Medical and Health Sciences student stories

Broadly applicable skills and knowledge
“My studies prepared me to work in all parts of the health system. Many health qualifications are highly specialised, which limits opportunities for growth. My Bachelor of Health Sciences has been useful in all aspects of my career so far; and my Postgraduate Diploma, with its clinical speciality, has given me a comprehensive grounding.

“I loved being part of a small programme. Being together from first year right through to working in the field over a decade later has created great networks. The staff were also amazing. They were always accessible, knowledgeable and personable.

Postgrad work experience
“After graduating I worked for an organisation that encourages innovation in social services. My role included delivering a mobile youth addiction service. I helped to establish the programme and went on to manage it. Every day I drew on what I’d learned in university to co-construct a service that eliminates barriers to access. My team included clinicians and peer support specialists. Because my postgraduate studies allowed me to clinically specialise, I understood the conditions and challenges from their perspective as well.

Guest lecturing
“I also frequently guest lecture within a number of university faculties, as well as sitting on the Emerge Aotearoa Clinical Governance Group and the DAPAANZ Code of Ethics advisory group.

“I chose to study at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences because the University of Auckland is the best in the country. My studies have proven to be incredibly useful, so that was definitely the right decision!”
 

Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Awa

“As I entered my high school years, I became aware that some ethnic groups had worse health outcomes than others. I wanted to understand why there was a disparity in life expectancy between Māori and Pacific people and our counter ethnicities in Aotearoa. This fuelled my drive to pursue a career as a doctor.”

A CertHSc was my first step

“My first step was the Certificate in Health Sciences (CertHSc). This was one of the best years in my educational journey. It was the perfect programme for someone like me, who wanted to be in a challenging university environment but wasn’t ready to take the huge leap into one of the two pre-med courses. The Cert is basically a microcosm of first year. The courses are designed to teach foundational knowledge that students will need in pre-med or another health-related programme.

“One of my favourite courses was Academic and Professional Development. I enjoyed this course because it provided me with the opportunity to learn the groundwork rules of University and how to manage my time professionally.”

Then I continued with the first year of a Bachelor of Health Sciences

“After CertHSc, I entered the Bachelor of Health Sciences so I could apply for the Medicine programme and begin my journey toward becoming a doctor. This will allow me one day to work closely with whānau in communities and reverse some of the disparities that I became awakened to in high school.”

Support for Māori and Pacific students

“Te Kupenga Hauora Māori and the MAPAS team here at the University have really supported me through my journey and helped me realise my potential, which I am very grateful for.”

A rare opportunity
“Medical Imaging is an exciting degree that’s offered by very few institutions. Auckland is the only New Zealand university where you can undertake an honours programme. Honours makes transitioning into postgrad studies so much easier.

People, place and practice
“You’ll practice advanced techniques while working with the best technology available. And don’t forget the people! The lecturers are innovators and leaders in their respective fields. You’ll learn from the very best clinical academics. They’re passionate about their subjects, and they’re always attuned to our needs.

“You’ll work in a variety of settings, interacting with new people every day. Medical Imaging Technologists (MITs) are often among a patient’s first contacts in the healthcare system, so the role is very significant. You’ll practice in hospitals and develop skills through interactions with real patients.

Small classes
“With such small classes, everyone knows each other really well. It didn’t take long for us to become one little Medical Imaging family. We all strive to support and uplift each other. And it’s fun! Recently we ordered pizzas and had a shared lunch while listening to peer presentations about radiographic imaging. Some had music, others had jokes and skits. We all had a good laugh and just really enjoyed ourselves.

A varied curriculum
“The Medical Imaging curriculum ranges through anatomy, physiology, psychology, ethics, professionalism, and physics. You can sample everything before picking a research area for your final year of study. Everything is taught in a variety of styles, with hands-on tutorials, labs, lectures and placements, so the information never becomes boring.”
 

“Becoming a doctor is a privilege. When volunteering at a health centre in high school, I observed how rewarding and life-changing the profession can be. Doctors see families during some of their lowest lows. Being equipped with the skills and knowledge to make a difference is precious. For me, that makes Medicine worth pursuing.”

