New Zealand Medicine & Dentistry Glossary

Plain-English definitions for every acronym, exam and pathway you will meet applying to New Zealand medicine or dentistry — MBChB, HSFY, MAPAS, RRAS, UCAT‑ANZ, CASPer, NCEA, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, MCNZ and more. 47 terms covered, grouped by topic and alphabetised within each group.

Applying in Australia instead? See the AU glossary. Applying in the UK? See the UK glossary.

Entry pathways & admission schemes

Alternative Category— Alternative Category (Otago): Otago's entry pathway for applicants who have previously completed a NZ university degree but are no longer eligible under the Graduate category (i.e., their degree was completed more than three years ago), or who hold an overseas degree at NZQF Level 7 or above completed at least three years prior. Applicants must demonstrate health-related professional experience; allied health professionals are recommended to have at least five years' experience, preferably two or more years in New Zealand. UCAT ANZ is not required. Shortlisted applicants attend a 40-minute structured Zoom interview. Applications open 1 April and close 1 May each year — a different window from the HSFY/Graduate deadlines.
Bonded rural pathway— Bonded rural pathway (NZ): The New Zealand government funds designated rural places within both the Auckland MBChB and Otago MBChB/BDS programmes to support rural health workforce development. These government-funded rural places are allocated annually; the exact number is set by the respective institution and is not separately published. Unlike Australia's Bonded Medical Program, no formal multi-year return-of-service bond is publicly documented for these NZ rural places — the primary mechanism is preferential ranking of rural-origin applicants (under RRAS at Auckland or the Rural Origins equity group at Otago).
Graduate-entry pathway— Graduate-entry pathway (Auckland): Applicants to Auckland MBChB who have completed a qualifying degree at a recognised university — with the final year of full-time study no more than five years before the application year — and whose degree included papers equivalent to CHEM 110, BIOSCI 107, MEDSCI 142, and POPLHLTH 111. A cumulative GPA of 6.0 (B+ on the NZ 0–9 scale) is required. Domestic graduate applicants sit UCAT ANZ; international graduate applicants are exempt from UCAT for 2026 entry. Up to 30 international graduate places are available annually.
HSFY— Health Sciences First Year: The principal domestic entry pathway to medicine and dentistry at the University of Otago (and the equivalent first year for Otago-enrolled BDS applicants). Students complete seven prescribed first-year papers (BIOC 192, CELS 191, CHEM 191, HUBS 191, HUBS 192, PHSI 191, POPH 192) full-time at Otago's Dunedin campus. For MBChB, selection is based on academic ranking alone (no interview); for BDS, shortlisted students are invited to a Zoom structured interview. Minimum pass mark in each paper is 60%, and UCAT ANZ must meet a minimum threshold for MBChB entry (VR ≥ 20th percentile; SJT > 10th percentile for 2026 entry).
International graduate entry— International graduate-entry (Auckland): International applicants to Auckland MBChB must apply via the graduate-entry pathway. Up to 30 international places are available per year (all graduate entry — there is no international first-year pathway). Minimum GPA of 6.0 from the qualifying degree is required. UCAT ANZ is not required for international applicants under current 2026 policy. Up to four International Student Scholarships are offered annually, each valued up to NZD 70,000 over five years. International fees are NZD 86,561 per year (2026).
MAPAS— Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme: The University of Auckland's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (FMHS) admission scheme for applicants with verified Māori or Pacific whakapapa/ancestry who are NZ citizens or permanent residents. MAPAS applicants complete both the standard MMI and a separate five-station MAPAS Specialty Interview conducted by the MAPAS Admissions Panel. The panel evaluates academic ability alongside personal qualities and support networks. The number of MAPAS places is not separately published. A separate MH04 form must be submitted by the MAPAS deadline. At Otago, Māori and Pacific applicants are supported under the Te Kauae Paraoa policy within the standard HSFY, Graduate, and Alternative categories — there is no separately branded "MAPAS" scheme at Otago.
RRAS— Regional Rural Admission Scheme: Auckland FMHS's admission sub-scheme for applicants with a rural/regional schooling background. Eligibility requires either five or more years of primary education (Years 1–8) at a rural/regional school, or three or more years of secondary education (Years 9–13) at such a school, as defined by Statistics New Zealand's 2020 Urban Accessibility framework. Evidence must be provided by an official letter from the school principal sent directly to FMHS admissions. RRAS applicants meet the same academic requirements as the general category but are ranked separately for interview invitations and offers. No bonded rural service obligation is attached to the RRAS scheme. RRAS students gain access to Auckland's Rural Stream in Phase 1 of the MBChB.

