Entry Pathways
Last Reviewed:
Enrolment at the University of Otago for 2012
We are committed to maintaining both our very high academic standards and the quality of the services we provide to students. In order to achieve this it is necessary for us to manage the number of undergraduate enrolments accepted.
Caps on the numbers of students in a range of undergraduate programmes have been introduced with selection primarily based on academic merit. The selection process also includes an enhanced admission system for Māori and Pacific applicants and applicants with relevant disabilities. Applicants wishing consideration on the basis of disability must supply the relevant information on the form provided for that purpose, available on request.
There are two pathways for admission to these programmes for new domestic undergraduate students (and certain students who have enrolled at Otago previously):
It is expected that the majority of students admitted to Otago in 2012 will achieve entry via the Preferential Entry pathway. As long as enrolment patterns remain similar to previous years, a reasonable number of places will also be available via the Competitive Entry pathway.
- Admission to Otago in 2012 from a New Zealand Secondary School
- Admission to Otago in 2012 from an Australian Secondary School
- NCEA Level 3 Entry Score Calculator
Programmes subject to the Entry Pathway System
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc)
- Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc)
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
- Bachelor of Consumer and Applied Sciences (BCApSc)
- Bachelor of Music (MusB)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) (including Health Sciences First Year and other first year or intermediate courses)
- Bachelor of Theology (BTheol)
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (first year course)
- Certificate of Proficiency (COP)
The Entry Pathway System does not apply to:
- Postgraduate students
- International students
- Students who have accepted places in programmes for the following degrees which have their own specific entry requirements:
- Bachelor of Teaching
- Bachelor of Education Studies
- Bachelor of Physical Education
- Bachelor of Dental Technology
- Bachelor of Oral Health
- Bachelor of Radiation Therapy
Requirement for students who have previously enrolled at Otago
Students who have been enrolled at the University of Otago in 2011 or earlier will be considered for re-enrolment in two categories:
Returning students
Students who have been enrolled at the University of Otago in 2010 or 2011 (returning students) may normally enrol again, subject to the standard provisions of the University's Academic Progress Policy and the admission regulations for specific programmes.
Recommencing students
Students who were last enrolled at the University of Otago in 2009 or earlier (recommencing students) will be considered for re-enrolment on the basis of their academic records (at both Otago and other tertiary institutions where relevant) and assessed for Preferential Entry or Competitive Entry if applying for undergraduate programmes. Their requirement for Preferential Entry (and a guaranteed place) for all undergraduate programmes is a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4 (B-) or more. Recommencing students with a GPA below 4 will be considered under the Competitive Entry pathway.
Preferential Entry
Preferential Entry guarantees a place at Otago for high-calibre students (subject to gaining a university entrance qualification and fulfilling minimum age and language requirements).
Preferential Entry is available under the categories below. Those who have previously undertaken substantial study at tertiary level will not usually be eligible for Preferential Entry on the basis of school results, but otherwise will qualify if they:
- have, in Year 12 or earlier, achieved NCEA Level 2 awarded with merit or excellence
- have achieved an entry score of at least 140 points for NCEA Level 3 or have achieved NCEA Level 3 awarded with merit or excellence
- have achieved the International Baccalaureate Diploma with at least 26 points
- have achieved an entry score of at least 140 points for the Cambridge International Examinations
- have accepted a place in a residential college owned by or affiliated to the University of Otago
- have accepted a University of Otago undergraduate scholarship
- are a recommencing Otago student, or a student transferring from another New Zealand university, with a GPA of 4 (B-) or more for your most recent university study (only your results from your most recent equivalent two years of full-time enrolment will be considered)
- are a Māori applicant, or a Pacific applicant of Polynesian, Melanesian or Micronesian descent, who has not previously studied at a tertiary institution but who holds or is studying towards a New Zealand university entrance qualification
In addition, you need to have registered with the University by:
10 December 2011 (for study commencing in the Summer School or first semester)
15 June 2012 (for study commencing in the second semester)
Preferential entry automatically converts to a guaranteed place at Otago when you also meet university entrance requirements (including minimum age and language requirements).
Many who do not have Preferential Entry when they first register may qualify later when their examination results become available or they accept a place in a residential college.
Some students may hold a university entrance qualification and meet one of the Preferential Entry criteria at the time of registration. For such students a place at Otago is immediately guaranteed.
The University may in limited circumstances agree to afford Preferential Entry to any applicant who does not meet any of the above criteria but who has achieved an appropriate standard in other recognised qualifications or study or who has otherwise demonstrated strong ability to achieve to a high standard in study at the University.
Students with university passes will be considered on the basis of their university GPA rather than their secondary school results other than in exceptional circumstances.
Competitive Entry
New and recommencing students who do not gain Preferential Entry and are applying to a capped programme in 2012 will be placed on the Competitive Entry pathway and will be offered places in order of priority, subject to the availability of places in their nominated programmes.
If you are a Competitive Entry student, you will be assessed and ranked according to your academic performance and other relevant criteria. It is expected that the majority of students who are initially placed on the Competitive Entry pathway will subsequently meet the criteria for Preferential Entry. Such students will be automatically transferred to the Preferential Entry pathway. In every student’s case, admission will be subject to meeting university entrance and minimum age and language requirements.
Other Important Entry Pathway Information
- Entrance Requirements
- Registering for 2012
- NCEA entry score calculator
- Calculating a CIE entry score
- Calculating an IB entry score
- Grade Point Average Calculator for Entry Pathway Purposes
- Applying for a Residential College
- Undergraduate scholarship information
Further Information
Do you need further information about enrolment at the University of Otago? See the Enrolment Frequently Asked Questions elsewhere on this website.
