JumpStart Physics is designed to prepare students for the PHSI 191 Biological Physics course as part of the Health Science First Year programme ( HSFY ). It is tailored to students whose training in secondary school physics and mathematics is incomplete, having not taken Year 12 (NCEA Level 2) Physics. Students undertaking this course still need to meet the University's admission and entrance criteria in order to proceed to full credit study.
This is a not-for-credit course. It is an intensive, interactive, and full-time course running daily from 9am–4pm for three weeks before semester 1.
There is a compulsory online element that must be completed prior to the course dates listed below.
Due to its intensity, JumpStart cannot be taken concurrently with another Summer School paper.
Course dates
1–19 February 2027
Cost
NZ$990 – domestic students
NZ$1570 – international students
Eligibility
- Students who have achieved less than 14 credits in NCEA level 3 physics or general science (or an equivalent course) by the course start date
- Students who have achieved less than 14 credits in NCEA level 2 physics (or an equivalent course) will be given preferential entry
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Apply
Complete the JumpStart enrolment form and return it to the Department of Physics. The application and payment deadline is 22 January 2027.
There are only 150 spaces available in the course and payment is used to confirm your place.
JumpStart enrolment form (PDF)
Email physics.office@otago.ac.nz
Students intending to enrol in HSFY are given preference.
For further information, contact the Department of Physics
Tel + 64 3 479 7749
Email physics.office@otago.ac.nz
Scholarships
Limited number of scholarships are available for this course:
Please check your eligibility or contact the awarding institutions directly. Their contact details can be found on the application forms above.
Accommodation
Over the Summer School period one of the colleges provide accommodation for students. To find out which college, please visit:
Please note: the Department of Physics is not involved in organising your accommodation for the duration of the Jumpstart course.