23 February 2024
By email
: [FYI request #25525 email]
Tēnā koe
I refer to your information request dated 25 January 2024 made under the Official Information Act
1982 (the Act). You have requested information in relation to entry to the 2024 Bachelor of
Physiotherapy (BPhty) programme at the University of Otago via the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY)
category.
Please see below our response to your request.
1. The maximum percentage scored in HSFY (2023) that was offered and accepted a place in
physiotherapy in 2024 via; 1. single programme preference, and 2. general category,
With regards to the information you have requested for the 2024 BPhty programme, the University
has not yet confirmed final numbers for its 2024 BPhty programme. This includes the highest average
academic scores to receive and accept offers to the programme under the HSFY category for Single
Programme Preference (SPP) and general applicants. The data is not known yet and will not be
finalised until March 2024 – as student offers are still ongoing. On that basis, we decline providing this
information pursuant to section 18(g) of the Act, as the information requested is not held by the
University as at today’s date. We would be happy to consider a new request from you at a later day if
you still wish to receive this information.
However, in case it is helpful, the minimum average academic score to receive an offer to the 2023
BPhty programme (i.e., enrolled in HSFY in 2022) via the HSFY category for SPP applicants was 65.29.
We are unable to provide you with the minimum average academic score to receive an offer to the
2023 BPhty programme via the HSFY general category as there were fewer than five applicants to
receive an offer via this category. It is the University’s standard practice to not report on information
where it relates to fewer than five individuals and we consider that such disclosure could affect an
individual’s privacy and wellbeing. Where the numbers are low, there is a risk that the identity of
these individuals could be determined or inferred, and that their personal information could be
revealed. Accordingly, where there are fewer than five individuals in a particular dataset, we decline
providing their average academic scores – pursuant to section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect the privacy
of natural persons.
I trust that this information will be helpful.
In the above cases, we consider that good reasons exist for withholding information, and this is not
outweighed by other considerations which would make it desirable, in the public interest, to make the
information available.
If you are not satisfied with our response to your information request, section 28(3) of the Act
provides you with the right to ask an Ombudsman to investigate and review this response. However,
we would welcome the opportunity to discuss any concerns with you first.
Ngā mihi
Kelsey Kennard
Official Information and Compliance Coordinator
Office of the Registrar