DIVISION OF HEALTH SCIENCES 2008 GUIDELINES FOR ADMISSION TO PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMMES

Application form is available online at www.otago.ac.nz/healthsciences Applications close on October 1 2007 at 5:00pm New Zealand Standard Time (NZST)
PLEASE NOTE:

Other Category applications for MEDICINE ONLY closed on 1 May 2007. Admission for Medicine in the Other Category for 2009 will close on 1 May 2008. For details see www.otago.ac.nz/healthsciences

Index
APPLICATION COMPLETION NOTES Application Process 2008 How to apply Application Deadlines Enrolment/Registration Confirmation of receipt of applicant Outcome of Application Accepting or Declining Offers What is a Waiting List? Deferral of Entry English Language Requirements Citizenship/Residency Status International Students Medical Registration Disclaimers Important Dates Disabilities Culturally-Sensitive Issues First Aid Certificate UMAT Oral Assessment/Interview Immunity Status HIV Aids MAIN CATEGORIES Entry from the University of Otago Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) Second year of university study Competitive Graduate Alternative Categories SUB CATEGORIES Mori New Zealand Resident Pacific Origins (NZRPO) New Zealand Rural Origins Medicine only 1 1

2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4

5 5 6 7 9 11 11 11 11

Mission Statement
The Division of Health Sciences will provide New Zealand society and other communities with a highly qualified workforce in the health professions. The Division will promote health and health care through basic and applied research and academic and professional leadership. This will be achieved through research-based undergraduate, postgraduate and professional academic programmes of international standard in the health sciences and related sciences.

Application Completion Notes

ALL APPLICANTS PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING NOTES CAREFULLY Failure to apply correctly may prevent your application being considered. Please also work through the checklist at the end of each section to ensure you have enclosed all the information needed to accompany your application. Before completing the application form online, applicants should read the regulations in the University of Otago Calendar concerning admission to their chosen professional programme. The regulations are available on-line at www.otago.ac.nz/ courses/qualifications. The Admissions Committees will not consider applications that do not meet the regulations or prerequisites for entry into a professional programme. Ignorance of the regulations is not acceptable grounds for appeal. APPLICATION PROCESS 2008

How to apply
You must complete an application form on-line at: www.otago.ac.nz/healthsciences

Application Deadlines
The on-line application from, declarations and other required documentation MUST reach the Health Sciences Admissions Office (contact details on back page) by 1 October 2007, 5pm NZST. Please contact the Health Sciences Admissions Office for the application details and closing dates for Dental Technology, Oral Health and Medical Radiation Therapy. The deadline for applications under the Other Category for Medicine only closed on 1 May 2007.

Enrolment/Registration
ALL applicants must enrol/register at the University of Otago. Transferring If you have previously studied at another university in New Zealand and have not previously studied at the University of Otago: Closing Date 10 December 2007. Returning If you have previously studied at the University of Otago: Closing date 20 December 2007. For enrolment details visit www.otago.ac.nz, email university@otago.ac.nz or phone 0800 80 80 98 (within NZ) or 0064 3 479 7000. The on-line application from, declarations and other required documentation MUST reach the Health Sciences Admissions Office (contact details on back page) by 1 October 2007, 5pm NZST. Please contact the Health Sciences Admissions Office for the application details and closing dates for Dental Technology, Oral Health and Medical Radiation Therapy. The deadline for applications under the Other Category for Medicine only closed on 1 May 2007.

Confirmation of receipt of application

When you submit your on-line application form you will automatically receive an email confirming receipt of your application. This confirmation email will contain all details you have submitted and an application number. Once submitted your details, cannot be viewed or modified. However if any of your submitted information is incorrect, or you wish to change details please contact the Health Sciences Admissions Office and quote your application number. If you do not receive this confirmation email please contact the Health Sciences Admissions Office immediately. Please note some free email accounts such as Hotmail and Yahoo often delete our emails as spam. We strongly recommend that you use your current University email account (if applicable) or another trusted email address to ensure that the email confirming receipt of your application reaches you. The Division of Health Sciences will not be held responsible because of failure to provide an appropriate email address.

