The University of Otago has a unique and enduring history of providing a highly-qualified workforce in the health professions and in leading research and academic advancement in the areas of health and biomedical science. In the broad field of Pacific health we have opportunities to study at undergraduate, postgraduate and professional levels.
Va'a o Tautai – Centre for Pacific Health
Va'a o Tautai is home to a dedicated team of Pacific and non-Pacific teachers and researchers working in areas of importance to Pacific communities in New Zealand and internationally.
Va'a o Tautai Pacific Health Teaching
It provides provides leadership in teaching Pacific health across Health Sciences professional programmes, the Bachelor of Health Sciences, and other areas of health curricula where Pacific perspectives are important:
Email vot@otago.ac.nz
Health Sciences postgraduate programmes
Are you a graduate or health professional interested in further study? The University of Otago's Health Sciences postgraduate programmes cover a wide range of subject areas and disciplines, and are spread across our three campuses in:
University of Otago graduates go on to produce both nationally and internationally renowned research.
Postgraduate programmes
Read about postgraduate scholarships at Otago
Completed research theses
Our Pacific health research postgraduates have successfully completed theses in a wide range of disciplines, read more about their research:
Pacific health research postgraduate theses
Opportunities for postgraduates to present their research
Read about the Pacific Postgraduate Reference Group support meetings and the Pacific Voices Postgraduate Symposiums:
Pacific postgraduate students (Pacific Islands Centre website)
Health Sciences undergraduate study
A University of Otago Health Sciences degree can take you places.
Are you looking for a career in health, or maybe you would like to explore the biological sciences? Perhaps you are planning to apply for entry to one of Health Science's professional programmes?
Whether you are planning to use your Health Sciences degree as a base for a professional career as a researcher, specialist, or a job related to the health science field, the University of Otago offers a range of courses to suit.
Take a look at our subject information pages to get a taste of each subject:
Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) is a foundation year for professional programmes:
- Dentistry
- Medical laboratory science
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
It is also an excellent way to begin a degree in biomedical science or any of the broad range of biological sciences at Otago.
Health Sciences undergraduate programmes has more about the professional programmes, other careers in health, biological sciences and biomedical sciences.
Read about the Pacific Islands Summer Studentship (HRC) research projects undergraduates completed:
Pacific health future researchers
Information on how to apply for a summer scholarship (Health Sciences website)
Health Sciences professional programmes
Do you dream of being a dentist, dental technician, dental therapist, oral hygienist, medical laboratory scientist, doctor, pharmacist, physiotherapist or a radiation therapist? If so, then one of our Health Sciences professional programmes might be right for you.
Health Sciences professional programmes
Health Sciences research
The University of Otago's Division of Health Sciences is home to many established, internationally recognised research programmes.