NZ Medical School Rankings 2027
New Zealand has just two medical schools — the University of Auckland and the University of Otago. With only two MBChB programmes, there is no meaningful league table, so this is an honest head-to-head comparison on the dimensions that actually differ: entry pathway, the role of UCAT-ANZ, interview format, domestic places and campus.
Both schools are accredited by the Medical Council of New Zealand to the same standard. For the full admissions walkthrough see how to get into medical school in NZ.
Why this is a comparison, not a league table
Unlike the UK's 40-plus medical schools, New Zealand has only two: the University of Auckland and the University of Otago. Both award a six-year MBChB, both are accredited by the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ), and each admits roughly 317 domestic students a year. Ranking one above the other would be misleading.
Instead, we compare them side by side on the factors that genuinely differ and that should drive your choice: the entry pathway (HSFY at Otago versus BHSc/BSc Biomed at Auckland), how each weights UCAT-ANZ, the interview format, campus structure and equity pathways. The right school is the one that fits your profile, not the one with a higher imaginary rank.
Ranked by the NGMP Score, 2027 Entry
The same 0–100 NGMP Score we use everywhere else — each school's standing across the QS, Times Higher Education and ShanghaiRanking (ARWU) global subject rankings — with our TrueScore UCAT-ANZ alongside. With only two schools this is a short table, not a true league table — the head-to-head comparison below is what should actually decide your choice.
| # | School | Location | NGMP Score/100 | Predicted UCAT-ANZ using TrueScore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Auckland — Medicine (MBChB) | Auckland | 82.0 | 2300standard |
| 2 | University of Otago — Medicine (MBChB) | Dunedin | 73.7 | 1750threshold |
NGMP Score (0–100) is the Quality Consensus of each school's QS, THE and ARWU global subject positions. TrueScore is our predicted UCAT-ANZ (/2700): Auckland weights it ~15% (a competitive standard bar), while Otago uses it only as a pass/fail threshold gate, not a competitive target.
Auckland vs Otago, 2027 Entry
Both of New Zealand's medical schools side by side on the dimensions that matter. Neither column is “the winner” — read across each row to see which programme suits your strengths.
| Dimension | University of Auckland | University of Otago |
|---|---|---|
| Awarding faculty | Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (FMHS) | Otago Medical School (OMS) |
| Degree | MBChB — 6 years full-time | MBChB — 6 years full-time |
| Gateway / entry pathway | First Year: BHSc (rank score 250+) or BSc Biomedical Science (rank score 165+), then 7 prescribed FMHS courses | Health Sciences First Year (HSFY): 7 prescribed papers at the Dunedin campus |
| Selection method | GPA 60% + UCAT-ANZ 15% + online MMI 25% | Academic rank (GPA) only — no interview for HSFY/Graduate categories |
| UCAT-ANZ role (2027 entry) | Weighted 15% of final ranking | Threshold gate only (VR ≥20th pct AND SJT >10th pct); does not affect rank |
| Interview | Online asynchronous MMI via Kira Talent — 8 stations (7 assessed), 30s read + 3 min response | No interview (HSFY/Graduate); Alternative Category uses a 40-min Zoom interview |
| Domestic places (approx.) | ~317 per year | ~317 per year |
| Clinical campuses (Years 4–6) | Auckland City Campus throughout | University-assigned: Dunedin, Christchurch or Wellington |
| Equity / sub-schemes | MAPAS (Māori & Pacific); RRAS (regional rural) | Te Kauae Paraoa (Māori & Pacific equity group); Rural Origins equity group |
| Graduate pathway | Graduate entry: completed degree + equivalent prerequisite papers, GPA ≥6.0, UCAT-ANZ required (2027) | Graduate Category (relevant NZ degree within 3 yrs, UCAT-ANZ required) and Alternative Category (allied-health pros, UCAT not required) |
For 2028 entry, Auckland replaces UCAT-ANZ with CASPer. Otago BDS (dentistry) removed UCAT-ANZ from 2025 — see the NZ dental school comparison.
Which school fits which applicant
Choose Otago (HSFY)
Academic-firstA consistent exam performer who thrives in a structured, high-volume science year and prefers to avoid an interview at selection. HSFY selects almost purely on academic rank — every mark counts. Be ready for university-assigned clinical years in Dunedin, Christchurch or Wellington.
Choose Auckland (First Year)
Balanced profileA strong communicator as well as an academic performer who wants to stay in Auckland. Selection blends GPA (60%), UCAT-ANZ (15%) and an online MMI (25%), so interpersonal skills count alongside grades.
Equity pathways (Auckland)
MAPAS · RRASEligible Māori and Pacific applicants (MAPAS, with a 5-station Specialty Interview) or rural/regional applicants (RRAS) gain access to dedicated Auckland selection pools. These are additional pools, not shortcuts.
Graduate & alternative routes
Already have a degreeOtago's Graduate Category (relevant NZ degree within 3 years, UCAT-ANZ required) and Alternative Category (experienced allied-health professionals, no UCAT), plus Auckland's graduate entry (completed degree, GPA ≥6.0, UCAT-ANZ for 2027).
Frequently asked questions
Decide between Auckland and Otago
Work out which entry pathway, UCAT-ANZ strategy and interview profile fits you best for New Zealand medicine.