International
Fees for international students
The cost of your study is broken down into tuition and fees. To help you understand the cost of study at Otago Polytechnic, here is a list of the different types of fees.
Required fees
All the required fees will be included on your offer of place.
Tuition
Tuition is the cost of your programme. You can check the tuition fee on the programme page of the programme you wish to study. Make sure to check the tuition for international students.
Additional programme fees
Additonal programme fees cover the cost of programme materials, and vary by programme. If the programme you are interested has additional programme fees, these will be listed on the programme page.
We have an international fees table where you can compare tuition across different programmes of study.
Student Services Fee
The Student Services Fee contributes to the support made available to you as a student and pays for your Student ID Card. Learn more about the Student Services Fee.
Travel and Medical Insurance fees
Travel and Medical Insurance fees are there to protect you in case of accident or illness. International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand. See our insurance page for more details.
Other costs associated with international study
Accommodation costs
If you choose to apply for Homestay accomodation, the cost will be included on your offer of place.
Otherwise, you are responsible for finding and paying for accommodation, and the cost will not be included in your offer of place. For more information, see our page on finding accommodation.
Please note you must apply for Homestay at least 2 weeks before you plan to arrive in NZ to ensure a family can be found for you.
Visa fees
You are responsible for paying for your visa. Visit Immigration New Zealand for current visa fees and processing times.
Agent fees
If you apply through an agent, they may charge a service fee.
Living costs
Alongside study fees, remember to account for living costs, travel and transportation when budgeting for international study.
Fees are subject to change
Fees change every year. Check the programme information page for the most up-to-date information about tuition fees. You can also contact us if you need any help figuring out what your study will cost. You can also review the terms and conditions.
Frequently asked questions
You can apply directly through our website. Begin the application process by clicking anywhere you see the Apply Now button on our website.
Check our helpful application guide for more information, or get in touch if you need any assistance.
We do not charge any application fees. You will not need to pay us until you are sent an Offer of Place, which is also your invoice for your tuition fees.
Begin your application online. Our application portal will guide you through the process. All required documents must be uploaded, and each section must be marked as complete before we can assess your application.
Check our helpful application guide for more information, or get in touch if you need any assistance.
We are pleased to offer the 2026 Otago Polytechnic International Scholarships for new international students enrolling in selected programmes. These scholarships offer up to a NZ$4000 reduction in tuition fees for full-time students beginning their studies in 2026.
These scholarships are awarded automatically as part of the admissions process, so you do not need to fill out a separate application. Visit the 2026 Otago Polytechnic International Scholarships page for a list of eligible programmes and for more details.
For programmes not eligible for the scholarship, no further discounts will apply.
For more information about scholarships, please visit our International Scholarships page.
New Zealand student loans are not available for international students. You will need to ensure you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living costs in full.
There are different entry requirements depending on the programme you want to study and your home country’s education system.
You can check your eligibility on our entry requirements page.
Once you submit your application through our online portal, our staff will review your academic qualifications and any other required documents. They will contact you with the outcome of your application.
As we assess applications on a case-by-case basis, we cannot determine your eligibility via email.
Our preferred payment method is Convera GlobalPay. You also have the option to pay your fees via bank transfer. Details on how to pay will be included with your invoice. More information can be found on our payments page.
Please contact us at International@op.ac.nz if you wish to withdraw. Please include your student ID number in your message so that we can locate your record.
If you withdraw from your programme before the final withdrawal date listed on your invoice, you may be eligible for a refund of your tuition fees (an administration fee will be subtracted from your refund).
If you withdraw after this date, no refund will be given.
Please note that withdrawing from or changing your study may affect your visa. Contact Immigration New Zealand before making any final decisions.
Contact us
If you would like any help understanding fees, or want some guidance about your studies, we’re here to help. Please feel free to chat with us about any questions you may have.