11 April 2024
By email:
[FYI request #26071 email]
Tēnā koe MA
I refer to your information request dated 9 January 2024 made under the Official Information Act 1982
(the Act). You have requested the following information:
“I am requesting further clarification regarding the implications of the 'minimum academic time'
rule for students who have transferred to a different degree during their undergraduate study.
For example, a student has completed 3 years of a 4-year degree, but decided to transfer to a
different 3-year degree, and had only their first year of studies cross-credited - which means that
they need to complete the 2nd and 3rd year of the new degree in order to graduate. If the
student has been studying full-time throughout the whole period of their university studies (i.e.
no leaves/withdrawal), are they still eligible for the graduate entry category?”
To be considered for admission in the Graduate category to the University of Otago’s Bachelor of
Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) programme, applicants, must have completed, in the
minimum academic time and within three years of the date of application to the programme, the
requirements of a degree awarded by a university in New Zealand. No preference is given to degree
qualification or major subject, and the qualifying degree is the first university degree awarded to the
applicant. The intent of “minimum academic time” is that an applicant continues to progress their
degree and completes their programme without taking a break from study (e.g., withdrawing for a
semester or a year). This applies to students studying both full- and part-time.
With regards to your request for confirmation of whether the example you have provided would be
considered within the minimum academic time for the purposes of entering the MB ChB programme via
the Graduate category, we need to decline this part of your request pursuant to section 18(g) of the Act
on the basis that the information requested is not held by the University. We note that we are not
required to generate an opinion or explanation in order to respond to a request for information under
the Act. The information you have requested is not held by the University, and therefore the University
would need to generate an opinion, or create information, in order to respond. We urge that current and
prospective students check their degree plan with a student adviser through
AskOtago, in order to
receive accurate advice based on their personal circumstances.
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.
Yours sincerely
Kelsey Kennard
Official Information and Compliance Coordinator
Office of the Registrar