University of Otago

The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university. It is the South Island's largest employer and claims to have the world's 2nd longest continuously running annual student revue (the Capping Show) and New Zealand's oldest ballet company (the Selwyn Ballet).

Colleges and Halls

The vast majority of first year ('fresher') students at the University of Otago stay in one of the many Halls of Residence. These provide food, accommodation, social and welfare services.

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Some of the colleges have developed a strong institutional personality over the years. This becomes self-perpetuating as applicants choose the college most suited to their own personality. Quiet, conservative St Margaret's is next to party-hard Unicol in the heart of the campus. Knox College, far up the hill, has developed an insular, close-knit tradition. City College is influenced by two-thirds of its students coming from the Dunedin College of Education or the Otago Polytechnic, and Toroa House is almost exclusively filled by international students.

Related Topics:
Unicol - Knox College - City College - Dunedin College of Education - Otago Polytechnic - Toroa House - International students

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Halls of residence affiliated with the University of Otago select students based on their marks, extracurricular activities and high school testimonials. However, some halls of residence are more selective than others. Although their order varies from year to year, the most selective halls and colleges are consistently Carrington Hall, Knox College and Selwyn College. Unsuccessful applicants are referred to other colleges.

Related Topics:
Carrington Hall - Selwyn College

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St Margaret's has similar entry standards, but the reputation of the college as quiet, religious and hard-working tends to attract a self-selected small group of highly-qualified applicants.

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Otago's residential Colleges and Halls are not as significant in the life of the University when compared with the Colleges and Halls of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Selwyn and Knox Colleges imitate Oxbridge colleges but, although they have occasional tutorials, resident fellows, formal halls, and chapels, the primary affiliation of a Knox or Selwyn student remains to the University rather than the college, and the bulk of formal education does not take place within the college.

Related Topics:
Oxford - Cambridge

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Official list

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