IELTS Academic, IELTS score of 6.0 in the academic module (with no individual band below 5.5). IELTS Online is also accepted.
Internet-based TOEFL, Score of 80 (writing 20) TOEFL iBT Home Edition is currently accepted for applications for intakes commencing semester 2 2022 and 2023 intakes. The University of Otago TOEFL institution code is: 9483 (Please note we do not accept MyBest TOEFL scores).
Paper-based TOEFL, Score of 550 (TWE 4.5) The University of Otago TOEFL institution code is: 9483
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169)
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169)
The backbone of medical decision making
Does this tissue sample contain cancer? What can this woman’s blood tell us about her health? Is this unborn child developing normally? Is this drug effectively stopping the infection? Did this man die of COVID–19?
Medical laboratory scientists are part of a highly-skilled team that works to solve the mysteries, put the pieces of the puzzle together and answer the critical questions of medicine. They play a crucial role in health care by providing laboratory tests and interpreting results to enable accurate diagnosis and treatment of patients. It’s a life-saving profession.
What is a medical laboratory scientist?
Medical laboratory scientists are skilled health professionals who provide the laboratory-based tests and assays necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. 70% of diagnoses made by clinical staff (such as doctors) depend on laboratory tests. In fact, the practice of modern medicine would not be possible without medical laboratory scientists.
In addition to working in hospital and community diagnostic laboratories, medical laboratory scientists play important roles in other areas such as medical research, forensic science, and biotechnology.
Medical laboratory science covers a wide range of subjects. As a medical laboratory scientist, you can choose to become a specialist in one particular area after you graduate:
Chemical pathology – Changes in blood chemistry relating to illnesses like diabretes, cancer, drug dependency, and heart disease.
Haematology – Detection of diseases related to blood such as leukaemia and bleeding disorders.
Histology and cytology – Microscopic analysis of tissues and cells to identify abnormalities observed in cancer biopsies and cervical smears.
Immunology – Tests for changes in the immune response indicating infection, gluten and other allergies, and autoimmune diseases.
Microbiology and virology – Detection of harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites causing diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia, and skin infections.
Transfusion science – The use of blood products and blood group identification is essential for organ transplantation, blood transfusion, and clotting factor deficiencies.
Molecular diagnostics – Nucleic acid testing has a wide range of applications. The ability to detect gene abnormalities has significantly advanced diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.
More info: Click here
1st year
Health Sciences First Year Course
Note: Students enrolled in the Health Sciences First Year course will be required to achieve a satisfactory mark in a standard diagnostic English test or another approved measure of achievement.
2nd year
MELS 208 Introduction to Diagnostic Pathology
MELS 223 Infection and Immunity (for BMLSc)
MELS 230 Biochemistry (for BMLSc)
MELS 241 Human Biology: Cells to Systems (for BMLSc)
MELS 251 Physiology (for BMLSc)
3rd year
MELS 301 Diagnostic Chemical Pathology
MELS 302 Haematology and Transfusion Science
MELS 304 Principles of Pathology
MELS 305 Elements of Histotechnology
MELS 306 Medical Microbiology
4th year
Two of:
MELS 401 Advanced Diagnostic Chemical Pathology
MELS 402 Clinical Microbiology
MELS 403 Clnical Virology
MELS 404 Diagnostic Molecular Pathology
MELS 405 Cytopathology
MELS 406 Haematology
MELS 407 Histopathology
MELS 408 Transfusion Science
MELS 409 Clinical ImmunologyMELS 410 Medical Laboratory Science for Rural Health
The University of Otago BMLSc is an internationally-recognised qualification, enabling you to work around the world in:
hospital and community diagnostic laboratories
health research groups in universities, Crown Institutes, and the private sector
companies supplying scientific instrumentation (research and development, sales, technical support)
biotechnology companies
Forensic science
diagnostic and clinical education
laboratory management
veterinary pathology laboratories
hospital mortuaries.
Career diversity is something we value. In addition to working in hospital and community diagnostic laboratories, medical laboratory science graduates often pursue other roles in medical science in the public and private sectors.
Health Insurance: 600 per year