Outcome of application
You will be advised of the outcome of your application by email no later than 11pm (NZST) on Friday 21 December 2007. In order to ensure that the outcome of your application reaches you, your application form must include an email address you will have access to over this period. The Division of Health Sciences will not be held responsible because of failure to provide an appropriate email address. Given the short time frame between the release of examination results and Christmas, the Health Sciences Admissions Office is extremely busy processing applications to ensure the outcome can be sent out on 21 December 2007. Therefore, telephone calls to the Health Sciences Admissions Office will not be answered from 17 December 2007 4 January 2008. 1

However, if you have a question regarding your application, please quote your application number when using the one following contacts: Fax: Email: Postal: 0064 3 479 5058 healthsciences.admissions2008@otago.ac.nz Health Sciences Admissions Office P O Box 647 Dunedin 9054 New Zealand

Please note: The Health Sciences Admissions Office will be closed from 21 December 2007 4 January 2008 inclusive.

Accepting or Declining Offers

Your outcome of application email will tell you if you have been offered, declined or placed on a waiting list for a place on one or more of the professional programmes. To accept your offer(s) you must complete the on-line Response to Offer form. Details of how to access and complete this form will be included in your Outcome of Application email. Even if you do not wish to accept any offer made to you, you must complete the on-line Response to Offer form.

What is the Waiting List?

If your outcome of application email indicates that you have been placed on the waiting list for a particular programme you will be contacted should a place in that programme become available subsequently. Waiting Lists are programmespecific and you may not ask to be included on any programme waiting list other than the one(s) in your email. You can be offered a place from a waiting list right up to the time classes begin. Therefore, you must make sure that you enrol for an alternative programme of study. You will be contacted by email shortly after 31 March 2008 to advise you when the waiting lists have officially closed.

Deferral of Entry
Deferral of entry may only be requested by successful candidates in the Competitive Graduates Category or Alternative Category who wish to complete current academic study (eg an honours year) that in the opinion of the Admissions Committee will enhance their future study in the chosen professional programme to which they have been admitted. Applicants must have their personal and financial affairs in order when they apply so that, if their application is successful, they are able to take up a place at the start of the first semester.

English Language Requirements

Entry to the professional programmes is subject to candidates meeting a specified English language requirement prior to enrolment to any second year classes.

Citizenship/Residency Status
The Health Sciences Admissions Committees require all candidates applying for admission to second year programmes to fulfil the following residency and study conditions: All applicants, other than International Students, must be resident in New Zealand and have New Zealand or Australian citizenship or permanent residency status at the time of application for admission to the professional programmes. Australian citizens or permanent residents are permitted to enrol in New Zealand universities under the same conditions as New Zealand citizens. Although there is no restriction on numbers in the Health Sciences First Year, there may be a restriction for entry to the professional programmes. Only Australian citizens or permanent residents who have chosen to live in New Zealand permanently should apply for entry into restricted programmes in Medicine and Dentistry. New Zealand Government regulations require that before Australian citizens and permanent residents can be admitted into a restricted programme, they must make a statutory declaration of intent to reside permanently in New Zealand. Please send certified photocopies of all documents, such as those of academic achievement (transcripts), birth certificates, citizenship etc. Do not send originals. The following people may witness documents as true copies of the original: Justice of the Peace, Kaumatua, District or High Court Official, Notary Public, School Principal or Guidance Counsellor, Solicitor, University administrative staff or a Liaison Officer of any University.

International Students
International Students are defined as all those who require a student visa to study in New Zealand. Those who are New Zealand or Australian residents or citizens are treated as domestic students. In any given year a limited number of places in the second year professional programmes may be available to International Students. To be eligible to apply International Students must have completed all necessary prerequisites at a minimum standard, which is determined on a yearly basis.

If an applicant is accepted into a professional programme as an International Student he or she is required to pay international tuition fees for the duration of that programme (not negotiable if residency status changes). Should a students residency status change prior to notification of the application outcome, he or she must notify the Health Sciences Admissions Office immediately and will have to compete for admission with other domestic students. For further information International Students should contact the International Office, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, or email: international.admissions@otago.ac.nz.

Medical Registration
Before medical graduates can practise as a doctor in New Zealand they must register with the Medical Council of New Zealand and complete one year of supervised practice in a hospital. There are limited, if any, places available for International Students who will normally complete registration requirements in their home country.

Disclaimers
While the University of Otago takes all due care in implementing regulations, procedures, policies and administration of the admissions process, it reserves the right to correct any administrative errors that may occur.

