If you’re looking for a peaceful country to study Medicine in English, then you should consider New Zealand. This oceanic country boasts of world-renowned universities and complete medical facilities. Although there are only 4 medical schools in the country, all of them accept international students. That being said, you should learn these important things about studying medicine in New Zealand before you go and apply:

As New Zealand’s largest university, the University of Auckland is also the country’s highest ranked institution as well. While academics here are of the highest standard, the school’s incredible location allows students not only to focus on their studies but explore all the country has to offer as well. With big city attractions just steps away from campus and gorgeous natural surroundings perfect for hiking and spending the afternoon at the beach just a short drive or ferry ride away, there’s always something to do!

Auckland University is a wonderful medical school offering a high quality medical degree. The process for entry is lengthy and can seem daunting at times. The aim of this blog is to help you understand the process for applying to medicine at Auckland University, including how your application will be assessed, what you need to do and relevant deadlines. 

High school students must complete a year of university studies before they can apply to study medicine at Auckland University. The two first year degree options are health sciences and biomedical science. 

• The MBChB is a six-year program including Year One (Part I) of the Bachelor of Health Sciences or the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science (105 points)
• In Year One (Part I) one 15-point course  is required from the General Education Schedule approved for this degree
• In Year Two (Part II) students are required to complete a core course that focuses on the basic medical and health sciences while being introduced to professional and clinical aspects of medical practice (120 points)
• In Year Three (Part III) students have two core courses: Medical Humanities and a course focussing on human health and illness (120 points)
• In Year Four (Part IV) you learn predominantly in hospital and community environments, with rotating study in a number of disciplines for 35 to 42 weeks of the year (120 points)
• In Year Five (Part V) you may apply to study on the year-long regional-rural programme (P?kawakawa) based in Whangarei and small surrounding rural environments in Northland. You are required to complete a five-week elective (120 points)
• In Year Six (Part VI) you complete an 8-week Elective. You are strongly encouraged to complete this overseas. In this year there is also the opportunity to undertake an 11-week Research Project (120 points)
• All six years must be passed in their entirety before you are permitted to graduate with the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)

Why Study MBBS in New Zealand?

• The medical council of New Zealand records over 1500 new doctors each year.
• One of the MBBS colleges in New Zealand is recommended by MCI, allowing students with an MBBS degree from the University of Auckland to practice in India.
• The MBBS universities in New Zealand offers a high quality of teaching, including smart classroom training, individual attention, advanced practical exposure, research-oriented projects and predefined exams to prepare medical subjects.
• English is the commonly taught language for studying medicine in MBBS universities in New Zealand. Thus, to study MBBS in New Zealand, English is must.
• The MBBS universities in New Zealand offer a safe learning environment to international students monitored by the universities’ internal students’ association.
• The MBBS degree from MBBS colleges in New Zealand is globally accepted. This is the reason why so many students want to study MBBS in New Zealand.
• The country has a low crime rate with a system of a world-class education.
• About 17000 doctors are practising in New Zealand, out of which 40% are from outside New Zealand.
• While applying for MBBS in New Zealand, there is a minimal admission requirement that makes the admission process convenient and straightforward.
• A university regulatory board ‘New Zealand Qualifications Authority’ warrants that the universities’ education must be of paramount state.
• Both the universities offering MBBS in New Zealand are state-sponsored.
• The University of Auckland holds 88th place in the prime 100 lists of Q.S. world university rankings.
• The doctors’ income in New Zealand is around NZ$150,000, almost five times the doctors’ take in India after MBBS.
• The country has a chief requirement for overseas medical practitioners due to the deficit of doctors.
• MBBS In New Zealand cost is moderate.
• Study MBBS in New Zealand is the right choice to study medicine abroad.
• New Zealand is the most peaceful country for medical education.
• The education system of New Zealand has a robust curriculum, advanced methodology, and the right learning environment that attracts the number of international students to study medicine in New Zealand.
• The country has a top medical institution approved by the Medical Council of India imparting quality education.
• Top MBBS universities in New Zealand offer an international standard of education with practical training in medicine.
• Medical students will get many opportunities through research and exchange programs while studying medicine in New Zealand.
• MBBS In New Zealand cost is also moderate and several scholarships are also offered.
• This is the reason why so many aspirants dream to study MBBS in New Zealand.