Admissions tests & assessments

CASPer— Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal characteristics: A 90-minute online situational judgement test from Acuity Insights, used to assess personal and professional characteristics. Auckland FMHS is replacing UCAT ANZ with CASPer from 2028 entry — the weighting formula for CASPer within the Auckland selection ranking has not yet been published. In Australia, CASPer is used by Monash, Curtin and Notre Dame; in NZ it is currently Auckland-only. Combines typed-response and video-response ethical scenarios.
Kira Talent— Kira Talent (asynchronous video MMI platform): The platform Auckland FMHS uses to deliver its fully asynchronous, video-recorded Multiple Mini Interview. Applicants complete eight stations via the Kira platform — each station gives 30 seconds of reading time followed by a 3-minute recorded video response. There is no live interviewer; responses are later reviewed by assessors. Seven of the eight stations are scored; the eighth is an administrative station for Police Vetting / Children's Act 2014 compliance only.
MMI— Multiple Mini Interview: A circuit-format interview assessing different competencies across a series of short, timed stations. At Auckland FMHS, the MMI is conducted entirely asynchronously via the Kira Talent platform (8 stations, 3.5 minutes each including reading time) and contributes 25% of the final selection ranking. MMI is used at Auckland only — Otago MBChB has no interview for HSFY or Graduate applicants; Otago BDS uses a structured Zoom interview (not a circuit MMI).
Panel interview— Panel interview: A traditional admissions interview format in which a candidate is assessed by a panel of two or more assessors in a single session. Not used in NZ MBChB admissions as of 2026 — Auckland uses the asynchronous Kira Talent MMI and Otago uses a structured Zoom interview for its Alternative Category and BDS applicants. Panel interviews remain common in UK medical schools and some AU graduate-entry programs.
Pearson VUE— Pearson VUE: The global test-delivery company that administers UCAT ANZ on behalf of the UCAT ANZ Consortium. Candidates book their UCAT ANZ sitting through the Pearson VUE website and attend an authorised Pearson VUE test centre (or approved remote-proctored location) to sit the exam.
SJT— Situational Judgement Test: The fifth sub-test of UCAT ANZ, scored separately as a band (Band 1–4 where Band 1 is highest). At Otago MBChB, the SJT must be above the 10th percentile (a threshold / pass-fail requirement) for 2026 entry — once met, the band score has no further weighting in academic ranking. Auckland MBChB uses the full UCAT score (including SJT) as part of the 15% UCAT ANZ component.
Structured Zoom interview— Structured Zoom interview (Otago BDS / Alternative Category): The live video-conference interview format used by the University of Otago for two distinct applicant groups: BDS shortlisted applicants (all admission categories) interviewed in late September or early October, and Alternative Category MBChB applicants interviewed after the 1 April – 1 May application window. The interview runs for approximately 40 minutes (Alternative Category); the duration and station count for BDS have not been published. Weighting in the final ranking is not published for either pathway.
UCAT ANZ Consortium— UCAT ANZ Consortium: The group of Australian and New Zealand universities that jointly commission and use UCAT ANZ for admissions. New Zealand member universities are the University of Auckland and the University of Otago. The test is administered by Pearson VUE at authorised test centres. ACER administered the predecessor UMAT; Pearson VUE took over with the rebranding to UCAT ANZ.
UCAT-ANZ— University Clinical Aptitude Test (Australia / New Zealand): The ~2-hour computer-based aptitude test sat by undergraduate medicine and dentistry applicants across Australia and New Zealand, administered by the UCAT ANZ Consortium through Pearson VUE. From 2025 onwards there are three cognitive sub-tests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning) plus a separately-banded Situational Judgement Test (SJT); the aggregate cognitive total is reported out of 2,700. In New Zealand, Auckland MBChB uses UCAT ANZ as a weighted 15% component of the final selection ranking for 2027 entry; Otago MBChB uses it as a threshold gate only (VR ≥ 20th percentile and SJT > 10th percentile for 2026 entry). Otago BDS removed UCAT ANZ from admissions as of the 2025 intake. UK UCAT scores are not transferable.