Important Dates
Medicine Other Category (closed) On-line application closing date Oral Assessment/Interview University of Otago Enrolment Deadlines Outcome of application emails sent out Deadline for accepting/declining places 1 May 2007 1 October 2007 October/November 2007 Transferring: 10 December 2007 Returning: 20 December 2007 21 December 2007 16 January 2008

The Health Sciences Admissions Office will be closed from 21 December 2007 4 January 2008 inclusive. 2nd year Commencement dates: Dentistry Medical Laboratory Science Medicine Pharmacy Physiotherapy 22 February 2008 22 February 2008 13 February 2008 (compulsory orientation session) 21 February 2008 (camp 19-21 February 2008) 22 February 2008 (camp 13-15 February 2008)

Students who fail to attend classes on the first day risk losing their place.

Disabilities
Applicants with a disability that may affect whether they are able to meet the requirements of a programme or obtain professional registration should contact the Health Sciences Admissions Office or the Universitys Manager of Disability Information and Support www.otago.ac.nz/disabilities.

Criminal Offences
Applicants who have been charged with a criminal offence (including drink driving) must contact the Health Sciences Admissions Office to seek advice about their eligibility for registration. Applicants are also advised to consult the regulations of the appropriate registering professional body: Medicine Dentistry Pharmacy Physiotherapy Medical Laboratory Science www.mcnz.org.nz www.dentalcouncil.org.nz www.pharmacycouncil.org.nz www.physiotherapy.org.nz www.regboards.co.nz/medlab

Culturally-Sensitive Issues
All students must participate in laboratory, practical and clinical activities, including those that may be unusual in some cultures. In the professional programmes, some aspects of the teaching will require individuals to practise certain techniques on each other that may involve partially undressing or body contact with other students. Training occurs under close supervision and all students are required to participate, as it is essential for their acquisition of clinical skills.

First Aid Certificate (Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine and Physiotherapy applicants)
All applicants seeking a place in either Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine or Physiotherapy must provide the Health Sciences Admissions Office with a certified copy of an appropriate current first aid certificate. Applicants should have gained this qualification through a registered training organisation in New Zealand and it should meet NZQA standard 6400 (such as the St John Workplace First Aid Certificate). First Aid Certificates must accompany your application by 1 October 2007. Information regarding how to gain a First Aid Certificate may be found on the following websites: www.meditrain.co.nz www.redcross.org.nz www.stjohn.org.nz UMAT All applicants in Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine and Physiotherapy must sit the Undergraduate Medical and Health Sciences Admissions Test (UMAT) to be eligible to apply for admission to one or more of these Professional Programmes. UMAT scores are valid for two years. This means they can be used for an application to any of the UMAT Consortium universities in the year following the test and/or to reapply one year later. For example, results from UMAT2007 will be valid for application to enter Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine, Dentistry or Physiotherapy beginning in 2008 and/or 2009 (but not in 2010). A candidates most recent UMAT result will be the only UMAT result considered. For enquiries or registration material, contact the UMAT Office at ACER. Tel: 0061 3 9277 5746/5529 Fax: 0061 3 9277 5757 Email: umat@acer.edu.au Internet: http://umat.acer.edu.au Address: Private Bag 55 Camberwell Victoria 3124 AUSTRALIA

Oral Assessment / Interview

Oral Assessment/Interview is used as part of the selection criteria for admission to Dentistry and Physiotherapy. This is a structured interview process. All interviewees are given the same basic questions in the same order. These Oral Assessments/Interviews will be held in Dunedin in October/November 2007. Candidates will not be invited for an Oral Assessment/Interview unless they achieve a score above the 25th percentile in all of the three (3) UMAT sections.

Immunity Status
Because of the nature of their practice, health professionals are required to take steps to ensure they neither acquire infections from their patients nor transmit infections to patients. All applicants who enter the second year, or any subsequent year, of any of the Health Sciences professional programmes will be required to provide evidence of their serology status to the following infections prior to entry into their course: Hepatitis B and C, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella. Applicants will be expected to make arrangements with their local general practitioner to undertake serology (blood) tests, and vaccinations if required, prior to entry into their programme. In the case of both International and New Zealand-based students, the general practitioner visited must be New Zealand-based. Those applying in the Second Year of University Study, Competitive Graduate or Alternative Categories are required to complete and include with their application the Immunity Status Form (see form D).

