Otago Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) — the complete guide
University of Otago · Dunedin · 2027 Entry · MBChB & BDS
Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) is the principal entry pathway to the University of Otago MBChB (medicine) and BDS (dentistry) programmes. It is a full-time, prescribed first year delivered exclusively at the Dunedin campus, covering seven compulsory papers across biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, human body systems, physics and population health. Selection into MBChB Year 2 is based almost entirely on academic rank — making every mark in HSFY directly consequential for your medical school ambitions. This guide covers the seven papers, how the academic rank is calculated, how UCAT-ANZ is used, the competitive score ranges, BDS differences, and the key decision factors when choosing HSFY over the Auckland First Year pathway.
What is HSFY?
HSFY is a dedicated full-year programme offered only at the University of Otago, Dunedin campus. It is not a standard first year of a degree — it is a purpose-built gateway that feeds into the health professional programmes (MBChB, BDS, BPharm, and others). Students enrol in HSFY as their full-time study load for the year.
The programme runs across two semesters. You are required to complete all 7 compulsory papers. An optional 8th paper is available in Semester 2 for students who wish to take additional study, but it does not replace or substitute for any of the 7 prescribed papers.
There are no secondary school subject prerequisites mandated for HSFY admission — you simply need to meet the University of Otago's general undergraduate entry requirements. However, strong performance in Year 13 Biology, Chemistry and Physics is widely regarded as essential preparation given the content demands of the programme.
HSFY is offered only in Dunedin. If you wish to remain in Auckland, Otago HSFY is not your pathway — see the NZ medical school pathway guide for the Auckland First Year comparison.
The 7 prescribed HSFY papers
These are the 7 compulsory papers you must complete in HSFY. All are required for MBChB and BDS eligibility.
| Paper code | Paper name | Topic area |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 192 | Biochemistry | Molecular biology, metabolism, enzyme kinetics and cell biochemistry. |
| CELS 191 | Cell Biology | Cell structure and function, cellular signalling and genetics. |
| CHEM 191 | Chemistry | General and organic chemistry foundations relevant to biological systems. |
| HUBS 191 | Human Body Systems 1 | Anatomy, histology and physiology — first semester. |
| HUBS 192 | Human Body Systems 2 | Anatomy, histology and physiology — second semester. |
| PHSI 191 | Physics | Biomedical physics principles underpinning medical imaging and physiology. |
| POPH 192 | Population Health | Epidemiology, public health, health equity and New Zealand health systems. |
Source: University of Otago HSFY papers page. Verify current paper codes at otago.ac.nz each cycle as occasional updates are made.
Academic rank calculation
Your academic rank score for MBChB and BDS selection is calculated as the average of your best 7 paper scores across the 7 prescribed papers, expressed on a 0–100 scale. Each paper is marked out of 100. Papers are weighted equally — there is no bonus for one subject over another.
If you take the optional 8th paper, only your best 7 scores are used. Taking an 8th paper cannot hurt your rank but may improve it if it displaces a weaker result among the 7.
Eligibility thresholds
To enter the selection pool you must:
- Pass all 7 prescribed papers with a minimum average mark of 65%
- Have no mark below 60% in any prescribed paper at first attempt
Competitive score ranges (2026 cohort)
Based on OIA-released admissions statistics:
Approximate range for offers in the 2026 cycle (0–100 scale).
Approximate range for rural pathway offers in the 2026 cycle. 27 domestic students accepted offers via this sub-pool.
These ranges are derived from OIA-released data and are approximate. They vary year by year depending on the applicant cohort. They are not officially published cut-offs. Plan to target 95+ for the general pool.
UCAT-ANZ at Otago HSFY
UCAT-ANZ is required for domestic HSFY applicants applying to Otago MBChB. It is used as a threshold gate only — pass/fail — not as a weighted component of your selection rank.
For 2026 entry, the threshold was:
- Verbal Reasoning: at or above the 20th percentile
- Situational Judgement Test (SJT): above the 10th percentile
Once you meet both thresholds, your UCAT-ANZ score plays no further role in your MBChB ranking. However, failing to meet either threshold makes you ineligible for MBChB selection even if your academic rank is very high. The thresholds are set annually — check the Otago and UCAT ANZ websites for the current cycle.
