Do I need UCAT-ANZ for Otago BDS?

No. UCAT-ANZ was removed from BDS selection from the 2025 intake onwards. Selection is based on your HSFY academic rank plus a structured Zoom interview for shortlisted applicants.

Is there an interview for dentistry in New Zealand?

Yes. Unlike Otago MBChB (where the HSFY and Graduate pathways have no interview), Otago BDS requires a structured Zoom interview for all shortlisted applicants. It assesses motivation, communication and suitability for a clinical dental career.

How competitive is Otago BDS?

Very. With a single school and a small cohort, BDS is highly oversubscribed. Applicants compete on their HSFY rank (the average of their best 7 prescribed papers) and then the interview. Aim to be well into the top of the HSFY cohort to secure an interview invitation.

Can international students study dentistry in New Zealand?

Otago reserves a small number of international BDS places each year, typically via graduate or alternative pathways. Domestic (NZ citizen / permanent resident) applicants make up the large majority of the cohort.

The ClockTower (Old Arts Building), University of Auckland

1 NZ Dental Schools

New Zealand Dental Schools — Otago BDS Entry & Interview Guide

New Zealand has one dental school — the University of Otago (BDS). See HSFY entry requirements, the structured Zoom interview, the 2025 removal of UCAT-ANZ and domestic vs international places.

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Interview format

University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS)

Dunedin

The University of Otago BDS is a 5-year degree at New Zealand's only dental school, located at the Faculty of Dentistry in Dunedin. Year 1 is completed through Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) at Otago; Years 2–5 are at the Faculty of Dentistry. All shortlisted applicants attend a Zoom interview, and UCAT ANZ is no longer required (removed from the 2025 intake onwards).

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Campus photo credits

Campus photographs are used under free Creative Commons or public-domain licences and have been resized and cropped for display.

University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS): photograph by Bernard Spragg. NZ — CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Entry guides: how to get into each dental school (1)

Grades, admissions test cut-offs, interview format and a realistic chances read for every school, one guide each.

How to get into University of Otago — Dentistry (BDS)

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about New Zealand dental school applications.

Just one. The University of Otago (Faculty of Dentistry, Dunedin) runs New Zealand’s only Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). Entry is through Health Sciences First Year (HSFY), the same gateway used for Otago medicine.

See New Zealand Medical Schools

UCAT-ANZ thresholds, the HSFY and Auckland First Year gateways, MAPAS & RRAS pathways and MMI formats for both NZ medical schools.

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