HIV-AIDS
To summarise the current policy of the University, students who recognise they are at particular risk of HIV infection have a responsibility to be tested for HIV infection. Students who test positive have a duty to seek and act on expert advice on occupational matters that may affect them and their patients.

Main Categories
ENTRY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO HEALTH SCIENCES FIRST YEAR (HSFY) Dentistry
For entry into Dentistry, students are required to gain a B (70%) Grade Point Average or better across all papers, with no grade less than a B- (65%), and sit the UMAT (see page 4). Applicants who reach the academic and UMAT thresholds will be offered an Oral Assessment/Interview. Candidates will not be invited for an Oral Assessment/Interview unless they achieve a score above the 25th percentile in all of the three (3) UMAT sections. Those on the same interview score will be ranked according to their overall UMAT percentile.

Medical Laboratory Science

For entry into Medical Laboratory Science, students are required to gain a B (70%) Grade Point Average or better across all papers and have a current UMAT (see page 4). Candidates must achieve a score above the 25th percentile in all of the three (3) UMAT sections. Applicants who reach the UMAT threshold will then be scored on their HSFY academic achievements.

Medicine
For entry into Medicine, students are required to gain a B grade (70%) or better in all subjects and sit the UMAT. Selection for entry into Medicine is determined by a combination of a student's Grade Point Average in the HSFY programme (two-thirds weighting) and their UMAT score (one-third weighting).

Physiotherapy
For entry into Physiotherapy, students are required to gain a B- (65%) Grade Point Average or better across all papers, with no grade less than a C (55%), and sit the UMAT (see page 4). Applicants who reach the academic and UMAT thresholds will be offered an Oral Assessment/Interview. Candidates will not be invited for an Oral Assessment/Interview unless they achieve a score above the 25th percentile in all of the three (3) UMAT sections. Those on the same interview score will be ranked according to their overall HSFY Grade Point Average.

Pharmacy
Entry into the second year of Pharmacy is competitive and selection is based upon the Grade Point Average achieved in the HSFY programme. Unsuccessful Applications If a student is unsuccessful in gaining entry to a professional programme after completing HSFY he or she may be eligible to reapply under another category in the future. See pages 6, 7 and 9 for details.

Checklist
Completed on-line application form. Signed and dated declaration(s). Completed Immunity Status Form (if not already provided during the year), included as part of the HSFY information Manual booklet January 2007. First Aid Certificate (Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine & Physiotherapy only). Mori sub-category (see form A). NZRPO sub-category (see form B). New Zealand Rural Origins - Medicine only (see form C). UMAT ID number (Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine & Physiotherapy). Please note As a returning student you must complete a university registration form for 2008 by 20 December 2007. Your first choice of programme should be noted as your programme of study for 2008 and your second choice should be entered in the alternative course field.

SECOND YEAR OF UNIVERSITY STUDY

Applications for admission under the Second Year of University Study category will not be accepted from students currently enrolled in another professional programme, namely Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, Dental Therapy, Dental Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Radiation Therapy, Medicine, Oral Health, Pharmacy and Physiotherapy. Unsuccessful applicants from the HSFY programme will be considered for entry into Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy and Physiotherapy following the completion of a second year of relevant New Zealand university study. Applicants need to pass all the HSFY papers and be enrolled in a relevant 200-level programme of study. The Admissions Committees will count the best 126 points achieved in each year of study. Medicine does not accept applications from this category. Specific details for admission to relevant professional programmes follow.

Dentistry
Applicants will be considered for entry into Dentistry in this category if they have completed two or more years of study at a university in New Zealand, as well as the equivalent of the papers prescribed for the HSFY, with a B (70%) Grade Point Average (Otago equivalent) or better. The second-year papers should be in the broad category of biological sciences and must be approved by a Dental Adviser of Studies (dentistry@otago.ac.nz) at the beginning of semester one. Candidates will need to have a current UMAT (see page 3) score. Applicants who reach the academic and UMAT thresholds will be offered an Oral Assessment/Interview. Candidates will not be invited for an Oral Assessment/Interview unless they achieve a score above the 25th percentile in all of the three (3) UMAT sections. Those on the same interview score will be ranked according to their overall UMAT percentile.

Medical Laboratory Science

Applicants need to pass all the HSFY papers and be enrolled in a 200-level programme of study. A Grade Point Average (Otago equivalent) of B (70%) achieved throughout both years of study is required, along with a current UMAT score that is above the 25th percentile in all of the three (3) UMAT sections.

