About
The University of Otago is a public research collegiate university based in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. It was established by ordinance of the Otago Provincial Council in 1869 and opened for teaching in 1871, making it New Zealand's oldest university. Between 1874 and 1961 Otago was part of the federal University of New Zealand and conferred degrees in its name. In July 2023 the university adopted the Māori identity Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka as part of a major rebrand, with the changes taking effect from May 2024.
Ranked Top 200 worldwide across 4 major ranking systems
Ranked in 102 subject rankings
Ranking Overview
QS
THE
ARWU
US News
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Key Facts
Historical Trend
QS
THE
ARWU
US News
Top Subjects
Subject Rankings
ARWU
30 subjectsQS
43 subjectsUS News
19 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatry/Psychology | 109 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Microbiology | 132 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Agricultural Sciences | 133 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Food Science and Technology | 159 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Molecular Biology and Genetics | =163 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | =181 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Social Sciences and Public Health | =184 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Infectious Diseases | =185 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Endocrinology and Metabolism | =188 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Economics and Business | =212 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Clinical Medicine | =217 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Neuroscience and Behavior | 249 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Public, Environmental and Occupational Health | 251 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Biology and Biochemistry | =264 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Geosciences | 333 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Plant and Animal Science | 347 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Environment/Ecology | =425 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Oncology | 445 | 59.0 | 2026 |
| Chemistry | =1,006 | 59.0 | 2026 |
THE
10 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 151–175 | 49.7 | 2026 |
| Clinical & Health | 201–250 | 46.6 | 2026 |
| Social Sciences | 201–250 | 44.4 | 2026 |
| Education | 201–250 | 43.1 | 2026 |
| Law | 201–250 | 37.7 | 2026 |
| Life Sciences | 251–300 | 47.1 | 2026 |
| Business & Economics | 251–300 | 42.5 | 2026 |
| Arts & Humanities | 251–300 | 35.4 | 2026 |
| Computer Science | 501–600 | 35.5 | 2026 |
| Physical Sciences | 501–600 | 37.4 | 2026 |