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HSFY info website review

The content of the Health Sciences First Year information webpages is being reviewed and therefore is subject to change.

If you have any questions about HSFY, please contact:

Email admissions@otago.ac.nz

Most Health Sciences First Year ( HSFY ) students can apply to enrol in an optional eighth paper in second semester, selected from the approved list below.

International sponsored students cannot add an optional eighth paper until they have discussed this with an International Adviser.
Find the contact list of International Advisers

The aim of the eighth paper option is to foster critical thinking and analysis, by giving students the opportunity to explore areas outside of the seven HSFY papers.

If you enrol in an eighth paper, the results in your best seven papers will be counted for the purposes of admission to some of the professional programmes in the HSFY category, provided that you have passed the compulsory seven papers to the required standard. The required minimum eligibility threshold for each programme is outlined in the Guidelines for Admission.

Guidelines for Admission to Health Sciences professional programmes

After you have received your semester 1 results you will be able to apply to enrol in your eighth optional paper on the Programmes and Papers page in eVision. For more information about adding a paper (including deadlines), visit:

Changing your course

FAQs

Optional eighth paper FAQs

Approved optional eighth papers for 2025

* These papers are eligible to be used in the MB ChB / BA taken between the third and fourth year of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) medical degree. Anyone interested in the MB ChB / BA should get early course advice regarding the requirements of the BA subject major.

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