The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) at the University of Otago is a professionally accredited medical degree that prepares students for registration and practice as doctors. It suits applicants seeking a rigorous, clinically focused programme with opportunities for early patient contact, research, and placements across urban and rural New Zealand settings.
The MB ChB syllabus combines biomedical science with progressive clinical experience. Early years cover foundational topics such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, cell biology and pathology, together with clinical skills, communication and professional development. As you progress you will study pharmacology, clinical examination, diagnostic reasoning, evidence-based medicine, medical ethics, public health and Māori and Pacific health.
Clinical training takes place in tertiary and regional hospitals and community settings and includes core rotations in general medicine, surgery, paediatrics, emergency medicine, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynaecology, and general practice. The programme also includes skills training (simulation and procedural skills), interprofessional learning, and opportunities to undertake a scholarly project or elective placement to explore a chosen discipline in greater depth.
Selection into the MB ChB is competitive. Domestic applicants normally progress from the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) pathway or an approved equivalent, meeting the University Entrance standard and achieving a high grade point average in required science courses. Applicants are also assessed on a clinical aptitude test and participate in selection interviews. There are specific pathways and support for Māori and Pacific applicants and for candidates from rural backgrounds; international applicants should consult the university for eligibility and additional requirements. Applicants must meet the programme's fitness to practise and health screening requirements and provide evidence of immunisation as required for clinical placements.
Graduates receive a primary medical qualification that enables provisional registration and entry to the first years of postgraduate training. Common early career roles include house officer or junior doctor positions in hospitals while completing vocational training. Graduates follow diverse career paths including general practice, hospital specialities (for example internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, emergency medicine, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynaecology), rural medicine, public health, research and academic medicine. The MB ChB also provides a foundation for further postgraduate qualifications and specialist training both in New Zealand and overseas.
Otago's medical school is well established within New Zealand with strong linkages to teaching hospitals and community health services. The programme emphasises patient-centred care, cultural competence and a commitment to improving health outcomes for all populations, including Māori and Pacific peoples. Students benefit from a mix of tertiary, regional and rural clinical placements, modern simulation facilities and opportunities to engage in research and scholarship. Smaller cohort sizes and close supervision in clinical years support hands-on learning and professional mentoring throughout training.
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