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.
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc)
A four-year degree that provides specialised training in the various laboratory testing disciplines
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science with Honours (BMLSc(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
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).
Year | Papers | Points |
---|---|---|
1st year | Health Sciences First Year Course | 126 |
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 year | MELS 208 Introduction to Diagnostic Pathology | 45 |
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 year | MELS 301 Diagnostic Chemical Pathology | 30 |
MELS 302 Haematology and Transfusion Science | 30 | |
MELS 304 Principles of Pathology | 15 | |
MELS 305 Elements of Histotechnology | 15 | |
MELS 306 Medical Microbiology | 30 | |
4th year | Two 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
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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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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