Medical & dental qualifications

BDS— Bachelor of Dental Surgery (NZ): The entry-level dental degree in New Zealand, awarded only by the University of Otago (the country's sole dental school). The BDS is a five-year programme: Year 1 is HSFY at Otago's Dunedin campus; Years 2–5 are the clinical BDS at the Faculty of Dentistry in Dunedin. Graduates register with the Dental Council of New Zealand. International students pay approximately NZD 114,845 per year (2026 published figure); domestic fees are calculated per paper (not published as a single annual total).
BHSc— Bachelor of Health Sciences: A three-year undergraduate degree at the University of Auckland that serves as one of two first-year gateway pathways into the Auckland MBChB. Applicants to MBChB enrol in Year 1 of BHSc and take the seven prescribed FMHS courses full-time. The NCEA rank score minimum for BHSc entry is 250. Students who are not selected for MBChB may continue the BHSc as a standalone degree.
BSc Biomed— Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Auckland gateway): A three-year undergraduate degree at the University of Auckland that serves as the second first-year gateway pathway into the Auckland MBChB, alongside BHSc. Applicants enrol in BSc (Biomedical Science) in Year 1 and complete the same seven prescribed MBChB courses. The NCEA rank score minimum for BSc Biomed entry is 165 (lower than BHSc at 250). Students not selected for MBChB may continue the BSc Biomed as a standalone degree.
MBChB— Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (NZ): The entry-level medical degree awarded in New Zealand, conferred as a conjoint bachelor's qualification. Both the University of Auckland (6 years, first-year gateway via BHSc/BSc Biomed) and the University of Otago (6 years, first year via HSFY) award the MBChB. Note: New Zealand uses "MBChB" — not "MBBS" as in the UK, or "MD" as at most Australian graduate-entry schools. The MBChB qualifies graduates for registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) after completing a postgraduate year one (PGY1) intern year.

Academic credentials & funding

Cambridge International— Cambridge International A-Level: A widely recognised overseas qualification offered by Cambridge Assessment International Education. In New Zealand, Cambridge A-Level grades are assessed for NZQA equivalency, producing a rank score that is used by the University of Auckland for BHSc / BSc Biomed entry alongside NCEA applicants. Auckland recommends Higher Level (A-Level) Biology, Chemistry, and at least one English-rich subject for FMHS applicants. The University of Otago accepts Cambridge A-Levels via NZQA-assessed equivalency for HSFY entry.
GPA (NZ)— Grade Point Average (New Zealand 0–9 scale): New Zealand universities use a nine-point GPA scale (0 = Fail, 5 = C+, 6 = B, 7 = B+, 8 = A, 9 = A+). This is distinct from the Australian 7-point GPA scale and the US 4.0 scale. Auckland MBChB requires a cumulative GPA of 6.0 (B+) across the seven prescribed first-year papers (for first-year pathway) or from the qualifying degree (for graduate entry). Otago BDS Graduate pathway requires a weighted GPA of at least 5.0 (C+) across all papers in the qualifying degree.
IB— International Baccalaureate: A two-year pre-university qualification (Diploma Programme) recognised internationally. NZ universities assess IB for University Entrance equivalency. For Auckland FMHS, Higher Level (HL) Mathematics and Physics are recommended; Standard Level "Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches" may be accepted depending on the grade achieved. University of Otago accepts IB via NZQA equivalency for HSFY admission. IB Higher Level scores are broadly equivalent to Cambridge A-Level, though exact conversion factors vary by subject and grade.
NCEA— National Certificate of Educational Achievement: New Zealand's national secondary school qualification, assessed at three levels: NCEA Level 1 (Year 11), Level 2 (Year 12), and Level 3 (Year 13). Credits are earned by demonstrating competency in standards — either internally assessed (school-based) or externally assessed (NZQA exams). University Entrance (UE) is typically achieved at Level 3. NCEA is the most common qualification held by domestic applicants to Auckland's BHSc/BSc Biomed gateway programmes.
NCEA rank score— NCEA rank score: A numerical score calculated by NZQA from a student's best 80 Level 3 NCEA credits, with bonus points for subject endorsements (Merit and Excellence) and course endorsements. Used by the University of Auckland to rank competitive applicants to BHSc (minimum rank score 250) and BSc Biomed (minimum rank score 165). The rank score is distinct from the level/credit count — it rewards higher grades within Level 3 credits.
NZQF— New Zealand Qualifications Framework: The NZQA's framework that orders all New Zealand qualifications on a ten-level scale by complexity and type. Level 7 corresponds to a bachelor's degree; Level 8 to a postgraduate diploma or honours degree; Level 9 to a master's degree. Relevant to NZ admissions: Otago's Alternative Category requires an overseas degree at NZQF Level 7 equivalent or above.
StudyLink— StudyLink: The New Zealand government service (administered by the Ministry of Social Development) that provides student loans and student allowances to eligible domestic students. Student loans cover course fees and (for eligible students) living costs, repaid via the IRD (Inland Revenue Department) once income exceeds the repayment threshold (currently NZD 22,828 per year). Student allowances are means-tested grants for living costs. NZ-based students studying medicine or dentistry at Auckland or Otago may be eligible for StudyLink assistance if they are NZ citizens or permanent residents.
UE— University Entrance: The minimum qualification required to enrol in a New Zealand university undergraduate degree, granted by NZQA. Achieved by: gaining NCEA Level 3 (at least 14 credits at Level 3 or above in each of three approved subjects) plus 10 credits in literacy (reading and writing) and 10 credits in numeracy at Level 1 or above. All applicants to Auckland's BHSc and BSc Biomed must hold University Entrance (or an accepted overseas equivalent). Equivalencies for IB, Cambridge A-Level and other overseas qualifications are assessed by NZQA or the university.

