How to get into medical school in New Zealand

2027 Entry · HSFY & Auckland First Year · UCAT-ANZ · MMI · MAPAS · RRAS

New Zealand has two medical schools — the University of Auckland and the University of Otago — each admitting around 317 domestic students per year. Unlike Australia, there is no GAMSAT and no direct school-leaver entry to the MBChB. Every domestic applicant must first complete a full-time first year (HSFY at Otago, or BHSc/BSc Biomed at Auckland) before competing for a second-year medicine place. This guide walks through every step: NCEA rank scores, the gateway programmes, UCAT-ANZ, the Auckland online MMI, MAPAS, RRAS, the full application timeline and the most common pitfalls.

Step 1 — meet the academic entry requirements

Both Auckland and Otago require you to have completed (or be completing) NCEA Level 3, Cambridge A-Levels, the IB Diploma, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the universities before enrolling in the first-year gateway programme.

For Auckland BHSc (the higher-demand gateway): you need University Entrance and an NCEA rank score of 250 or above. For Auckland BSc Biomedical Science: University Entrance plus a rank score of 165 or above. The rank score is derived from your best 80 credits at NCEA Level 3.

For Otago HSFY: you need to meet the University of Otago's standard undergraduate entry requirements. No specific NCEA rank score threshold is set for HSFY admission itself, but Biology, Chemistry and Physics at Year 13 (NCEA Level 3 or equivalent) are strongly recommended for all medical pathways.

Strongly recommended FMHS subjects at both universities: Biology, Chemistry, and at least one English-rich or humanities subject. See our NCEA / Cambridge / IB credentials guide for rank-score calculation and equivalency tables.

Step 2 — choose your gateway: HSFY or Auckland First Year

This is the most important early decision. HSFY and Auckland First Year are structurally different; they reward different strengths and suit different applicant profiles.

Factor	HSFY (Otago — Dunedin)	Auckland First Year (BHSc/BSc Biomed)
Selection method	Academic rank (GPA) only — no interview	GPA 60% + UCAT-ANZ 15% + MMI 25%
Papers / courses	7 prescribed papers (BIOC 192, CELS 191, CHEM 191, HUBS 191, HUBS 192, PHSI 191, POPH 192)	7 prescribed courses (BIOSCI 107, CHEM 110, MEDSCI 142, POPLHLTH 111 + 3 further papers)
UCAT-ANZ role	Threshold gate only (VR ≥20th, SJT >10th percentile for MBChB); does not affect rank	Weighted 15% in final ranking (for 2027 entry)
Interview	No interview for MBChB (HSFY/Graduate categories)	Online asynchronous MMI via Kira Talent (8 stations, 25% of ranking)
2026 competitive range	General pool: ~93–99 (scale 0–100); Rural pool: ~89–98	Minimum GPA 6.0 (B+) to enter interview stage; competitive GPA typically higher
Clinical campuses	Years 4–6: Dunedin, Christchurch or Wellington (university-assigned)	Auckland City Campus throughout
2027 cohort size	~317 domestic places	~317 domestic places
Domestic annual fees (approx.)	~NZD 18,430/yr (Years 2–6)	NZD 19,531/yr
Equity sub-schemes	Māori and Pacific equity group; Rural Origins equity group	MAPAS; RRAS

Choose HSFY if you are a consistent exam performer who thrives in a structured, high-volume science year and prefer to avoid an interview component at this stage. The purely academic selection means every mark counts.

Choose Auckland First Year if you are a strong communicator as well as an academic performer, you want to remain in Auckland, or you are eligible for and interested in MAPAS or RRAS (both are Auckland-specific schemes).

Step 3 — register for and sit UCAT-ANZ

UCAT-ANZ is a two-hour psychometric admissions test delivered at Pearson VUE test centres. It has four subtests: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and Situational Judgement. Registration typically opens in March and the test window runs in July each year — check the UCAT ANZ Consortium website for current cycle dates.

