Medical School

How is medical school structured?

Medical School is 6 years of training. In the earlier years at medical school students tend to study more theory, and in the later years work in hospital wards under the supervision of consultants. In the 6th year (Trainee Intern Year) students work in a hospital. At the end of this year students graduate and receive probationary registration.

Auckland University offers Hikitia Te Ora - Certificate in Health Sciences, a one year programme which prepares Māori and Pacific students for tertiary study in health sciences including nursing, pharmacy and medicine.

On graduating a student becomes a house officer (also known as house surgeon, or intern), and has rotations through different areas of hospital medicine and surgery (each lasting 3 months). Having completed this first house surgeon year, the house officer receives general registration with the Medical Council.

For more detailed information, visit:
Otago University Faculty of Medicine
Auckland Unversity Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences

The following diagram illustrates career paths with typical time frames and training stages.

 

What kind of support is available at medical school?

Auckland Unversity provides the Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme (MAPAS), which offer students with Māori/Pacific whakapapa/ancestry admission into and support during study within the CertHSc, Nursing, Pharmacy, Medicine and Health Sciences programmes.

MAPAS seeks to provide a supportive environment where students, their whānau and staff accept a commitment to academic achievement within a Māori/Pacific context.

Otago University has a Māori Student Support Service - Te Huka Matauraka. The service aims to recruit, support, retain and provide for the needs of Māori students with an emphasis on encouragement of participation, academic excellence and higher learning within a culturally appropriate environment.