International Undergraduate Entrance Requirements
To be eligible for entry to undergraduate programmes, all students must hold qualifications that are acceptable to the University of Otago.
- National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) requirements for entry to the University of Otago
- General Entrance Requirements
- Grade Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees
- Availability of Places in Health Sciences Professional Programmes
General Entrance Requirements
The University recognises many other qualifications as equivalent to the New Zealand qualification for entrance and some of these are listed below.
| African, Middle East, South American countries | One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing. |
|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Year 12 qualification with an appropriate ranking score (see grade requirements PDF) |
| Bangladesh | One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing. |
| Canada | Canadian High School Graduation with a minimum overall grade average of 70%. Specific requirements may vary from Province to Province. Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a minimum average of 70% in six subjects in Grade 12 (see grade requirements PDF) |
| China | Senior High School graduation and one year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing; or Senior High School graduation and completion of a diploma with high passing grades at a recognised institute or university. |
| Denmark | Studentereksamen (Gymnasium, HHX – Hojere Handeleksamen, HTX – Hojere Teknisk Eksamen) or Hojere Forberedelseseksamen. |
| Fiji | Minimum of 270/400 (including English) in the Fiji Form VII (see grade requirements PDF); or USP Foundation Studies Programme. |
| France | Baccalauréat Général. |
| Germany | Abitur or Zeugnis der Fachgebundenen Hochschulreife or Zeugnis der Fachhochschulreife. |
| Hong Kong | Three passes at Advanced Level taken at one sitting with appropriate grades or better (see grade requirements PDF) or completion of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with achievement at Level 4 or higher in English and at least two elective subjects, and Level 3 or higher in two other subjects (excluding Chinese language). |
| Hungary | Erettsegi |
| India | One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing; or a minimum overall average of 75% in the Indian School Certificate or the All-India Senior School Certificate with a minimum of 70% in English (see grade requirements PDF). |
| Indonesia | One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing. |
| Iran | One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing. |
| Israel | Bagrut (Matriculation) or Mechina. |
| Japan | One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing; or completion of a junior college diploma of 2 or 3 years' duration (for admission to general degrees only). |
| Malaysia | Minimum of three STPM "Principal" level subjects with appropriate grades (see grade requirements PDF). All passes must be gained in one sitting. A maximum of 15 points over six academic subjects, including one of Advanced Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry, in the Senior Middle III Examination (UEC) of the Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary Schools System. |
| Netherlands | VWO-Gymnasium A or B; VWO-Atheneum A or B. |
| Norway | Vitnemål fra den Videregående Skole with appropriate grades (see grade requirements PDF). |
| Pakistan | One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing. |
| Philippines | One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing. |
| Samoa | A minimum of B3 (60%) average over 8 papers (including English A) in the University Preparatory Year of the National University of Samoa. |
| Singapore | Three passes at Advanced Level taken at one sitting with appropriate grades (see grade requirements PDF). |
| South Africa | Completion of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) with appropriate grades. |
| South Korea | Completion of High School Leaving Certificate plus one year’s successful study at a recognised institution of University standing, with good passing grades. |
| Sri Lanka | A minimum of three Sri Lankan Advanced Level subjects taken at one sitting with approprite grades. |
| Sweden | Slutbetyg Från Gymnasieskolan with grades of VG and MVG. |
| Taiwan | One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing. |
| Thailand | One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing. |
| United Kingdom | Three passes at Advanced Level taken at one sitting with appropriate grades (see grade requirements PDF). In Scotland, appropriate passes at Higher Level are acceptable. |
| USA | High School Graduation Diploma with minimum B grade average and appropriate SAT Reasoning Test scores (see grade requirements PDF). |
| Vietnam | One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing. |
| Worldwide | International Baccalaureate (Full Diploma) awarded with a minimum of 26 points. |
The minimum requirement for students from many countries not listed is the completion of a high school qualification plus satisfactory completion of one year of study at an approved tertiary institution.
Entry requirements are constantly reviewed and the University reserves the right to amend the above requirements at any time.
Students who do not hold acceptable qualifications may qualify for admission to the University of Otago by completing the University of Otago Foundation Year.
Grade Requirements for Undergraduate Degree Programmes
The University has developed grades for some of the commonly used international qualifications. You can download the Grade Requirements for Undergraduate Degree Programmes in PDF format here.
Availability of Places in Health Sciences Professional Programmes
The following professional degree programmes allow admission at the second year of University study:
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
- Bachelor of Pharmacy
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy
All school leavers or others who have not previously attended a university or tertiary institution, must seek entry to these programmes by completing the Health Sciences First Year course in their first year of study at the University of Otago.
The Health Sciences First Year course can be taken at the University of Otago only.
Further information on the Health Sciences First Year course is available elsewhere on this website.
Entry to the second year of each programme is competitive and is based upon the grades achieved in the Health Sciences First Year. Additionally, for Medicine and Dental Surgery, Physiotherapy and Medical Laboratory Science, an appropriate score in the UMAT (Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admissions Test) is required (UMAT to be taken during the first year at Otago). Further information on the UMAT exam is available at http://www.acer.edu.au/tests/university/umat/intro.html.
Any school-leavers who have not previously undertaken tertiary study may attempt the Health Sciences First Year course providing that they have admission to the University and have taken appropriate academic subjects as preparation. However, given the competitive nature of admission at second year, the University recommends that only students with very good grades in high school/matriculation study should attempt the Health Sciences First Year (see Grade Requirements for Undergraduate Degree programmes above).
Availability of International Student Places
The availability of places for the second year is reviewed each year depending on the commitments to contracts with overseas governments.
The following number of second-year places will generally be available for international applicants from all countries:
- Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery
Normally, no places are available for international students. However, a very limited number of places may be available in any year if a reduced number of sponsored students (under the terms of contracts with overseas governments) are enrolled.
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery: up to 5 places
- Bachelor of Pharmacy: up to 8 places
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy: up to 5 places
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science: up to 20 places
There is no guarantee that the maximum number of places will be available in any year.
International Student Admission as a Graduate
Graduates with a relevant degree may apply for direct admission at second year level to any of the above programmes except Medicine and will be considered alongside all other international students competing for admission via the Health Sciences First Year. Graduates applying for direct admission to second-year classes should seek advice from the International Office on application procedures.
Please note that it is not possible to apply for entry to second-year classes in Medicine as a graduate or with partially completed university study.
Graduate applicants must complete and return all relevant application materials by 1 October of the year preceding entry.
Admission to Other Unrestricted Medical Science Programmes
The University also offers a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences degree and it is possible to study various Medical Science subjects (Anatomy, Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Physiology, Pharmacology) as part of a Bachelor of Science degree. You can continue studies in any of these areas after completion of the Health Science First Year without losing any time.
Further information can be obtained from the School of Medical Sciences website.
Further Information
If you have any further queries regarding the entrance requirements for undergraduate international students please contact the International Office for more details.