Regulators & governance

Dental Council NZ— Dental Council of New Zealand: The statutory body that registers and regulates dentists, dental specialists, dental therapists, dental hygienists and dental technicians in New Zealand. All BDS graduates must apply to the Dental Council for registration before they can practise. The Council sets competency standards and manages fitness-to-practise matters.
MCNZ— Medical Council of New Zealand: The statutory body responsible for the registration and regulation of medical practitioners in New Zealand. MCNZ sets the standards of clinical competence, cultural competence and ethical conduct required for registration, and grants provisional (intern year) and general registration. All MBChB graduates must complete a supervised postgraduate year one (PGY1) before applying for general registration. MCNZ also governs the registration of overseas-trained doctors who wish to practise in New Zealand.
Te Aka Whai Ora— Te Aka Whai Ora — Māori Health Authority (historical): Te Aka Whai Ora was established in 2022 as an independent statutory authority alongside Te Whatu Ora, with a mandate to commission health services and direct funding specifically for Māori health. It was disestablished by the New Zealand government in July 2024, and its functions were absorbed into Te Whatu Ora. References to Te Aka Whai Ora in interview and policy contexts should be understood as historical — it is no longer an active entity as of mid-2024.
Te Whatu Ora— Te Whatu Ora — Health New Zealand: The national health commissioning and planning body formed in 2022 when the previous 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) were abolished and merged into a single national entity. Te Whatu Ora funds and oversees most of New Zealand's public health services, employs most hospital doctors (including intern-year placements), and commissions primary care. Frequently referenced in interview and ethics questions about NZ's health system structure, equity and workforce distribution.

Health system & clinical training

DHB— District Health Board (historical): New Zealand's 20 District Health Boards were the regional authorities responsible for planning, funding and delivering health and disability services before the 2022 health reforms. DHBs were abolished on 1 July 2022 and replaced by the single national entity Te Whatu Ora — Health New Zealand. Understanding DHB history is useful for interview questions about NZ health system reform and workforce distribution.
Geographic Classification for Health— Geographic Classification for Health (GCH): Statistics New Zealand's framework for classifying residential addresses by degree of rurality, used by Otago's Health Sciences Professional Programmes to determine eligibility for the Rural Origins equity group. Addresses classified Rural 1, 2, or 3 under the GCH qualify for rural equity consideration. The GCH replaced the former Urban/Rural Profile (URP) classification. Auckland's RRAS uses Statistics New Zealand's 2020 Urban Accessibility framework rather than the GCH.
PGY1— Postgraduate Year One (NZ intern year): The supervised intern year completed by all New Zealand MBChB graduates before they can apply for general registration with MCNZ. PGY1 doctors rotate through approved training posts in hospitals overseen by Te Whatu Ora. Provisional registration (granted after MBChB graduation) enables the PGY1 year; general registration is granted after successful completion. Equivalent to the Foundation Year 1 (FY1) in the UK, or the hospital residency internship year in Australia.

