- Where
- New Zealand
- Courses
- Medicine
- Interview
- Not for most categories
- Rules shown
- 2027 entry
Applying for 2028 entry?
This page sets out the rules for entry in 2027, which used the 2026 test. Universities usually publish the next year's rules in the first half of the year. Most carry over with small changes, so this is a sound guide to what to expect, but read Otago's own pages before you apply.
Courses
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, six years including Health Sciences First Year.
- Years 2 and 3 are in Dunedin, and the final three years in Dunedin, Christchurch or Wellington.
How Otago uses the UCAT
- A UCAT result from the year you apply, in all four subtests.
- Thresholds set for 2026: Verbal Reasoning at the 20th percentile or higher, and Situational Judgement at the 10th percentile or higher. The university says thresholds for the other subtests may be added later.
- Once the thresholds are met, the UCAT carries no weight. Selection is then decided on academic score.
Published scores and cut-offs
University of Otago does not publish UCAT cut-offs on the pages we checked. Scores and percentiles shows where a total sits among all candidates.
School results and subjects
- All seven set Health Sciences First Year papers, taken at Otago in the year you apply.
- Every paper passed, with an average of at least 65%.
The interview
- No interview is stated for the Health Sciences First Year category.
How to apply
- Apply directly to the university.
- For 2027 entry, applications from Health Sciences First Year students ran from 1 July to 13 August 2026.
The UCAT is booked separately from your university application, months earlier. See the UCAT dates and fees.
Places
- About 322 domestic places across all categories for 2027.
Rural, Indigenous and other entry pathways
- Equity pathways for Māori, Pacific, rural-origin, refugee-background and lower socioeconomic applicants.
- Graduate and Alternative entry categories.
Also worth knowing
- Otago's dentistry course no longer uses the UCAT.
What this means for your preparation
Whatever the weighting, a higher UCAT total widens your options, because most applicants apply to more than one university. Start with the twelve-week plan, and try the free practice questions to see where you stand.
Other universities in New Zealand
- University of Auckland: Medicine
All universities that use the UCAT
Official sources
Dates, fees and entry rules change every year. Always confirm them on the official page before you act on them.