Pharmacy
Applicants need to pass all the HSFY papers and be enrolled in a 200-level programme of study. Admission is competitive and based solely on Grade Point Average achieved throughout both years of study.

Physiotherapy
Applicants need to pass all the HSFY papers and be enrolled in a 200-level programme of study. A Grade Point Average (Otago equivalent) of B- (65%) achieved throughout both years of study is required, along with a current UMAT score that is above the 25th percentile in all of the three (3) UMAT sections. Applicants who reach the academic and UMAT thresholds will be offered an Oral Assessment/Interview. Candidates will not be invited for an Oral Assessment/Interview unless they achieve a score above the 25th percentile in all of the three (3) UMAT sections. Those on the same interview score will be ranked according to their overall UMAT percentile.

Checklist
(Applicable to Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy and Physiotherapy only) Completed on-line application form. Signed and dated declaration(s). Immunity Status Form (see form D). First Aid Certificate (Medical Laboratory Science and Physiotherapy). Mori sub-category (see form A). NZRPO sub-category (see form B). UMAT ID number (Dentistry Medical Laboratory Science and Physiotherapy). Please note You must complete a university registration form for 2008. For details phone 0800 80 80 98. Transferring 10 December 2007 Returning 20 December 2007

COMPETITIVE GRADUATE
To gain entry in the Competitive Graduate category, applicants must have completed, in the minimum academic time and within three years of the date of application, the requirements of a first degree awarded by a university in New Zealand at an academic level to be determined by the Admissions Committees from year to year. All other applicants who have completed a degree and do not meet the above requirements are considered under the Alternative category (Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy) or the Other category (Medicine). All applicants in the Competitive Graduate category are ranked on the basis of a score derived from the grades achieved in their first degree. Applicants who have completed an honours degree immediately following a first degree will have their honours grades included in the calculation. The score for candidates from each university in New Zealand is calculated from a numerical value assigned to the grades scored. This numerical value is then multiplied by the point value of the paper and by a university factor that compensates for differences between universities in their degree structures. Scoring is based on the best 126 points (equivalent to Otago) in each year of study. If you are a student doing a degree at another university it would be to your advantage to ensure that each year of your course is at least equal to an Otago 126-point course. A weighting factor is applied for each year of university study. For example, the weighting factors for a three-year degree see the first year score multiplied by 0.5, the second year score by 1.0 and the third year score by 1.5. Pre-requisites All graduates who are offered a place in second-year classes in Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine, Pharmacy and Physiotherapy must have completed the prescribed papers for the University of Otago Health Sciences First Year course or an acceptable equivalent. If graduates have not completed the required papers by the time they apply, those who gain a place in second year Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine, Pharmacy or Physiotherapy will have that place reserved for one year while they complete the pre-requisite papers. When the Admissions Committees offer a place, the student will be advised which papers he or she must complete, as well as the grades that must be attained. Applicants who have not completed the prescribed papers for the University of Otago HSFY programme, or an acceptable equivalent, will not be considered for entry into Dentistry. For Competitive Graduate entry, the Admissions Committees treat all degrees equally, giving no preference to any particular degree type or subject (although students must have passed any necessary pre-requisite papers). However, the Committees strongly advise all students to complete a degree that will be of most value to them personally in case he/she does not succeed in gaining a place in a Health Sciences professional programme. Specific details for admission to relevant professional programmes follow.

Dentistry
Candidates must have completed a degree awarded by a university in New Zealand, with a B (70%) Grade Point Average (Otago equivalent) or better, and have completed the HSFY papers (or equivalents). The scoring will be determined as described in paragraphs two and three above. In addition, candidates must have a current UMAT score that is above the 25th percentile in all three (3) UMAT sections. Applicants who reach the academic and UMAT thresholds will be offered an Oral Assessment/Interview. Candidates will not be invited for an Oral Assessment/Interview unless they achieve a score above the 25th percentile in all of the three (3) UMAT sections. Those on the same interview score will be ranked according to their overall UMAT percentile.

Medical Laboratory Science

Candidates must have completed a degree at a New Zealand university and have passed the HSFY papers (or equivalents) with a B Grade Point Average. Candidates are also required to have a current UMAT score that is above the 25th percentile in all three (3) UMAT sections. Candidates will be scored on their academic record as described in paragraphs two and three above.

