The Bachelor of Science (BSc) at the University of Otago is a three-year undergraduate degree that enables students to develop their interests in a science subject (science major) and related subjects. 

In addition, students have the flexibility to combine their major subject with other science subjects, as well as topics from different disciplines across the University.

The inside story.

Anatomy – you can’t leave home without it. It’s with you everywhere you go. It holds you together; it controls what you think and do, and it enables you to run, jump, and play.

So as you might expect, there is more to studying Anatomy than immediately meets the eye.

Cell biology, neurobiology, clinical and functional anatomy, body systems, reproductive biology, developmental biology, and biological anthropology exist.

The University of Otago is the only New Zealand university to offer a bachelor’s degree majoring in Anatomy. 

You have the opportunity to explore the traditional approaches to studying Anatomy and use the latest techniques and hi-tech equipment to explore the human body at all levels of its structure: from single cells to multi-organ systems.

Why study Anatomy?

Anatomy is a diverse, vibrant, and visual subject. 

It explores the relationship between the structure of the body and the functions it performs and can be studied from microscopic to macroscopic levels.

Some of the things you will learn include:

• How the body develops from just a single cell to an individual with millions of cells organized into many different tissues and organ systems.
• How the desire to move is transmitted from the brain to the muscles.
• You can tell the age of a person when they died just by looking at their bones.
• What changes occur when we develop from child to adult.
• How our brains control what we think, how we feel, and what we do.
• How the reproductive system functions.
• Using skeletal remains to track ancient people's movement, culture, and health.

Studying papers in Anatomy will expose you to world-leading research in the anatomical sciences. 

You will learn immunohistochemistry, cell culture, and gene sequencing techniques and access state-of-the-art equipment such as electron and confocal microscopes and next-generation sequencing technology.

• Academic Transcripts
• Educational Credential Evaluators report (ECE) (If required)
• Proof of your identity (Full name, date of birth, and nationality)
• Certified/notarised copy (passport or birth certificate)
• English Language Proficiency (If Available)

Undergraduate entrance requirements

The university recognizes many other qualifications as equivalent to the New Zealand qualification for entrance. 

To check if the university recognizes your previous studies, determine the country where you gained the qualification. Countries entrance requirements example:

China entrance requirements:

Senior High School graduation and one year of successful study at a recognized institution of university standing; 
Or Senior High School graduation and completion of a diploma with high passing grades at a recognized institute or university.

Students with the requisite scores in Gaokao may be given direct entry to bachelor degree programme.

India entrance requirements:

Minimum overall average of 75% in the All India Senior School Examination (CBSE) or Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) with a minimum of 70% in English.

The scores are calculated on the best four academic subjects excluding local languages and non-academic subjects.

Iran entrance requirements:

One year of successful study at a recognized institution of university standing, or successful completion of a University of Otago Foundation Year programme or equivalent.

The university also accepts the following international qualifications:

• International Baccalaureate: IB Diploma with a minimum of 24 points.
• Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) GCE Advanced Levels: minimum Numerical Score of 8.
• Northern Consortium United Kingdom (NCUK) International Foundation Year (IFY)
• Satisfactory completion of one year's study at a recognized tertiary institution.

Background required

You don’t need any particular subjects to get into the first-year papers that lead into Anatomy. 

However, because these papers are biologically oriented, it is helpful to have completed Year 13 Biology and Chemistry.

Pathway programme

Study in your chosen subject area and gain a university entrance qualification

The University of Otago Pathway programme offers a university entrance qualification within two 13-week semesters for domestic and international students. It is called the Foundation Studies Certificate (FSC).