For Auckland 2027 entry: UCAT-ANZ is required and weighted at 15% of your final selection ranking. Competitive applicants typically score at or above the 80th–90th percentile (advisory; Auckland does not publish fixed cutoffs).

For Otago MBChB: UCAT-ANZ is required as a threshold gate — you must achieve Verbal Reasoning at or above the 20th percentile and SJT above the 10th percentile. Once you clear the threshold, your UCAT score does not affect your academic rank.

For Otago BDS: UCAT-ANZ is not required — removed from the BDS admissions process from the 2025 intake onwards.

2028 entry update (Auckland only): UCAT-ANZ will be replaced by CASPer (a situational judgement test). Applicants preparing for 2028 Auckland entry should monitor announcements from FMHS directly.

Step 4 — ace the gateway first year

The first year is the decisive academic filter at both universities. There are no shortcuts: you must complete all prescribed papers in a single year.

At Otago (HSFY)

You must pass all 7 prescribed papers with a minimum average mark of 65% (and no paper below 60% at first attempt). Your academic rank score is the average of your best 7 paper scores on a 0–100 scale. The 2026 offer range for the general HSFY pool was approximately 93–99; the rural sub-pool was approximately 89–98. These are competitive benchmarks, not cut-offs — the threshold shifts each year depending on the applicant cohort.

At Auckland (BHSc / BSc Biomed)

You must complete the 7 prescribed FMHS courses full-time in a single year, achieve a minimum GPA of 6.0 (B+) across those courses, and have no fails. Eligible students then sit UCAT-ANZ in July and attend the Kira Talent online MMI. Your final selection ranking is: GPA (60%) + MMI (25%) + UCAT-ANZ (15%).

Step 5 — Auckland Kira Talent online MMI

Auckland's MMI is conducted asynchronously via Kira Talent — you record video responses to pre-set prompts in your own time, within an invitation window. There are 8 stations: 7 assessed and 1 administrative (Police Vetting / Children's Act compliance check, unscored).

Format: 30 seconds reading time + 3 minutes video response per station
Domains: communication; ethical reasoning; problem-solving; self-awareness; teamwork; professional awareness; social responsibility and equity
Weighting: 25% of final selection ranking
MAPAS applicants also attend a separate 5-station MAPAS Specialty Interview run by the MAPAS Admissions Panel

For Otago MBChB (HSFY and Graduate categories): there is no interview — selection is academic ranking only. The Otago Alternative Category uses a 40-minute Zoom videoconference interview, but that is a separate pathway for experienced allied health professionals.

Book a personalised interview preparation session with our team: one-to-one NZ MMI coaching.

Equity and sub-scheme pathways

Both universities run equity admission schemes. They are not alternatives to academic preparation — they are additional selection pools for eligible applicants.

MAPAS (Auckland)

The Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme at Auckland FMHS. Eligible applicants with verified Māori whakapapa or Pacific community connection submit the MH04 form and attend a 5-station MAPAS Specialty Interview in addition to the general MMI. Ranked separately in the MAPAS sub-pool.

Full MAPAS guide

RRAS (Auckland)

Auckland's Regional Rural Admission Scheme. Requires 5+ years primary or 3+ years secondary schooling at a rural/regional school per Statistics NZ 2020 Urban Accessibility classification. Eligible applicants are ranked against RRAS peers only and gain access to Auckland's Rural Stream in Phase 1 of the MBChB.

Full RRAS guide

Otago Rural Origins equity group

Otago supports rural applicants within the HSFY, Graduate and Alternative categories using the Geographic Classification for Health (GCH). Rural applicants are ranked separately. The 2026 rural sub-pool range was approximately 89–98 (vs 93–99 for the general pool).

Otago Māori and Pacific equity group

Under the Te Kauae Paraoa policy, Māori and Pacific applicants benefit from equity weighting within a separate ranking sub-pool across all admission categories. Quota numbers are not separately published.

