Admission requirements to study medicine in New Zealand
The applicants who want to study medicine in New Zealand must first take a pre-medicine course, such as physics, chemistry, biology, and English. Depending on the person’s grade point average in this course (GPA score), the person’s eligibility or ineligibility to enter medical courses is determined. International applicants need to take medical-related courses, including health sciences, biomedical sciences, or similar courses before applying to study medicine in this country. The applicants must take the Undergraduate Medicine Admission Test (UMAT) before July, for which they must register in June. The score of this test determines your eligibility to study medicine. People applying from countries where English is not their first language must provide an English language certificate (IELTS certificate). They require a minimum language score of IELTS 7.5, and the score of each skill should not be less than 7. People with previous education in New Zealand do not need a language certificate. Medical studies in New Zealand take about six years. In the first year, the person passes general courses. In the third year, the students can work on real patients in the hospital. Their internship begins in the fourth year. At the end of the fifth year, students must take an exam. If the student passes the exam, one can enter the 6th year. Medical students in their final year of internship at the hospital will receive a salary of 27,000 New Zealand dollars per year.
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Medical universities in New Zealand
There are major universities in New Zealand with worldwide rankings below 500. Many international students want to study at these high- level universities. You can see a list of six universities in New Zealand that offer medical courses and their rank in the world in the following table. These courses are also offered in English.
| University name in English | World ranking |
| Massey University | 501 |
| Auckland University of Technology | 301 |
| University of Canterbury | 301 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | 401 |
| University of Otago | 201 |
| University of Auckland | 201 |
Documents required for medical admission in New Zealand
The applicant must prepare specific documents to be accepted to a New Zealand university in the field of medicine. The qualifications required for admission to New Zealand Medical University are as follows.
- Completed application form for university admission
- Translation of university degrees of previous levels if the person is applying for postgraduate courses
- Offering a 3-year high school diploma and a pre-university course or a 4-year high school diploma
- NCEA at level 3
- Educational Credential Evaluators Report – ECE
- Provide identification documents including full name, date of birth, and nationality
Besides these documents, the applicant must provide a copy of one’s passport or identification document in English (physically).
- Provide English language certificate with the required score in international exams
Medical education expenses in New Zealand
The cost of medical education for international students is between 32,000 and 78,000 New Zealand dollars. This fee varies depending on the requested degree. The expenses for different medical courses and medical-related disciplines are listed in the table below.
| Undergraduate tuition fee | |
| Medical sciences, pharmacy, and statistics | 8,200 New Zealand dollars |
| Dentistry and medicine | 27,000 New Zealand dollars |
| Physiotherapy in the second and third years | 7,061 New Zealand Dollars |
| The final year of physiotherapy | 8,240 New Zealand Dollars |
Study in other medical disciplines in New Zealand
Apart from studying medicine in New Zealand, there are specific requirements for people who want to study in New Zealand in different fields of medical sciences such as pharmacy, dentistry, and nursing. We will discuss these fields in the following.
- Study pharmacy in New Zealand
Students study chemistry-related topics in biological applications, including disease treatment and prevention. Undergraduate pharmacy courses consist of several courses with 15 units and a total of 360 units, which you can see in the table below.
| Fundamentals of Biochemistry 106 and Global Chemistry 110 | 15 points |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology204 | 15 points |
| Biology (cellular processes) 107 points and body systems 142 points | 30 points |
| Pharmacology 319 and Pharmacokinetics 318 | 30 points |
| Biochemistry 203 and body mechanisms 203 Physiology of body systems 205 and Helium nerves 206 points | 30 points |
| Brain and body pharmacy 320 integrated pharmacy 399 | 15 points |
- Study dentistry in New Zealand
Dentistry is a critical part of health services in New Zealand. Those who study dentistry in New Zealand will have a good job position after graduation. New Zealand dental education includes general dentistry, dental surgeon, implant logistics, and oral hygiene. Dentistry and its subsets are offered in undergraduate and graduate courses.
- Study nursing in New Zealand
Studying nursing in New Zealand is available in the nursing programs of a New Zealand Polytechnic or Technology Institute registered in the NZQA Level Five program. The student will receive a diploma approved by the New Zealand Nursing Council. Therefore, a person can become a registered nurse in this country. A person applying to study in New Zealand is allowed to benefit from the most up-to-date services and facilities of New Zealand hospitals. Nursing education in New Zealand takes three years. During these three years, the applicant spends 1300 hours of clinical training and acquires the necessary experimental skills. These three years consist of six semesters, after which the individual will receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing. After receiving a nursing license, the applicant can register as a nurse with the New Zealand Nursing Council.
Obtaining a New Zealand student visa
The applicant must first apply to a New Zealand Medical University. The student visa in New Zealand is a long-term visa. The documents required for a New Zealand student visa are listed below.
- Student visa application form
- Two photos
- Passport
- University Admission Letter
- Documents related to the person’s place of residence in New Zealand
- Certificate of no criminal record
- Health certificate
- A valid and credible English language degree with the required grade
- Documents related to marriage, divorce, or the death of a spouse, if any.
Working after studying medicine in New Zealand
People studying medicine in New Zealand with a student visa can reside in this country for two years after completing their studies to acquire the necessary medical skills and then return to their home country. In case one wishes to work in New Zealand after completing this two-year course, one must submit one’s application to NZREX. It is not possible to apply for a job while studying.
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