The University of Otago is committed to outreach within the community, showing prospective students what is on offer and supporting student achievement.
The University runs a number of outreach programmes designed to encourage prospective students’ enthusiasm for learning and give them first-hand experience of the tertiary environment, as well as preparatory courses available to help students prepare for further study:
- Dunedin Tertiary Open Day is an immersive event designed to give prospective students and their families first-hand experience of what the tertiary environment is like.
- Hands-On at Otago is a showcase of sciences, health sciences, humanities, and business projects aimed to demonstrate our research and encourage high school students to consider further study.
- Information evenings for future students are also open to parents, guardians, and whānau.
- Introductory Chemistry is a not-for-credit distance-taught course to provide students with the basic understanding needed for tertiary chemistry study.
- JumpStart Physics is an introductory course to prepare students for the biological physics component of Health Sciences First Year.
- Junior Mathematics Competition is run by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics for students in years 9 to 11.
- Science Academy is a programme for passionate Year 13 students from rural and formerly lower decile schools to enhance their interest and help them prepare for NCEA and/or scholarship science exams.
- The Science Outreach Certificate is awarded to recognise the time and effort that University students invest in science outreach.
- Science Wānanga are three-day, hands-on experiences for Māori secondary students to explore the connections between science, matauranga Māori, and our lives.
- Te Ara Hauora is a suite of outreach programmes focused on encouraging Māori secondary students' interest in sciences and health sciences.