In the 150 years since, Otago has prided itself on being a research-led University with an international reputation for excellence. It is ranked 176 in the 2020 QS World University Rankings and in the top 100 in 15 subject areas.
It first received a Five Stars Plus QS Stars University rating in 2016.
Most undergraduate and postgraduate study takes place on the Dunedin campus, but the University also has Schools of Medicine and Health Sciences in Wellington and Christchurch, which are home to many leading medical researchers.
University of Otago Ranking 2019-2020 – Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)
| Institution Name | University of Otago |
| Location | New Zealand |
| World Rank | 333 |
| National Rank | 2 |
| Quality of Education Rank | – |
| Alumni Employment Rank | 833 |
| Quality of Faculty Rank | – |
| Research Performance Rank | 299 |
| Overall Score | 76.2 |
| Domain | otago.ac.nz |