The University Of Otago Medicine

The Otago Medical School medical degree (MB ChB) prepares students to graduate as doctors committed to the provision of high-quality, patient-centred, evidence-based medical care within the New Zealand health care system and wherever they practise. Students will graduate with the professional, clinical, biomedical and psychosocial foundations to practise collaboratively as doctors, and to undertake further training in any field of medicine. If you are considering a career in medicine, you should be skilled in communication, understanding people, critical and scientific reasoning, and be prepared for lifelong learning to maintain your practising standards.
 
The Otago Medical School delivers a socially accountable education programme that emphasises graduate commitment to improving the health of individuals and communities, to equitable health outcomes and to the Treaty of Waitangi.
 
The University of Otago medical degree (the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery; MB ChB) takes five years from admission after either First Year Health Sciences (undertaken in Dunedin) or a prior undergraduate degree. The first two years of the programme (Early Learning in Medicine) take place in Dunedin; from fourth year, the class is split across Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington for the three clinically-based Advanced Learning in Medicine years.



Note: Applicants in all categories must have their personal and financial affairs in order when they apply so that if their application is successful, they are able to take up a place at the start of the first semester.

Entry requirements

The Medical Admissions Committee considers applications from candidates in the following categories:

  • University of Otago Health Sciences First Year category
    • Applications open 1 August 2020
    • Applications close 15 September 2020
  • Graduate category
    • Applications open 1 August 2020
    • Applications close 15 September 2020
  • Alternative category (domestic applicants only)
    • Applications open 1 April 2020
    • Applications close 1 May 2020

University of Otago Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) category

To be considered for admission in the HSFY category an applicant must be enrolled in HSFY at Otago and pass all the papers prescribed for HSFY at first attempt, with a minimum of 70% in each paper.

Applicants will also be required to have passed the HSFY English Diagnostic Test or have passed ENGL 126.

An applicant must have a current UCAT result and achieved a score in all five of the UCAT sections at a threshold level determined annually by the Medical Admissions Committee.

Selection for applicants who have met these criteria will be based on their academic score.

Scoring Example HSFY Category (PDF)

When applying for Medicine a candidate may apply once only using this category.

HSFY category checklist

Graduate category

To be considered for admission in the Graduate category, applicants must have completed, normally in the minimum academic time and within three years of the date of application, the requirements of a degree (as outlined below) awarded by a university in New Zealand.

Applicants must have a current UCAT result and achieved a score in all five of the UCAT sections at a threshold level determined annually by the Medical Admissions Committee.

Selection for applicants who reach the UCAT threshold is competitive according to the weighted academic score, see scoring example.

All applicants in the Graduate category are ranked on the basis of a score derived from the grades achieved in:

  • A bachelor’s degree, 
    or
  • A bachelor’s honours degree, 
    or
  • A bachelor’s degree, followed by a postgraduate diploma

No preference is given to degree qualification or major subject.

The qualifying degree is the first university degree awarded to the applicant.

The score for candidates applying in 2020 for entry in 2021 is based on the following:

  • Papers are given a weighted academic score and are ranked
  • Total points scored would be as per the requirement for the relevant degree (typically 360 points for a three-year degree)
  • Using the regulations for a standard three-year Otago Bachelor’s degree as an example, the admission score would be calculated as follows, in order of precedence: 
    o Best scoring (maximum of) 120 points at 300-level
    o Best scoring of 200-level and 100-level papers to 360 points
    o With 100-level papers weighted x 0.5, 200-level papers weighted x 1.0, and 300-level papers weighted x 1.5

Please refer to the scoring example below or contact the Health Sciences Admissions Office for further details.

Due to the scoring system for admission to Medicine, we are not able to score papers that have a pass / fail grade, nor are we able to score aegrotat passes.

Applicants who are offered a place in second-year Medicine, and are missing the First Year papers (or their equivalent) listed in the MB ChB Schedule, will be required to undertake a prescribed course of study. When the Medical Admissions Committee offer a place, applicants will be advised which papers they must complete, as well as the grades that must be attained in order to be eligible to be admitted to the second year of Medicine.

Applications must be received within three years of completion of the qualifying degree. Normally, the date of completion will be taken as the end of the teaching period in which the final paper or papers included in the programme are undertaken. Repeat applications within the eligibility period are allowed.

