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New Zealand Dentistry · 2027 Entry

University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS) Dental School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location Dunedin, New ZealandEstablished 1907Interviews Late September or early OctoberDecisions December (outcomes advised by 18 December)
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Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ · CC0

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Full guide

How to get into University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS) dentistry

Step-by-step: entry requirements, admission-test prep, personal statement, interview format and the key deadlines.

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Interview guide

Prepare for the University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS) interview

Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.

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Overview

About University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS)

The University of Otago BDS is a 5-year degree at New Zealand's only dental school, located at the Faculty of Dentistry in Dunedin. Year 1 is completed through Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) at Otago; Years 2–5 are at the Faculty of Dentistry. All shortlisted applicants attend a Zoom interview, and UCAT ANZ is no longer required (removed from the 2025 intake onwards).

What makes it different

Otago is the only dental school in New Zealand — there is no alternative BDS provider. UCAT ANZ was removed from BDS admissions as of the 2025 intake (confirmed via OIA). Unlike Otago MBChB (where HSFY and Graduate pathways have no interview), ALL BDS categories require an interview. Teaching for Years 2–5 takes place entirely at the Dunedin Faculty of Dentistry — no branch-campus clinical split. Government-funded rural places are allocated in BDS as well as MBChB.

Course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 5-year BDS. Year 1 (HSFY): 7 compulsory papers at Dunedin — identical HSFY prescription as for MBChB. Years 2–5: BDS programme at the Faculty of Dentistry, Dunedin — no branch-campus clinical split. Interview required for all admission categories (unlike MBChB HSFY/Graduate, which have no interview). Advanced Standing pathway exists separately for qualified overseas dental graduates seeking NZ registration.

Research strengths

University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS) has notable research strength in Oral cancer, Maori oral health, Community oral health, Rural oral health, Dental materials.

Interview

University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS) interviews via Zoom videoconference structured interview (late September or early October) for all shortlisted applicants. All shortlisted BDS applicants (approximately 350 across all admission categories) are invited to a Zoom videoconference structured interview conducted in late September or early October. The format is not described as MMI in official published materials. The specific number of stations, interviewers, or domains assessed is not published on official webpages (partially withheld in OIA responses as of October 2024). Both academic score and interview performance contribute to the final ranking; the weighting formula is not published. UCAT ANZ is no longer required for BDS admission (removed from 2025 intake onwards — a significant policy change).

Intake

Domestic places determined by Council annually (specific total not published). Up to 20 international places per year. Approximately 350 applicants across all categories invited to interview annually.

At a glance

Founded in 1907, based in Dunedin. Programmes offered: Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Community Oral Health, Maori Oral Health, Rural Oral Health.

Entry requirements

What you need to apply to University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS)

Admission overview
HSFY pathway (primary): enrol full-time at Otago in HSFY; pass all 7 prescribed papers with average ≥65% (no paper below 60%, first attempt); Dental Admissions Committee may set a minimum academic threshold to proceed to interview (determined annually); shortlisted applicants (~350 across all categories) invited to Zoom interview (late September/early October); final selection by interview + academic score combined (weighting not published). UCAT ANZ not required (removed from 2025 intake). Graduate pathway: relevant first degree at a NZ university within 3 years prior; minimum weighted GPA 5.0/9.0; no UCAT required; Zoom interview required. Applicants who completed BHSc or BSc (Biomedical Sciences) at UoA eligible under Graduate category. No specific Year 13 subject prerequisites, but Biology, Chemistry, Physics at NCEA Level 3 strongly recommended. Applications open 1 July, close 13 August.
Prerequisites
No specific Year 13 subject prerequisites mandated. Biology, Chemistry, and Physics at NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent IB/Cambridge) strongly recommended. Standard University of Otago undergraduate entry requirements apply. Graduate pathway requires minimum weighted GPA 5.0/9.0 across the qualifying degree.
Place types
Domestic places determined by Council annually (not published). Up to 20 international places per year. ~350 interview invitations annually across all categories.
Indigenous pathway
Maori and Pacific applicants supported under same Te Kauae Paraoa policy as MBChB — ranked within separate Maori/Pacific sub-pool. Rural Origins equity group (≥4 years rural pre-tertiary education or residence, GCH Rural 1/2/3) applies. Government-funded rural places allocated in BDS to support rural oral health workforce. Quotas not publicly disclosed.
Specialities offered
Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Community Oral Health, Maori Oral Health, Rural Oral Health
Interview

How University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS) interviews applicants

Format
Zoom videoconference structured interview (late September or early October) for all shortlisted applicants
Interview window
Late September or early October
Decision date
December (outcomes advised by 18 December)
Post-interview chances
Not published. Final selection: interview performance + academic score combined; weighting formula not disclosed.
Tutor insight
Otago BDS is the only dental school in New Zealand — if you want to qualify as a dentist in NZ, this is the pathway. Unlike Otago MBChB (which selects on academic rank alone for HSFY/Graduate), BDS requires an interview for every applicant category, making interview preparation essential. UCAT ANZ has been removed from BDS since 2025, so do not waste prep time on it. The interview is conducted over Zoom in September/October — practise specifically on asynchronous or structured video interview formats. Achieving a strong HSFY academic score remains critical: the Dental Admissions Committee may set a minimum threshold to receive an interview invitation each year.
Practice

Practise for your University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank485 dentistry questions inside

Interview questions matched to University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS)

Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

EasyPanelQ1

Otago BDS Zoom Interview — What to Expect and How to Prepare

The University of Otago BDS programme uses an online panel interview as part of its selection process. What do you expect the interviewers will be trying to assess, and how would you prepare for a video-based dental school interview compared to an in-person one?

Likely follow-up · Otago's BDS no longer requires UCAT-ANZ for domestic applicants from 2025 onwards. How do you think Otago is assessing academic and non-academic qualities now that UCAT is removed?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
HardMMI · PanelQ2

Water Fluoridation — Public Health Policy and the Three Waters Context

The Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 transferred the power to direct fluoridation from local councils to the Director-General of Health. Proponents argue this removed local politics from an evidence-based public health measure; opponents argue it overrides democratic local decision-making. Where do you stand, and how would you communicate the benefits and risks of fluoridation to a sceptical patient?

Likely follow-up · What is the strength of the current evidence base for community water fluoridation at the levels used in NZ (0.7–1.0 mg/L)?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
Open Prometheus for University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS)Browse 1,106 free questions →
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FAQ

University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS) — frequently asked questions

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