Health Sciences First Year (HSFY)
Course details
| NZQF Level | 7 |
|---|
About the course
Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) is ideal preparation for a career in health, whether you're planning on entering one of our professional programmes or you're still exploring your options. It gives you a strong foundation in the biological sciences, unlocking a wide range of study pathways in health-related fields.
HSFY serves as the required first year of study for five of Otago's Health Sciences professional programmes:
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB)
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc)
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPhty)
Students who complete HSFY also go on to a wide range of other degrees in the Sciences and Health Sciences.
Entry requirements
Entry to Health Sciences First Year
The Health Sciences First Year programme must be your first year of tertiary study. It is subject to the same general entry requirements as general bachelors' degrees at Otago.
Recommended high school subjects
There are no subject requirements for entry into HSFY, but we strongly recommend you take chemistry, physics and calculus in Year 13, and an English-rich subject. If you haven't studied NCEA chemistry or physics, there are various ways you can upskill before starting HSFY.
Preparing to study Health Sciences First Year
General entry requirements
A university entrance qualification is essential for admission to the University of Otago for all types of programmes. You must also be at least 16 years of age by the first day of classes in your period of study and meet English language requirements.
Domestic students
You need to have met the New Zealand University Entrance standard, based on your achievement in secondary school or other prior study. Learn about the different categories for achieving University Entrance and what information you may need to provide with your application.
International students
Check recognised entry qualifications by country, and find out what documents you need to provide for a successful application.
English language requirements
All students must be proficient in the use of English. If your first language is not English, there are several ways you may provide evidence of English proficiency, including through prior secondary or tertiary study, internationally recognised English language tests, and foundation language programmes.
The level of English proficiency required for undergraduate study is equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0, with no individual band below 5.5.
For details about what is accepted as evidence of English proficiency, please refer to:
Health Sciences First Year English diagnostic
All HSFY students will be required to pass a compulsory English diagnostic in week 1 of semester 1. If you do not meet the threshold grade, you will have a second opportunity to sit the test, and if the threshold grade is not reached again, you will be required to enrol in and pass ENGL 128 in semester 2.
ENGL 128 Essentials of Communication
More information about the English Diagnostic is on the English and Linguistics Programme website:
Health Sciences First Year English Diagnostic
*This course is not available to international students.
About the provider
The University of Otago, New Zealand’s first university, was founded in 1869 and offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes with a strong emphasis on research and academic excellence. Ranked in the top 1% of universities globally and 2nd in New Zealand, it is also 214th worldwide according to QS rankings. Recognised as the top university in New Zealand for student academic performance by the Tertiary Education Commission, 96% of its graduates either enter the workforce or pursue further study shortly after graduation.
Located in Dunedin, a vibrant student city where students make up 20% of the population, the University benefits from a unique atmosphere. Dunedin, on the south-eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, is known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, featuring Victorian and Edwardian architecture, picturesque hills, and wildlife reserves.
The University’s campus is ranked the 5th most beautiful in the world by THE Student Voice, enhancing the educational experience. The Otago region offers diverse scenery and is close to popular destinations such as Queenstown. New Zealand is rated the 1st most beautiful country by Rough Guides 2024, is renowned for its natural beauty, Māori heritage, and multicultural society, providing a friendly, inclusive environment for students and residents.