University of Otago: UCAT and Course Entry Information (2021 Update)

In this article, we’re going to give you an overview of the University of Otago and the medicine courses it offers which require UCAT for admission.

In this article on The University of Otago,

• Overview of The University of Otago
• University rankings
• The University of Otago courses requiring UCAT
  • Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery 
  • Bachelor of Dental Surgery
• Clinical placement information
  • For medicine
  • For dentistry

An Overview of The University of Otago

The University of Otago, Dunedin, was established in 1869 and New Zealand’s oldest university. Currently, over 21,000 students attend the university.

The University is a residential university where 85% of students come from outside Dunedin and the majority of the students live within a 1km radius of the campus. There are 15 residential colleges on campus and many private accommodation options nearby.

The University is close to the city centre, has a massive focus on cultural, social and sporting facilities.

There’s a large number of support networks available on campus as well.

Rankings

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University of Otago Medical Courses Offered that require UCAT

The University offers entry into Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Dental Surgery.

The following outlines the courses offered, its specifics, and entry requirements such as UCAT score:

Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery

Entry Requirements and category for admission:

There are 3 different categories of admission. These are:

The Health Sciences First Year category:

• You are required to get over 70% on each paper
• Hold a UCAT result and a score in all 5 UCAT sections that meet the threshold determined annually by the Medical Admissions Team

The Graduate category:

• Complete a bachelor’s degree
• Hold a UCAT result and a score in all 5 UCAT sections that meet the threshold determined annually by the Medical Admissions Team
• Pass all papers in the Health Sciences First Year Course and achieve a GPA of 5 (B)

The Alternative category: Those who have professional health experience can apply through this category.

• You must demonstrate health-related professional experience relevant to acceptable Medical Admissions Committee standards
• Provide a statement of interest and current curriculum vitae.
• Applicants may be required to attend an interview.

Each paper completed in the applicant’s previous courses (whether it is a Health Science First Year, or Graduate) is given a score. Applicants are then ranked based on the accumulation of these scores.

Applicants must also complete the UCAT to be considered eligible.

Interview criteria and structure:

Only applicants applying through the Alternative Category will need to attend an interview. These applicants are chosen based on academic achievements, CV, and statement of interest.

Degree facts:

• 282 places are available for domestic students. Out of these places, 55 are reserved for students applying under the New Zealand Rural origins sub-category.

Bachelor of Dental Surgery

Entry requirements and category for admission:

There are 3 different categories of admission. These are:

The Health Sciences First Year category:

• You are required to get over 70% average, with no paper less than 65%.
• Hold a UCAT result and a score in all 5 UCAT sections that meets the threshold determined annually by the Dental Admissions Team

The Graduate category:

• Complete a bachelor’s degree
• Hold a UCAT result and a score in all 5 UCAT sections that meets the threshold determined annually by the Dental Admissions Team
• Passed the papers prescribed in the Health Sciences First Year course with a minimum grade of B
• Achieve a GPA of 5 in the HSFY course

The Alternative category:

• You must hold a degree from a New Zealand university or overseas University,
• Passed the papers prescribed in the Health Sciences First Year course with a minimum grade of B
• Achieve a GPA of 5 in the HSFY course
• Achieve a high UCAT result that meets the threshold determined annually by the Dental Admissions Team

Each paper completed in applicant’s previous courses (whether it is a Health Science First Year, or Graduate) is given a score. Applicants are then ranked based on the accumulation of these scores.

Applicants must also complete the UCAT to be considered eligible.

Interview:

Approximately 300 applicants will be invited to an interview based on their UCAT results.

Degree facts:

• 60 places are available for domestic students in this course.

Clinical placement information

At the University of Otago, the clinical placements vary according to the degree you are studying

Clinical placement information for the Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery

In the 3rd, 4th, and 5th years, students study Advanced Learning in Medicine. The cohort is split into 3 across:

• Dunedin School of Medicine
• University of Otago, Christchurch
• University of Otago, Wellington

Students rotate through specific context-based block modules in hospital, community, in-patient and out-patient settings, both urban and rural. Students can apply to spend their fifth year in the Rural Medical Immersion Programme (RMIP)..

Three-quarters of student time is spent gaining clinical experience. The remainder is spent in supplementary lectures and tutorials, including vertical module topics such as ethics, microbiology and pathology.

Clinical placement information for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery

In 3rd and 4th years, students develop clinical skills, initially in simulation sessions in our cutting-edge simulation laboratory, and then in patient sessions. Students gain experience in a wide range of clinical dental disciplines including prosthodontics and clinical cariology, endodontics, periodontics, paediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral medicine, oral surgery, and special needs dentistry.

In 5th year, students consolidate their clinical experience and undertake a research project.