Medicine
Applicants must have obtained a degree from a New Zealand university and have passed all the HSFY papers (or equivalents). A current UMAT score that is above the 25th percentile in all of the three (3) UMAT sections is also required. Applicants who reach the UMAT threshold will then be scored on their Grade Point Average as described in paragraphs two and three above.

Physiotherapy
Candidates must have completed a degree awarded by a New Zealand university with a B- (65%) Grade Point Average (Otago equivalent) or better and must have passed the HSFY papers (or equivalents). A UMAT and Oral Assessment/Interview are part of the selection criteria. Candidates will not be invited to an Oral Assessment/Interview unless they achieve above the 25th percentile in all three (3) UMAT sections. Candidates will be scored on their Grade Point Average as described in paragraphs two and three above. Those with the same Oral Assessment/Interview score will be ranked according to their Grade Point Average.

Pharmacy
Entrance is competitive and based upon the grades achieved in a degree awarded by a New Zealand university. Applicants must have passed all the HSFY papers (or equivalents). Candidates will be scored on their academic record as described in paragraphs two and three above.

Checklist
Completed on-line application form. Signed and dated declaration(s). Academic Records (transcripts) We do not require copies of Otago academic records. Result notification forms are not acceptable. Certified transcripts may be obtained from the Registrar of the relevant university. Final semester results will be obtained from your university by the Health Sciences Admissions Office in November. Failure of your university to release your final semester grades in time for Admissions Committees meetings may result in your application not being processed in the current year. Immunity Status Form (see form D). First Aid Certificate (Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine & Physiotherapy only). Mori sub category (see form A). NZRPO sub category (see form B). New Zealand Rural Origins form (see form C). UMAT ID number (Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine and Physiotherapy).

Please note You must complete a university registration form for 2008. For details phone 0800 80 80 98. Transferring 10 December 2007 Returning 20 December 2007

ALTERNATIVE CATEGORIES DENTISTRY, MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE, PHARMACY AND PHYSIOTHERAPY

The closing date for the Other Category in MEDICINE was 1 May 2007. Admission for Medicine in the Other Category for 2009 will close on 1 May 2008. A separate application form will be available from the website in February 2008. Those who do not meet the requirements for entry in any of the other main categories, namely the University of Otago Health Sciences First Year, Second Year of University Study or Competitive Graduate may apply in this category. To gain entry under Alternative Categories, a candidate must meet one or more of the following criteria: a) be a graduate of a University in New Zealand more than three years ago b) be a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent resident who has completed a degree at an overseas University.

Dentistry
All applicants to Dentistry in the Alternative Category must have passed the equivalent of all papers prescribed for the University of Otago Health Sciences First Year and have achieved a minimum academic standard determined by the Dental Admissions Committee, usually a B average (University of Otago equivalent) across all papers, and have a current UMAT result. Applicants who reach the academic and UMAT thresholds will be offered an Oral Assessment/Interview. Candidates will not be invited for an Oral Assessment/Interview unless they achieve a score above the 25th percentile in all of the three (3) UMAT sections. Those on the same interview score will be ranked according to their overall UMAT percentile. Applications will not be considered from Diploma of Dental Therapy or Diploma of Dental Hygiene graduates. These graduates have the opportunity to upgrade to a Bachelor of Health Sciences. Students with a Bachelor of Health Sciences endorsed in Dental Therapy or Dental Hygiene, who have fulfilled the requirements, should apply in the Competitive Graduate category.

Pharmacy
All applicants to Pharmacy in the Alternative Category must have passed the equivalent of all papers prescribed for the University of Otago Health Sciences First Year and have achieved a minimum academic standard determined by the Pharmacy Admissions Committee, usually a B average (University of Otago equivalent) across all papers. Applications will be considered from Allied Health Professionals who hold a relevant tertiary qualification (e.g. a qualified Pharmacy Technician) and have completed not less than five years of full-time work in that allied health profession. Applicants may be required to attend an interview.