Alternative routes: graduate and Alternative Category

School-leaver HSFY and Auckland First Year are the dominant entry routes, but they are not the only ones.

Otago Graduate Category

For applicants who have completed a relevant first degree at a NZ university within the three years prior to application. Must include papers equivalent to the HSFY prescription. UCAT-ANZ required (same threshold gate). Selection is academic ranking of degree results — no interview.

Otago Alternative Category

For experienced allied health professionals. Applications open 1 April and close 1 May each year (separate window from HSFY). Shortlisted applicants attend a 40-minute Zoom interview. UCAT not required. Typically suited to applicants with five or more years of allied health experience, ideally at least two years in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Auckland Graduate Entry

For graduates of a recognised university whose final year was no more than 5 years prior to application. Degree must include courses equivalent to the four core FMHS gateway papers. Minimum GPA of 6.0 required. UCAT-ANZ required for domestic applicants for 2027 entry.

NZ medical school application timeline

Year 12 / Last year of school

Early in the year: Confirm NCEA / IB / Cambridge subject choices (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics strongly recommended). Register at the university you intend to apply to. Build healthcare work experience.
March: UCAT-ANZ registration typically opens. Register early — popular test centres fill quickly.
July: UCAT-ANZ test window. Single sitting. Prepare for 3–6 months beforehand.
August (Otago HSFY applications): Applications open 1 July, close ~13 August for HSFY. Complete your Otago application including UCAT-ANZ results.
End of year: NCEA / IB / Cambridge exams. Rank score and UE confirmed.

First year of university (gateway year)

February–November: Complete all prescribed gateway papers full-time. No partial loads — both universities require you to be enrolled full-time in the gateway year to be eligible for MBChB selection.
July: Sit UCAT-ANZ during your gateway year (required for both Auckland and Otago MBChB applicants for 2027 entry).
August (Otago applications): Apply for MBChB (and/or BDS) through the University of Otago admissions system. Applications for HSFY applicants typically close in August.
September–October: Auckland MMI invitations issued; Kira Talent sessions completed by eligible Auckland applicants.
December: Offer notifications from both universities. Otago outcomes advised by approximately 18 December.

Common pitfalls

Treating the gateway year like a normal first year. Both HSFY and Auckland First Year are elimination rounds. A single failed paper at Otago (below 60% at first attempt) removes you from MBChB eligibility for that cycle. At Auckland, a GPA below 6.0 or any fail ends your application. Plan your academic load accordingly.
Registering for UCAT-ANZ too late. UCAT-ANZ test centres in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch fill up in April and May. Registering in June leaves you with limited options and higher travel costs. Register as soon as registration opens — typically March.
Confusing Otago UCAT use with Auckland UCAT use. Otago uses UCAT as a pass/fail gate only — your UCAT decile does not change your rank. Auckland weights UCAT at 15%. Preparing to 'just pass' at a 20th-percentile-equivalent level may be fine for Otago but will harm your Auckland ranking. Calibrate your UCAT preparation to your target school.
Ignoring the Kira Talent format. The Auckland MMI is pre-recorded and asynchronous — you cannot ask for clarification or adjust your response after recording. This is significantly different from a live MMI. Practice recording responses to MMI prompts on camera under timed conditions. Many applicants underestimate the adjustment required.
Missing the MAPAS MH04 deadline. If you are eligible for MAPAS, the MH04 form must be submitted to Auckland FMHS by a separate (and typically earlier) deadline than the general application. Missing it means you cannot access the MAPAS selection pool in that cycle.
Not understanding the Otago branch campus assignment. Otago assigns students to Dunedin, Christchurch or Wellington for clinical Years 4–6 — you do not choose. If family, relationship or financial circumstances make a particular city unworkable for three years, factor this into your HSFY vs Auckland First Year decision now.

