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Study Medical Laboratory Science at Otago

    The backbone of medical decision making

    Does this tissue sample contain cancer? What can this woman’s blood tell us about her health? Is this unborn child developing normally? Is this drug effectively stopping the infection? Did this man die of COVID–19?

    Medical laboratory scientists are part of a highly-skilled team that works to solve the mysteries, put the pieces of the puzzle together and answer the critical questions of medicine. They play a crucial role in health care by providing laboratory tests and interpreting results to enable accurate diagnosis and treatment of patients. It’s a life-saving profession.

    Why study Medical Laboratory Science?

    The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) is the only degree that enables you to enter the pathway to register as a medical laboratory scientist.

    In the diagnostic medical laboratory, theoretical knowledge is combined with cutting edge technologies and sophisticated instrumentation to provide rapid, accurate and reliable results that are used by clinicians for the correct diagnosis and treatment of patients. The test results that medical laboratory scientists provide have an immediate impact on the care of patients, especially those who are critically ill.

    The knowledge you acquire in the BMLSc degree will be directly applicable to your work as a medical laboratory scientist.

    Demand for faster testing and constant monitoring of patients has taken some tests out of the laboratory to patients' bedsides. This is called “point-of-care” testing. Another new role is that of the clinical scientist, a position of responsibility achieved through time in the medical laboratory workforce and further training.

    Career opportunities

    The University of Otago BMLSc is an internationally-recognised qualification, enabling you to work around the world in:

    • hospital and community diagnostic laboratories
    • health research groups in universities, Crown Institutes, and the private sector
    • companies supplying scientific instrumentation (research and development, sales, technical support)
    • biotechnology companies
    • forensic science
    • diagnostic and clinical education
    • laboratory management
    • veterinary pathology laboratories
    • hospital mortuaries.

    Career diversity is something we value. In addition to working in hospital and community diagnostic laboratories, medical laboratory science graduates often pursue other roles in medical science in the public and private sectors.

    What is a medical laboratory scientist?

    Medical laboratory scientists are skilled health professionals who provide the laboratory-based tests and assays necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. 70% of diagnoses made by clinical staff (such as doctors) depend on laboratory tests. In fact, the practice of modern medicine would not be possible without medical laboratory scientists.

    In addition to working in hospital and community diagnostic laboratories, medical laboratory scientists play important roles in other areas such as medical research, forensic science, and biotechnology.

    Medical laboratory science covers a wide range of subjects. As a medical laboratory scientist, you can choose to become a specialist in one particular area after you graduate:

    • Chemical pathology – Changes in blood chemistry relating to illnesses like diabetes, cancer, drug dependency, and heart disease.
    • Haematology – Detection of diseases related to blood such as leukaemia and bleeding disorders.
    • Histology and cytology – Microscopic analysis of tissues and cells to identify abnormalities observed in cancer biopsies and cervical smears.
    • Immunology – Tests for changes in the immune response indicating infection, gluten and other allergies, and autoimmune diseases.
    • Microbiology and virology – Detection of harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites causing diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia, and skin infections.
    • Transfusion science – The use of blood products and blood group identification is essential for organ transplantation, blood transfusion, and clotting factor deficiencies.
    • Molecular diagnostics – Nucleic acid testing has a wide range of applications. The ability to detect gene abnormalities has significantly advanced diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.

    Admission to the BMLSc programme

    The BMLSc is a four-year degree, including Health Sciences First Year (HSFY).

    All applicants seeking admission under the HSFY category must have passed all seven HSFY papers with at least a B- grade (65%) overall average. UCAT (the University Clinical Aptitude Test) is not required.

    The Admissions Committee will firstly select from those applicants who are applying under Single Programme Preference. Thereafter if places are still available, the Committee will select from the applicants that have applied to multiple Health Sciences professional programmes.

    There are other routes of admission for students who have completed two or more years of University study, or who are University graduates. International students should apply under the International category for admissions.

    Postgraduate study

    If scientific research is your passion, a postgraduate degree provides an opportunity to further your education. The BMLSc(Honours) degree is one option. If you gain your BMLSc with credit or distinction, you are eligible to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science (PGDipMLSc). This is a one-year programme which can be undertaken in most areas of medical laboratory science.

    If you then gain your PGDipMLSc with credit or distinction, you can undertake a further year of research and study to gain a Master of Medical Laboratory Science (MMLSc).

    There are opportunities for high-achieving students to progress to a PhD through a further three-year programme of research and study.

    How to apply

    Application information for admission into the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) programme is available on the Division of Health Sciences website:

    Medical Laboratory Science: Guidelines for Admission

    Recommended background

    There are no subject requirements for entry into the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) programme, but we recommend you take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in Year 13.

