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Looking to apply as a PhD candidate at Otago? Make sure you read the Summary Information sheet below thoroughly before applying for candidature, and familiarise yourself with the PhD Study at Otago section of this website.

Read the Summary Information sheet (PDF)

Entry requirements

A person wishing to be admitted as a candidate for the PhD is expected to have:

  • a bachelor's degree with first or upper second class honours (with an average grade in honours papers at or equivalent to at least B+ at the University of Otago) or equivalent (including a research component with an average grade at or equivalent to at least B+ at the University of Otago);
    or
  • a master's degree (with an average grade at or equivalent to at least B+ at the University of Otago) (including an appropriate research component worth at least a quarter of a year's workload (0.25 EFTS), with a grade at or equivalent to at least B+ at the University of Otago;  possession of a master's degree or other postgraduate qualification (such as a professional diploma) which does not have a substantial research component will not automatically be regarded as a qualification for entry to the PhD programme);
    and
  • for candidates including a nominated creative component for assessment, demonstrated advanced training or experiences in a relevant creative practice. More information on specific pathways into a PhD is provided below.

In special circumstances, a candidate who does not have these formal qualifications but can demonstrate appropriate equivalent research experience will also be considered for admission.

The University also has a joint MB ChB / PhD programme whereby a medical student who has completed a year of study for the degree of Bachelor of Medical Science (with Honours) but has not been awarded that degree, may be accepted as a PhD candidate. This programme of study must be approved by both the Board of the Faculty of Medicine and the Graduate Research Committee.

Acceptance as a candidate also depends on the University's ability to offer expert supervision and provide the necessary resources to support the intended research project.

Candidates not meeting the requirements for admission to the PhD may wish to consider Master's study as an alternative. Completion of such study that includes a thesis will usually allow subsequent doctoral-level study, and in some circumstances it may also be possible to upgrade a master's degree to a PhD (i.e. complete a degree begun as a master's at PhD level).

Specific pathways into PhD

Admission to the PhD degree

In order to engage in study towards a PhD, it is necessary both to be admitted to the programme and enrolled as a student of the University. Admission occurs once, at the beginning of a candidature. It involves an academic decision about the prospective student's eligibility for PhD study. Enrolment follows admission and is a University requirement which occurs each year (or part year) until the thesis is submitted for examination.

A student may usually be admitted as a candidate for a PhD by one of two means: direct admission, or upgrading from a current University of Otago research master's degree or (in special circumstances) a Bachelor of Medical Science with Honours.

Means of admission

Other factors that can influence admission

How to apply for admission to the PhD degree

We welcome applications for PhD study and scholarships throughout the year. You may also choose to start your PhD study at any time during the year.

Please note that it is possible to apply for PhD study if you are near to, but yet to complete your qualifying degree, or, in the case of non-native English speakers, have not yet met the English language requirements for entry. In such cases, conditional admission to the PhD programme may be granted, but full admission (required to officially begin PhD study) will only be permitted once the qualifying degree is completed satisfactorily and/or English language requirements are met.

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