Step-by-step: entry requirements, admission-test prep, personal statement, interview format and the key deadlines.
Open the guide →Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.
Read the guide →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.
Otago MBChB is the most academically competitive medical selection process in New Zealand — HSFY and Graduate pathways have no interview; offers are determined solely by academic rank score. Branch campus split for clinical years 4–6: students are assigned (not self-selected) to Dunedin, Christchurch, or Wellington campuses. UCAT ANZ is a threshold gate only (Verbal Reasoning ≥20th percentile AND SJT >10th percentile); once met, UCAT plays no further role in ranking. Alternative Category has a different application window (1 April – 1 May) and does involve an interview.
Integrated curriculum. 6-year MBChB. Year 1 (HSFY): 7 compulsory papers at Dunedin (BIOC 192, CELS 191, CHEM 191, HUBS 191, HUBS 192, PHSI 191, POPH 192). Years 2–3: pre-clinical at Dunedin. Years 4–6 (Advanced Learning in Medicine): class divided into thirds across Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington campuses — campus assignment is determined by the university. HSFY application window: 1 July – 13 August; Alternative Category: 1 April – 1 May.
University of Otago — Medicine (MBChB) has notable research strength in Rural health, Public health, Maori health, Pacific health, Primary care.
University of Otago — Medicine (MBChB) interviews via No interview for HSFY or Graduate pathways; 40-minute Zoom structured interview for Alternative Category only. The vast majority of Otago MBChB places are filled through the HSFY and Graduate categories, both of which have NO interview — selection is purely by academic ranking (average of best 7 HSFY paper scores, 0–100 scale). The Alternative Category (applicants with a degree completed more than 3 years ago, or an overseas equivalent) is the only pathway requiring an interview: a 40-minute structured interview conducted via Zoom videoconference. The specific station count and domains are not published. UCAT ANZ acts as a pass/fail gate (threshold only) for HSFY and Graduate pathways; it is not required for the Alternative Category.
317 domestic places per year (including Rural, Maori, Pacific, and Socioeconomic Equity sub-allocations); up to 30 international places; total up to ~347.
Founded in 1875, based in Dunedin. Programmes offered: Rural Medicine, Public Health, Maori Health, Pacific Health, General Practice.
Otago MBChB is one of the few medical schools in the world where the main pathway is entirely non-interview — academic performance in HSFY papers is essentially everything. Focus on achieving consistently high marks across all 7 papers; the competitive range for General pathway offers in 2026 was approximately 93–99 (0–100 scale). UCAT ANZ is a threshold gate — aim to clear the Verbal Reasoning ≥20th percentile and SJT >10th percentile thresholds comfortably, but remember it does not boost your ranking once met. Rural sub-pathway offers typically accepted from 89–98. The branch campus split (Dunedin / Christchurch / Wellington) for Years 4–6 is determined by the university, not by preference — consider all three locations as viable when applying.
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for University of Otago — Medicine (MBChB)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
The University of Auckland's MAPAS (Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme) asks applicants to articulate their connection to community and how it drives their motivation for medicine. How would you describe your own motivation, and why is community connection valued in a doctor?
Likely follow-up · What does whakapapa mean as a concept, and how might it shape a doctor's understanding of a patient's health story?
In 2022 the New Zealand government replaced 20 district health boards with a single national health agency, Te Whatu Ora. What were the reasons given for this change, and what are the potential risks and benefits for health equity — particularly for Māori and Pacific communities?
Likely follow-up · Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority, was established alongside Te Whatu Ora but was later disestablished. What does this tell you about the political complexity of health system reform?
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Learn moreWe've helped students turn their UCAT, personal statement and interview prep into offers from University of Otago — Medicine (MBChB) and other New Zealand medicine schools.
