The University of Otago in New Zealand has unveiled new undergraduate scholarships valued between NZD 15,000 (approximately Rs 7.7 lakh) and NZD 45,000 (around Rs 23.4 lakh). The awards also cover first-year residential college accommodation for top-performing students. The initiative is designed to encourage more Indian students to pursue higher education in New Zealand.
Indian students already make up about 11% of all international enrolments in the country, with numbers rising sharply over the past year. Nationwide, New Zealand recorded a 34% increase in Indian enrolments, while Otago alone saw a 45% surge in 2024.
To strengthen these ties further, Otago is partnering with OneStep Global to host its first-ever “Otago Experience Student Outreach” in September. The roadshow will be held in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, offering students and their families the chance to interact with faculty, learn about academic programmes across health sciences, business, humanities, and sciences, and receive personalised advice on admissions, scholarships, and career pathways.
“This is a first-of-its-kind event, and it’s incredibly exciting,” said Grant Robertson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago and former Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for our academics to meet students face-to-face, share insights, and help them envision their academic journey at Otago.”
The university highlights strong graduate outcomes as one of its key strengths. According to Otago, 95% of its graduates secure employment within six months of finishing their studies, earning an average annual salary of NZD 87,400 (about Rs 45.4 lakh). Alumni work with global employers such as ANZ, Deloitte, Fonterra, and ASB Bank, with many moving into leadership roles in business, healthcare, and government.
“Whether in the health sciences, business, humanities, or sciences, our focus remains on delivering quality teaching and an exceptional student experience,” said Associate Professor Aniruddha Chatterjee, Associate Dean International at Otago’s Division of Health Sciences.
Adding to this, Aritra Ghosal, Founder and Director of OneStep Global, said: “Indian students are increasingly seeking international destinations that combine academic excellence with strong career outcomes. Otago’s reputation, student support, and these new scholarships make it an appealing choice.”
STPES TO APPLY FOR UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO SCHOLARSHIPS
Steps to Apply for University of Otago Scholarships
1. Apply through eVision
Create an account on eVision, Otago’s student portal.
Fill in the required sections: Personal details, Contact details, and Educational background.
This application covers both admission and scholarship consideration.
2. Indicate Scholarship Interest
While completing your admission form, you’ll be asked if you want to be considered for scholarships.
Select “Yes” to ensure you are automatically considered for eligible scholarships.
3. Automatic or Invited Scholarship Applications
Some scholarships, like the Global Scholarships (up to NZD $15,000), are considered automatically once you opt in.
For competitive awards such as the International Academic Excellence Scholarships (up to NZD $45,000 plus accommodation), you may receive an invitation to apply separately after admission.
4. Complete Application or Accept the Offer
If invited, log in to eVision ? My Scholarships and Awards ? Apply Now.
Provide additional details, complete the form, and submit.
If offered a scholarship, you must accept it within the deadline mentioned in the offer.
5. Track Your Status
Use the My Scholarships and Awards section in eVision to check the progress of your application or view updates.
Located in Dunedin, the University of Otago is home to more than 20,000 students and is recognised as New Zealand’s leading postgraduate research university. It is widely regarded for its teaching excellence, graduate success, and strong global rankings.
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