Bring science to life

Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) is a foundation year for five of the University of Otago’s health professional programs and is also an excellent way to begin your degree in biological or biomedical sciences.

The Health Sciences First Year course is a general course designed to prepare students seeking entry into any one of the Health Sciences professional degrees:

• Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
• Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc)
• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB)
• Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)
• Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPhty)

Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) is a prescribed 126-point course to be completed in the first year of a student’s university study, starting in the first semester. 

The course also provides an excellent foundation for the Bachelor of Dental Technology, Bachelor of Oral Health, and Bachelor of Radiation Therapy, as well as advanced study in the biological, biomedical, and other sciences.

Students who have completed not more than one year of university study in subjects other than Health Sciences First Year compulsory papers (or equivalent) may be granted a dispensation to undertake the Health Sciences First Year. 

No student will be permitted to take an examination in a subject of the first-year course in which a pass has already been gained.

Admission to second-year classes in Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy is determined by Admissions Committees and is most commonly gained through a competitive Health Sciences First Year. 

A separate application for admission to second-year classes must be submitted no later than 15 September in the year preceding that to which access is sought.

Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) Category

All school leavers or others who have not previously attended a university or tertiary institution must seek entry to the health professional degree programs by completing the HSFY course in their first year at Otago. 

The HSFY course can be taken at Otago only.

• 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 recognises many other qualifications as equivalent to the New Zealand qualification for entrance. To check if the university recognises your previous studies, determine the country where you gained the qualification. Examples of countries entrance requirements:

China entrance requirements:

Senior High School graduation and one year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing; or Senior High School graduation and completion of a diploma with high passing grades at a recognised 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 recognised 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)
  • A minimum of CCC across the NCUK IFY,
• Satisfactory completion of one year's study at a recognised tertiary institution. A recognised institution is generally a college or university that is listed in the World Higher Education Database.

Health Sciences – Recommended Background Subjects to Year 13: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Statistics or Calculus, Language-rich.

Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) Category

All school leavers or others who have not previously attended a university or tertiary institution must seek entry to the health professional degree programmes by completing the HSFY course in their first year of study at Otago.