The University of Otago's Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) is New Zealand's longest-established medical degree and one of the most sought-after programmes in the country. It is not a standard direct-entry undergraduate course. Applicants enter through one of two structured routes, and both depend on academic performance and the UCAT ANZ test. International students have access to only a limited number of places, so understanding the pathway matters more than the general university profile.
This article explains how the MB ChB route works for international applicants, the acceptance picture, the fees, the entry requirements, and what comes after the degree. For the wider university, see the University of Otago guide.
University of Otago Medicine Acceptance Rate
Otago does not publish an acceptance rate for the MB ChB, and no official international-student acceptance figure is available. Third-party sites quote estimates for medicine that differ widely, so this article does not rely on them.
What Otago does publish is the structure of selection. Places are allocated across defined categories, and the Medicine admissions page states that only a limited number of second-year places may be available to international students in the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) and graduate categories. One third-party summary cites about 25 places for international applicants in the 2027 intake, but treat that as unconfirmed unless it appears on Otago's own admissions page. The degree's total domestic intake is reported at roughly 322 places across all categories for 2027, a number that also needs to be checked against the official source.
Because places are capped and selection depends on fixed thresholds, medicine is far more competitive than Otago's general undergraduate programmes.
Medicine Admission Routes
There are two main entry routes into the MB ChB. Both lead to a five-year programme after admission.
1. Health Sciences First Year (HSFY). HSFY is a first-year programme in Dunedin that most school leavers, and anyone who has not previously attended a university, must complete before progressing to Medicine. To move into second-year Medicine through HSFY you must:
- Pass all seven required first-year papers with an average mark of at least 65% across your best seven papers.
- Meet the UCAT ANZ thresholds for the year. For 2026, the published thresholds were 20th percentile or higher for Verbal Reasoning and 10th percentile or higher for Situational Judgement.
- Pass the HSFY English Diagnostic Test or ENGL126.
2. Graduate entry. Applicants who complete a qualifying degree from a university in New Zealand within three years can apply through the graduate category. Selection uses a weighted grade point average, with 300-level papers weighted at 1.5, 200-level at 1.0, and 100-level at 0.5. The required weighted average is at least 5. The same UCAT thresholds apply.
The graduate route is restricted to degrees awarded by a New Zealand university, so an international applicant with a degree from elsewhere will generally need the HSFY route. International students cannot access the alternative category used for some domestic applicants.
Tuition and Cost of Attendance
Otago publishes its international fees for Medicine each year. The official 2027 schedule, in New Zealand dollars (NZD), is:
| Year of MB ChB | International Tuition (2027, NZD per year) |
|---|---|
| Year 1: Health Sciences First Year | $45,415 |
| Years 2 and 3 | $101,567 |
| Years 4 to 6 | $116,080 |
Fees are reviewed annually, so confirm the rate for the year you enter. The totals are very large, so plan funding for the whole degree, not only the first year. Otago's cost-of-living guidance was not retrieved during research, so budget for accommodation, food, transport, insurance, and study costs using Otago's current estimates.
Scholarships are available, but they are limited and change by year. Check Otago's current scholarships list before you apply.
Admission Timeline
Medicine's selection calendar runs on its own schedule, separate from the general undergraduate timetable. The official medicine page gives the following for the 2027 cycle:
- Applications for second-year Medicine closed on 13 August 2026, with outcomes due by 18 December 2026.
As of this article's date, the 2027 cycle has closed. Applicants planning for a later intake should watch Otago's Medicine admissions page for the next cycle's dates. Separately, a third-party summary lists 15 November 2026 as the international deadline for HSFY entry in semester 1 of 2027. Confirm this on Otago's website, because deadlines are easy to miss.
English Language Requirements
Otago sets the English requirement for Medicine at the level of the Medical Admissions Committee, which determines the standard for each entry category. The official page does not list a single IELTS figure. Third-party sources report an IELTS 7.5 requirement for health programmes, which is above the general undergraduate minimum of IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5) reported for other programmes. Treat 7.5 as the planning target until Otago confirms the exact figure for your category.
If your English score is below the requirement, the English for Otago pathway and the HSFY English Diagnostic Test or ENGL126 are the official routes for meeting it.
How to Get Into Otago Medicine
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Decide which route you can realistically meet. Most international applicants will apply through HSFY, because the graduate route needs a New Zealand degree. Check your eligibility for both before you choose a degree path.
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Prepare for UCAT ANZ early. The UCAT thresholds are set each year and are strict, so a strong score is essential. Book your test with enough time to retake it if needed.
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Protect your HSFY average. The 65% average is calculated from your best seven papers, so take the first-year papers seriously. A slipped result can cost you a place in the second-year cohort.
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Get the English requirement above the minimum. Medicine's English standard is higher than the general undergraduate level. Aim for a comfortable margin, because the programme is demanding in written and spoken communication from the first year.
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Plan the full five-year cost. Year 1 is far cheaper than Years 2 to 6. Build a funding plan for the complete degree, including accommodation and living costs in Dunedin, and factor in clinical placements across three cities.
Career Outcomes and Post-Study Options
Otago medical graduates go on to the clinical training pathway in New Zealand, which includes an intern year before they can practise independently. Graduates who want to work in New Zealand also need registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand, which has its own requirements, so check those early.
The Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) can give graduates time to work in New Zealand after study. It can last up to three years, depending on your qualification and length of study, and requires at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand for a level 7 or higher qualification. Applications are normally due within three months of your student visa expiring. Because medical registration follows its own process, do not treat the PSWV as the whole career plan. Confirm the current rules with Immigration New Zealand before relying on them.
Health sciences graduates are reported to have strong employment outcomes, but the figures circulating online are not from a single official survey, so verify them against Otago's own graduate destination publications before using them in a decision.
FAQ
Does Otago publish an acceptance rate for Medicine? No. Otago does not publish an acceptance rate for the MB ChB. Selection is based on HSFY results or a qualifying New Zealand degree, plus UCAT ANZ thresholds, and places for international students are limited.
Can I apply to Otago Medicine straight from high school? Not directly into the medical degree. School leavers complete Health Sciences First Year in Dunedin first, then apply for second-year Medicine if they meet the 65% average and UCAT thresholds.
Can an international student use the graduate-entry route? The graduate route requires a qualifying degree from a university in New Zealand completed within three years. Applicants with degrees from other countries will generally need to use the HSFY route.
How much does the MB ChB cost for international students? The official 2027 schedule lists NZ$45,415 for HSFY, NZ$101,567 per year for Years 2 and 3, and NZ$116,080 per year for Years 4 to 6. Fees are reviewed annually.
What IELTS score does Otago Medicine need? Otago sets the English requirement by the Medical Admissions Committee rather than publishing one IELTS figure. Third-party sources cite IELTS 7.5 for health programmes. Confirm the exact requirement for your category with Otago before booking.
Can I work in New Zealand after graduating? The Post-Study Work Visa can last up to three years, depending on your qualification and length of study, and requires at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand. Medical practice also requires registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand and an intern year, so plan for both.