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Frequently asked questions

New Zealand has two medical schools: the University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (FMHS), which awards the MBChB, and the University of Otago Otago Medical School (OMS), which also awards the MBChB. Both programmes are six years full-time. Otago has three clinical campuses (Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington) for Years 4–6; Auckland is based on the City Campus. The University of Otago Faculty of Dentistry in Dunedin is New Zealand's only dental school, offering a five-year BDS.

To enter the Auckland BHSc gateway programme you need University Entrance plus an NCEA rank score of 250 or above (calculated from your best 80 NCEA Level 3 credits). For the BSc Biomedical Science gateway the minimum rank score is 165. Once enrolled in BHSc or BSc Biomed, you must complete the 7 prescribed first-year courses, achieve a minimum GPA of 6.0 (B+) with no fails, and meet the UCAT-ANZ threshold to be eligible for interview.

For 2027 entry (the current application cycle): yes, UCAT-ANZ is required for domestic applicants at both Auckland MBChB and Otago MBChB. At Auckland it contributes 15% of the final selection ranking alongside GPA (60%) and MMI (25%). At Otago it is a threshold gate only — you must meet a Verbal Reasoning score at or above the 20th percentile AND an SJT score above the 10th percentile, after which UCAT is not weighted further and selection is purely academic. For 2028 entry, Auckland will replace UCAT-ANZ with CASPer. Otago BDS removed UCAT from its admissions process entirely from the 2025 intake onwards.

Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) is the Otago pathway: a dedicated full-time first year at the University of Otago Dunedin campus covering seven prescribed papers (biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, human body systems ×2, physics, population health). Selection into MBChB Year 2 is based almost entirely on academic rank — no interview. Auckland First Year is the gateway programme at the University of Auckland: enrolment in BHSc or BSc Biomed followed by seven specific courses; eligible students compete for MBChB through GPA (60%), UCAT-ANZ (15%) and an online MMI via Kira Talent (25%).

Yes. The two programmes have separate application processes and you can apply to both simultaneously. Auckland applications go through the University of Auckland directly; Otago applications go through the University of Otago admissions system. Application timelines differ: Otago HSFY applications open 1 July and close around 13 August; Auckland has its own schedule. Make sure you meet the UCAT-ANZ registration deadline, as it is shared for both cycles.

Auckland uses the Kira Talent platform for an asynchronous (pre-recorded) video MMI. There are 8 stations total: 7 assessed stations plus 1 administrative compliance station (Police Vetting / Children's Act). Each station gives you 30 seconds to read the prompt and 3 minutes to respond via video. Domains assessed include communication, ethical reasoning, problem-solving, self-awareness, teamwork, professional awareness and social responsibility. The MMI contributes 25% of your final ranking. MAPAS applicants also complete a separate 5-station MAPAS Specialty Interview.

MAPAS is the Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme at the University of Auckland FMHS. It provides a separate selection pool and Specialty Interview for eligible Māori and Pacific applicants who have verified whakapapa or Pacific community connection. You do not have to apply — it is an additional pathway for those who are eligible. If you apply through MAPAS you also submit an MH04 form and attend both the general MMI and the MAPAS Specialty Interview. Otago has a separate Māori and Pacific equity group under its Te Kauae Paraoa policy, but does not use the MAPAS name.

Several options remain open. Otago has a Graduate Category (for those who completed a relevant NZ degree within 3 years) and an Alternative Category (for experienced allied health professionals). Auckland also has a graduate-entry pathway requiring a completed degree with equivalent prerequisite papers and a minimum GPA of 6.0. Alternatively, some students repeat HSFY or continue their BHSc/BSc degree and reapply. HSFY repeat options are subject to Otago's academic standing policies — check with the University of Otago directly for your specific situation.

Related NZ guides

Reviewed by Isaac Butler-King, medical student at the University of Glasgow. Last reviewed: 6 June 2026