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Accommodation and facilities
Since being founded in 1911, St Margaret's College has embarked on numerous building and renovation projects over the years, expanding to suit the needs of residents in the modern era, while retaining the historic character and charm of its beginnings. We continue to maintain the quality of our accommodation and facilities with a regular maintenance and upgrade cycle that includes regular re-carpeting, painting, bathroom upgrades, new furniture and more.
With 224 bedrooms, various social spaces, a library, a media room, a number of tutorial rooms, a games room, a formal dining room, and more, it's a comfortable home away from home for our members.
Accommodation
Rooms and living facilities
The College houses 225 Members across eleven residential floors and 2 smaller houses. Each floor accommodates 15 to 27 members and has a resident College Leader to look out for their wellbeing.
Floors are carefully designed with a community environment in mind, and each one has its own kitchen and several individual bathrooms with a high ratio of showers, toilets, and basins to floor residents. Some bathrooms even have a bath!
Because the College has been greatly added to and upgraded in the years since its founding, each floor has its own character, and the rooms reflect this. All bedrooms are equipped with a bed (mostly single), desk, desk chair, wardrobe, drawers, mirror, radiator, and pinboard. All linen and blankets are provided, although you are welcome to bring your own if you wish.
Floor kitchens all have a fridge, freezer, microwave, stove, oven, ironing board and iron, and storage space for members’ plates, utensils, and snacks. The kitchens are often the social hub of each floor providing a great communal space to catch up.
Summer accommodation
Studying at Otago over the summer of 2025? St Margaret's is one of the few Colleges open for accommodation for the 2025 summer school period.
If you are considering brushing up on your physics or chemistry before starting Health Sciences First Year or taking a summer school paper, we can accommodate you.
We provide:
- 3 daily cooked meals, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
- Clean and comfortable rooms (including linen) right on campus
- Helpful and caring staff, available on-site 24/7
- Wireless internet in all rooms
Moving in
Students may arrive at the College at noon on the Sunday.
Upon arrival, you will be met by one of our student staff who will show you to your room and give you a tour of the College. You will be issued with a key to your room and a key tag to allow you access to the College after hours. On your first or second evening, there will be a brief orientation session for all summer students in residence at the College. This will familiarise you with the summer student staff and give you time to ask any questions.
Moving out
All students must vacate their rooms by 9 am on Friday, 14 February 2025 (this is not negotiable, except for students remaining at the College for the year), although bags may be stored at the College until 5 pm. If you are moving to another College for the full year, we will arrange with the other College for you to move in on 14 February 2024. You will need to organise your own transport; however some Colleges do make transport available. We will provide further details during your last week at St Margaret’s.
Facilities
All rooms at the College are single rooms with shared facilities. Bedding is provided but students may wish to bring their own. The College has a laundry available for students at no charge.
Internet
WiFi is available in all rooms and is included in the cost.
College Policies
Guests
You are welcome to have guests at the College during the day, but all visitors must leave by 11 pm. No visitors may be taken into the dining hall for meals.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption is not permitted in the college building or grounds at any time during the summer accommodation period.
Summer accommodation fees and dates
Fees are charged upfront for the duration of your stay. The cost is $83.00 per night for full board (3 daily meals), with payment due in full no later than 2 weeks before your arrival. Please note that we are unable to offer weekly payments.
Note: The above fee is only for students enrolling in an official University paper during the summer; other summer guests should consult our Accommodation page for the applicable information.
Total fees are dependent on the course you are studying. As an example, below are the fees for the three most common courses:
| Course | Dates (subject to confirmation) | Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|---|
| Summer School | Sunday, 5 January 2025 to 9 am on Friday, 14 February 2025 (40 nights) | $3,320.00 |
| Jumpstart Physics | Sunday, 26 January 2025 to 9 am on Friday, 14 February 2025 (19 nights) | $1,577.00 |
| CHEM150 | Sunday, 2 February 2024 to 9 am on Friday, 14 February 2025 (12 nights) | $996.00 |
Please note: Students remaining at the College for the 2025 academic year may remain in the College for the night of Friday, 14 February 2025 at no extra cost.
Payment
Payment must be made directly to St Margaret’s College (not the University). Fees may be paid by direct credit, Eftpos, or credit card (a surcharge applies on credit card payments).
Any student who leaves St Margaret’s College before 14 February 2025 shall receive a pro-rated refund (subject to any deductions for any damage caused or contributed to).
Dining
A grand, character-filled room, Norris Dining Hall was named after Dr Peter Norris, who was the Head of the College from 1998 until his retirement in late 2016. It comfortably seats the entire College, allowing meal times to be lively and social as members catch up with one another before, during, or after each day at University.
