Course details

Summary

The MMedSc degree is a one-year full-time (or part-time equivalent) research degree involving a supervised investigation in a branch of medical science. A candidate shall normally follow a programme of study for the equivalent of not less than one year of full-time study and not more than two years of full-time study. Exceptions shall be permitted only with the approval of the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences).

Applicants should check their eligibility for admission with the Manager of the Otago Medical School. If eligible, applicants should then approach a department of the Otago Medical School (i.e. from the University of Otago Wellington, the University of Otago Christchurch, the Dunedin School of Medicine or the School of Biomedical Sciences) in order to discuss their proposed topic and to secure supervisors and a supporting department. If a department can provide the necessary support and supervision for the candidate to carry out his/her research the candidate may proceed to the online application process.

With the application, brief outlines of the proposed area of study and project approach are required:

• Background: This should provide a very brief description of the purpose of the study.
• Proposed Methods: Brief detail of the methodological approaches should be provided. This should include patient recruitment where relevant, sample collection, types of analyses to be performed etc.
• Analysis of Results: A brief description of the proposed methods for analysing/summarising the data acquired as a result of the study.
• Potential Outcomes of the Study and Future Relevance: This section should provide a brief description of possible outcomes of the study, and the potential scientific and health implications for the future.

A thesis is submitted. This in-depth study by the medical graduate is often the first step towards a higher degree; e.g. a PhD and a research/academic career

Structure of the Programme

The degree will be awarded upon the submission of a satisfactory thesis embodying the results of a supervised investigation in a branch of medical science.

The topic of the thesis and the supervisors of the research shall be approved by the Academic Board of the Otago Medical School.

The research should be of a kind that a diligent and competent student should complete within one year of full-time study.

Entry criteria

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) on the advice of the Academic Board of the Otago Medical School, which must be satisfied that the applicant has the ability and experience to proceed to the programme.
Every applicant must have fulfilled one of the following conditions:

• have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Medical Science (prior to 2001) or to the degree of Bachelor of Medical Science with Honours;
• have been admitted to the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of a university in New Zealand or hold an equivalent medical qualification approved by the Academic Board of the Otago Medical School;
• have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Academic Board of the Otago Medical School.

English Language Requirements: IELTS - Score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); Internet-based TOEFL Score of 95 with a minimum writing score of 22.; Paper-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 587 (TWE 4.5); Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 64 with no communicative skills score below 57; University of Otago Foundation Studies Ltd: Completion of 'English for Postgraduate Academic Purposes' with a grade of C or higher.