Master of Biomedical Sciences

Entry requirements

Admission to the MBiomedSc programme requires you to have successfully completed an honours degree (such as the BBiomedSc(Hons)), or a postgraduate diploma in a biomedical subject which contained a research component of at least one‑qaurter of the programme. You will normally be expected to have achieved an average grade of at least B+, with a B+ or better in the research component.

The BBiomedSc(Hons), available at our Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington campuses, is an eight-month full‑time postgraduate programme which provides an excellent foundation for the MBiomedSc

Advance your career

The University of Otago has a strong international reputation for biomedical research. The Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBiomedSc) is a one‑year thesis‑only postgraduate degree, which will allow you to further your career in biomedical sciences.

It provides an excellent foundation for an academic or research career, and an internationally-recognised stepping stone for entry into a PhD programme.

Upon completion of your project, you will submit a master’s‑level thesis for examination

Regulations for the Degree of Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBiomedSc)

1. Admission to the programme

   1. Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Director of the Biomedical Sciences programme (or nominee).
   2. Every applicant must either
      1. be a graduate of an Honours programme or a Postgraduate Diploma programme in a biomedical subject containing a research report, thesis preparation, or dissertation of at least one quarter of the programme, or
      2. have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
   3. Applicants must normally have achieved an average grade of at least B+ in the entry qualification with at least a B+ in the research component.

2. Structure of the programme

   1. The degree may be awarded in any of the subjects listed in the MBiomedSc Schedule. With the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) the degree may be awarded in a subject not listed in the MBiomedSc Schedule.
   2. The programme of study shall consist of the preparation and submission of a thesis embodying the results of supervised research.
   3. Prior to commencement of the thesis, the topic and supervisors of the thesis shall be approved by the Head of Department concerned and then the Director of the Biomedical Sciences programme (or nominee).
   4. A candidate may not present a thesis which has previously been accepted for another degree.

3. Duration of the programme

   1. A candidate for the degree shall usually follow a programme of one year of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study.
   2. A candidate for the degree will be expected to meet the requirements for the degree within two years of admission to the programme