NZ · Bachelor's
University of Otago
Bachelor of Commerce
University of Otago
Course Overview
University of Otago Business School holds triple international accreditation — AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA — placing it in the top 1% of business schools globally and the only triple-accredited New Zealand business school outside of Auckland. The 3-year Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) offers 17 majors including Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Economics, Information Science, Management, Tourism, and Entrepreneurship — students can also combine two majors within the same degree at no extra time / cost. The Dunedin campus is New Zealand's oldest university campus, with strong industry links to Fonterra, Air New Zealand, ASB Bank, and BNZ.
Sri Lankan applicants choose Otago BCom because Dunedin is one of the most affordable Group of 8 NZ campuses (living costs ~30% below Auckland), the BCom in Accounting is fully recognised by CA ANZ (Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand) for direct CA pathway, and the New Zealand Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) is 3 years — among the most generous in the OECD. The CA ANZ pathway is also recognised by ICA Sri Lanka and CASL for direct membership in Sri Lanka.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan Cambridge / Edexcel A Levels: BBC minimum (3 passes).
- check_circle Sri Lankan GCE A/L: 3 passes (any stream — Commerce, Arts, Science all accepted).
- check_circle IB Diploma: 26 points overall.
- check_circle Direct Year 2 entry available with relevant Diploma in Business / Accounting from CIM, CA Sri Lanka, or AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians).
- check_circle Online application via the Otago International Apply portal.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.0 Overall (no band below 6.0).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 80 Overall (min 19 W).
- check_circle PTE Academic: 50 Overall.
- check_circle Waived if your school qualification was taught and assessed entirely in English (most Sri Lankan applicants from Edexcel/Cambridge International streams qualify).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (NZD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | NZD 41,000 | Rs. 7,790,000 |
| Living Expenses (per year, Dunedin) | NZD 18,000 | Rs. 3,420,000 |
| Health Insurance (StudentSafe-Inbound) | NZD 700 | Rs. 133,000 |
| Student Visa & Setup | NZD 750 | Rs. 142,500 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | NZD 60,450 | Rs. 11,485,500 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for the 3-year Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) on completion. Accountant / Management Consultant / Marketing Specialist on the Green List / LTSSL — direct pathway to residence via the Accredited Employer Work Visa + Skilled Migrant Category. Top hirers: Big Four (PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, EY) New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Fonterra, ASB Bank, BNZ, Westpac NZ. Graduate Commerce / Accountant salaries in NZ: NZD 60,000-72,000.
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