Frequently asked questions
Preparing for entry
Entry to the programme
After graduation
Preparing for entry
I left School 15 years ago at 5th form level (Year 11) and would now like to study physiotherapy – how can I prepare for a First Year Health Sciences course ?
The
Health Science First Year course includes papers on Chemistry,
Biology, Physics, English and Statistics. We strongly recommend you
undertake the bridging course offered by the University of Otago
before enrolling for
Health
Science First Year Chemistry. Contact
chemistry@otago.ac.nz to
find out about this. It is also recommended to have Physics to at
least Year 12 level, and it would be advisable to undertake Biology
and a Math's paper as well. You may wish to enrol at a Polytechnic
course or take these subjects at a high school. Apply under the
“alternative” category which will enable you to outline your experiences
and any further study undertaken since leaving school.
Do you have to take Chemistry and Physics to year 13 at high school ?
Yes, we strongly recommend that you do. To find out more about this contact health-sciences@otago.ac.nz.
Entry to the programme
What grades do I need to be accepted?
Usually you need a B average across
Health
Science First Year papers with no paper less than a C grade and
you need to have passed all papers. If you are applying under the
Year 2+ or graduate category then you need a B average over your
years of study. UMAT and the interview requirements also apply.
If I fail a Health Science First Year paper how can I apply again?
You need to pass those papers you have failed. You may apply under the Year 2+ category but you need to have undertaken Year 2 papers to make up a full time course. You may be more likely to reach the required grade point average if you complete a degree and apply as a graduate. UMAT and the interview requirements also apply.
If I apply as a graduate and am not accepted, can I apply again?
You may apply one more time under the “further” category but you would need to have undertaken some post graduate study to improve your academic score or “demonstrated some successful experience in working life”.
If I have a degree which has not included Health Science papers, will I still be admitted to Year 2 of the physiotherapy programme?
You may be granted provisional entry conditional on your satisfactory completion of prescribed Health Science First Year papers with a B grade or better, as well as the UMAT and interview requirements.
I am in my second year of another degree – can I apply for Physiotherapy under the Year 2+ category?
You may apply under Year 2+ if you have passed all the Health Science First Year papers.
Can I transfer from another Physiotherapy degree to Otago at the same level?
It is difficult to transfer from one Physiotherapy school to another because of varying structures of papers. You would need to apply for entry at Year 2 of the programme and the Admissions Committee will decide whether you should be exempt Health Science First Year from your transcript.
After graduation
Will I be able to get a job when I graduate?
There are many opportunities for work in New Zealand and
elsewhere. Before starting work you need to register to practise in
New Zealand.
Will I be able to work overseas?
Having a Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree from the University of Otago will enable you to register as a physiotherapist in many other countries such as Australia, United Kingdom and Ireland. You will have to sit an examination to be registered in countries such as Canada.
