The University Of Otago Wellington

We are proud to be Wellington’s medical school, and of the role we play in making a difference to the health of New Zealanders. We invite you to find out more about the exceptional experience and opportunities we offer our students and staff. Read more



What we offer

  • Undergraduate 4th-6th year MB ChB
  • New Zealand’s only training in radiation therapy, the Bachelor of Radiation Therapy
  • Hosting for dietetic, physiotherapy, dental and pharmacy undergraduate students
  • Research degree opportunities from BMedSci to PhD
  • A diverse range of research-informed national and international clinical and public health postgraduate courses for health professionals including: registrars, medical specialists, nurses, GPs, pharmacists, physiotherapists, clinical psychologists and social workers
  • Courses every February at our Public Health Summer School – the largest public health summer school in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Research opportunities in all our departments, and in our 15 well-established research groups.

Mission statement

The University of Otago Wellington will take a leadership role in the Aotearoa/New Zealand health system and community, recognising the Treaty of Waitangi as the mandate for the good health of all New Zealanders, through:

  • the provision of outstanding research-informed undergraduate and postgraduate health science education;
  • contributing nationally and internationally the highest quality scholarship, teaching, research, and clinical practice;
  • preparing graduates to meet the diverse and multicultural health needs in Aotearoa/New Zealand and international settings, now and in the future;
  • staff and students contributing to knowledge and understanding within the health sciences;
  • promoting health and education within the community using the highest quality basic and applied research;
  • taking account of its proximity to central government and policy agencies.

Academic departments

The University of Otago, Wellington is adjacent the Wellington Hospital. It has nine academic departments:

Staffing

The Campus employs a total of 373 staff (174.3 full time equivalents) as follows:

  • 112 academic staff (excluding clinical lecturers and joint clinical staff) (79.3 FTEs)
  • 27 joint clinical appointments with local District Health Boards (14 FTEs)
  • 141 part-time clinical lecturers (7 FTEs)
  • 93 administrative staff (74 FTEs)

Facilities

The Campus has extensive student support and learning facilities on site. It has recently built award-winning new facilities, including conference centre, a new medical library, teaching rooms, and computer facility.

Role that the campus has within the undergraduate MB ChB medical course

The role of the Campus is to:

  • teach years 4, 5, and 6 of the medical programme, ensuring congruence with Faculty curriculum objectives;
  • provide vertical integration of basic sciences in clinical contexts;
  • offer students a wide range of clinical experiences; and
  • provide leadership within the medical programme.

Strong research

The Campus has research strengths in a number of areas, spanning the spectrum through biomedical, clinical and public health. All the Campus’s academic departments are research active, and there are a number of well established research groups.

More about our research groups

Strong indigenous health research

The Campus’ Māori health research unit, Te Ropu Rangahau Hauora A Eru Pōmare, is a national leader. The strength of this unit, in combination with our well-established and long-term relationships with local iwi groups, provides a strong foundation on which to build the indigenous component of our curriculum.

Working with DHBs and primary health care providers

Hospital services in New Zealand are provided by 21 District Health Boards. A major strength of the Campus’ undergraduate medical programme is its regional approach. This aims to capitalise on the strengths of our local tertiary hospital and on the excellent learning opportunities provided by the region’s general provincial hospitals and primary health care centres. Similarly, the undergraduate medical radiation therapy programme collaborates closely with District Health Boards around the country.



The Campus also has a close working relationship with a private hospital, Bowen Hospital, where the Campus’s Sleep Investigation Centre, WellSleep Sleep Investigation Centre, is located.

Studying at the University of Otago, Wellington

Health Sciences is one of the most rewarding careers you can choose

The University of Otago, Wellington provides training and study for a career in health care. We offer undergraduate and postgraduate study options.

If you have already enrolled at Otago, please visit our current students section.

Undergraduate study

If you like science and helping people then a role/job in Health Sciences could be perfect for you. You can study Radiation Therapy or Medicine.
Find out more about undergraduate study options

Postgraduate study

Our postgraduate qualifications, certificates to PhDs, build on your skills and professional experience.
Find out more about postgraduate study options

Student support

Please visit the Student Affairs Office or Postgraduate Office for any student support queries you may have.

Departments



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Central services