Doctors play an important role in the healthcare system as well as in the lives of individual patients, ensuring that people receive the best possible care and treatment to maintain their health and well-being.
In this post, you will learn how to become a doctor in New Zealand. To become a doctor in New Zealand, you must complete the following 6 steps:
How to become a doctor in New Zealand
Step 1: Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
To apply to medical school in New Zealand, you must have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as biology, chemistry, or physics. Depending on the institution and programme, this can take three to four years to complete. To be considered for admission to medical school, you may need to meet certain GPA and course requirements.
Step 2: Take the MSAT (Medical School Admission Test)
The MSAT is a nationally standardized test used to assess your aptitude for the medical profession. To take the exam, you must first register and prepare by reviewing the relevant material. The MSAT consists of biology, chemistry, physics, and critical thinking sections. It is usually given once a year, and you need to do well in it to be competitive in medical school.
Step 3: Apply to Medical School
After finishing your bachelor’s degree and taking the MSAT, you can apply to medical school in New Zealand. Transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement are required as part of your application. The personal statement should explain why you want to be a doctor, your goals and aspirations, and any relevant experience or skills you have.
Step 4: Complete Medical School
Medical school in New Zealand usually lasts five years. You will study a range of courses during this time, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and pathology, as well as gain practical experience through clinical rotations in hospitals and other healthcare settings. To progress through the program, you must also pass a number of tests and assessments.
Step 5: Complete Internship and Residency
After graduating from medical school, you must complete an internship, which is a period of supervised training. It usually lasts a year and gives you experience in different medical specialities. You can then choose to further your education in a specific area of medicine by enrolling in a residency program. Depending on the speciality, the residency can last from two to six years.
Step 6: Obtain a Medical License
To practice medicine in New Zealand, you must first obtain a license from the Medical Council of New Zealand. To do this, you must pass a licensing exam and meet other requirements, such as completing ongoing professional development. After obtaining your license you can start practising medicine in New Zealand.