For further information on previous years cutting marks, please contact: [email protected]

Graduate category checklist

Alternative category

The purpose of the Alternative Category is to attract a range of academically suitable applicants with broad life experiences, skills and perspectives to the medical programme. This increased diversity will help ensure that each graduating class shall better mirror and understand contemporary New Zealand society, and be best placed to contribute across the full spectrum of community medical needs in New Zealand.

Admission for Medicine in the Alternative category for 2021 opens 1 April 2020 and closes on 1 May 2020.

This category for application for admission to second-year Medicine is open to allied health professionals and other graduates.

To be considered for admission under the Alternative category, an applicant must be a domestic student and:

  • Hold a degree from a New Zealand university, and no longer be eligible under the Graduate category; 
    or
  • Have completed a degree at an overseas university at a standard of at least NZQF Level 7 no less than three years prior to application; 
    or
  • Hold a master’s or doctoral degree; 
    or
  • Demonstrate health-related professional experience in a relevant field to a standard acceptable to the Medical Admissions Committee

Applicants seeking admission to Medicine with health-related professional experience will be required to demonstrate academic and/or professional experience in the relevant field, to a standard acceptable to the Medical Admissions Committee, as part of the selection process. Allied health professionals are recommended to have not less than five years’ experience in their chosen profession(s), and preferably at least two years in New Zealand.

International applicants are not considered under the Alternative category.

Qualifications that applicants wish to be considered as part of their application must be completed (with results available by 1 May in the year of application) and a full academic transcript must be provided before an application can be processed.

Applicants will be required to provide the names and contact details of three referees (both professional and character), who will be contacted only if an applicant is selected for interview.

Please note that references are confidential and will not be released to the applicant.

Candidate selection is a two-stage process. Candidates are selected for interview based on academic achievements, statement of interest, and CV. Not all applicants will be selected for interview.

At interview, topics covered include:

  • Academic achievement
  • Other achievements
  • Commitment to a career change
  • Communication skills
  • Knowledge of the New Zealand health system
  • Understanding of the profession

Interviews take place in Dunedin approximately eight weeks from the closing date. Notification is via your eVision account. Applicants need to ensure that they are available to attend for interview if invited, as the Interview Panel will not reschedule their dates.

A candidate may apply once only using this category.

  • If an application is submitted, but subsequently cancelled by an applicant before 11pm (New Zealand time) on 10 May 2020, an application in a later year will be permitted.

The final outcome of applications will be confirmed by 11pm (New Zealand Time) 30 August 2020.

Applicants who are offered a place in second-year Medicine and are missing the First Year papers (or their equivalent) listed in the MB ChB Schedule, may be required to undertake a prescribed course of study. When the Medical Admissions Committee offer a place, applicants will be advised which papers they must complete, as well as the grades that must be attained in order to be eligible to be admitted to the second year of Medicine.

The Medical Admissions Committee will not enter into any correspondence regarding application outcome or interview.

Alternative category checklist

Sub-categories

The Mirror on Society Selection Policy (MoS) is designed to ensure that the Division of Health Sciences promotes and facilitates academic equity for Māori students, and for students from other under-represented MoS category groups, who have the potential to succeed academically, and who have applied via the application process.

Applicants may also be considered in one or more of the following sub-categories:

  • Māori
  • Indigenous Pacific (see note)
  • Socioeconomic
  • Refugee
  • Rural

An applicant in either the Māori, or Indigenous Pacific or both of these sub-categories requires verification of ancestry by the University. You can apply for verification of ancestry from the ‘My details’ section of your eVision portal, and we would encourage you to request this as soon as possible if you are intending to apply for the health sciences professional programmes, to minimise delays in processing your application.

Note: An application via the Indigenous Pacific sub-category requires verification of ancestry for one or more of the following Pacific nations:

  • American Samoa
  • Cook Islands
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Fiji
  • French Polynesia
  • Hawaii
  • Kiribati
  • Marshall Islands
  • New Caledonia
  • Niue
  • Palau
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Rapanui (Easter Island)
  • Rotuma
  • Samoa
  • Solomon Islands
  • Tokelau
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • Vanuatu
  • Wallis and Futuna

Māori sub-category

Applicants wishing to be considered under the Māori sub-category must indicate this at the time of application by ticking the Māori sub-category box in the online application. Using the form below, applicants will also be required to complete and upload a written personal supporting statement.

