Medical Schools In New Zealand

Here, we provide information on the medical schools in New Zealand.

University of Auckland: University of Auckland School of Medicine

University of Auckland is a public university and New Zealand’s largest and highest ranked university. It offers a 6-year MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) degree, although the necessity and content of the first year will vary between students. First year entry and graduate entry are the two main pathways into the course.

School leavers cannot apply directly to the MBChB and instead need to enrol in the first year of the BHSc (Bachelor of Health Sciences) or the BSc (Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science), which is why this entry pathway is called first year entry.

For the BHSc, New Zealand applicants must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard, as well as a NCEA rank score of 250. For the BSc, New Zealand applicants must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard, and attain a NCEA rank score of 165. Australian and international applicants should visit the official website for entry criteria:

• BHSc (Bachelor of Health Sciences)‍
• BSc (Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science)‍

For the first year of the BHSc or BSc, you must achieve a minimum GPA of 6.0 out of 9.0 (NZ scale) in all of your first year papers to be eligible for an invitation to the medical admissions MMI. Invitation to the MMI is based on grades in four core courses (BIOSCI107, CHEM110, MEDSCI142, POPLHLTH111) and final selection is based on 60:15:25 of GPA of the four core courses, UCAT ANZ final score, and MMI. Successful applicants then undergo five further years of MBChB study (i.e. a total of 6 years of study including the first year).

The second entry pathway is graduate entry. Depending on your previous study, you may enter straight into the second year of the MBChB programme, or undertake part or all of first year courses prior to entering the second year.

To be eligible to apply, domestic applicants must have a minimum GPA of 6.0 out of 9.0 (NZ scale). Invitation to the MMI is based on GPA and the final selection is based on 60:15:25 of GPA, UCAT ANZ and MMI. International applicants will need a relevant degree on a full-time basis at a recognised university, but UCAT ANZ is not required.

There are special pathways for Māori and Pacific applicants (Māori and Pacific Health Career Pathways) and rural applicants (Regional Rural Admission Scheme). All applicants need to apply directly to the university.‍

Check out the University of Auckland website for more details, such as fees, prerequisites and important dates.

Did you know?

• University of Auckland is the largest and highest ranked university in New Zealand.
• University of Auckland has a strong commitment to increase the number of Māori and Pacific health professionals in New Zealand.

University of Otago: Otago Medical School

University of Otago is a public university that is home to one of only two medical schools in New Zealand. It offers a 6-year MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) degree, which can be entered through a number of pathways.

School leavers need to enrol in the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY). It should be noted that HSFY is not the same as BHealSc (Bachelor of Health Sciences). To be eligible for admission, you must pass all prescribed papers with a minimum grade of 70% and achieve a UCAT ANZ threshold score (Verbal Reasoning: 20th percentile or higher, Situational Judgement: 10th percentile or higher). There is no interview and final selection is based on academic score. You must also pass the HSFY English Diagnostic Test or ENGL126. Successful applicants will then undergo five further years of MBChB study (i.e. a total of 6 years of study including the first year).

For graduate entry, you must achieve a UCAT ANZ threshold score in all sections. There is no interview and final selection is based on weighted academic score. The weighting of academic scores varies slightly from other universities so we recommend checking the guidelines for admission into medicine. Depending on your previous study, you may enter straight into the second year of the MBChB programme, or undertake missing first year courses prior to entering the second year.

There are subcategories for entry (Māori, indigenous Pacific, socioeconomic, refugee, rural) and an alternative category (only for domestic applicants) for allied health professionals and other graduates. All applicants need to apply directly to the university.‍

Check out the University of Otago website for more details, such as fees, prerequisites and important dates.

Did you know?

• University of Otago also has a huge focus on increasing the number of Māori and Pasifika students in its medical programme – they now make up around a third of the starting cohort.
• Medical students spend the first three years in Dunedin, then the last three years at a clinical school in Dunedin, Christchurch or Wellington.