Otago Level of Award BDS

[ronadik]

Hi MSO and Otago fam,

Just had a question regarding how to be awarded with a distinction or credit for you degree. I'm in my second year of DENT and was wondering how it actually works? Are you awarded a distinction for every year of your degree based on your GPA for that particular year, or a distinction at the completion of your degree with your overall GPA being considered?

Also, if you're considering doing postgraduate study are you automatically selected for this based on your level of achievement, or do you have to apply for it? I heard that if you score really well in your exams, the department will approach you to consider further study, and that those who don't score as high will not be able too.

Any clarification on this will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Ruth]

Hi MSO and Otago fam,

Just had a question regarding how to be awarded with a distinction or credit for you degree. I'm in my second year of DENT and was wondering how it actually works? Are you awarded a distinction for every year of your degree based on your GPA for that particular year, or a distinction at the completion of your degree with your overall GPA being considered?

Also, if you're considering doing postgraduate study are you automatically selected for this based on your level of achievement, or do you have to apply for it? I heard that if you score really well in your exams, the department will approach you to consider further study, and that those who don't score as high will not be able too.

Any clarification on this will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Graduating with distinction overall requires 80%+ average over your degree - I'm not sure if this includes health sci or not though, sorry. As far as I'm aware there isn't any kind of weighting. If you choose to do honours, a first class honours requires 80%+ in 5th year only, otherwise you'll get a 2nd class honours.

You can also get distinction in individual papers, which you get automatically if you get 90%+ (ie. an A+) in the paper. You don't get it for individual years but there are prizes at the end of the year. FWIW, I got 2 distinctions thru my degree (363 and 552 lol) but I graduated with Distinction with mostly A-s.

Postgraduate studies is pretty different - you're required to have worked for 2 years and I think you also need to have published two studies (not sure on that one) - you need to have shown interest in research since doing postgrad studies involves doing a big research project. There's a few roads for postgrad: DClinDent (specialising), Diplomas, doing a Masters or PhD.

A long way away so I wouldn't worry about it - I imagine you would need to have decent grades but I don't think it would be the most important part of your application. If you are interested in specialising or further study, get involved with summer studentships and get to know Staff and Faculty well.

Sorry it took me so long to reply btw!! @Stuart you are now in charge of tagging me or something when I miss things