Bachelor of Optometry BOptom

Option A: University of Auckland – Bachelor of Science (BSc) (Biomedical Science)

You must have completed at least one year of study (120 points) as part of the University's Bachelor of Science (BSc) (Biomedical Science), including the following six core courses:

• BIOSCI 101
• BIOSCI 106
• BIOSCI 107
• CHEM 110
• PHYSICS 160
• MEDSCI 142

The remaining 30 points may comprise of either:

• One General Education course (excluding BIOSCI 100G, MEDSCI 100G, MEDSCI 101G, POPLHLTH 103G, POPLHLTH 104G) and one 15 point elective course from the Science schedule, or 
• Two General Education courses.

Please note that while POPLHLTH 111 is not a required course for entry into BOptom, the course provides a strong foundation for a number of concepts addressed in the programme. For this reason, undergraduate applicants are strongly encouraged to take POPLHLTH 111.

Option B: University of Otago's Health Science First Year (HSFY)

You must have completed at least 126 points in the University of Otago’s HSFY, including the following seven core courses:

• BIOC 192
• CELS 191
• CHEM 191
• HUBS 191
• HUBS 192
• PHSI 191
• PUBH 192

Interview eligibility
Applicants must complete the prerequisite undergraduate courses (above) and achieve a minimum expected Grade Point Average (GPA) or Grade Point Equivalent (GPE) of 6.0 (B+ average) in order to be eligible for interview consideration.

Interview ranking
All applicants deemed eligible are ranked for interview invitation based on the grades achieved in the core courses only.

Please note:

• Interviews are conducted in late-November and early-December each year.
• If your final grades are not available, an interim grade (highest possible) will be temporarily assigned for the interview ranking only. Official final results will be used for the final selection.
• The minimum GPA or GPE required for an admission interview is determined once we have received and reviewed the entire applicant pool for the admission period and it can vary from year to year.
  

In order to apply for the BOptom under the Graduate entry category, you need to have completed a relevant degree/degrees on a full-time basis at a recognised university (or similar institution), with the last year of full-time study no more than five years prior to the year of application. Relevant degrees include, but are not limited to, undergraduate programmes in health sciences and biomedical science.

A minimum of 105 points over Semesters One and Two per academic calendar year is required to be considered as full-time for BOptom admission. A typical academic calendar year is 120 points.

Depending on the nature of your previous studies, the faculty may permit you to be admitted to Part II of the BOptom programme, or may require you to undertake part or all of the Undergraduate courses initially. If you are required to take Part I courses, you must pass all these courses clearly within one year in order to proceed to Part II.

Interview eligibility

You must have achieved a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) or Grade Point Equivalent (GPE) of 6.0 to be eligibile for interview consideration.

Interview ranking

Eligible applicants are ranked for interview invitation consideration based on the GPA or GPE from the last two academic years of full-time study, with each year weighted equally. In recent years the GPA or GPE of successful applicants has been at least 6.5.

Option A: University of Auckland – Bachelor of Science (BSc) (Biomedical Science)

You must have completed at least one year of study (120 points) as part of the University’s Bachelor of Science (BSc) (Biomedical Science), including the following six core courses:

• BIOSCI 101
• BIOSCI 106
• BIOSCI 107
• CHEM 110
• MEDSCI 142
• PHYSICS 160

The remaining 30 points may comprise of either:

• One General Education course (excluding BIOSCI 100G, MEDSCI 100G, MEDSCI 101G, POPLHLTH 103G, POPLHLTH 104G) and one 15 point elective course from the Science schedule, or 
• Two General Education courses.

Please note that while POPLHLTH 111 is not a required course for entry into BOptom, the course provides a strong foundation for a number of concepts addressed in the programme. For this reason, Undergraduate applicants are strongly encouraged to take POPLHLTH 111.

Option B: University of Otago's Health Science First Year (HSFY)
You must have completed at least 126 points in the University of Otago’s HSFY, including the following seven core courses:

• BIOC 192
• CELS 191
• CHEM 191
• HUBS 191
• HUBS 192
• PHSI 191
• PUBH 192

Interview eligibility

Applicants must complete the prerequisite undergraduate courses (above) and achieve a minimum expected Grade Point Average / Grade Point Equivalent of 6.0 (B+ average) in order to be eligible for interview consideration.

Interview ranking

All applicants deemed eligible are ranked for interview invitation based on the grades achieved in the core courses only.

Please note:

• Interviews are conducted in late-November and early-December each year.
• If your final grades are not available, an interim grade (highest possible) will be temporarily assigned for the interview ranking only. Official final results will be used for the final selection.
• The minimum GPA or GPE required for an admission interview is determined once we have received and reviewed the entire applicant pool for the admission period and it can vary from year to year.

In order to apply for the BOptom under the Graduate entry category, you need to have completed a relevant degree/degrees on a full-time basis at a recognised university (or similar institution), with the last year of full-time study no more than five years prior to the year of application. Relevant degrees include, but are not limited to, undergraduate programmes in health sciences and biomedical science.

Depending on the nature of your previous studies, the faculty may permit you to be admitted to Part II of the BOptom programme, or may require you to undertake part or all of the undergraduate courses initially. If you are required to take Part I courses, you must pass all these courses clearly within one year in order to proceed to Part II.

Interview eligibility

You must have achieved a minimum Grade Point Equivalent (GPE) of 6.0 to be eligible for interview consideration.

Interview ranking

Eligible applicants are ranked for interview invitation consideration based on the GPE from the last two academic years of full-time study, with each year weighted equally. In recent years the GPE of successful applicants has been at least 6.5.

English language requirements

IELTS Academic: 6.5, no bands less than 6.0. See alternative English language requirements.