BMedSc Honours Projects
BMedSc(Hons) Degree
BMedSc(Hons) Degree
Information for students planning to complete their Degree at the Otago School of Medical Sciences (OSMS)
An information session about undertaking a BMedSc(Hons) degree will be held on
Thursday 21st June 2012 from 4 pm in G30A & B in the Hunter Centre,
for third and fifth year medical students interested in carrying out their degree in the Otago School of Medical Sciences
Medical students may apply to take the intercalated, one-year course for the research degree of Bachelor of Medical Science Honours - BMedSc (Hons), after satisfactorily completing three or more years of the course for the degrees of MB ChB (University of Otago Calendar 2012 p. 632). Most students elect to take the BMedSc (Hons) year after the 3rd year of the medical course but a few do so after the 5th year, prior to the trainee intern year.
Sponsored International students are generally unable to undertake the BMedSc (Hons), although prior discussion with the sponsors may enable the degree to be taken in some circumstances. For more specific information, sponsored International students interested in undertaking a BMedSc (Hons) programme of study should contact the Faculty Manager, Mr Bruce Smith ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) in the first instance.
Admission to the course for Bachelor of Medical Science honours is not automatic and requires the approval of the Faculty Board, which must be satisfied that the student has the ability and experience to proceed to the degree. The degree is awarded upon submission of a satisfactory thesis describing the results of supervised research.
The Faculty Board must approve the course of study and the topic of research, and candidates for the degree normally carry out research in a discipline they have already studied in the medical course. The Faculty Board also appoints one or two supervisors from academic staff, on the recommendation of the Head of Department concerned. At least two examiners (not supervisors of the candidate) are appointed by the Dean of the Faculty. The degree may be awarded with first, second or third class honours.
Details of the projects offered in the various Departments of the OSMS can be found here
It is important that you meet with potential supervisors to discuss the project further and ensure that the project is still available. Therefore, you are encouraged to attend the OSMS information session on the 21st of June, where you will have the opportunity to meet with potential supervisors. Once a supervisor has agreed to take you on as a student, complete the application form with the help of your supervisor.
Application forms can be downloaded at the bottom of this page or are available from Student Affairs Offices. Candidates for the degree must be full-time and may not attend any other course without the approval of the Head of Department. The requirements for the degree must normally be completed within one year.
Candidates for the degree are normally supported financially by scholarships from respective Trusts. However, international students are not eligible for these scholarships.
Scholarships for BMedSc(Hons) students
Candidates who are successful in gaining admission to the BMedSc(Hons) programme are normally supported financially by scholarships from respective Trusts and are invited to apply for the various BMedSc(Hons) Scholarships available. Please note that international students are not eligible for these scholarships. Details of each Scholarship and the application form can be found on the Faculty of Medicine Scholarship webpage:
http://micn.otago.ac.nz/current-students/scholarships
You may apply for any or all of the Scholarships and it is expected that all domestic BMedSc(Hons) students will be awarded a Scholarship. The Faculty of Medicine will also provide a tuition fees grant for all domestic students.*
Cost centres will receive EFTS income and the research group in which the student is undertaking his/her project will provide the resources to undertake the research project. The Deans of each School and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine will select the recipients for each Scholarship. Payments will be made by the Scholarships office.
BMedSc(Hons) candidates are also entitled to be allocated to the School of Medicine of their choice when returning to the fourth year medical course subject to satisfactory progress and, provided their application to undertake a BMedSc(Hons) is received by the closing date of 3 August 2012.
*Please note that failure to complete the BMedSc(Hons) programme may result in a request for reimbursement of Scholarship and Tuition fees grants paid to you.
Any students who apply to undertake this course after the closing date, will have a choice of school, but will be included in any ballot, should one be required.
Application for Admission to BMedSc(Hons)
An application form can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. The closing date for applications is Friday 3 August 2012 at 5 pm. Applications should be submitted to Mr Bruce Smith, Manager, Faculty of Medicine, ground floor, Sayers Building, Great King Street, Dunedin.
Further advice with regards projects offered by the Otago School of Medical Sciences may be sought from:
Associate Professor Grant Butt
Associate Dean of Medical Education
Otago School of Medical Sciences
Telephone: 03 479 7319
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.