Māori – Supporting Statement form (PDF)

In order to be eligible for the Māori sub-category your ancestry needs to be verified by the University. You can apply for verification of ancestry from the ‘My details’ section of your eVision portal.



Successful applicants from the Māori sub-category are required to attend a mihiwhakatau (greeting) at the commencement of classes in Dunedin. Whānau are welcome and encouraged to attend.

It is recommended that students wishing to apply under the Māori sub-category attend a relevant information session held by the Division of Health Science Māori Health Workforce Development Unit (MHWDU) and/or contact the MHWDU to arrange a meeting with staff or for further information:

Email [email protected]

New Zealand Resident Indigenous Pacific Origins (NZRIPO)

An application via the NZRIPO sub-category requires verification of ancestry for one or more of the following Pacific nations:

  • American Samoa
  • Cook Islands
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Fiji
  • French Polynesia
  • Hawaii
  • Kiribati
  • Marshall Islands
  • New Caledonia
  • Niue
  • Palau
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Rapanui (Easter Island)
  • Rotuma
  • Samoa
  • Solomon Islands
  • Tokelau
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • Vanuatu
  • Wallis and Futuna

Applicants wishing to be considered under the NZRIPO sub-category must indicate this at the time of application by ticking the NZRIPO sub-category box on the application form.

In order to be eligible for the NZRIPO sub-category your ancestry needs to be verified by the University. You can apply for verification of ancestry from the ‘My details’ section of your eVision portal.

Using the form below, applicants must also complete and upload:

  1. An endorsement of your application by a leader of a Pacific Island Community Group
    and
  2. A written personal supporting statement (500-word limit) giving your reasons for applying under the NZRIPO sub- category. Please explain your understanding of the NZRIPO subcategory, and outline your commitment to and interest in the health of the Pacific Island Community in New Zealand.

New Zealand Resident Indigenous Pacific Origins (NZRIPO) endorsement and statement form(PDF)

Successful applicants from the NZRIPO sub-category are expected to be connected and contribute to the Health Sciences Pacific support network.

It is highly recommended that students wishing to apply under the NZRIPO sub-category contact the staff in the Pacific Islands Research and Student Support Unit, in the Office of the Associate Dean (Pacific):
Email [email protected]

Socioeconomic Equity sub-category

In order to apply under the Socioeconomic Equity sub-category, candidates for admission must have attended a decile 1 – 3 secondary school during Years 11, 12 and 13.

Deciles are a measure of the socioeconomic position of a school’s student community relative to other schools throughout the country.

Decile 1 schools are the 10% of schools with the highest proportion of students from low socioeconomic communities, whereas decile 10 schools are the 10% of schools with the lowest proportion of these students.

The Socioeconomic Equity sub-category is only available to domestic students who have completed their Years 11, 12 and 13 in New Zealand within the last 5 years and who are applying via the Health Sciences First Year category.

Applicants wishing to apply under the Socioeconomic Equity sub-category must indicate this at the time of application by ticking the Socioeconomic Equity sub-category box in the online application and provide the following supporting information:

  • An official letter from your secondary school/s (decile 1-3) confirming enrolment in years 11, 12 and 13.

Using the form below, applicants must also complete and upload a personal supporting statement (500-word limit) explaining your understanding of the Socioeconomic Equity sub-category and your aspirations and commitment to make a positive contribution to your community.

Socioeconomic Equity Supporting Statement form (PDF)

It is strongly recommended that students wishing to apply under the Socioeconomic Equity sub-category attend a relevant information session held by the Division of Health Science Kōhatu Centre for Hauora Māori EQ Project team and/or contact the EQ team to arrange a meeting with staff or for further information:
Email [email protected]

Note: Successful applicants from the Socioeconomic Equity sub-category students are expected to maintain engagement with the Kōhatu team throughout their studies.

Refugee sub-category

In order to apply under the Refugee sub-category, candidates for admission must have either been granted refugee status in New Zealand, or have parents / primary guardian(s) who have been granted refugee status in New Zealand.