Physiotherapy
All applicants to Physiotherapy in the Alternative Category must have passed the equivalent of all papers prescribed for the University of Otago Health Sciences First Year and have achieved a minimum academic standard determined by the Physiotherapy Admissions Committee, usually a B average (University of Otago equivalent) across all papers and have a current UMAT result Applications will be considered from candidates with health-related experience of not less than five years in that profession, of which at least two years must have been in New Zealand. Applicants who reach the academic and UMAT thresholds will be offered an Oral Assessment/Interview. Candidates will not be invited for an Oral Assessment/Interview unless they achieve a score above the 25th percentile in all of the three (3) UMAT sections. There will be no further weighting based on Grade Point Average. Eligible candidates will be ranked on the basis of UMAT and an Oral Assessment/Interview.

Medical Laboratory Science

All applicants to Medical Laboratory Science in the Alternative Category must have passed the equivalent of all papers prescribed for the University of Otago Health Sciences First Year and have achieved a minimum academic standard determined by the Medical Laboratory Science Admissions Committee, usually a B average (University of Otago equivalent) across all papers and have a current UMAT result. Applications will be considered from appropriately qualified laboratory scientists and technicians and others who have appropriate health-related experience with not less than five years in that profession, of which at least two years must have been in New Zealand. Applicants may be required to attend an interview.

Checklist
Items required for all applications made under Alternative Categories Completed on-line application form. Signed and dated declaration(s). Curriculum Vitae. Certified copies of Bursary Examination, Sixth Form Certificate and School Certificate. If unavailable, please provide as many details as possible. Certified copy of academic records (transcripts) of all university study (including extramural and incomplete courses). Result notification forms are not acceptable. Certified transcripts can be obtained from the Registrar of the relevant university. Applications will not be processed if complete academic transcripts are not attached.

A copy of your birth certificate or passport. A short statement outlining the reasons for wanting to enter the course headed: Statement of reasons for wanting to enter [the name of the programme]. This must be on one A4 page and include your name. Names, addresses and (if available) email contacts of three people who may be contacted for a confidential reference. First Aid Certificate (Medical Laboratory Science and Physiotherapy only). Immunity Status Form (see form D). Mori sub-category (see form A). NZRPO sub-category (see form B). UMAT ID number (Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science and Physiotherapy).

Please note You must complete a university registration form for 2008. For details phone 0800 80 80 98. Transferring 10 December 2007 Returning 20 December 2007

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Sub-Categories
MORI Form A
Applicants wishing to be considered under the Mori sub-category must indicate this at the time of application by ticking the Mori sub-category box on the application form and completing Form A. Successful applicants from the Mori sub-category are required to attend a mihiwhakatau (greeting) at the commencement of classes in Dunedin. Whanau are welcome and encouraged to attend.

NEW ZEALAND RESIDENT PACIFIC ORIGINS (NZRPO) Form B

Applicants wishing to be considered under the NZRPO sub-category must indicate this at the time of application by ticking the NZRPO sub-category box on the application form, completing Form B and attaching a copy of their birth certificate.

NEW ZEALAND RURAL ORIGINS MEDICINE ONLY Form C

The New Zealand Government has agreed to fund extra places in the Faculty of Medicine specifically focused towards those seeking medical careers in rural practice. Applicants wishing to have their New Zealand Rural Origins status (Medicine only) considered with their application must indicate this at the time of application by ticking the New Zealand Rural Origins sub-category box on the application form and completing Form C. In order to qualify as a New Zealand Rural Origins student, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria: 1. Have undertaken a significant portion of their pre-secondary education whilst living in a rural area of New Zealand. 2. Have spent at least three years at a secondary school in a rural area of New Zealand. 3. Any reasonable interpretation of the above. The New Zealand Government has determined that for the purposes of these clauses a rural area includes those towns in New Zealand with a population of 20,000 or less. Those applicants successful in gaining a place in the professional classes in Medicine under the New Zealand Rural Origins sub-category may be required to complete a part of their of training in a rural area within New Zealand. This training will be at the same standard as the rest of the medical course. Students will not be bonded after graduation nor will the inclusion of the rural training increase the length of the programme.

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professional courses

professional courses

CONTACT DETAILS

COURIER ADDRESS

Health Sciences Admissions Office Division of Health Science PO Box 647 Dunedin 9054 New Zealand Fax +64 3 479 5058 Email health-sciences@otago.ac.nz

Health Sciences Admissions Office Division of Health Science 4th Floor, Physiotherapy Building 325 Great King Street Dunedin 9054 New Zealand

The information in this Guidelines booklet is accurate at the time of publication. Applicants should read the appropriate regulations in the University of Otago Calendar or on the website: www.otago.ac.nz/courses/qualifications