Most medical graduates will continue to specialist training and practice.
Vocational registration is a form of permanent, specialist registration which allows doctors to work independently in New Zealand.
There are 35 areas of medicine, or 'vocational scopes' which are recognised by the Medical Council. These are areas of specialised medical practice, each defined by an accredited postgraduate training programme and qualification.
Through the three clinical medical schools (Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington), Otago Medical School offers a range of specialist postgraduate qualifications for doctors that contribute signifcantly to postgraduate vocational training, which enables graduates to meet the requirements of various specialist professional colleges such as surgery and medicine. Some qualifications are offered through distance learning.