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)

There are two application categories for entry into MBChB.

1. First Year BHSc/BSc (Biomedical Science)
2. Graduate entry

All applicants are required to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand (UCAT ANZ) in the year of application. 

Students applying to Australian medical schools need to sit the UCAT during their final year of school (Year 13).

Selection criteria

Total scale UCAT ANZ score – 15%

University of Auckland Medical Interview – 25%

GPA – 60% 

Clinical Selection Test

Due to the impact of Covid-19 on programme entry in 2023, the Clinical Selection Test has been reintroduced. It will not be used to affect students eligibility to entry medicine. However when making interview and final offers, students semester one core courses results will be weighted against their CST results (60% CST/40% Semester 1 grade GPA)

Medical Interview Auckland University

We strongly encourage applicants to prepare for the interview, particularly since you are only given one chance to apply for medicine at Auckland University.

If you have or are expecting to receive an interview offer for the University of Auckland then you should consider attending a Medical Interview Training session. Register and secure your spot now as MedEntry only accepts a small number of students per session. 

University of Auckland Medical Interviews will take place online from 15-25 November.

Invitations to interviews will be offered to those that achived a minimum GPA of 6.0 across all eight first year courses. The invitations will be ranked based on the grades for the four core couses: BIOSCI 107, CHEM 110, MEDSCI 142, and POPLHLTH 111

The interview component comprises of 8 Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) stations. Each station has one interviewer and takes 8 minutes to complete: 2 minutes for the applicant to read and think over given scenario + 6 minutes interview.

Candidates who apply to more than one of the Part II entry professional programmes (Medicine, Optometry, Pharmacy, etc) in any one academic calendar year will only be offered one MMI. The results of the MMI will be used for all applications.

The interview panels will consist of staff members of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and invited members of the wider community.

The MMI aims to assess non-academic qualities that are considered by the faculty to be important for those wishing to pursue a career in healthcare.

Interview questions at the University of Auckland assess: 

• Fluency in oral English
• Excellent communication skills
• Resilience and adaptability in responding to challenges
• Commitment to self-reflection and life-long learning
• Ability to lead and contribute positively within groups
• Awareness of the nature of the health profession
• A strong commitment to the study and practice of health care
• Empathy, sensitivity, and enthusiasm for people and their well-being
• Social responsibility including an awareness of prevailing community needs and global health issues
• Commitment to supporting safe, inclusive, and equitable access to health care for all people in Aotearoa, New Zealand, including:
  • Māori as tangata whenua of Aotearoa
  • Pacific communities
  • LGBTQITakatāpui+ communities
  • Those living with disabilities
  • Refugees
  • Those living in material hardship/poverty
  • Multifaceted communities and cultures
  • Others experiencing inequities in society and health
• Well-rounded abilities and interests across a variety of areas

Applicants are encouraged to prepare for this interview.

Consider attending MedEntry’s Medical Interview Training: full day workshops.  Due to our impressive success rate, medical interview training with MedEntry is in very high demand. Secure your spot early to avoid missing out!  

Find details about University of Auckland medical interview questions, and University of Auckland medicine interview dates by reading more about entry requirements into Medicine at the Auckland University. 

Australian students are considered as domestic applicants in New Zealand

A reciprocal agreement between the New Zealand and Australian governments enables Australian citizens and permanent residents studying in New Zealand to be classified as domestic students for enrolment purposes (including fees).

University of Auckland Acceptance Rate

Well, the acceptance rate of the University of Auckland for overseas students is approximately 45%. In general, 4 out of every 10 students who apply there actually get admission to the university. Applicants should focus on their grades, scores in specified exams and documents to increase their chances & for a smooth admission process. 

