Inbound students
Offshore students wanting to study for one or two semesters at Otago Polytechnic. This study will contribute towards your qualification at your home institution. Your home institution needs to have a partnership agreement with Otago Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga.
Study Abroad or Student Exchange?
The Academic Year at Otago Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga
- Semester One: February – June
- Semester Two: July – November
As a Study Abroad or Exchange student, you can enrol for one or two semesters (two semesters is a full year).
Study Abroad
- You will pay tuition fees to Otago Polytechnic.
- You must check with your institution’s international or study abroad office about credit towards your home degree.
Student Exchange
You can apply for Exchange if your institution is an Otago Polytechnic partner through an exchange and study abroad agreement.
- You must be nominated for the programme by the study abroad or international office of your institution. If selected, you remain enrolled with your institution.
- You continue to pay your home institution fees, and do not pay Otago Polytechnic tuition fees. However, you will need to pay for medical and travel insurance and some supplementary fees.
- The courses you study may be credited towards your home degree.
Please note: Admittance of Study Abroad and Exchange students to these courses will be determined by places available and academic eligibility.
Are you eligible?
To be eligible to apply for Study Abroad or Student Exchange you should have:
- completed at least one year of study at an accredited tertiary institution outside of New Zealand. Students from the USA are expected to be in their Junior year.
- current enrolment at an accredited tertiary institution.
- a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or greater (USA), or have “credit”, “good”, or above average results.
- be studying towards an undergraduate bachelors degree (not a Masters or PhD).
Study options and prerequisites
In order to maintain full-time status you will be required to select 45 to 60 credits per semester (our courses range from 15 to 45 credits each).
Your study results
Upon completion of your programme, you will receive an official academic transcript detailing your results to present to your home institution.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
Student visa
International students in New Zealand require a student visa to enter the country. Please visit immigration.govt.nz for information on obtaining a student visa.
How to apply
To apply for Study Abroad or Student Exchange at Otago Polytechnic please contact the international office of your home institution.
Your international office will nominate students directly to the Otago Polytechnic international office, and we will contact the student with information regarding how to apply.
Application closing dates
- Semester One 2025:
- Nomination: 01/11/2024
- Application: 15/11/2024
- Semester Two 2025:
- Nomination: 18/04/25
- Application: 02/05/25
Programmes for Inbound Learners
Students must choose 45-60 NZ credits per semester. Students must choose all courses from the degree in which they are studying. Students need to have prior learning in the programme in which they apply.
Useful information
Travelling to another country can be a scary thought so take some time to read up on New Zealand, what you need to do before arriving here and where you could stay.
I studied in Finland
Tane Leilua spent four months studying Civil Engineering at Finland's Lappeenranta University of Technology.
Contact us
If you’re not sure what to study and would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.