UCAT-ANZ is not required for international HSFY applicants, and is not required for Otago BDS (removed from BDS admissions from the 2025 intake onwards).
HSFY for BDS (dentistry) — how it differs from MBChB
BDS and MBChB both use HSFY as the primary entry pathway, but selection differs in important ways:
| Factor | MBChB | BDS |
|---|---|---|
| UCAT-ANZ | Required (threshold gate) | Not required (removed from 2025 intake) |
| Interview | No interview (HSFY/Graduate categories) | Yes — Zoom interview (all shortlisted applicants, ~350 invitations per cycle) |
| Selection method | Academic rank only (after UCAT gate) | Academic score + interview performance (weighting not published) |
| Cohort size (approx.) | ~317 domestic per year | Not separately published; determined annually by Council |
| Clinical years location | Dunedin, Christchurch or Wellington (Years 4–6, university-assigned) | Dunedin only (Years 2–5) |
If you are applying for BDS, you do not need to sit UCAT-ANZ. If you are applying for both MBChB and BDS in the same cycle, you need to sit UCAT-ANZ for the MBChB application but it does not affect your BDS selection.
HSFY vs Auckland First Year — decision factors
This is often the most important strategic decision for school-leaver applicants in Aotearoa New Zealand. There is no universally correct answer — it depends on your strengths, location preferences and risk tolerance.
- HSFY suits you if: you are a highly consistent exam performer, you prefer a purely academic selection (no interview component at this stage), you are comfortable relocating to Dunedin, and you are willing to have your clinical years assigned to Dunedin, Christchurch or Wellington.
- Auckland First Year suits you if: you perform well under both academic and communicative pressure, you want to remain in Auckland, you are a strong verbal communicator, or you are eligible for and interested in MAPAS or RRAS (both Auckland-specific schemes).
- You can apply to both: completing HSFY at Otago and applying for MBChB, while also applying separately through the Auckland pathway, is possible but logistically complex — especially if you are based in Dunedin during HSFY.
- Test preparation differs: Otago uses UCAT-ANZ as a pass/fail gate; Auckland uses it as a 15% weighted component. Plan your preparation accordingly.
See our full comparison in the NZ medical school pathway guide.
Common HSFY pitfalls
- Treating 65% as the target. 65% is the minimum to stay in the selection pool — not a competitive score. In the general HSFY pool, offers are typically made to students scoring 93–99. Aim consistently above 90 in every paper.
- Failing to meet the UCAT threshold. Even a 99-average HSFY student is ineligible for MBChB if they miss the UCAT Verbal Reasoning 20th percentile threshold. Sit UCAT-ANZ seriously and with adequate preparation — it is a gate you must clear, not an optional formality.
- Underestimating POPH 192 (Population Health). POPH 192 is often underestimated by students who focus on the science papers. Population Health is equally weighted in your rank score. A weak POPH result can pull your average below the competitive range.
- Missing paper-specific thresholds. A single paper below 60% at first attempt removes you from MBChB eligibility for that cycle — even if your average is above 65%. There is no retake within the same year. Study all 7 papers consistently.
- Not accounting for the branch campus assignment. After gaining entry to MBChB, you are assigned to Dunedin, Christchurch or Wellington for clinical Years 4–6. You cannot choose. If any of these cities is unworkable for your personal circumstances, factor this into your school choice decision at the outset.
HSFY application timeline
- Before starting HSFY: Enrol at University of Otago. Complete secondary school qualifications meeting general undergraduate entry requirements.
- March (during HSFY year): Register for UCAT-ANZ. Registration typically opens in March for the July test window.
- July (during HSFY year): Sit UCAT-ANZ.
- 1 July: MBChB and BDS applications typically open.
- ~13 August: HSFY application deadline (MBChB and BDS). Submit your application including UCAT-ANZ results for MBChB.
- September–October: BDS shortlisted applicants invited to Zoom interview.
- ~18 December: Offer notifications from both MBChB and BDS programmes.
Dates are based on the 2026 cycle. Verify exact dates with the University of Otago Division of Health Sciences for each application year.
Get help with your HSFY strategy
One-to-one coaching for UCAT-ANZ preparation, HSFY paper prioritisation and, if you are applying for BDS, Zoom interview preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Related NZ guides
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