11 April 2024
By email
: [FYI request #26015 email]
Tēnā koe NA
I refer to your information request dated 6 March 2024 made under the Official Information Act 1982
(the Act). Your request was for the following information:
“I have recently become aware of potential changes to the admissions requirement for the MBChB
from HSFY entry in regards to a new interview requirement and additional allocated places from
multiple sources associated with the university. Therefore I am making an OIA request for
clarification and confirmation of the following:
1. Whether there is a new interview requirement for entry into the MBChB program for the
academic year 2024.
2. If such a requirement exists, please specify the structure of the interview (panel/MMI etc.).
3. The total number of additional places allocated for HSFY general category admission to
MBChB, if applicable for 2024.”
I note that by email dated 12 March 2024, you clarified your request to be in relation to “potential
changes regarding MBChB intake of the academic year 2025 from HSFY in this current year 2024.” This
was following our email of 8 March 2024 requesting clarification of your request.
Please see below our response to your request.
1. Whether there is a new interview requirement for entry into the MB ChB programme for the
academic year 2024
There is no new interview requirement for entry to the 2025 MB ChB programme via the HSFY
category, or any other category of admission. On that basis, we decline this part of your request
pursuant to section 18(g) of the Act, as the information requested is not held by the University.
The only category for which there is an interview requirement for entry to the MB ChB programme is
the Alternative category. The present interview requirement for the Alternative category will remain
the same as in previous years for entry to the 2025 MB ChB programme.
2. If such a requirement exists, please specify the structure of the interview (panel/MMI etc.)
Not applicable, as there is no new interview requirement for entry to the 2025 MB ChB programme via
the HSFY category, or any other category of admission.
As noted above, applicants to the University’s MB ChB programme via the Alternative category may be
required to attend an interview. Candidate selection via this category is a two-stage process.
Candidates are selected for interview based on academic achievements, statement of interest, and CV.
Not all applicants will be selected for an interview. Eligible applicants are reviewed by a panel of at
least four trained reviewers independently. At interview, topics covered include academic
achievement, other achievements, commitment to a career change, communication skills, knowledge
of the New Zealand health system, and understanding of the profession. As noted earlier in our
response, the present interview requirement for the Alternative category will remain the same as in
previous years for entry to the 2025 MB ChB programme.
3. The total number of additional places allocated for HSFY general category admission to MB
ChB, if applicable for 2024
There is no set number of places available for entry to the MB ChB programme via the HSFY general
category. Therefore, we decline providing this information pursuant to section 18(g) of the Act, on the
basis that the information requested is not held by the University.
We note that approximately 70% of candidates come from the HSFY category (including the general
category and all equity groups), 20% come from the Graduate category (including the general category
and all equity groups), and 10% come from the Alternative category (including the general category
and all equity groups). However, and as noted above, actual numbers are cohort dependent and there
is no exact fixed number of places available for each category or equity group.
I trust that this information will be helpful.
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
