Overseas students have been told they must be in a position to begin their studies at the University of Otago by the end of the month, or defer.
Around 200 international students have been affected by travel restrictions put in place to combat Covid-19.
University newspaper Critic obtained a letter that revealed students had a late arrival deadline of March 30.
Further investigation by the Otago Daily Times revealed 23 students had already elected to or been forced to defer studies until 2021.
Some 40 students had been offered starts in the second semester, with a possible need to defer to 2021.
Around 25 students had accepted online study options and 35 PhD students had been offered flexible arrangements.
Some overseas students had already joined the university late, having completed a 14-day period of self-isolation, and roughly another 30 were scheduled to arrive before the March 30 deadline.
Director of planning and funding David Thomson said 24 domestic students had also been affected by Covid-19 restrictions.
‘‘The vast majority have completed self-isolation and are back studying as normal.’’
He added that no medical students remained overseas and so there would be no effect on placements at hospitals.