School of Nursing
How to apply for Nursing
To apply for nursing, follow the information below where we’ve helped to clearly outline the application process, the requirements you need to meet and what the next steps are.
Your step-by-step guide to applying for the Bachelor of Nursing
This guide is for domestic student applications only. If you are an international student, please contact our international admissions team: international@op.ac.nz
Step 1 : submitting an application
What you need to do
Ensure you know the entry requirements by going to our Bachelor of Nursing programme page for full details. You'll find all of the entry requirements in the Entry section. Applications are preferred by 30 September every year.
Please ensure your application includes everything that you are asked to provide.
Pending results
We are aware that some applicants may not be able to provide all their academic results at the time of applying. It is important that you forward any academic results as they become available.
What we will do
If your application is successful, you will be notified within two weeks of the selection procedure with a conditional offer of a place.
Please note: you may still need to supply certified copies of your results if this has not already been done.
If you do not hear from us within two weeks of submitting your completed application (including your academic results), please contact the Otago Polytechnic Customer Services team: info@op.ac.nz
Step 2 : selection procedure
We welcome any questions you may have about your application.
IMPORTANT: It is the policy of the School of Nursing that any questions relating to applications must be asked by the applicant – in other words, we would like to hear from you directly, not your parent or other advocate (unless you have identified an agent to act on your behalf).
Applications are assessed by the Bachelor of Nursing Selection Committee and are placed into the following categories:
- Place offered pending results of Police Vetting
- Waitlisted
- Waiting results
- Place not offered
The panel may request an interview with you if they believe there is a lack of congruence in the information you have submitted.
What you need to do
- Place offered:
Please ensure you notify the School of Nursing within 10 working days of receiving the offer if you wish to accept or decline your offer of place. - Waitlisted:
The waitlist will be confirmed by the last week in January. You are welcome to contact the School of Nursing after this date for notification of your place on the list. - Waiting results:
As soon as you have obtained updated NCEA reports, please let us know. - Place not offered:
If your application is not accepted, it may be because you did not meet our entry requirements.
We strongly recommend you consider the following options:
- Enrolling in Otago Polytechnic’s health bridging certificate.
- Enrolling in the University of Otago’s Human Body Systems 1 (HUBS 191) and Human Body Systems 2 (HUBS 192) papers
- Undertaking work experience in a health-related industry and/or working with people in a people-centred area.
Don’t meet requirements?
We have a Health Bridging programme you can do, to get you ready for the Bachelor of Nursing.
Contact us
If you want to know more about what we offer or you would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.
