The University of Otago offers a range of Health Sciences undergraduate professional programmes (HSUPP). Each professional programme has specific entry pathways. Most offer entry through Health Sciences First Year (HSFY), as well as Graduate and Alternative categories. Some programmes also allow entry directly from secondary school or after one or more years of university study.
Programme entry pathways:
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) – HSFY, Graduate, Alternative
- Bachelor of Dental Technology (BDentTech) – Secondary School, One Year of University Study, Two or More Years University Study, Graduate, Alternative
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) – HSFY, Two or More Years University Study, Graduate, Alternative
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) – HSFY, Graduate, Alternative (Alternative for domestic students only)
- Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH) – Secondary School, One Year of University Study, Two or More Years University Study, Graduate, Alternative
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) – HSFY, Two or More Years University Study, Graduate, Alternative
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPhty) – HSFY, Two or More Years University Study, Graduate, Alternative
- Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (BRT) – Secondary School, One Year of University Study, Two or More Years University Study, Graduate, Alternative
Applicants are assessed under the pathway that best fits their academic background and previous study.
The Health Sciences Professional Programmes at the University of Otago promote equity by supporting applicants from under-represented groups. Equity groups include Māori, New Zealand Resident Indigenous Pacific Origins (NZRIPO), Socioeconomic, Refugee Background, and New Zealand Rural Origins. Each group has specific eligibility criteria and requires supporting documentation, such as verified ancestry, school information, or evidence of residency. Refer to the specific programme page for full details:
Guidelines for admission to Health Sciences professional programmes
Seek course advice if you wish to discuss which programme is right for you.
In 2025, applications for HSUPP opened on 1 July and closed on 14 August for entry in the following year. While the opening date will be on 1 July every year, the closing date will change each year and will always be on a Thursday. The exception to this is for the "Alternative" entry category for Medicine, which is open for applications between 1 April and 1 May for entry in the following year.
If you need to amend an already-submitted application before the closing date, contact AskOtago.
Course approval for many HSUPP is an automated process and is due to begin in eVision from 15 December 2025. If you are new to the programme, you will need to have accepted an offer of place in the programme first. The final stage to enrolment is the Declaration, which will be available from 1 January 2026. You will receive an alert in eVision at each stage of your course approval with guidance on what to do next.
Further information