The food
Our team of qualified chefs and kitchen staff prepares three fresh meals a day for members, following a 6-week menu cycle, which is periodically reviewed to ensure that everyone is happy. You’d be hard-pressed to find better food at any other College in the country.
There is always a range of hot and cold beverages available, including hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and juice, along with fresh seasonal fruit.
During the year, we host several special themed dinners organised by the Members' Association. Matariki and several international dinners are also celebrated, and, of course, our regular Sunday formal dinners.
The College can accommodate most special diets; please contact us to confirm.
Breakfast
A range of cereals, porridge, fruit, yoghurt, different bread (sometimes including bagels, crumpets, or English muffins), plus a full-cooked breakfast on offer each day, which can include bacon, baked beans or spaghetti, poached eggs, hash browns, sausages, tomatoes, spaghetti, sauteed mushrooms, and even pancakes!
Lunch
An extensive salad bar along with cooked options and toasted sandwich options. Packed lunches are available in the morning, and fresh baking is often provided as well.
Dinner
There are always three main options (including one vegetarian option), with rice and potatoes on the side, along with a selection of seasonal vegetables. And dessert, of course, sometimes involving our very own soft-serve ice cream machine.
Common spaces
Shared areas across the grounds
There are several shared spaces throughout St Margaret's College, ensuring there is always a comfortable place to relax, study, hang out with other members, and just generally enjoy yourself.
Valentine Common Room and Games Room
Built in 1995, the Valentine Common Room is a beautiful spot to relax with friends, play the baby grand piano, or enjoy some card games or reading.
Two evenings every week the Members' Association operates a canteen where you can purchase drinks and snacks. Adjoining the Common Room is the Games Room, with a professional-size pool table, foosball, and a table tennis table.
Academic Common Room
This area is used as a communal study space, as well as being used to hold functions and meetings throughout the year.
Atrium
With its very popular coffee and hot chocolate machine, the Atrium is open for members between meals and at night. At certain times, evening tea and toast is also available in the Atrium.
Fellows and Seniors Common Room
For senior members of the College (third-year and above), the Fellows and Seniors Common Room in Thorpe House is available as a space where they can relax, read a book, study, or have a coffee.
Tutorial rooms
The College is well-known for the excellent on-site tutorials it offers our first-year members, who appreciate the contribution these make towards achieving success academically.
Tutorials occur in one of three special-purpose rooms: a large study centre and two smaller tutorial rooms.
Library
The library is one of the most popular rooms in the College. Filled with non-fiction books, leather couches and wooden desks, it has wonderful character and is a quiet spot for Members to study in.
Media Room
Enjoy your sport, movies, or binge-watching your favourite series on Netflix? Then you will definitely make use of the 75" smart TV in the media room.
The College subscribes to Sky, including the sports channels, and Netflix, so there is plenty to choose from should you wish to have a break from your studies.
Often used for floor birthday celebrations and other social occasions, the media room is furnished with comfortable couches and beanbags, making it a modern, comfortable space to spend time.
Courtyard
Tucked between the College’s main buildings is a large, sunny and private courtyard for Members to enjoy all year round. The courtyard is utilised for many social occasions, including our welcome barbeque at the beginning of the first semester.
In the warmer months, members like to enjoy their meals outdoors at the picnic tables or find a quiet spot in the sun to study. With the relaxing sound of falling water from the fountain and the established garden surrounds, the courtyard is a great additional space at the College to study, relax, and socialise.
Additional facilities
Laundry
While we take care of laundering your bed linen each week, you are responsible for your own laundry.
The laundry comes equipped with washing machines and dryers (free, not coin-operated). If you prefer to air-dry your clothes, a clothesline is situated behind the laundry.
Wi-Fi
Our wireless network covers all parts of the College, including bedrooms, common and study areas, and the dining hall.
Copying, printing, and scanning
The College has a professional-grade Ricoh multifunction device capable of black & white and colour wireless printing, scanning, and copying.
Members receive $10 worth of free printing credit at the start of the year. Top-ups beyond this amount are available for purchase.
Music facilities
The College is very well equipped for those with a musical passion.
Our music room has an excellent practice piano and keyboard, plus a media creation computer (Apple Mac Mini) with Sibelius music notation software, a MIDI keyboard, Logic Pro digital audio workstation software, and Final Cut Pro video editing software. The music room may be booked for individual or group practice.
There are also two baby grand pianos available, one in the Valentine Common Room and another in the Norris Dining Hall.
IT support
We have on-site IT support available to all our members to address issues as quickly as possible.
Experience St Margaret's for yourself
Visit us to see what St Margaret's College has to offer. We'd love to show you around.
Experience St Margaret's for yourself
Visit us to see what St Margaret's College has to offer. We'd love to show you around.