Author: Michael | Published: August 26, 2026
Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Otago
The Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Otago offers the only undergraduate dental degree in New Zealand. Tuition for international students in the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program can exceed NZ $95,000 per year during clinical training. Scholarships and fee waivers help both domestic and international applicants reduce tuition and living costs while studying in Dunedin.
Key Scholarships for Dentistry Students at Otago
- Vice‑Chancellor’s International Development Scholarship – provides a tuition credit of NZ $10,000.
- International Excellence Scholarship – offers up to NZ $15,000 in tuition support.
- Entrance Scholarship – contributes between NZ $6,000 and NZ $10,000 toward first‑year study costs.
Eligibility Requirements
- Direct entry into BDS Year 2 requires completing Otago’s Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) program with strong grades across all seven core papers.
- Competitive entry requires at least a B+ average.
- Non‑native speakers must achieve an IELTS Academic score.
- Applicants may need to complete clinical admissions tests and attend an interview with the Dental Admissions Board.
Entry Pathways
HSFY Competitive Pathway Most applicants enroll in HSFY before progressing to BDS Year 2. Admission ranking is based on first‑year marks.
Graduate and Alternative Entry Applicants with a completed bachelor’s degree can apply under the Graduate category. GPA is calculated from the last three years of full‑time study.
Required Documents
- Certified high school and university transcripts
- Valid IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT score report
- Passport biographical page
- One‑page motivation essay describing interest in dental surgery and clinical commitment
- Two academic reference letters
Key Dates
- HSFY and University Portal Opens: May 1
- Entrance Scholarship Deadline: August 15
- BDS Program Application Deadline: September 15
- International Excellence Scholarship Deadline: October 31
- Academic Year Start: Late February
Application Action Plan
- Create an account on the University of Otago eVision portal.
- Register for the HSFY program or apply directly to the BDS program under the Graduate category.
- Complete scholarship applications within eVision before August 15.
- Upload certified transcripts, language test results, and supporting documents.
- Track your application status through the portal dashboard and confirm referees submit letters on time.
Check full entry requirements and portal links directly on the official University of Otago Scholarships Page.
Explore Auckland Medical Scholarship in New Zealand and University of Sydney Scholarship detailed application steps for more opportunities.
Disclaimer: Scholarship details, eligibility rules, and deadlines may change. Applicants should verify the latest information directly on the University of Otago official portal before applying. Suretripacademia provides independent guidance only and does not guarantee admission or funding outcomes.