New Zealand Medical Schools — UCAT-ANZ, MAPAS & Entry Pathways

New Zealand has two medical schools awarding the MBChB degree: the University of Auckland (Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences) and the University of Otago (Otago Medical School). Both admit domestic and a small number of international students each year, and every domestic applicant first completes a full-time gateway first year (HSFY at Otago, or BHSc / BSc Biomed at Auckland).

For 2027 entry, UCAT-ANZ is required for most domestic applicants at both Auckland and Otago. At Auckland it is weighted at 15% of the final selection ranking alongside GPA (60%) and the MMI (25%). At Otago it acts as a pass/fail threshold only (Verbal Reasoning ≥ 20th percentile AND SJT > 10th percentile) — once met it plays no further role in ranking. Auckland plans to replace UCAT-ANZ with CASPer from 2028 entry.

MAPAS (Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme) is an equity pathway at Auckland for applicants with verified Māori or Pacific ancestry. Eligible applicants complete the standard 7-station Kira Talent MMI plus a separate 5-station MAPAS Specialty Interview run by the MAPAS Admissions Panel. The University of Otago operates a different equity framework under its Te Kauae Paraoa Māori health policy.

Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) is the primary entry pathway to Otago MBChB. Applicants enrol full-time in HSFY at the University of Otago (Dunedin) and complete 7 prescribed papers. Offers are based purely on academic rank (average of the best 7 paper scores, scale 0–100) plus a UCAT-ANZ threshold gate. The competitive range for General pathway offers in 2026 was approximately 93–99.

Yes. Both Auckland and Otago reserve a small number of international places per year. At Auckland, international places are graduate-entry only — there is no international first-year (BHSc/BSc Biomed) pathway. At Otago, international applicants apply under the Graduate or Alternative Category pathways.