International Prospectus
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2O1O INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS YOUR PLACE IN THE WORLD 1 CONTENTS 3 WELCOME 4 THE UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO 6 RESEARCH 8 STUDYING AT OTAGO 9 THE UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE 10 POSTGRADUATE STUDY 12 SCHOLARSHIPS 14 BUSINESS 20 HEALTH SCIENCES 31 HUMANITIES 39 SCIENCES 46 PATHWAYS 47 SERVICES AND FACILITIES 49 ACCOMMODATION 52 NEW ZEALAND / AOTEAROA 53 DUNEDIN 56 ESSENTIAL INFORMATION 58 STUDENT EXCHANGE 59 APPLICATION AND COSTS 79 DUNEDIN MAP This prospectus is intended as a general guide for international students. The information provided is, as far as possible, up-to-date and accurate at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to add, amend or withdraw programmes and facilities, to restrict student numbers and to make any other alterations as it may deem necessary. The regulations of the University of Otago are published annually in the University Calendar. Published by the University of Otago International OfÞce: July 2009. 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO The University has teaching campuses in four New Zealand cities DUNEDIN University of Otago main campus Undergraduate and postgraduate courses Commerce (School of Business) Humanities (Arts, Music, Education, Law, Theology) Sciences Health Sciences (including the Schools of Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Otago School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine) Research and clinical training Distance education Administration WELLINGTON University of Otago, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences Research and clinical training Postgraduate courses Distance education CHRISTCHURCH University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences Research and clinical training Postgraduate courses Distance education INVERCARGILL University of Otago College of Education (Southland Campus) 3 WELCOMEWELCOME The University of Otago has a long and also offer vibrant urban environments for proud tradition of excellence. It is New postgraduate health sciences and medical ZealandÕs oldest university and the top- students. In turn, international students, ranked university for research. both undergraduate and postgraduate, are A strong research culture is fostered across greatly valued for their contribution to the all academic divisions Ð Humanities, life and cultural diversity of our University. Sciences, Business and Health Sciences Ð and We have produced this International this enables Otago to maintain the highest Prospectus to help you make a fully- quality of teaching for undergraduate and informed decision to study at Otago. postgraduate students. As well as some background material about We recognise that choosing to leave your the University, Dunedin and New Zealand, home country in order to pursue academic it includes information about OtagoÕs achievement is a big decision. And yet, qualifications and programmes, campus each year young men and women from all facilities and services, accommodation, over the world are attracted to Otago, not research strengths, scholarships and special only because of our academic reputation requirements for international students. but also because of the unrivalled campus I would like to invite you warmly to our experience we provide. Dunedin is the only University and I am conÞdent that your time true university city in Australasia, and our here will be both stimulating and rewarding. campuses in Christchurch and Wellington Professor David Skegg Vice-Chancellor 4 OTAGOTHE UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO WHY STUDY AT OTAGO? • It has an international reputation for excellence • Otago is New Zealand’s top-ranked university for research • University of Otago graduates are highly regarded by employers • It offers an unrivalled campus experience and vibrant cultural life • International students are strongly supported • Otago offers an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications across the disciplines – Business, Health Sciences, Humanities and Sciences • It has the highest proportion of postgraduate research students of any New Zealand university • High quality pathway programmes are offered in the University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year. 5 THE UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO IS NEW ZEALANDÕS TOP-RANKED F1RST UNIVERSITY FOR RESEARCH. The University of Otago is New ZealandÕs DUNEDIN CAMPUS (see page 47), its International OfÞce provides first university, established in Dunedin The Dunedin campus is located just a few a range of specialist services for international by early Scottish settlers who had a blocks from the centre of the city and on the students. An orientation programme is run at strong belief in the value of education. edge of the Dunedin Botanic Garden. It is a the start of each semester, and international This commitment continues today Ð beautiful campus Ð the Water of Leith winds student advisers and Otago student mentors education is DunedinÕs main ÒindustryÓ, its way past the iconic stone Clocktower, the are available to help students make the and Dunedin is New ZealandÕs only true state-of-the-art Centre for Innovation, the adjustment to life at Otago and to provide on- university city. Of DunedinÕs population of multi-award-winning Information Services going help and support. 120,000, more than 20,000 are University Building and the many character villas Otago offers a rich cultural life, reßecting a of Otago students, of whom over 2,000 are that are home to much of OtagoÕs student diverse international student community international students. population. Students beneÞt from DunedinÕs and New ZealandÕs own multicultural These students come to Otago from relatively inexpensive cost of living, and population. It also has a network of some all over the world to take advantage of house prices and rentals are affordable, 70,000 graduates living in more than 120 the UniversityÕs worldwide reputation particularly compared to New ZealandÕs countries and has established alumni for excellence. Otago is at the forefront northern cities. It is a safe city in which to branches in many of the worldÕs major of modern scholarship and has a long- live and it is easy to get out and about to take cities including London, Singapore, Sydney, established tradition of innovation. It is for advantage of everything it has to offer Ð and Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur. this reason Otago is able to attract Þrst-rate the ski Þelds of Central Otago are only a few academics, and our graduates are renowned hoursÕ drive away. for their independence and audacity of More information about Dunedin can be spirit, which makes them highly regarded by found on page 53. prospective employers. INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENT A NATIONAL PRESENCE Making the decision to study at a university The University of Otago has a presence overseas is a bold one, but provides a throughout New Zealand. Most undergraduate valuable opportunity to learn about other and postgraduate study takes place on the cultures, gain maturity and develop the Dunedin campus, but the University is global perspective which is becoming also represented in Auckland, Wellington, increasingly important for graduates today. Christchurch and Invercargill. The Schools of Medicine and Health Sciences in The University of Otago recognises this Wellington and Christchurch respectively are and is strongly committed to international home to many leading medical researchers, education. It has collaborative teaching, and a large number of Health Sciences research and exchange agreements with postgraduate courses are taught from these major institutions around the world (see campuses. page 58) and, in addition to the many services and facilities available to all students 6 OTAGO HAS THE HIGHEST PROPORTION OF POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENTS OF ANY RESEARCHRESEARCH Research underpins all academic activity at Otago and the University continues to build on its long- held reputation for research excellence. Otago has been ranked as New ZealandÕs most research- intensive university by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology and also as this countryÕs Þrst university for research quality by the GovernmentÕs Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) quality evaluation, released in 2007. The PBRF ranked Otago first in more Sport and Exercise Science. The University of subject areas than any other institution. Otago also had more Þrst- or second-ranked These included Biomedical Sciences, Clinical subject areas than any other institution and Medicine, Earth Sciences, Economics, more than 50 per cent of OtagoÕs academic Education, English Language and Literature, staff were identified as internationally or History and Classics, Law, Philosophy, Public nationally distinguished. Health, Religious Studies and Theology, and 7 GRADUATE RESEARCH Otago has the highest proportion of postgraduate research students of any university in New Zealand. Of the more than 4,000 postgraduate students currently enrolled, over 1,200 are PhD students. The University provides a strong foundation for student research through scholarships (see page 12), as well as state-of-the-art library and computing facilities. Otago PhD students are supported by the University and other agencies to travel to leading international conferences to present their research Þndings. They receive support and mentorship from their supervisors, as well as from Graduate Research Services. The Director, Graduate Research Services, is available for consultation by students and also chairs the Graduate Research Student Liaison Committee which is a representative group of research mastersÕ and PhD students acting as a forum for student issues.