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2 NZ Medical Schools

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

Compare both New Zealand medical schools. See UCAT-ANZ thresholds, gateway requirements (HSFY & BHSc), equity pathways (MAPAS, RRAS, Te Kauae Paraoa), MMI and interview formats, and domestic vs international place counts — updated for 2027 entry.

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University of Auckland — Medicine (MBChB)

Auckland

The University of Auckland MBChB is a 6-year degree awarded by New Zealand's only Auckland-based medical school (Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, City Campus). Domestic applicants enter via a first-year gateway (BHSc or BSc Biomed) with selection based on GPA, MMI, and UCAT ANZ; international places are graduate-entry only. The programme includes a dedicated Rural Stream and MAPAS and RRAS equity sub-schemes.

Multiple Mini InterviewsView school

University of Otago — Medicine (MBChB)

Dunedin

The University of Otago MBChB is a 6-year degree based at the Otago Medical School in Dunedin. Year 1 is completed through Health Sciences First Year (HSFY); clinical years 4–6 are split across the Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington campuses. Selection for HSFY and Graduate applicants is academic ranking only — no interview. The programme is the largest medical school in New Zealand by total domestic intake.

Traditional interviewView school

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about New Zealand medical school applications.

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.

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 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. Note that Auckland plans to replace UCAT ANZ with CASPer from 2028 entry.

MAPAS (Maori and Pacific Admission Scheme) is an equity pathway at Auckland for applicants with verified Maori 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 MAPAS sub-quota size is not publicly disclosed.

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 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 up to 30 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.

Considering Australian medical schools?

GAMSAT and UCAT-ANZ entry profiles, MMI formats and post-interview chances for all 22 Australian medical schools.

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Practice with the AI Mock Interviewer for Auckland and Otago

Prometheus generates university-specific interview questions for Auckland MBChB and Otago MBChB — MMI stations, ethical scenarios and personal-statement questions tailored to each school's interview format.

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