Study MBBS in New Zealand: A Complete Guide

There are many reasons behind studying MBBS in New Zealand for international students. Let us take a look at them.

• Pursuing an MBBS in New Zealand will cost you nearly what it costs in India while offering you the benefit of gaining international exposure.

• New Zealand Medical Colleges' six-year MBBS programme gives students cutting-edge equipment and first-rate facilities.

• Being continually watched over by internal student associations at the institutions, New Zealand has the safest teaching and studying environment in the entire globe.

• Numerous individuals aspire to study MBBS in New Zealand because of the MBBS degree's international recognition.

• In New Zealand, medical graduates make an average salary of NZ$150,000, five times more than the salary that Indian medical graduates receive after completing an MBBS program.

Two universities in New Zealand offer world-renowned MBBS programs to international and domestic students. Although every university has its medical college, only these two universities are approved by the Medical Council of India (MCI). Let’s take a look at which universities these are.

1. University of Otago:  The University of Otago is regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in New Zealand, being in the top 3% of the world. It is a research-intensive university located in Dunedin and is the oldest university in New Zealand.

2. University of Auckland: The institute is the largest and highest-ranked university in New Zealand. It is ranked 87th in QS World University rankings 2022. It offers the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery program under medical and health science to pursue a medical career.

The exact and extended eligibility criteria to study MBBS in New Zealand for Indian students depend on the university's requirements and the skills they wish their students to possess. However, it is best to gain a basic idea of the requirements. So, let’s look at the MBBS in New Zealand requirements.

1. Age: While applying to study MBBS in New Zealand, you must be at least 17. 

2. Entrance exam qualification: You must attain good NEET scores matching the university's requirements. 

3. English language proficiency exam: You must qualify for IELTS or TOEFL with good scores, satisfying the university’s selection criteria. 

4. Percentage: You must have a minimum of 75% in high school. This requirement might differ depending on the university.

New Zealand MBBS duration is six years and consists of a pre-medical programme lasting three years and a subsequent three-year medical programme. Classroom instruction and clinical training are both part of the medical programme.

Medical students work with patients in hospitals and other healthcare facilities throughout the clinical training phase of the programme under the supervision of qualified doctors. Overall, the MBBS programme heavily emphasises practical training.

Upon completing the program, MBBS graduates can apply for a licence to practise the profession in New Zealand and many other countries, including India.

The cost of studying MBBS in New Zealand varies depending on the university. The University of Auckland’s MBBS fees in New Zealand are NZ$79,648 annually, whereas the University of Otago’s is NZD 495,696.

The cost of studying MBBS in New Zealand includes living expenses, travel, leisure, and many additional miscellaneous expenses. In addition to the tuition fees, the visa fee might cost you over 300 NZD; airfare might cost around 500-700 NZD and English language proficiency exams might cost over 400 NZD.

It is recommended to thoroughly set your budget and choose the university and accommodation accordingly, as this will help you reduce the financial burden while aligning everything to your plan.

After earning your medical degree, your options for pursuing surgery are essentially confined to doing solo operations. The students are permitted to lead group activities because they have less experience. The demand for doctors is particularly strong because there are not enough in the nation.

A doctor's typical annual salary after graduation is between NZ$100,000 and NZ$250,000. New Zealand's cutting-edge technology offers good opportunities for medical students to make a respectable living after graduating.

The District Health Board pays qualified applicants an annual salary of NZ$150,000-200,000. As private hospitals in this nation pay well, doctors who work in the private sector can make up to NZ$20,000 more annually.

Some of the popular job prospects you can consider are listed below.

• Surgeon

• Medical Practitioner 

• MBBS Doctor 

• Physician 

• Paramedic

• Pediatrust 

• Radiation oncologist

To summarise the blog, New Zealand is a desirable place for students wanting to study MBBS abroad. The country has universities ranked in the top 3% of the world. As a whole, while planning to study MBBS in New Zealand, it is essential to keep the points mentioned in the blog in mind.

Q1. How much does it cost to study MBBS in New Zealand?

Ans. Two universities, the University of Auckland and the University of Otago, charge different tuition rates of NZ$77,000 and NZ$35,000, respectively. This will be rounded to INR 40 lakhs and NZD 18 lakhs for Indian students.

Q2. What is the duration of MBBS in New Zealand?

Ans. In New Zealand, a six-year program called MBBS covers the study of both medicine and surgery. A two-year pre-clinical theoretical course must be completed before enrolling in the three-year clinical practice program. According to the intended specialisation, the sixth year's elective subjects are available.

Q3. Is New Zealand more expensive than India?

Ans. The cost of living in New Zealand is around 225.5% more than in India. Budget an additional expense of 32,000-35,000 NZD (16.77-18.35 lakhs INR) to study in New Zealand.

Q4. How much percentage is required to study in New Zealand?

Ans. In order to enrol in several New Zealand universities, applicants must have earned their previous degrees with a minimum of 65% to 75%. However, some colleges are a little lenient with these requirements.

Q5. Is IELTS compulsory for a New Zealand study visa?

Ans. Yes, for a New Zealand study visa, it is mandatory to have a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 and above 6.0 for undergraduate programs. Conversely, an IELTS score of 6.5 and above is needed for graduate programs in New Zealand.

We hope you enjoyed our comprehensive guide about studying MBBS in New Zealand for Indian students, but if you would like to get a deeper understanding or have questions related to studying in New Zealand, we encourage you to speak with our team of expert New Zealand counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC).

Visit our website for free online counselling, or contact us at application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011 for personalised support.