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    The backbone of medical decision making

    Does this tissue sample contain cancer? What can this woman’s blood tell us about her health? Is this unborn child developing normally? Is this drug effectively stopping the infection? Did this man die of COVID–19?

    Medical laboratory scientists are part of a highly-skilled team that works to solve the mysteries, put the pieces of the puzzle together and answer the critical questions of medicine. They play a crucial role in health care by providing laboratory tests and interpreting results to enable accurate diagnosis and treatment of patients. It’s a life-saving profession.

    Applications for the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science open 1 July and close 13 August 2026.

    Why study Medical Laboratory Science?

    The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) is the only degree that enables you to enter the pathway to register as a medical laboratory scientist.

    In the diagnostic medical laboratory, theoretical knowledge is combined with cutting edge technologies and sophisticated instrumentation to provide rapid, accurate and reliable results that are used by clinicians for the correct diagnosis and treatment of patients. The test results that medical laboratory scientists provide have an immediate impact on the care of patients, especially those who are critically ill.

    The knowledge you acquire in the BMLSc degree will be directly applicable to your work as a medical laboratory scientist.

    Demand for faster testing and constant monitoring of patients has taken some tests out of the laboratory to patients' bedsides. This is called “point-of-care” testing. Another new role is that of the clinical scientist, a position of responsibility achieved through time in the medical laboratory workforce and further training.

    Career opportunities

    The University of Otago BMLSc is an internationally-recognised qualification, enabling you to work around the world in:

    • hospital and community diagnostic laboratories
    • health research groups in universities, Crown Institutes, and the private sector
    • companies supplying scientific instrumentation (research and development, sales, technical support)
    • biotechnology companies
    • forensic science
    • diagnostic and clinical education
    • laboratory management
    • veterinary pathology laboratories
    • hospital mortuaries.

    Career diversity is something we value. In addition to working in hospital and community diagnostic laboratories, medical laboratory science graduates often pursue other roles in medical science in the public and private sectors.

    Diagnosing what matters most

    Discover how Otago’s Medical Laboratory Science students and graduates play a vital role in diagnosing major diseases — from COVID-19 to cancer — and explore the diverse careers that follow.

    Read transcript

    Hi, I’m Associate Professor Heather Brooks and I work in the Pathology Department here at the University of Otago. I’m going to tell you about our Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science degree.

    So, this year, 2020, has been really important for us because many of our graduates and some of our undergraduates have been at the forefront of COVID-19 diagnosis. It’s the medical laboratory scientists who carry out the DNA-based testing that distinguishes between patients with coronavirus and those who’ve got things like influenza.

    But medical laboratory science isn’t just about testing for viruses because it covers a whole range of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, meningitis, and diabetes. And it’s the fact that seventy to eighty percent of the diagnoses made by the medical doctors are dependent on laboratory testing, and without these tests there would be far more wrong diagnoses. And if you want to know where that leads, just look on the internet — or maybe not, it’s a bit gruesome — but anyway.

    So, the Medical Laboratory Science degree takes four years. In the first year, you’ll study health science papers. The second year, some general health science papers, but you’ll also begin your medical laboratory scientist training and you’ll get to know the other students in the course and your teachers who are going to help you achieve your full potential.

    In the third year of the degree, all the papers are focused on medical laboratory science and you’ll be taught by experts in the field. And in the fourth year, you’ll undertake workplace training through two 15-week clinical placements in medical laboratories, and they’re scattered around New Zealand, or you can even go overseas to do some of these placements.

    Alright, the question on everybody’s lips — will you have to sit exams? Sorry, yes, you will. But it’s not all exams and quite a lot of work will be internally assessed.

    OK, what can you do with your Medical Laboratory Science degree? So, about 70% of our graduates get employed in the medical laboratories to do the diagnostic testing. But there are lots of other career options — you can work in the biotechnology industry, maybe running clinical trials for a pharmaceutical company, working for a scientific instrument company, or veterinary pathology. A lot of our graduates go into medical research, some into forensic science, and two of our graduates have become mortuary scientists, which is a bit unusual — but anyway.

    And it’s a great degree if you didn’t get into medicine the first time around — you can apply as a graduate with our degree.

    So, there’s lots of reasons to study Medical Laboratory Science. My own reason? Well, I love medicine, but I never want to give a patient a physical examination or tell them they’ve got a terminal disease. So, I’ve had a great course — first as a medical laboratory scientist, then as a researcher, and as a teacher.

    What is a medical laboratory scientist?

    Medical laboratory scientists are skilled health professionals who provide the laboratory-based tests and assays necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. 70% of diagnoses made by clinical staff (such as doctors) depend on laboratory tests. In fact, the practice of modern medicine would not be possible without medical laboratory scientists.

    In addition to working in hospital and community diagnostic laboratories, medical laboratory scientists play important roles in other areas such as medical research, forensic science, and biotechnology.

