Exchange study planning for Otago students going on exchange
An exchange study plan will help you to fit a student exchange programme into your University of Otago degree.
Student Development will help you to plan your Otago degree and identify papers/points you may leave to take on exchange. They may also be able to advise on the best semester/year for you to go on exchange, as semester dates can vary.
Where possible, you should complete core papers at Otago and take electives on exchange. Course availability is not guaranteed; check your host institution's course information to ensure the courses you want to take are open to exchange students and you meet the prerequisites, and be prepared to be flexible. Some papers not offered at Otago may still be credited to your degree.
Papers taken overseas cannot be credited towards clinical and professional programmes (including Medicine, Dentistry, Psychiatry, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy). You may still be able to go on exchange by enrolling in a different Otago degree for the duration.
Graduate exchange may be possible, depending on your programme. This is for coursework options only; dissertations and theses cannot be completed on exchange.
Exchange study planning for international students coming to Otago
Talk to your home institution’s Study Abroad/Exchange office to help you with the application process and check that the credits you earn at Otago can be transferred.
Courses at Otago are called 'papers' and are taught in English. Entry to papers is based on relevant academic background, particularly for 200- and 300-level papers, which have prerequisites. Course levels at Otago are structured as follows:
- 100-level: First-year papers, often with no prerequisites
- 200- and 300-level: Second- and third-year papers, prerequisites required
- 400-level and above: Honours or postgraduate-level papers
Some programmes and papers may be unavailable. Clinical programmes and some postgraduate or specialist programmes have limited or restricted entry.
Otago’s academic year runs from February to November, with Semester 1 (February–June) and Semester 2 (July–November), and exchange semester dates may not align exactly with your home university.
Exchange students must maintain full-time enrolment while studying at Otago. This means enrolling in:
- A minimum of 54 points per semester (usually three papers)
- A maximum of 72 points per semester (usually four papers)
Entry to any paper above 100-level is subject to approval based on your prior study.
Further information
Book an appointment with Student Development
Otago Global Student Exchange