Admissions Policy for Health Sciences Professional Programmes

Policy overview

Working towards a more a culturally competent and equitable health workforce is a major priority for both the University of Otago and the Division of Health Sciences. A workforce that represents the communities it serves will improve health outcomes for all.

It is hoped this policy will continue to promote and facilitate equity for students from underrepresented priority groups: Māori, Pacific, rural, socioeconomic and refugee background.

This work continues with reviews of processes, and plans to consider how students with disabilities can be included in the future.

The Division wishes to acknowledge and thank all those who have participated and contributed so generously of their time, energy and focus to the advancement of this work.

Contact

For students
Contact AskOtago

General enquiries
Email healthsciences.admin@otago.ac.nz

Media enquiries
Email mc@otago.ac.nz

Admissions Policy for Health Sciences Professional Programmes

Policy rationale

In Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world, health science education providers aim to educate health professionals who can meet the diverse needs of the communities they serve. This includes ensuring a health workforce that reflects the population and is equipped to provide safe, effective, and culturally responsive care. Achieving this aim can be challenging, as access to higher education, particularly in competitive, high-demand programmes, has often been influenced by wider historical, social and structural inequities. Also, enrolment in health professional programmes is limited due to government funding constraints and/or restricted availability of clinical placements and other resources required to meet accreditation standards.

International students (and their places) are considered separately to domestic students. This Policy does not apply to the selection of eligible international students.

The Division of Health Sciences recognises that there are multiple admission eligibility categories (see below). Within each of these categories, there are multiple pathways by which students can be considered for selection, specifically; general background, and those designed to support cohorts underrepresented in the current workforce, specifically; those from Rural Māori, Resident Indigenous Pacific, Rural, Socioeconomic Equity, and Refugee backgrounds. All categories and pathways operate within a shared framework and are guided by the same overarching principles and graduate outcomes relevant to the programme. Each of the categories and pathways are designed to support the selection of students who are academically capable and who bring strengths that contribute to a health workforce reflective of, and responsive to, Aotearoa New Zealand’s diverse communities.

The Division recognises that the current pathways are inclusive of applicants who offer additional equity considerations. Future policy reviews may consider revising pathways.

The Policy replaces and supersedes Te Kauae Parāoa.

Definitions

Categories

Students can apply for admission to professional programmes under different categories which reflect their differing educational and professional backgrounds up to the point of application. Examples of categories include Health Sciences First Year (HSFY), Graduate, and Alternative, but some Health Science programmes have other categories or different combinations of categories. Categories are approved by programmes and published as part of the Guidelines for each programme.

Pathways within categories

Each category includes multiple pathways:

• General Pathway: for all applicants not applying through a Priority Pathway.
• Priority Pathways: for applicants from groups currently underrepresented in the health workforce, under the following headings:
  • Māori
  • Resident Indigenous Pacific
  • Rural
  • Refugee Background
  • Socioeconomic Equity

The definitions and criteria for each Pathway are approved via the Senate and published as part of the Guidelines for each programme.

Selection criteria

Programme-specific Selection Criteria and related standards are used to assess and rank applicants. These may include academic performance, interviews, personal statements, and other measures.

Eligibility criteria

The criteria that must be met for any applicant to be eligible for selection into a programme.

Organisational scope

This Policy specifically applies to the Division of Health Sciences admission processes for domestic students applying to health professional programmes leading to registration as a health practitioner. Specifically: Bachelor of Dental Surgery; Bachelor of Dental Technology; Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science; Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery; Bachelor of Oral Health; Bachelor of Pharmacy; Bachelor of Physiotherapy; Bachelor of Radiation Therapy; and the Master of Nursing Science.

Policy principles

Due to the high demand for places in the health professional programmes, this Policy sets out principles that guide the selection of students across all admission Categories and Pathways. Programmes must show alignment with the policy when selecting eligible applicants. These principles ensure that student selection processes:

1. Support the selection of students who are committed to, and have the ability to successfully complete, their chosen health professional programme;
2. Enable the selection of students who are committed to serving the needs of individuals, whānau, and communities in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond;
3. Contribute to a health workforce that reflects the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand and is equipped to address health workforce needs and inequities;
4. Support national workforce strategies, including efforts to strengthen rural health provision.

Selection processes will:

• Apply consistent, transparent, and evidence-informed criteria across all categories and pathways;
• Use robust methods to assess academic achievement and potential;
• Be reviewed regularly to ensure they are fair, valid, and aligned with the Policy’s purpose;
• Be supported by structures and resources that support students to progress through, and succeed in, their chosen degree pathways;
• Provide clear and transparent processes on each category and pathway inclusion criteria.

All students admitted, regardless or category or pathway, must meet the academic and professional criteria for entry and are expected to contribute to a culturally safe, clinically excellent health workforce.

Eligibility and selection (eligibility, committees, methods and communication)

In line with the above principles, the following selection procedures will be applied across all health professional programmes.

Each programme must maintain an Admissions Committee (Committees) chaired by an appropriately designated staff member. These Committees are responsible for overseeing selection processes, ensuring alignment with the Policy, and incorporate expertise related to cultural safety, te Tiriti o Waitangi, and pathway-specific knowledge.

Applicants must meet the Eligibility Criteria and Selection Criteria set out in the regulations and associated guidelines for their intended programme. Programmes may use a range of methods to assess whether eligible applicants meet Selection Criteria, including academic records, interviews, essays, references, portfolios, oral presentations, tests of aptitude, and other tools appropriate to the programme.

Admissions Committees review eligible applicants against Selection Criteria in accordance with the policy. Generally, Admissions Committees will consider applicants in the following sequence:

• If programmes have funded government Rural positions, then: Rural-funded, Māori, Resident Indigenous Pacific, Socioeconomic Equity, Refugee Background, and General pathways.
• If programmes do not have funded government Rural positions, then: Māori, Resident Indigenous Pacific, Rural, Socioeconomic Equity, Refugee Background, and General pathways.
• Final class cohorts must include representation from all admission pathways.

The sequence is not however mandatory. Each programme’s Admissions Committee is able to decide a sequence order based on applying the principles of this Policy. Similarly, the numbers of applicants selected in each pathway will be decided each year by each programme’s Admissions Committee, where there are eligible applicants who meet Selection Criteria, and applying the principles of this Policy. Where government-funded rural places are prioritised, this reflects specific national funding conditions. The Division remains committed to te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensures Māori representation across all programmes.

Eligibility Criteria, Selection Criteria, and application deadlines will be published in all relevant sources for prospective students, including websites, prospectuses, and handbooks.

Monitoring and review (quality assurance, policy review)

Each year, the Chairs of the Admissions Committees will report to the Division of Health Sciences Academic Board on:

• Selection criteria and processes
• Total numbers of applicants, offers and enrolments into the programme by admission category and pathway (where applicable)
• Student support structures available across programmes
• Academic progress and outcomes of students from each category and pathway cohort

Programmes will review Selection Criteria and processes regularly to ensure they remain aligned with best practice, equity objectives, and the strategic direction of the Division.

This Policy will be reviewed every three years, or earlier if requested by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).

Related documents and legislation

• Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990
• Education and Training Act 2020
• Human Rights Act 1993
• Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994
• Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (and subsequent amendments)
• Privacy Act 2020
• University of Otago Māori Strategic Framework
• University of Otago Pacific Strategic Framework
• University of Otago Equity and Diversity Strategic Framework

Contact for further information about this policy

If you have any queries regarding the content of this Policy, procedures or guidelines or need further clarification, contact Health Sciences.

Email healthsciences.admin@otago.ac.nz