Fee Schedule & Residential Dates
Acceptance Fee
Non-refundable fee due upon acceptance of a place:
- New Members NZD $1,100.00
- Returning Members NZD $550.00
Not a deposit
The acceptance fee is not a deposit against accommodation fees (see below). In most cases, the acceptance fee is not covered by a scholarship.
Accommodation Fees
When paid in full on or before Friday, 23 January 2026, accommodation fees for the 2026 academic year are:
- New Members NZD $22,490.30
- Returning Members NZD $20,974.10
The above amounts include a 5% discount to the total fee amount (i.e. the amount due if paying by instalment - see below).
Instalment Payments
As an alternative to the discounted amounts above, accommodation fees can also be paid in either four or eight equal instalments.
| New Members | Returning Members | |
|---|---|---|
| Total 2026 accommodation fees When paying by instalment |
NZD $23,674.00 | NZD $22,078.00 |
| Instalment payments Due by the dates listed below |
4 x NZD $5,918.50 or 8 x NZD $2,959.25 |
4 x NZD $5,519.50 or 8 x NZD $2,759.75 |
Instalment payment due dates are:
Four Instalments
- Friday, 23 January 2026
- Friday, 20 March 2026
- Friday, 22 May 2026
- Friday, 24 July 2026
OR
Eight Instalments
- Friday, 23 January 2026
- Friday, 20 February 2026
- Friday, 20 March 2026
- Friday, 24 April 2026
- Friday, 22 May 2026
- Friday, 26 June 2025
- Friday, 24 July 2026
- Friday, 21 August 2026
Payment frequencies
Please note that we are unable to offer any other payment options.
Choice of Payment Option
Upon confirmation of your acceptance, you will be asked to let us know your preferred payment option via an online form. We would be grateful if you could please let us know your choice as soon as possible.
Entrance Scholarships
In most cases Entrance Scholarships from the University of Otago are applied as an accommodation fees waiver in the first year of study. The College we will take care of the arrangements to obtain payment directly to us, and will appear as a credit on your accommodation fees invoice. If you elect to pay in full, the credit will be applied to the discounted amount shown above. If paying by instalment, the credit will be spread equally across the instalment amounts.
For example, a $6,000.00 scholarship and paying:
| Payment Option | Amount after scholarship |
|---|---|
| In full, by Friday, 23 January 2026 (with 5% discount) |
TBA - $6,000.00 = TBA |
| 4 instalments (each payment) |
TBA - ($6,000.00 ÷ 4) = TBA - $1,500.00 = TBA |
| 8 instalments (each payment) |
TBA - ($6,000.00 ÷ 8) = TBA - $750.00 = TBA |
Residential Dates
The move-in date is Saturday, 14 February 2026.
The fees above cover accommodation for the period Saturday, 14 February 2026 to 24 hours after the student's last exam or Sunday, 8 November 2026, whichever date is earlier. Members are required to leave within 24 hours of the last exam in the interests of those still studying. Any exemption will only be given by the Head of College and a daily charge will apply.
Please note that Members who are required to start their course earlier than Saturday, 14 February 2026 and wish to stay at the College, an additional daily charge will apply.
Accommodation for Parents
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate parents at the College. There are plenty of accommodation options in the University area or further afield in Dunedin to choose from.
Late Fee Charges
A late payment surcharge may apply if fees remain unpaid after the relevant due dates. Please see the Finance section in this Handbook.
Payment Methods
See the Finance section in this Handbook or your fee invoice.
Bonds
St Margaret's College does not charge a bond.