    If considering tertiary study before enrolling in HSFY, you are strongly advised to contact Health Sciences Admissions beforehand.

    Choose a study option

    Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.

    Undergraduate qualifications

    For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.

    Further study opportunities

    Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).

    YearPapersPoints
    1st yearHealth Sciences First Year Course126
    Note: Students enrolled in the Health Sciences First Year course will be required to achieve a satisfactory mark in a standard diagnostic English test or another approved measure of achievement. 
    2nd yearMELS 208 Introduction to Diagnostic Pathology45
    MELS 223 Infection and Immunity (for BMLSc)18
    MELS 230 Biochemistry (for BMLSc)18
    MELS 241 Human Biology: Cells to Systems (for BMLSc)18
    MELS 251 Physiology (for BMLSc)21
    3rd yearMELS 301 Diagnostic Chemical Pathology30
    MELS 302 Haematology and Transfusion Science30
    MELS 304 Principles of Pathology15
    MELS 305 Elements of Histotechnology15
    MELS 306 Medical Microbiology30
    4th yearTwo of:
    MELS 401 Advanced Diagnostic Chemical Pathology
    MELS 402 Clinical Microbiology
    MELS 403 Clinical Virology
    MELS 404 Diagnostic Molecular Pathology
    MELS 405 Cytopathology
    MELS 406 Haematology
    MELS 407 Histopathology
    MELS 408 Transfusion Science
    MELS 409 Clinical Immunology
    MELS 410 Medical Laboratory Science for Rural Health
    120

    Papers

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    MELS papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    MELS208 2025 Introduction to Diagnostic Pathology 45 points Full Year
    MELS223 2025 Infection and Immunity (for BMLSc) 18 points Semester 2
    MELS230 2025 Biochemistry (for BMLSc) 18 points Semester 1
    MELS241 2025 Human Biology: Cells to Systems (for BMLSc) 18 points Semester 1
    MELS251 2025 Physiology (for BMLSc) 21 points Semester 1
    MELS301 2025 Diagnostic Chemical Pathology 30 points Semester 2
    MELS302 2025 Haematology and Transfusion Science 30 points Semester 2
    MELS304 2025 Principles of Pathology 15 points Semester 1
    MELS305 2025 Elements of Histotechnology 15 points Semester 1
    MELS306 2025 Medical Microbiology 30 points Semester 1
    MELS401 2025 Advanced Diagnostic Chemical Pathology 60 points Semester 1 (10 February 2025 - 18 June 2025), Semester 2 (30 June 2025 - 8 November 2025)
    MELS402 2025 Clinical Microbiology 60 points Semester 1 (10 February 2025 - 18 June 2025), Semester 2 (30 June 2025 - 8 November 2025)
    MELS403 2025 Clinical Virology 60 points Semester 1 (10 February 2025 - 18 June 2025), Semester 2 (30 June 2025 - 8 November 2025)
    MELS404 2025 Diagnostic Molecular Pathology 60 points Semester 1 (10 February 2025 - 18 June 2025), Semester 2 (30 June 2025 - 8 November 2025)
    MELS405 2025 Cytopathology 60 points Semester 1 (10 February 2025 - 18 June 2025), Semester 2 (30 June 2025 - 8 November 2025)
    MELS406 2025 Haematology 60 points Semester 1 (10 February 2025 - 18 June 2025), Semester 2 (30 June 2025 - 8 November 2025)
    MELS407 2025 Histopathology 60 points Semester 1 (10 February 2025 - 18 June 2025), Semester 2 (30 June 2025 - 8 November 2025)
    MELS408 2025 Transfusion Science 60 points Semester 1 (10 February 2025 - 18 June 2025), Semester 2 (30 June 2025 - 8 November 2025)
    MELS409 2025 Clinical Immunology 60 points Semester 1 (10 February 2025 - 18 June 2025), Semester 2 (30 June 2025 - 8 November 2025)
    MELS410 2025 Medical Laboratory Science for Rural Health 60 points Semester 1 (10 February 2025 - 18 June 2025), Semester 2 (30 June 2025 - 8 November 2025)
    MELS420 2025 Medical Laboratory Science Practice for Honours 60 points Semester 1 (10 February 2025 - 18 June 2025), Semester 2 (30 June 2025 - 8 November 2025)
    MELS480 2025 Medical Laboratory Science Research for Honours 45 points Semester 1, Semester 1 (10 February 2025 - 18 June 2025), Semester 2, Semester 2 (30 June 2025 - 8 November 2025)
    MELS510 2025 Advanced Medical Laboratory Science Practice 45 points Full Year
    MELS580 2025 Research Project 45 points Full Year

    More information

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