Student life
Student stories
Kia tū ki te tahi - our people make a better world.
Our learners are at the heart of everything we do. We provide a welcoming and supportive environment, and offer a range of facilities, services and support to ensure you get the best from your experience with us. But don’t just take our word for it…
“Otago Polytechnic had the best graduate stats, post graduate stats, and employment stats. I was ecstatic when I was accepted”
Ann Gutsell, Nurse
"That practical stuff we did in labs and in the workshop, being challenged to solve issues ‘on the fly’ and actually resolving things in person rather than on paper . . . that project-based learning was really helpful."
Jarvis Cross, Mechanical Engineering graduate
“I’ve loved plants as a hobby all my life. I knew that if I was going to study, I needed to do something that I would really enjoy.”
Rikki Tubman, Landscape Designer
Returning to Study - Abby McErlane
Returning to study after twenty years in the hospitality industry wasn't always on the cards, but after a chat with a friend Abby McErlane decided to take the leap back into study.
Now graduating with a Bachelor of Design (Communication), Abby highlights the flexibility and support she received over her three years as key to her success.
This video was shot and edited by a third-year Communication Design student, as part of a Design internship programme
More student stories
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.