    Medical laboratory science covers a wide range of subjects. As a medical laboratory scientist, you can choose to become a specialist in one particular area after you graduate:

    • Chemical pathology – Changes in blood chemistry relating to illnesses like diabetes, cancer, drug dependency, and heart disease.
    • Haematology – Detection of diseases related to blood such as leukaemia and bleeding disorders.
    • Histology and cytology – Microscopic analysis of tissues and cells to identify abnormalities observed in cancer biopsies and cervical smears.
    • Immunology – Tests for changes in the immune response indicating infection, gluten and other allergies, and autoimmune diseases.
    • Microbiology and virology – Detection of harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites causing diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia, and skin infections.
    • Transfusion science – The use of blood products and blood group identification is essential for organ transplantation, blood transfusion, and clotting factor deficiencies.
    • Molecular diagnostics – Nucleic acid testing has a wide range of applications. The ability to detect gene abnormalities has significantly advanced diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.

    Admission to the BMLSc programme

    The BMLSc is a four-year degree, including Health Sciences First Year (HSFY).

    All applicants seeking admission under the HSFY category must have passed all seven HSFY papers. UCAT (the University Clinical Aptitude Test) is not required.

    The Admissions Committee will firstly select from those applicants who are applying under Single Programme Preference. Thereafter if places are still available, the Committee will select from the applicants that have applied to multiple Health Sciences professional programmes.

    There are other routes of admission for students who have completed two or more years of University study, or who are University graduates. International students should apply under the International category for admissions.

    How to apply

    Application information for admission into the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) programme is available on the Division of Health Sciences website:

    Medical Laboratory Science: Guidelines for Admission

    Recommended high school subjects for undergraduate study

    There are no subject requirements for entry into the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) programme, but we recommend you take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in Year 13.

    Already completed some university study?

    Find out if you can still enter HSFY

    Choose a study option

    Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.

    Undergraduate qualifications

    For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.

    Further study opportunities

    Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject.

    YearPapersPoints
    1st year Health Sciences First Year Course 126
    Note: Students seeking admission to the second year of the programme via the Health Sciences First Year category will be required to achieve a satisfactory mark in a standard diagnostic English test or another approved measure of achievement.  
    2nd year MELS 208 Introduction to Diagnostic Pathology 45
    MELS 223 Infection and Immunity (for BMLSc) 18
    MELS 230 Biochemistry (for BMLSc) 18
    MELS 241 Human Biology: Cells to Systems (for BMLSc) 18
    MELS 251 Physiology (for BMLSc) 21
    3rd year MELS 301 Diagnostic Chemical Pathology 30
    MELS 302 Haematology and Transfusion Science 30
    MELS 304 Principles of Pathology 15
    MELS 305 Elements of Histotechnology 15
    MELS 306 Medical Microbiology 30
    4th year Two of:
    MELS 401 Advanced Diagnostic Chemical Pathology
    MELS 402 Clinical Microbiology
    MELS 403 Clinical Virology
    MELS 404 Diagnostic Molecular Pathology
    MELS 405 Cytopathology
    MELS 406 Haematology
    MELS 407 Histopathology
    MELS 408 Transfusion Science
    MELS 409 Clinical Immunology
    MELS 410 Medical Laboratory Science for Rural Health     		120

    Papers

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    MELS papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    MELS208 2026 Introduction to Diagnostic Pathology 45 points Full Year
    MELS223 2026 Infection and Immunity (for BMLSc) 18 points Semester 2
    MELS230 2026 Biochemistry (for BMLSc) 18 points Semester 1
    MELS241 2026 Human Biology: Cells to Systems (for BMLSc) 18 points Semester 1
    MELS251 2026 Physiology (for BMLSc) 21 points Semester 1
    MELS301 2026 Diagnostic Chemical Pathology 30 points Semester 2
    MELS302 2026 Haematology and Transfusion Science 30 points Semester 2
    MELS304 2026 Principles of Pathology 15 points Semester 1
    MELS305 2026 Elements of Histotechnology 15 points Semester 1
    MELS306 2026 Medical Microbiology 30 points Semester 1
    MELS401 2026 Advanced Diagnostic Chemical Pathology 60 points Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026)
    MELS402 2026 Clinical Microbiology 60 points Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026)
    MELS403 2026 Clinical Virology 60 points Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026)
    MELS404 2026 Diagnostic Molecular Pathology 60 points Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026)
    MELS405 2026 Cytopathology 60 points Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026)
    MELS406 2026 Haematology 60 points Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026)
    MELS407 2026 Histopathology 60 points Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026)
    MELS408 2026 Transfusion Science 60 points Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026)
    MELS409 2026 Clinical Immunology 60 points Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026)
    MELS410 2026 Medical Laboratory Science for Rural Health 60 points Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026)
    MELS420 2026 Medical Laboratory Science Practice for Honours 60 points Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026)
    MELS480 2026 Medical Laboratory Science Research for Honours 45 points Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026)
    MELS510 2026 Advanced Medical Laboratory Science Practice 45 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 4 June 2027)
    MELS580 2026 Research Project 45 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 4 June 2027)

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