Do you dream about becoming a doctor, pharmacist, medical laboratory scientist, dentist, or physiotherapist? Are you interested in studying anatomy, physiology, or genetics? The Health Sciences First Year can take you to all these places—and more!
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you navigate your way through the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) admissions process:
If these FAQs don't answer your question, maybe you can find what you are after in one of our other FAQ pages:
What is Health Sciences First Year (HSFY)?
Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) is:
- The first year for five of the professional programmes: Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy
- Not required, but can be used as an entry point to three of the professional programmes: Oral Health, Dental Technology, and Radiation Therapy
- An excellent way to begin a degree in Biomedical Science or any of the broad range of biological sciences
Please note: Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) is not the same as Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc).
What will I study during HSFY?
HSFY has seven compulsory papers which will give you a strong foundation in science and biological sciences. These are:
- BIOC 192 Foundations of Biochemistry
- CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology
- CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health
- HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1
- HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2
- PHSI 191 Biological Physics
- POPH 192 Population Health
I'm an international applicant—can I apply for HSFY?
Please contact AskOtago if you do not hold New Zealand or Australian citizenship or permanent residence, and are interested in applying for admission into HSFY.
I have already completed some University study – can I still enter HSFY?
Yes, you can enter HSFY with prior University study as long as you have NOT completed HSFY at Otago previously, or not have previously completed this set of seven papers in any single calendar year. If you have not formally deleted or withdrawn from a paper you will be considered to have completed the paper.
You need to declare your University study at another University in case this is needed for transferring credit for previous study you have completed.
Enrolment in HSFY is subject to our Academic Progress Policy. If you have previous tertiary study, you’ll need to have passed half or more of your points in the year prior to entering HSFY. Students who have not passed half or more of their points in a calendar year will be placed on conditional enrolment in the next year of study and are not able to study HSFY in that year due to paper enrolment limits. For more information see the Academic Progress Policy FAQ page.
We recommend you seek advice from Student Development if you are considering enrolling in HSFY and have studied at tertiary level before.
Is there a required course of study at high school?
There are no subject requirements for entry into HSFY. However, we strongly recommend you take Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus to NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent), along with an English-rich subject.
What are the English language requirements for HSFY?
All HSFY students who are looking to apply to Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine, Pharmacy, or Physiotherapy are required to sit an English Language Diagnostic at the beginning of first semester.
- This diagnostic is used to identify students who need extra help with their English language skills
- Students who do not pass the diagnostic will have one further opportunity to resit and pass the diagnostic, near the end of first semester
- Students wishing to apply for Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine, Pharmacy, or Physiotherapy who do not pass the second diagnostic will be required to take and pass ENGL 128
Please visit the Department of English and Linguistics website for more information.
I'm a native English language speaker—do I still have to sit the English language diagnostic?
Yes. All HSFY students—regardless of whether they are native English language speakers or not—must take the English language diagnostic.
What are my options once I complete HSFY?
Once you have completed HSFY you have a few options:
- You can apply for admission into the professional programmes so you can study to become a dentist, dental technician, dental therapist, oral hygienist, medical laboratory scientist, doctor, pharmacist, physiotherapist or a radiation therapist.
- You may find that you discover new areas of interest as you explore the wide range of subjects presented during Health Sciences First Year.
- There are many opportunities at the University of Otago after completion of this year.
- Papers from this year can be credited towards a vast range of undergraduate sciences, commerce, law, and arts degrees.