Hands-On at Otago 2026

Welcome to the Hands-On at Otago 2026 application page.

Applications for Hands-On 2026 are open from 14 July until midnight 7 August 2025. 


Information you enter will not be saved until you click "Submit" at the end of the form.


You can submit an incomplete application. You can update your application at any time before the closing date of 11:59pm Thursday 7 August 2025.

 

To complete your application, you will need:

  • to select your top five project preferences
  • to provide supporting information:
    • qualifications (NCEA, Cambridge, IB, etc.), current subjects and academic strengths
    • extracurricular achievements/involvement, both school-related and outside of school
    • personal statement outlining why you should be chosen to attend Hands-On at Otago
  • an endorsement from your principal or teacher - signed (the document is available below to print, and can be uploaded within your application anytime before the closing date)
  • a parent/caregiver consent form - signed (the document is available below to print, and can be uploaded within your application anytime before the closing date)

 

Please print and sign this form (attachment in link below). You will upload the signed copy in your application. 

Hands-On at Otago – Parental Consent Form

Hands-On at Otago- Parental Consent Form

 

Please print and sign this form (attachment in link below). You will upload the signed copy in your application. 

Hands-On at Otago – School Endorsement Form

Hands-On at Otago - School Endorsement

Hands-On at Otago application
Contact details
Tell us about yourself
Date of birth
Gender
Secondary school
National student number (NSN)
What school year level will you be in 2026?
Are you an international student currently enrolled in a New Zealand secondary school?
To which ethnic group(s) do you belong?
Do you have a connection with Hands-On?
Are you considering tertiary study?

Information you enter will not be saved until you click "Submit" at the end of the form

Hands-On at Otago application
Project preferences

For more details on the projects offered this year, refer to the Hands-On at Otago website.

Please select your top five projects in order of preference. You must select a different project for each preference.

First choice
Second choice
Third choice
Fourth choice
Fifth choice
Please indicate if you would prefer NOT to participate in any particular project (please state project).
Are there any subjects that interest you that are currently not on offer at Hands-On?
Have you applied for Hands-On before?
Have you attended Hands-On at Otago before?
Have you also applied for Science Academy 2026?

Please note, if you get accepted onto both programmes, you will only be able to attend one.

Mihi whakatau

Information you enter will not be saved until you click "Submit" at the end of the form.

Hands-on at Otago application
Parent/caregiver details
Parent/caregiver name
Parent/caregiver email
Parent/caregiver contact number
Parental Consent

Please upload a signed copy of your Hands-On at Otago Parental Consent Form (attachment in link below).

Hands-On at Otago – Parental Consent Form

Hands-On at Otago- Parental Consent Form

 

School Endorsement

Please upload a signed copy of your Hands-On at Otago School Endorsement Form (attachment in link below).

Make sure that page 2 of the School Endorsement Form has been completed if you are applying for a scholarship.

Hands-On at Otago – School Endorsement Form

Hands-On at Otago - School Endorsement

If you have difficulty uploading either form, they can be emailed to hands-on@otago.ac.nz. Please include your name in the subject line of the email.


Information you enter will not be saved until you click "Submit" at the end of the form.

Hands-On at Otago application
Supporting information

You need to include the following supporting information to strengthen your application for Hands-On at Otago. This information needs to include:

  • school qualifications, current subjects, academic strengths and extracurricular achievements (at school and outside of school)
  • a personal statement indicating why you should be chosen to attend Hands-On at Otago

Remember that there are always more applications than there are places available, so you need to provide as much information as you can.

Please do not send school reports or NCEA Records of Achievement as part of this section.

Academic

Please select the qualification that you are currently working towards.

What subjects are you currently studying?
What are your academic strengths?
Extracurricular school-related achievements/involvement

For example: Science Fair, Young Enterprise, MUNA, Rockquest, Duke of Edinburgh, school sports

Other achievements/involvement

This can include any personal interests and hobbies. For example: Scouts, music, drama, sports

Personal statement

In approximately 500 words, tell us why you should be chosen to attend Hands-On at Otago.

Below are some examples of what you could write about.

  • If you could explore anything at university — no limits — what would you want to discover, and why?
  • Why is Hands-On at Otago the right opportunity for you right now?

You may find it easier to type your response in Word first and then copy and paste below.

You can save your application progress and enter your personal statement at a later date but you must click "Submit" at the end of the form.

