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Overview

The Otago Medical School, University of Otago offers elective placements to final year visiting international medical students. The school defines visiting students as those who are seeking to complete a medical elective placement at a hospital affiliated with the University of Otago whilst enrolled in a medical program at an overseas institution.

The elective placements are only available to students who are in their final year of clinical training in a recognised medical degree from another institution. The placements are electives only, and we are unable to provide summative assessments or formal teaching sessions as part of these electives.

Electives are offered for a maximum of 6 weeks, and applicants may only apply for one elective in a single discipline per calendar year.

Conditions and requirements

  • Applicants must be currently enrolled in a recognised medical program and be in their final year of clinical training at the time of placement commencement (not at the time of application).
  • Applicants must provide a letter of good standing or similar, or evidence of a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a four-point scale.
  • Applicants must meet one of the following prerequisite English language requirements (in line with Medical Council of New Zealand English language requirements):
    • Speak English as a first language and be completing a primary medical qualification from Australia, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the United States, or a Canadian or South African medical school where English is the sole language of instruction of that medical school.
    • Pass the Academic Module of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) by achieving a minimum of the following within one result, in the last two years:
      • Speaking 7.5
      • Listening 7.5
      • Writing 7.0
      • Reading 7.0
    • Pass the Medical module of the OET by achieving a minimum score of 350 in each of the four components (reading, writing, listening and speaking) within one result, in the last two years.
  • Applicants are not permitted to contact hospitals or medical professionals directly to make elective placement arrangements. All co‑ordination is to be completed through OMS Electives. The Medical School does not accept applications made directly to a potential supervisor.
  • All requested documentation must be in English.
  • All requested documentation must be provided no later than 4 weeks prior to placement, or the elective placement may be at risk of cancellation.
  • Applicants are responsible for all costs associated with travel, accommodation and living expenses.
  • The Otago Medical School reserves the right to cancel a medical elective if there are concerns regarding the validity of the information provided by an applicant or should unsafe or unprofessional conduct occur during the elective.

Placements

  • The elective period is between late February and mid November each year, and placements  are 6 weeks in length (see exact dates below).
  • The fee for a 6-week elective placement NZ$1,500 (incl. GST ).
  • Applicants may only apply for one elective placement in a single discipline, per calendar year, i.e. elective placements cannot be split.
  • Placement availability at our sites is limited and students must select from the placements offered. The Medical School cannot guarantee the availability of clinical placements and may not be able to source a place for every applicant.
  • Specific placement availability (i.e., which specialty you will work in) will only be known 5 months in advance of the placement date.
  • Only one offer will be made to each applicant. Should this offer be declined, no further offers will be made, and the application will be deemed withdrawn by the student.
  • The placements are for electives only, and the Medical School is unable to provide summative assessments or formal teaching sessions as part of these electives.
  • After accepting an offered placement, the NZ$1,500 (incl. GST ) placement fee will be charged and is non-refundable.

Elective dates

2024–2025 Elective quarter dates

6 Week block Start date End date
Q3A 20 May 2024 30 June 2024
Q3B 1 July 2024 11 August 2024
Q4A 26 August 2024 6 October 2024
Q4B 7 October 2024 17 November 2024
Q1B 13 January 2025 23 February 2025

Application process

If you are interested in applying, first register your interest in one of the next upcoming 6-week blocks by filling out the pre-application form linked below. This can be done at any time.

Register your interest

Applications are processed on a quarterly basis, no earlier than 6 months and no later than 4 months prior to your requested placement dates. We will contact you when placements become available for your selected block dates and send a list of elective opportunities for you to choose from.

Offer and post-acceptance documentation

Acceptance of offer and fee payment

If you are successful in securing an elective, you will receive a formal Letter of Offer. You must confirm acceptance of this offer and pay the elective fee of NZ$1,500 (incl. GST ) within 7 calendar days.

Documentation

After you have accepted your offer and paid the placement fee, we will send you a post-acceptance form to complete, which will require you to provide all of the documentation listed below. You must complete the form no later than 4 weeks prior to commencement.

Post-acceptance documentation checklist:

  1. Letter of good standing from home institution, or evidence of a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a four-point scale.
  2. Confirmation of English language requirement (see Conditions and requirements above).
  3. Proof of immunisation:
    • MMR
    • VZV
    • Hepatitis B
    • Pertussis
    • COVID-19
  4. Evidence of travel/health insurance.
  5. Evidence of valid visa status:
    You may be required to apply for a visa to enter New Zealand
    It is your responsibility to check the Immigration New Zealand website to confirm what is required for your visa
    Immigration New Zealand website
    The University of Otago cannot provide information to international students regarding visas.
  6. Evidence of medical indemnity insurance.
  7. Criminal history check:
    Police clearance certificate issued by your country of domicile issued within the last 3 years. This should be an enhanced certificate which covers working with children and adults.

Contact us

Please contact us with any enquiries:

Email
oms.electives@otago.ac.nz
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