Māori, Pacific & cultural concepts

Cultural safety— Cultural safety (NZ): An approach to health practice, originating in New Zealand nursing (coined by Irihapeti Ramsden), in which safety is defined by the recipient of care — not the practitioner. A culturally safe encounter is one in which the patient does not experience their cultural identity, social position, or values being diminished, challenged, or denied. MCNZ embeds cultural safety requirements in its competency standards. Distinguished from cultural awareness (knowing about a culture) and cultural competence (having skills to work across cultures) by its patient-defined, power-aware framing.
Hauora— Hauora: A Māori philosophy of health and wellbeing encompassing four interconnected dimensions: taha wairua (spiritual), taha hinengaro (mental and emotional), taha tinana (physical), and taha whānau (family and social). The concept of hauora underpins the health-as-holistic-wellbeing model in New Zealand public health, and is central to the cultural component of both the MBChB curriculum and NCEA Health Education. Interview questions about NZ health equity often reference hauora as the alternative to a biomedical-only model of care.
Manaakitanga— Manaakitanga: A Māori cultural value encompassing hospitality, respect, generosity and the uplifting of others' mana (dignity and authority). In health and interview contexts, manaakitanga describes the obligation of a practitioner to show genuine care and respect for patients and their whānau, to avoid demeaning or disempowering them, and to foster an environment in which they feel valued and safe. It is closely aligned with (but culturally distinct from) the concept of cultural safety. Demonstrating understanding of manaakitanga is often relevant in Auckland MAPAS Specialty Interview stations.
Pasifika— Pasifika / Pacific Peoples (NZ): Collective term for New Zealanders with Pacific Island heritage, including Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands Māori, Fijian, Niuean, Tokelauan and other Pacific communities. Pasifika peoples experience significant health inequities in New Zealand, including lower life expectancy and higher rates of preventable chronic conditions. Auckland FMHS's MAPAS scheme explicitly includes Pacific applicants. Otago recognises Pacific students as an equity group under the Te Kauae Paraoa policy. Both schools aim to increase Pasifika representation in the medical and dental workforce to improve health outcomes for Pacific communities.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi— Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi): The founding document of New Zealand, signed in 1840 between the British Crown and Māori rangatira (chiefs). Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a central principle across New Zealand health education and clinical practice: it affirms the partnership between the Crown and Māori, and underpins obligations around health equity and Māori self-determination (tino rangatiratanga) in the health system. Both Auckland and Otago medical and dental curricula include Te Tiriti principles as a core learning area, and knowledge of the Treaty is routinely assessed in NZ medical admissions interviews.
Tikanga Māori— Tikanga Māori: The customary system of values, practices and norms that guide Māori conduct — broadly translated as "the right Māori way of doing things". In a health context, tikanga Māori encompasses respectful engagement with patients, their whānau (family), and their cultural practices. Medical and dental students are expected to develop an understanding of tikanga Māori as part of cultural competence and safety requirements under MCNZ and Dental Council standards.
Whānau / Hapū / Iwi— Whānau, Hapū, and Iwi: The three tiers of Māori social organisation. Whānau (extended family) is the primary social unit; hapū (subtribe) is a grouping of related whānau sharing a common ancestor; iwi (tribe) is the largest unit, comprising multiple hapū. These concepts are relevant in clinical and interview contexts because Māori health decision-making and consent processes often involve whānau rather than the individual alone, and eligibility for MAPAS (at Auckland) is assessed with reference to whakapapa (genealogical connection) to a Māori or Pacific whānau/nation.

Fees & funding

Domestic fees (NZ)— Domestic tuition fees (NZ): Fees charged to NZ citizens and permanent residents enrolled in NZ university health programmes. Auckland MBChB domestic fees are NZD 19,531.20 per year (2026 academic year). Otago MBChB domestic fees are approximately NZD 18,430 per year for Years 2–6, calculated per paper. The NZ Government's fees free policy (first year of study, or final year for eligible students) may reduce costs for Year 1 students. Always check the official university fees page for confirmed per-paper figures.
International fees (NZ)— International tuition fees (NZ): Fees charged to international (non-NZ-citizen, non-permanent-resident) students. Auckland MBChB international fees are NZD 86,561 per year (2026). Otago BDS international fees are approximately NZD 114,845 per year (2026 figure from Faculty of Dentistry published data). Otago MBChB international fees are not published as a single annual figure — confirm via the Otago Health Sciences international fees page. International students are not eligible for StudyLink assistance.

Other (context & comparison)

ACER— Australian Council for Educational Research: The body that administered the UMAT (Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test), the predecessor to UCAT ANZ, until 2017. ACER continues to administer GAMSAT in Australia. In the New Zealand context, ACER is primarily relevant historically — UCAT ANZ (now administered via Pearson VUE through the UCAT ANZ Consortium) replaced UMAT in 2018 for NZ medical applications.
GAMSAT— Graduate Medical School Admissions Test — not used in NZ: GAMSAT is the graduate-entry admissions test used by most Australian graduate-entry MD programs (via GEMSAS). It is not used by any New Zealand medical school. NZ graduate applicants sit UCAT ANZ instead (until CASPer replaces it at Auckland from 2028). Mentioned here for clarity only — applicants holding GAMSAT scores from an Australian sitting cannot use those scores for NZ applications.
MBBS— Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (UK/AU naming — not used in NZ): MBBS is the naming for the entry-level medical degree used in the UK and some Australian schools (e.g., Tasmania, JCU). New Zealand medical schools award the MBChB — not the MBBS. The degrees are functionally equivalent for registration purposes but the nomenclature differs. Applicants from the UK holding MBBS qualifications may pursue registration with MCNZ via the overseas-trained doctor pathway.

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