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    Study the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences with Honours (BBiomedSc(Hons))

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    If this is the qualification for you, get started with your application today.

    Programme details

    Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences with Honours (BBiomedSc(Hons))

    1. Admission to the programme

      1. Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
      2. Every applicant must have been awarded the degree of Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Board of Studies for Biomedical Sciences, with an average grade of at least B+ for the appropriate four 300-level papers of the major subject and have passed one further paper at 300-level to make
        a total of 90 points at 300-level.
      3. Applicants must normally have passed papers worth at least 216 points, at 200-level or above.

    2. Subjects of study

      The degree of Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences with Honours may be awarded in any one of the following subjects:

    3. Structure of the programme

      1. The programme for the degree shall comprise the preparation and submission of a satisfactory thesis embodying the results of a supervised investigation and the successful completion of any prescribed assignments or examinations.
      2. The course of study and the topic of the research thesis will be approved by the Board of Studies.
      3. One or two supervisors from members of the academic staff will be appointed by the Board of Studies on the recommendation of the Heads of Departments concerned.
      4. No candidate may take any paper additional to the programme without the approval of the Board of Studies.

    4. Prerequisites, corequisites, and restrictions

      Every programme of study shall satisfy the requirements for prerequisites, corequisites, and restrictions set out in the Prescriptions (published in the Guide to Enrolment).

    5. Duration of the programme

      A candidate shall complete the requirements for the degree in one academic year of full-time study following admission to the Honours programme. All requirements for the degree, including submission of the thesis, shall be completed no later than 1 November of the year of enrolment.

    6. Examination

      1. Examination is by thesis and oral examination but a candidate may be required to take written and/or practical examinations or assessment.
      2. One internal examiner and one external examiner for the thesis will be appointed by the Board of Studies. The candidate's supervisors shall not be examiners but may make a report on the work of the candidate for the examiners to consider.

    7. Standard of award of the degree

      The degree may be awarded with First Class Honours, with Second Class Honours (Division I), with Second Class Honours (Division II), or with Third Class Honours.

    8. Variations

      The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve admission criteria or a course of study, acceptable to the Board of Studies for Biomedical Sciences, which do not comply with these regulations.

    Career opportunities

    Relevant skills

    After completing your BBiomedSc(Hons) year, you will have developed key career-ready attributes:

    • Critical thinking with the ability to access, analyse, integrate, and apply information
    • Grounding in the basic disciplines of biomedical science, coupled with advanced research experience in a specific area of interest
    • Understanding of the principles of experimental design, and the application of quantitative methods
    • Understanding of the broad mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal human biology, and the ability to apply scientific principles to biomedical problems
    • Recognition that lifelong learning is required to remain informed in the rapidly-changing field of biomedical sciences
    • Self-motivated learning with the ability to work independently, while recognising the value of teamwork

    More information

    Financial support

    Visit the University of Otago postgraduate scholarship database – you may be eligible to apply for multiple scholarships.

    The database includes four scholarships particularly suited to BBiomedSc(Hons) students:

    Entry requirements

    You must have completed the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc), or an equivalent qualification, with an average grade of at least B+ for the appropriate four 300‑level papers of the major subject, and have passed one further paper at 300‑level to make a total of 90 points at 300‑level. You must normally have passed papers worth at least 108 points, at 200‑level or above, during your third year of study.

    Contact

    Dunedin campus

    Email biomedsc@otago.ac.nz
    Web Faculty of Biomedical Sciences

    Christchurch campus

    Email postgrad.uoc@otago.ac.nz
    Web BBiomedSc(Hons) at the University of Otago, Christchurch

    Wellington campus

    Email aaron.stevens@otago.ac.nz
    Web BBiomedSc(Hons) at the University of Otago, Wellington

    This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.

    Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.

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