27 January 2023
By email:
[FYI request #21390 email]
Dear Tania
I refer to your information request dated 25 November 2022 made under the Official Information
Act 1982. You have requested information in relation to entry to the University of Otago’s Bachelor
of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) programme via the Graduate category.
Please see below our response to your request.
Explanation of achieving a GPA higher than 9
All applicants in the Graduate category are ranked on the basis of a weighted GPA score derived
from the grades achieved in their qualifying degree. The reason why some applicants enter the MB
ChB programme via the Graduate category with a GPA over 9 has to do with how this score is
calculated. Over the past few years, the scores for candidates applying for the MB ChB via the
Graduate category have been based on the following:
• papers are given a weighted academic score and are ranked
• total points scored would be as per the requirement for the relevant degree (typically 360
points for a three-year degree)
• using the regulations for a standard three-year Otago Bachelor’s degree as an example, the
admission score would be calculated as follows, in order of preference:
o best scoring (maximum of) 120 points at 300-level
o best scoring of 200-level and 100-level papers to 360 points
o with 100-level papers weighted x 0.5, 200-level papers weighted x 1.0, and 300-level
papers weighted x 1.5
Please see the attached document (titled “Weighted GPA spreadsheet”) which shows scoring
examples and guides applicants through gaining an indication of their weighted GPA score. Please
note that the actual weighted GPA score is confirmed as part of the application process, and that
this spreadsheet is for example purposes only.
The second attached document (titled “Weighted GPA example”) shows how an applicant’s
weighted GPA can be over 9 based on the paper results in their qualifying degree. If the papers used
to calculate the weighted GPA are consistently at the A+ or A grade level, there is a higher chance
that an applicant will be close to or above a weighted GPA score of 9. Please note that this is only
one example of how an applicant’s weighted GPA score could be over 9, as there will be a number of
other combinations that will result in weighted GPA scores over 9.
Whether the degree in which the Graduate applicants have influences the decision of their
entry
We note that no preference is given to degree qualification or major subject in selecting Graduate
applicants to the MB ChB programme.
I trust that this information will be helpful. Further information on the MB ChB programme,
including the entry requirements for the Graduate category, are available onlin
e here. Yours sincerely
Kelsey Kennard
Official Information and Compliance Coordinator
Office of the Registrar
