with any questions you might have about Otago Polytechnic and guide you towards the study option that best aligns with your goals.
They can also connect you with lecturers and student support services and will tailor a guided campus tour to focus on the study area(s) that interest you the most. To book a campus tour, please email liaison@op.ac.nz with your preferred study area, date and time, and they’ll be in touch to confirm your visit.
You can catch Carly and Steph at secondary schools and career expos across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Or feel free to reach out them directly – they’re always happy to help you!
Kaitakawaeka Māori
Tereinamu works within our Māori Student Support Centre (Te Punaka Ōwheo) and is happy to answer any questions you might have about studying with us. She can connect you with iwi resources and scholarship opportunities, and answer any other questions you might have about coming to OP.
With a focus on fostering connections between Te Punaka Ōwheo and schools, community groups, and mana whenua, Tereinamu serves as a bridge of cultural understanding and support.
Reflecting the core values of whakawhanaungatanga and manaakitanga, she will make sure you feel welcomed and supported along every step of your journey.
Classrooms don't have to be lecture theatres and study rooms.
At least not on our campuses!
We're off getting real world experience,
that will help us nail that dream job.
Design and build whatever you need for your projects,
or create and express yourself in a space you can call your own.
We have some of the best technology available,
and there's no chance you'll be overlooked in our inspiring classes.
What better way to learn the art of hospitality,
than by experiencing the food service itself, from pasture to plate.
We learn our trade by doing.
And by having state-of-the-art tools, equipment and machinery...
gets us ready for the job!
Te Pā Tauira, our Dunedin Student Village, is a home away from home.
Of course, we have flexible options to fit study around your lifestyle.
We're committed to sustainability,
to make a real difference in the world.
And we'll continue to minimise our environmental impact.
We are proud to be Rainbow Tick Certified.
And support our students and staff to be their authentic selves.
Surround yourself with like-minded people.
Get access to the best equipment,
new technologies,
and world-class teaching.
Join us for fun, friends, community and support.
Get free career advice
Not sure what you want to do? Thinking of your next step? Learn about the many career options and job opportunities that are available to you, no matter what stage of study you are at.
Career advice is available to both prospective and current students. We offer expert guidance and a friendly ear to help you make informed career decisions based on your own personal values, goals, and interests.
We can discuss career options, a possible programme of study, job applications or interviews, or any other career related topic.
Frequently asked questions
We know you might have some questions about studying and everything that comes with it! We’ve pulled together some common questions but reach out to us if you can’t find the answer to what you want to know.
Usually, semester one runs from late February until late June, and semester two runs from mid-July until mid-November. These dates may not apply to all programmes and there may be some variations.
Once you have submitted your application, our Academic Registry team will gather together the required information, then will pass it on to the academic staff for review. If accepted into a programme of study, you will receive an offer letter, which you need to accept (via our applications portal) to secure your place.
If you want to return to Otago Polytechnic to complete a qualification that you started with us but didn’t finish, please get in touch with our Contact Centre team who can help you. They will be able to connect you with the right school who can then advise the right process. Email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.
Domestic and international programme fees are listed on the corresponding programme pages on our website. Explore the various funding options for free fees and various government-led initiatives. StudyLink can take the financial pressure off, offering student loans for course fees and allowances.
Where possible, we’ve also included an Additional Cost section. This shows the amount of money you will need to pay for things like specialist equipment or textbooks.
Apply for student loans and allowances at the same time as you apply for your programme of study due to the length of time StudyLink can take to process. If you have a change of circumstances, simply contact Studylink and they will advise you.
StudyLink can help with:
- compulsory student fees
- course-related costs (e.g. books, laptops, etc.)
- day-to-day living costs
- other costs (e.g. disability or childcare)
Fees Free is a Government scheme that means your first year of tertiary study could be free (up to $12,000/120 credits). You qualify if you’ve never been enrolled in tertiary study over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher in New Zealand and are a domestic student*.
* Please note: The Government has advised that they intend to change the Fees Free policy from 2025. The details of the change are yet to be confirmed. We'll update this information as soon as we can with any new details. The Fees Free policy for 2024 is unchanged.
Timetables are usually released just before your programme starts or sometimes in the first days of study. If you need to know approximately how many hours a week you’ll spend studying, check out the programme information sheet 'Your workload' section.
Our Student Success team are here to help you with any issues that pop up along the way – and yes, they’re here over the semester break and holidays! You can chat to them about your study, money worries or even personal problems. They are available on our campuses and online, to cater for all of our different study modes.
Free parking for Otago Polytechnic students is available at the Forsyth Barr Stadium car park. When you start, you’ll need to complete a Parking Form and we’ll send you a parking permit.
If you’re thinking of studying with us but feel that cost is a barrier, don’t panic! We have a variety of scholarships to help you. Some of our scholarships are for any of our programmes but some are for specific programmes.
Each scholarship may have a different application processes and deadline. Most of our scholarships are for domestic students but we do have some for international students too.
Take a tour
Take a guided tour of our Dunedin campus, tailored to include specific study areas and facilities you’re interested in.
Parents and whānau information
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Familiarise yourself with OPBrowse our Prospectus and Parents and Whānau Guide, both are great references for you to draw from to support your loved one on their decision-making journey.
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Take an interest in their studiesTalk about their ambitions and what they’d like to study and go through the Prospectus together. If you need more support in this space, we have Career Advisors to help.
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Encourage balanceStudying for the first time often coincides with making more independent choices than ever before. It’s a good idea to promote a balanced lifestyle - a healthy dose of fun and study.
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Money mattersHave conversations about costs - both to study and live as a student. StudyLink offer student loans and allowances to domestic students.
Make an enquiry
Explore our campuses
We’d love to give you a guided tour around our campuses, so you can get a real feel for what its like to be a student at Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin, Cromwell or Wanaka.
