(Admission ad eundem statum at entrance level)
To be eligible for admission you must achieve:
- at least 120 points on the New Zealand Cambridge International score table at AS and/or A level in syllabuses from at least three different syllabus groups, which are broadly equivalent to the NCEA approved list, and
- a grade of D or better in syllabuses from at least three different syllabus groups (excluding Thinking Skills).
You must also satisfy literacy and numeracy requirements, by either:
- gaining an E grade or better in any one of AS English Language, English Language and Literature, English Literature or English General Paper and a D grade or better in IGCSE or GCSE Mathematics, or
- as prescribed for university entrance with NCEA .
Please note that the requirements stated on this page are only for applicants who have completed Cambridge International Examinations. If you have completed A Levels overseas through the General Certificate of Education, further information can be found in the other overseas entrance qualifications page.
Evidence you are required to provide
If you have provided your Cambridge International candidate number to the University of Otago, we will be able to access your results electronically when they become available.
Preferential Entry requirement from Cambridge International
The entry score requirement for Preferential Entry for the applicable undergraduate programmes is 140 points. Scores which do not meet this requirement will be considered for Competitive Entry.
How to calculate a Cambridge International entry score
Your entry score will be calculated based on the New Zealand Cambridge International score table below.
You can count no more than six subject units over the last two years of study, in subjects at AS , A2 or A level from subjects matching the NCEA University Entrance approved subjects.
An A level counts as two subject units and an AS level counts as one subject unit. Students can include only their six best subject units when calculating their entry score.
New Zealand Tariff
An entry score will be calculated by awarding points as follows:
| Level | A* | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 140 points | 120 points | 100 points | 80 points | 60 points | 40 points |
| AS | 60 points | 50 points | 40 points | 30 points | 20 points |
An example of an entry score
| Subject | Level | Subject units | Grade | Tariff points | entry score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | A | 2 | D | 60 | 60 |
| Physics | AS | 1 | C | 40 | 40 |
| Biology | AS | 1 | C | 40 | 40 |
| Chemistry | AS | 1 | E | 20 | 20 |
| Mathematics | AS | 1 | E | 20 | 20 |
| French | AS | 1 | E | 20 | nil** |
| Entry score: 180 | |||||