Applicants wishing to apply under the Refugee background sub-category must indicate this at the time of application by ticking the Refugee sub-category box in the online application and provide the following supporting information:

If you are applying as a person with refugee status then you must provide:

Either

  • Certified copies of your Certificate of Identity or your passport confirming refugee status and Permanent Residency.
    or
  • A letter from Immigration New Zealand confirming your status as a permanent resident, obtained on the basis of being resettled in New Zealand as a refugee. This should include your full legal name, date of birth and date of residency
    or
  • A letter from Immigration New Zealand confirming that you have refugee status and that you have applied for residence. This should include your full legal name and date of birth.

If you are applying as a child or dependent of parents / primary guardian(s) who have been granted New Zealand Residency as refugees, you must provide:

1. A letter from Immigration New Zealand confirming that your parent(s) / primary guardian(s) has been granted NZ residency via their status as a former refugee. If Immigration NZ is not able to provide such a letter, equivalent official documentation can be submitted and will be considered for acceptability by the Health Sciences Admissions Manager.
and
2. A document that confirms they are your parent(s) / primary guardian(s), for example your birth certificate, a joint passport, or adoption papers.

Using the form below, all applicants wishing to apply under the Refugee background sub-category must also complete and upload a personal supporting statement (500-word limit) outlining your commitment to the health of refugees and those with refugee backgrounds.

Refugee Supporting Statement form (PDF)

It is strongly recommended that students wishing to apply under the Refugee sub-category contact the Refugee subcategory support person, Dr Jo Oranje in the Health Sciences Divisional Office: Email [email protected]

New Zealand Rural Origins sub-category

The New Zealand Government has agreed to fund extra places in the programme targeting those from rural backgrounds seeking medical careers in rural practice.

In order to apply in the New Zealand Rural Origins sub-category, candidates for admission must:

  • Have undertaken a minimum of four years of their pre-tertiary education at a school in a rural area of New Zealand
    or
  • Have resided in a rural area of New Zealand for a minimum of four consecutive years following the completion of their secondary education
    or
  • Have undertaken a combination of pre-tertiary education at a school in a rural area of New Zealand and residence in a rural area of New Zealand, for a minimum of four consecutive years

Applicants wishing to have their New Zealand Rural Origins status considered with their application must indicate this at the time of application by ticking the New Zealand Rural Origins sub-category box in the online application.

Applicants must provide the following supporting information:

either

  • An official letter from the pre-tertiary regional / rural education institution they attended, outlining:
    1. The duration of their study 
      and
    2. The physical location of the institute

or

  • A statutory declaration, made before an authorised person, confirming residency of four years or more in a rural location (this declaration must specify which years are being claimed as the four qualifying years). A statutory declaration can be used for your residential address only. It cannot be used to confirm school attendance.

An authorised person is a person listed in the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957 as able to take declarations. This person could be a:

Students within New Zealand may wish to check the Yellow Pages for a list of Justices of the Peace in their area. Students from remote areas who do not have access to anyone in the approved categories should contact AskOtago for advice.

The University utilises Statistics New Zealand’s Urban / Rural Profile Classification to define rural. For the purposes of this policy, students will be eligible if their address on which the rural sub-category application is based on, is classified as one of the following:

  • Satellite urban community
  • Independent urban community
  • Rural area with high urban influence
  • Rural area with moderate urban influence
  • Rural area with low urban influence
  • Highly rural / remote area

The Statistics New Zealand website has information on these rural categories.

Students who selected the New Zealand Rural Origins sub-category on their application for entry to Medicine may be required to participate in the Year 5 Rural Medical Immersion Programme.

Students will not be bonded after graduation nor will the inclusion of the rural training increase the length of the programme.

Preliminary eligibility assessment

Using the spreadsheet below, you can undertake an informal check of your eligibility for the rural origins sub-category by matching, at an area unit level, the rural location you will use for application purposes.

It is important to note that this should be considered as a guide only. The address you supply with your application will be officially geo-coded by a specialist GIS company. This will occur by an automated geocoding process that records the latitude and longitude information for address records and matches this against the Statistics New Zealand Urban / Rural classification system. This process determines final eligibility.

