5 June 2024
By email
: [FYI request #26653 email] Tēnā koe Viktoria
I refer to your information request dated 7 May 2024 made under the Official Information Act 1982
(the Act). You have requested information in relation to the University of Otago’s Bachelor of
Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) programme in 2024. You have requested:
“I would like to request the admission statistics for applicants to the 2024 MB ChB intake at
the University of Otago.
Could I please be provided with;
−
The minimum academic score for all offers, for each of the six categories, split by the
entry pathways (HSFY, graduate and alternate),
−
The number of offers made for each of the six categories, for each entry pathway,
−
The median academic score for all offers, for each of the six categories for each entry
pathway and,
−
The number of students admitted through each category for each entry pathway.”
Subject to the following comments, please see below the information you have requested.
• The data is correct as at 16 May 2024.
• 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 very 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
have withheld the actual number or their minimum average academic/weighted GPA scores
and indicated using “<5” (“fewer than five”). This is pursuant to section 9(2)(a) of the Act, in
order to protect the privacy of natural persons.
• Alternative category applicants are required to submit copies of academic transcripts and
attend an interview as part of the application process. However, an applicant’s academic
record (including GPA) or interview score are not on their own determining factors in whether
an applicant will be offered a place to the MB ChB programme via the Alternative category.
Assessment for entry to the MB ChB programme via the Alternative category relies on the
combined views of a number of assessors, and considers academic aptitude, motivation, life
experience, and written communication, as well as attending the interview. Accordingly, there
are no minimum acceptance scores for entry to the MB ChB programme via the Alternative
category (including the equity groups).
• We note that average academic scores across an applicant’s best seven papers in the year of
application is used for the HSFY category. Weighted GPA scores derived from the grades
achieved in the qualifying degree is used for the Graduate category. Further information on
the selection criteria for each category, including scoring, is available on the University
website at
the Medicine: Guidelines for Admission webpage.
1. The minimum and median average academic scores of those to receive offers to the 2024 MB
ChB programme via the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) category, broken down by equity
group:
MB ChB Programme, 2024
Minimum average
Median average
Category
Equity Group
academic score to
academic score to
receive an offer
receive an offer
General
89.57
91.29
Māori
70.43
82.36
Indigenous Pacific
65.43
79.00
HSFY
Socioeconomic Equity
71.57
80.43
Refugee
71.43
81.43
Rural
79.71
91.14
2. The minimum and median weighted GPA scores of those to receive offers to the 2024 MB ChB
programme via the Graduate category, broken down by equity group:
MB ChB Programme, 2024
Minimum weighted GPA
Median weighted GPA
Category
Equity Group
score to receive an offer
score to receive an offer
General
8.13
8.75
Māori
4.98
5.80
Indigenous Pacific
4.68
5.05
Graduate
Socioeconomic Equity
<5
<5
Refugee
<5
<5
Rural
5.78
7.55
3. The number of offers and admissions into the 2024 MB ChB programme, broken down by
category (Health Sciences First Year (HSFY), Graduate and Alternative) and equity group:
MB ChB Programme, 2024
Category
Equity Group
Offers
Admissions
General
138
119
Māori
48
41
Indigenous Pacific
17
15
HSFY
Socioeconomic Equity
6
<5
Refugee
13
10
Rural
28
25
MB ChB Programme, 2024
Category
Equity Group
Offers
Admissions
General
45
31
Māori
10
5
Indigenous Pacific
6
<5
Graduate
Socioeconomic Equity
<5
<5
Refugee
<5
<5
Rural
15
8
MB ChB Programme, 2024
Category
Equity Group
Offers
Admissions
General
12
10
Māori
N/A
N/A
Indigenous Pacific
<5
<5
Alternative
Socioeconomic Equity
N/A
N/A
Refugee
<5
<5
Rural
<5
<5
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