Learning about anatomy

“I’m always learning something new. For instance we have the opportunity to perform cadaveric dissections. We’re all very grateful to the donors for the opportunity to learn so directly about human anatomy. It’s an extraordinary experience. Also, we have the amazing Medical Sciences Learning Centre – Whakaaro Pai. There we can handle a wide range of anatomy models and specimens. That’s a very useful supplement to our classroom learning.”

A great learning community at Med School and in Uni Accommodation

“I love how everyone here is so kind, smart and unique in their own way. Students and lecturers are willing to help you whenever you need a hand, and any competitiveness from first year has completely faded away. I’ve met some of the most amazing people. I’m so grateful to be friends and to share life-long experiences with them. Also, I’ve made many connections living in halls. I found settling into Auckland slightly difficult initially, but the hall environment made it much easier.”

Mentoring

“I’ve had the opportunity to be a PASS Mentor this year, helping out a few first years with their studies and their application to competitive programmes such as Medicine. It’s one of the most satisfying things to see the students you’ve helped inch one step closer towards their dreams.”

Waikato, Ngāpuhi

“Family members who are healthcare professionals have inspired me to help people achieve wellness. When I thought about how to train for that, the University of Auckland stood out because of its reputation for producing leaders in the community.

“Completing a Bachelor of Nursing will open so many professional doorways. I can also see myself following the excellent postgraduate pathway offered at Auckland. This will lead to more opportunities for senior nursing roles. The bachelors programme integrates fundamentals of research, so it sets students up extremely well for postgraduate study.”

Great facilities and inspiring community

“The University provides amazing facilities, including comfortable study spaces and access to endless information. I’m also surrounded by people who aim high, which inspires my own passion for excellence.”

Settling in to Auckland life

“I came from the countryside near Hamilton. The move was huge, but it was great to live in the Halls of Residence. Moving to a new environment was hard, but I met some incredible people. I’m still extremely close with them, and we’ll continue to flat together over the next few years.”

Support for Māori and Pacific students

“As a member of MAPAS (Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme), I’ve had access to social, academic, emotional, and financial support to make studying away from home a lot more manageable.”

“After graduation, following a successful clinical placement with Specsavers, I crossed the ditch to begin my career in Australia. Those first few months as a new graduate in the optometry workforce were exhausting but incredibly rewarding. The support and encouragement from my clinical supervisors in my final year empowered me to make confident decisions as a new graduate optometrist.”

Valuable personal connections

“My greatest concern was leaving the security of my supervisors and friends, but the relationships you build at University ensure you always have point of contact at your fingertips. That makes the transition from study to work much easier.”

Clinical studies

“The University clinic provides a supportive environment to refine your skills and establish your clinical routine. That experience is highly transferrable to professional life, albeit in greater volume! The constant feedback and personal mentorship from my excellent supervisors helped me evolve from a university student into a young professional. My studies really helped me settle into my new career.

“The transition from University to professional life is momentous, but understanding that you are equipped with up-to-date knowledge and the fundamental skills to deliver excellent patient care really primes you for success.”

“The BPharm appealed to me as an incredibly versatile degree that married my interests in chemistry, biology, patient care and social science. BPharm graduates work in a range of industries as the programme relates to the manufacture, prescription and provision of medicines.

“The thing I like most about the BPharm programme is the range of subjects taught, including population medicine, social science, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, law and ethics. Many of our guest lecturers are at the forefront of research and practice.”

Experiential learning placements

“My degree has prepared me incredibly well for entering the workforce through exciting experiential learning placements and a strong clinical and professional skills component. I particularly enjoyed a two-week placement with the Pharmacy Mental Health team for Waitematā DHB. I visited many sites where mental health services are delivered by pharmacists. I was able to develop my skills in a unique and interesting environment. It was an eye-opening experience that involved learning from a wide range of people in the workforce and applying what I had learnt in class to real life scenarios.”

Summer research scholarship

“I also had the opportunity to undertake a Summer Research Scholarship investigating formulations of a novel range of anti-cancer drugs. I developed research skills and am now interested in undertaking research in the future.”

Social events

“The Auckland Pharmacy Students Association runs many social events that create a strong community-feel.”