You are strongly encouraged to contact the Health Sciences Admissions Office prior to applications closing if you have any questions regarding your eligibility for the Rural Origins sub-category.

Urban rural profile categories spreadsheet (PDF)

Application process

Online application and enrolment

New and returning students are required to complete their application through eVision, which combines both your admissions and enrolment into the University of Otago, and your programme application.

HSFY category and Graduate category applicants should apply in the first instance to the ‘Health Sciences Undergraduate Professional Programmes’ and then select ‘Medicine’ from the list.

Alternative category applicants should apply directly to ‘Medicine Alternative’.

If you have any questions regarding your application please contact AskOtago:

Tel 0800 80 80 98 (from within New Zealand)
Tel +64 3 479 7000 (from overseas)
Email [email protected]
facebook.com/otagouniversity
Ask Otago: Frequently asked questions

Supporting documentation

For details regarding other required documentation, consult the appropriate checklist available at the end of each main category of admission section.

Application deadlines

Applications for entry in 2021 close on 1 May 2020 (Alternative category) and 15 September 2020 (HSFY and Graduate categories).

Note: Applicants must have their personal and financial affairs in order when they apply so that if their application is successful, they are able to take up a place at the start of the first semester.

Outcome of application

You will be advised of the outcome of your application no later than:

  • HSFY category: 18 December 2020
  • Graduate category: 18 December 2020
  • Alternative category: 30 August 2020

If you have a question regarding your application, you are able to contact us at:

Email [email protected]

All correspondence must include your Otago student ID number.

Accepting or declining offers

If offered a place, applicants will be advised on the deadline for accepting or declining the offer.

Please think carefully before making your decision; once you have declined your offer there is no opportunity to have the offer reinstated.

What is the waiting list?

If your Outcome of Application indicates that you have been placed on the waiting list, you will be contacted should a place become available. Waiting lists are programme-specific and you may not ask to be included on any waiting list other than the one(s) specified.

You can be offered a place from a waiting list right up to the time classes begin. Therefore, you should make sure that you continue your enrolment process for any alternative programme of study you may be considering.

Deferral of entry

Applicants must have their personal and financial affairs in order when they apply so that if their application is successful, they are able to take up a place at the start of the first semester.

Requests for deferral will be considered only on the basis of unforeseen serious medical grounds or other exceptional circumstances that arise after the application deadline.

In order for deferral to be a approved evidence must be provided showing that the applicant will be able to resume study the following year.

To apply for a deferral of entry please complete and return the deferral form (PDF)

Deferrals will only be granted for a maximum period of one academic year.

English language requirements

Admission to the programme shall be subject to applicants meeting an English language requirement as determined by the Medical Admissions Committee, dependent on the category under which the application is made.

International students

International students are defined as all those students who require a student visa to study in New Zealand. In any given year, a limited number of places in the second year Medicine may be available to international students in the HSFY and Graduate categories. To be eligible to apply for admission to Medicine, international students must have completed all necessary prerequisites at a minimum standard, which is determined on a yearly basis.

Should an international student’s residency status change prior to notification of the application outcome, he or she must notify the Health Sciences Admissions Office immediately and will have to compete for admission with other domestic students.

NOTE: Following graduation with MBChB, to practice in New Zealand it is necessary to obtain registration from the Medical Council of New Zealand. This requires obtaining a pre-vocational training position at an approved hospital in New Zealand. There are limited, if any, places available for international students, who will normally complete registration requirements in their home country. It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the relevant authority in their home country the requirements for registration and to confirm that a New Zealand MBChB will meet these requirements.

Important dates

  • Online application closing date:
    • HSFY category: 15 September 2020
    • Graduate category: 15 September 2020
    • Alternative category: 1 May 2020
  • Outcome of Application sent out by:
    • HSFY category: 18 December 2020
    • Graduate category: 18 December 2020
    • Alternative category: 30 August 2020
  • Accepting or declining first round offers:
    • HSFY category: 4 January 2021
    • Graduate category: 4 January 2021
  • Health Sciences Admissions Office closed: 24 December 2020 to 4 January 2020
  • Medicine second year compulsory orientation: date to be confirmed
  • Medicine second year classes commence: date to be confirmed


Introductory classes are compulsory. Students who fail to attend classes on the start date risk losing their place.