Hands-On at Otago scholarships

Hands-On at Otago scholarships are an opportunity to have your registration ($675), plus travel to and from Dunedin, paid for.

All scholarship applications require the following information to be considered:

  • scholarship essay
  • the latest copy of your school report
  • school endorsement form (including page 2 of this form)

Some scholarships will require additional information specific to the scholarship provider.

To be considered for a Hands-On at Otago scholarship, complete each section of this application. You don't have to apply for a particular scholarship. We will use your responses to determine which scholarships you are eligible for.

Available scholarships and awards
  • Business Hands-On Scholarships for students looking to pursue further studies in Business.
  • Humanities Hands-On Scholarships for students looking to pursue further studies in Humanities.
  • Imagine Beyond Scholarships for students with an impairment or medical condition.
  • International Student Scholarships for international students currently enrolled in a New Zealand secondary school.
  • Pacific Islands Scholarships for students of Pacific Islands descent.
  • Poutama Scholarships for students of Māori descent.
  • Sciences Hands-On Scholarships for students who are looking to pursue further studies in Sciences.
  • Te Ara Hauora Scholarships for Māori students looking to pursue further studies in Health Sciences.

More information about available scholarships can be found on our Scholarships, sponsorship and awards page on the Hands-On at Otago website.

 

Scholarship applications must be received by 11:59pm Thursday 7 August to be considered.

 

Awards

In addition to Hands-On at Otago scholarships, there are further awards available. Students do not apply for these awards.

Students are eligible based on their successful selection to the Hands-on at Otago programme, and through meeting the required selection criteria (set by each provider). 

 

These awards cover students’ programme registration fees, as well as travel to and from Dunedin to attend Hands-on at Otago.

  • Canon Hands-On Awards for students that attend schools that have a high Equity Index number.
  • Mirrors of Society Hands-On Awards for students that attend schools that have a high Equity Index number.



Do you want to apply for a Hands-On at Otago scholarship?

Information you enter will not be saved until you click "Submit" at the end of the form.

Hands-On at Otago scholarship application
All applications
Scholarship written essay

Please complete an essay of approximately 500 words below on the following topic.

 

Explain who/what inspires you to undertake study at the University of Otago.

Supporting evidence

Please attach the following evidence to strengthen your scholarship application.

Alternatively, these can be emailed directly to hands-on@otago.ac.nz, if this is easiest for your school. Make sure that they include your name in the email subject line.

Additional scholarships
Imagine Beyond scholarships

Some Hands-On at Otago scholarships support students who have a long-term disability, impairment or medical condition that may affect their access or ability to study.

Do you wish to be considered for such scholarships?

Imagine Beyond Scholarship applicants
Please describe how your disability, impairment or medical condition does, or does not, affect your life.
Please describe any support that you require.

For example: a support person, note-taker, written materials in large print, braille or in an electronic format, sign language interpreter, portable hearing loop, wheelchair access, special diet

Poutama scholarships

Some Hands-On at Otago scholarships are available only for Māori students.

Do you wish to be considered such scholarships?

Poutama scholarship
Iwi affiliation
Pacific Islands scholarship

Some Hands-On at Otago scholarships are available only to students with indigenous Pacific ancestry.

Do you wish to be considered for such scholarships?

Pacific Islands scholarship
Pacific heritage
What is your connection to the Pacific Islands?



Information you enter will not be saved until you click "Submit" at the end of the form.

Hands-On at Otago application
What town will you be leaving from to travel to Hands-On at Otago on Sunday 11 January?
What town will you be returning to on Friday 16 January?:

Information you enter will not be saved until you click "Submit" at the end of the form.

Hands-On at Otago application
Confirmations

Tirohia te tauākī matatapu | View the privacy statement

Privacy statement

Privacy statement option required

Information you enter will not be saved until you click "Submit" at the end of the form.

Summary

The following is a summary of your Hands-On at Otago application.

To submit your application, click the green Submit button at the bottom of the page.

You will receive an email confirming we have received your application.

You can still update your application at any time until the closing date of 11:59pm Thursday 7 August 2025 using the the link in your confirmation email.

Hands-On at Otago rules
Application submission complete

Thank you for applying for Hands-On at Otago 2026.

Please check your email for an application confirmation from Hands-On at Otago. This may take a few minutes to come through. Check your junk email folder if this does not come through to your main inbox.

You can use the link in your confirmation email to make any changes or update your application until Thursday 7 August 2025.

If you have any further questions please contact hands-on@otago.ac.nz.

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