General Practice

Entry requirements

Every applicant shall: have been awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in General Practice, and have completed the prerequisite papers: GENA 821, or an equivalent research paper approved by the Board of Postgraduate Studies in Primary Health Care, and GENA 820 (or PRHC 701), and have been admitted to the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of a university in New Zealand or hold an equivalent medical qualification approved by the Academic Board of the Otago Medical School, and have commenced vocational training for general practice or have had at least two years' approved experience in general practice.

Every applicant shall be registered for medical practice in the country in which the programme is taught or have an exemption from this requirement from the Dean of the Otago Medical School.

If your first language is not English you need to meet our English language requirements as follows: IELTS score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); we also accept a number of other English language tests. Due to COVID-19, we currently accept Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS Indicator Test, and TOEFL iBT Special home Edition.

Don’t meet the English language requirements? The University of Otago Language Centre "English for Otago" programme offers a pathway for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students to meet the English language requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Months of entry

February, July

Course content

The Master of General Practice (MGP) degree is a one year full-time equivalent qualification that can be completed as a thesis. Students enter the MGP after completing the Postgraduate Diploma in General Practice (PGDipGP). The MGP is an internationally recognised qualification for practitioners in the field of general practice. Graduates from the programme are equipped to work in academic and clinical settings. This course is also available through Distance Learning.

Structure of the Programme

The programme of study shall consist of one of the following:

• a thesis on an approved topic (120 points); or
• a research portfolio (120 points); or
• a research portfolio (90 points) plus approved research methods papers(s) worth 30 points.

A candidate may not present a thesis or research portfolio which has previously been accepted, in whole or in part, for another degree.

The programme of study including, as appropriate, the topic of the thesis or research portfolio and the supervisors of the research, or the component papers, shall be approved by the Academic Board of the Otago Medical School.

For the thesis, the research should be of a kind that a diligent and competent student should complete within one year of full-time study.

Information for international students

Otago offers students an unrivalled campus experience and a vibrant, social student culture. The majority of Otago’s 21,000 students live, work and play in Dunedin - New Zealand’s only true university city. Otago is home to over 3,000 students, from over 100 countries.

Fees and funding

New Zealand is a relatively affordable country to live in. Dunedin, being a student-focused city, has living and entertainment options for all budgets.

Students are eligible for the Otago International Excellence Scholarship.