Study Medicine in New Zealand

New Zealand consistently ranks high in global education indices with its universities ranking in the top 3% worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2024). This country in the heart of the Southern Hemisphere is a gateway to medical excellence and many aspiring students from around the world come to study medicine in New Zealand. New Zealand’s medical programs for international students offer an unmatched combination of clinical exposure and academic rigor. The medical curriculum is created to adhere to international norms to guarantee that graduates are prepared to practice medicine anywhere in the world. New Zealand’s medical schools are pillars of quality, offering state-of-the-art facilities, innovative research opportunities, and a dedication to excellence. There are two universities to study medicine in New Zealand: the University of Auckland and the University of Otago. 

Due to this, entry to the medicine programs offered by these universities is competitive and limited for international students. School leavers cannot apply directly to these programs. They can apply via the first-year entry route offered by the University of Auckland and the University of Otago. For applicants with a bachelor’s degree, the universities offer a graduate entry to their MBChB programs. 

Overview of Study Medicine in New Zealand

Universities to Study Medicine in New Zealand

University of Auckland

The University of Auckland in New Zealand is a leading research university established in 1883. It is the largest university in the country with a student population of 40,000 students from all over the world. The university has eight faculties, two large-scale research institutes, and other centers. It is the only university in New Zealand to rank in the top 100 in the QS World University Rankings. It is placed 68th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2024. It is placed at position 150 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024. The University of Auckland’s main campus is located in the center of Auckland and is easily accessible by the city’s transportation. Other seven campuses are spread across the whole country. 

The Medical and Health Sciences Department of the University of Auckland offers a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery program. It is accredited by the Australian Medical Council and recognized by the Medical Council of New Zealand. The entry to the program is competitive and is based on academic merit, performance in UCAT ANZ, personal qualities, and performance in the admission interview. There are two routes of admission to the MBChB course:

1. First-year entry: Applicants who have completed BHSc or BSc (Biomedical Science) at the University of Auckland
2. Graduate entry: Applicants with a relevant bachelor’s degree in medical or health sciences.

The MBChB at the  University of Auckland is a six-year-long course and the first year is dedicated to the Bachelor of Health Sciences or the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science course consisting of 150 points. Completing either of these courses is a prerequisite for first-year entry applicants. Graduate students can apply with a relevant degree from a recognized university. The applications for the program close in July each year, thus international students must apply in advance to avoid breaching the deadline. 

Minimum Entry Requirements

First-year entry: 

• Must have completed either the Bachelor of Health Sciences or the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science course on a full-time basis at the University of Auckland (GPA of 6.0)
• Must appear for the MMI: Multi Mini Interviews
• Must have appeared for UCAT ANZ 

Graduate entry:

• Must have completed a bachelor’s degree in related sciences from a recognized university 
• Must appear for the MMI
• UCAT ANZ is not required for graduate entry applicants (international students)

University of Otago

The University of Otago is a public research collegiate university and is the oldest university in New Zealand. It came into existence in 1869 and is ranked in the top 1% worldwide. It has the highest 5 Stars Plus rating in the QS global university performance ratings. The university conducts teaching in world-class teaching and research labs, lecture halls, performance spaces, and study areas. It offers over 200 undergraduate and postgraduate programs in health sciences, business, humanities, science, etc. The University of Otago hosts more than 3,000 international students from 100 countries. Its Dunedin campus is one of the world’s most beautiful campuses.

Admission to the MBChB program offered by the University of Otago is limited due to the availability of only 300 places for domestic as well as international students. Admissions are offered via the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) program (126-point course) for high school leavers and graduate entry for applicants with bachelor’s degrees. The applications for both entries close by September each year. 

Minimum Entry Requirements

HSFY entry category: 

• The applicant must have passed the University of Otago’s HSFY foundation year with a minimum of 70% on each paper
• Must have appeared for the UCAT exam and must have achieved a score as set by the admission committee  

Graduate entry category: 

• Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s honors degree in any relevant subject 
• UCAT exam score is not required for admission via graduate entry 

Scholarships 

Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships for International Students: Applicable to new international students who have previously not been admitted to the University of Otago. To be eligible for the scholarship, they must undertake full-time, full-year undergraduate study at the university. The scholarship offers  NZD$10,000 for tuition fees. 

University of Otago Entrance Scholarships: This is available for fresh international students who are planning to apply for full-time undergraduate programs at the university after completion of the university’s pre-university pathway course. 

Career Options After Study Medicine in New Zealand

New Zealand’s medical education system is well-regarded globally, and its graduates are well-prepared for diverse roles in healthcare. After completing the MBChB from the University of Auckland or the University of Otago, graduates are eligible to apply for provisional registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand. Graduates must complete a one-year internship in a hospital to be eligible for registration. After registration, they can choose the traditional path of becoming a medical practitioner and can choose to work in hospitals, or clinics, or establish their private practices, providing primary or specialized healthcare services. They can pursue postgraduate studies and specialize in areas such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, or psychiatry to become specialists. For those inclined towards research, they can pursue PhD to work in academic institutions and research organizations. As per ENZ, the average salary of physicians or GPs in New Zealand is NZ$115,000 to 220,000 per year. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, pursuing medical education in New Zealand is a transformative journey for international students. Although the university options are limited, New Zealand’s commitment to academic excellence, cultural richness, and unparalleled career prospects, make it an attractive study destination for medical professionals. There are only two universities that provide MBChB courses in the country: the University of Auckland and the University of Otago. With the finite availability of options, admission to these MBChB courses is highly competitive for international students. Thus before deciding to study medicine in New Zealand, they must research the available options, understand the entry requirements, and consider their long-term career goals. The admission experts at Gyanberry are happy to help you with any queries regarding studying medicine in New Zealand. To contact them, book a free video appointment now! 

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