University Of Auckland Medical School International Admissions

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university*. The Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences also provides much of the country’s health research.

International students from across the globe enrol in both our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and we also offer a great range of taught courses along with opportunities to pursue research.

We offer a supportive learning environment in modern facilities.

We hope you will join us for your career in health.

*www.topuniversities.com

Mai Al Sharaf
International Manager
Email: m.alsharaf@auckland.ac.nz

Graduate Entry to FMHS undergraduate clinical programmes for 2022 entry

The deadline for submission of final grades (either showing in Student Services Online for University of Auckland students, or sent to us by official transcript for students from other institutions) has previously been noted in the online application form for undergraduate clinical programmes as being the 30 November 2021, for 2022 entry.

Due to the continued disturbance of Covid-19 and associated lockdowns on Semester Two 2021 courses, the deadline has been extended to 5pm Monday 6 December 2021, for 2022 entry to FMHS undergraduate clinical programmes.

Applicants who are concerned that they still may not meet this new deadline are encouraged to contact us by email as soon as possible, via fmhs@auckland.ac.nz.

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)

MBChB applicants are selected on the basis of academic merit, UCAT ANZ performance and personal qualities exhibited during the admission interview (MMI).

There are two application categories for entry into the MBChB:

1. First year entry: First year applicants may apply from either the BHSc or BSc (Biomedical Science) at the University of Auckland

2. Graduate entry

For more information on application categories and selection criteria see: Entry requirements for MBChB.

UCAT ANZ (University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand)

All MBChB applicants (except international graduates) are required to sit the UCAT ANZ in the year of application to MBChB.

UCAT ANZ is not required for BMedImag(Hons), BOptom, BPharm, MAud or MHSc NUDI applications.

Scholarships

There are a range of faculty based scholarships available to
international students coming to study at FMHS.  Find out more about our
scholarships here:

• Deans International Doctoral Scholarship (FMHS)
• Graduate Entry MBChB International Student Scholarship
• Master of Health Leadership Scholarship
• School of Medical Sciences International Masters Scholarship

• Available spaces in medicineIn 2021, there will be 257 places for domestic students and up to 30 places for international students available in the MBChB programme. These…
• Reasons for not getting medical school interviewWe aim to interview approximately twice as many eligible candidates as there are places available in the programme.    The GPA cut off for…
• Applying to MBChB from BSc in Biomedical ScienceFirst Year entry   For the First Year entry, if you are intending to apply for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), you…
• Medicine, Optometry and Pharmacy interview datesInterviews usually take place during the last two weeks of November. For current information on interview dates, please check the Faculty…
• Preparation courses for medicineThe Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences does not endorse in any way courses offered by providers outside the University of Auckland that purport…
• International application for medicineInternational applicants may compete for a limited number of places in the MBChB programme. There are two admission categories for international…
• MBChB Year 2 lecture dates 2018The first week of the MBChB Year 2 lectures begins at 9am on Monday 19 February with an introduction to the programme. A timetable of other…
• UMAT testing changed to UCATUMAT (Undergraduate Medicine Admission Test) has been replaced by UCAT, the University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand…
• Late applicationsApplications to the University of Auckland must be received no later than the published closing date. Applications received after the closing date…
• Change from Biomedical Science to different majorIf you are majoring in Biomedical Science and want to change your major or programme, you will need to contact your faculty directly to discuss this…

new zealand medical school requirements international students

It is the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery qualification (MBChB). International applicants must have completed relevant courses in health sciences, biomedical sciences or similar before applying. The First Year BHSc or BSc in Biomedical Science is a prerequisite for domestic students.

university of auckland medical school acceptance rate

Of between 1500 to 2000 students from around the country who meet the rank score and sit first-year premed in Auckland, only approximately 6 to 8% of these students will be accepted into medical school.