Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) degree is commonly referred to as the “medical degree”. University of Otago medical students graduate as doctors committed to high-quality, patient-centred, evidence-based medical care.

School leavers enrol at Otago for the common Health Sciences First Year course and then apply for admission to second year medicine. Graduates, or those with relevant academic or professional experience, can also apply for admission at second year.

If accepted to second year medicine, students complete a further five years, then after graduation work for another year under probation in order to gain general registration.

There is a wide range of specialisation available in the public and private sectors, involving research, academic medicine, public health, clinical medicine and other areas. Specialties include Cardiology, Oncology, Paediatrics, Psychological Medicine, Surgery, Pathology, Public Health, General Practice and many others. Most doctors complete postgraduate training in their chosen specialty.

Medicine is a respected, rewarding, and truly international career.

More detailed information about the MB ChB can be found on the Otago Medical School website:

• Otago Medical School website

Saudi Arabia 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.

A recognised institution is generally a college or university that is listed in the World Higher Education Database.

International Baccalaureate

A completed IB Diploma with a minimum of 24 points

If taken in New Zealand: you must also satisfy literacy and numeracy requirements by completing English as the language at Higher or Standard level in Language A: literature, or Language A: language and literature, or at Higher level in Language B, together with any mathematics subject.

If taken outside New Zealand you may meet the literacy requirement through an approved alternative as outlined on our English Language requirements page.

Pearson Edexcel International A levels

You must obtain:

• a minimum of 120 points on the New Zealand Tariff at A or AS level from any syllabus groups, which are broadly equivalent to those in the list of approved subjects for NCEA; and
• a D grade or better in syllabuses from at least three different syllabus groups (excluding Thinking Skills).

If taken in New Zealand, you must also satisfy literacy and numeracy requirements, by either:

• gaining an E grade or better in AS English Language or Literature in English; and a D grade or better in IGCSE Mathematics, or a pass in any Mathematics at AS level.
• as prescribed for university entrance with NCEA.

If taken outside New Zealand, you may meet the literacy requirement through an approved alternative as outlined on our English Language requirements page.

IELTS (Academic module) (including IELTS Online) : Overall score of 6.0, no individual band below 5.5

TOEFL iBT : Overall score of 80 and a writing score of 20 The University of Otago TOEFL institution code is 9483 (Please note we do not accept MyBest TOEFL scores)

Pearson Test of English ( PTE ) Academic : Overall score of 50 with no communicative skills score below 42

Duolingo English Test : Overall score of 105 (with no Individual Subscore below 95)