Fighting superbugs and rising seas: Waikato researchers receive Marsden Fund support
Fresh funding will enable Waikato researchers to tackle critical challenges shaping the future of our environment and wellbeing.
The New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine will introduce a new, proven model of medical education to New Zealand, with entry pathways that will attract people who want to become primary care doctors in rural and regional communities.
At a glance
- A 4-year graduate-entry programme
- 2028 start, applications open mid-2027
- An initial intake of 120 students
- A proven model of medical education that will deliver more graduates choosing primary care specialities, e.g. general practice, emergency medicine, psychiatry
- A medical school that works closely with rural and regional communities
Programme structure and curriculum
The New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine will offer a four-year graduate-entry programme, similar to many of the best medical schools internationally.
Students will spend their first year at our Hamilton campus intensively studying biomedical sciences and the social determinants of health through a case-based learning framework. A digital-first pedagogy underpins this teaching, with students having access to the leading digital anatomy tools.
Academic learning will be reinforced through multidisciplinary clinical simulation in a new state-of-the-art facility.
In Years 2-4, students will be based in regional communities throughout New Zealand to undertake the clinical placement programme. Students will gain experience in a range of clinical learning environments, including regional hospitals, general practices, acute care providers, and other community based health services.
Entry requirements
N.B. The exact details of the entry requirements and selection process will be published once the programme has gained accreditation. The information below is provided in good faith, but is indicative and subject to change.
The entry requirements and selection processes will be designed to ensure a cohort of medical students who reflect the New Zealand population and are most likely to choose primary care specialities in rural and regional communities.
As a graduate-entry programme, applicants must have a previous Bachelor’s qualification (or be in their final year of study) with a B grade average. Consistent with our commitment to diversify the medical workforce, graduates from all fields of study will be eligible to apply. However, students will also need to achieve a passing mark in GAMSAT, which is a standardised medical admissions assessment that considers an applicant’s background knowledge of science, social science, and written communication.
Collectively, these grade threshold entry requirements are designed to ensure students have the necessary academic ability to successfully complete the medical programme. Eligible students will then be invited to attend admissions interviews.
Frequently-asked questions
Applications for our initial cohort will open mid-2027 and you will be able to apply through the University of Waikato website. Final entry criteria and fee information will be available at this time.
The first year of the programme will be based at the University’s Hamilton campus. The clinical placement programme in Years 2-4 will be delivered in hospitals, primary care practices and other health service providers in regional communities nationwide.
The University is working to establish a network of clinical placement opportunities in regional and rural communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. Further details are expected to be made available in late-2026.
Yes, we’re committed to improving access to medical education in New Zealand.
No, graduates with a B grade average from all fields of study will be eligible to apply. However, applicants will also need a passing score in GAMSAT, which is a standardised medical admissions assessment that considers an applicant’s background knowledge of science, social science, and written communication.
The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) is a standardised test developed to assist with the selection of students to graduate-entry medical and health sciences programmes. It consists of three sections:
- Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences,
- Written Communication, and
- Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences.
No – academic achievement is important, but it’s only one part of what we will look for in a successful application. Selection also considers your personal qualities and how well you align with New Zealand’s health workforce needs.
We look for students who are empathetic, resilient, and community-minded, and who demonstrate a genuine commitment to primary care, rural health, and working with Māori, Pacific, and under-represented communities. While strong academic results provide the foundation for entry, it’s your character, motivation, and connection to community that will make your application stand out.
Virtual tour
Building of the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine is due to start this year on our Hamilton campus, where students will spend their first year intensively studying biomedical sciences and the social determinants of health through a case-based learning framework.
Keep in touch
If you have a question for us, or you’d like to receive occasional updates on progress, or you’d like to support the programme or you’re considering studying medicine in the future, enter your details and we’ll keep in touch.
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Leading health experts to advise on new medical school
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