Scholarships

Key Dates for 2025 Applications

Stage 1: Expression of Interest

EOI: Mon 3 Mar – Sun 23 Mar
Evidence gathering: Immediately after EOI until Sun 6 Apr
Financial Declaration (emailed to parents/caregivers): Mon 7 Apr – Sun 13 Apr
Stage 1 Review: Mon 14 Apr – Thu 24 Apr

Stage 2: Additional Information

Additional Info: Mon 28 Apr – Sun 11 May
Stage 2 Review: Mon 12 May – Fri 23 May

Stage 3: Interviews & School Support

Vieple Interviews: Mon 26 May – Sun 8 Jun
Letter of School Support: Mon 26 May – Sun 8 Jun
Stage 3 Review: Mon 9 Jun – Fri 27 Jun

Stage 4: Scholarship Matching

August – December 2025 (Dates to be confirmed)

From: Auckland Liaison <auckland.liaison@otago.ac.nz>
Sent: Friday, July 11, 2025 11:40 AM
To: Auckland Liaison <auckland.liaison@otago.ac.nz>
Subject: Hands-On at Otago applications opening 14 July

Kia ora koutou

We hope you managed to find some well-deserved downtime during the holidays. Just a reminder that 2026 Hands-On at Otago applications open on the first day back of Term Three (14 July 2025) and close on 7 August. You should have received some printed material in your school already.

2026 Hands-On at Otago applications open Monday 14 July 2025!

This is a unique opportunity for students from your school (who will be in Years 12 and 13 in 2026) to come down and experience a week of Otago student life. If you haven’t heard about Hands-On at Otago before, students stay on campus in one of our residential colleges and choose a subject to study for the week. There are over 20 subjects on offer, from across Business, Health Sciences, Humanities (Arts) and Sciences. They’ll learn from our world-class academic staff, meet students their age from schools across the country and participate in a huge range of activities that will challenge and inspire them for the years ahead.

Hands-On will run from Sunday 11 January to Friday 16 January 2026. It’s important to note that we tend to receive more applications than we have places available, so we encourage students to put time and effort into their applications, and share with us why they should be offered a place.

Do you or your students want to know more about the programme? Head online to otago.ac.nz/hands-on-at-otago. Here you’ll find videos, info on costs, scholarships (there are lots of these available and we really encourage all students to apply for one), fundraising ideas, accommodation information, transport options and more.

If you have more specific questions, feel free to contact one of our team: hands-on@otago.ac.nz – we are always happy to help. Please share this information with relevant staff and students.

Ngā mihi

DIANA PATTERSON (she/her)
BA BCS
Schools' Liaison Administrator | Kaiwhakarite Takawaeka Kura

Schools' Liaison Office | Tari Takawaeka Kura
University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka
Tel/Waea +64 9 373 9704 | Mobile/Waea pūkoro +64 21 279 9704
Hours/Haora puare Mon-Fri 9.00 am - 3.00 pm

Level 4, University of Otago House, 385 Queen Street, Auckland | Tāmakimakaurau
New Zealand | Aotearoa

Email/Īmera diana.patterson@otago.ac.nz
Website/Pae tukutuku www.otago.ac.nz