Cutline SummerFor your next chapter at OtagoHSFY summer prep.
A little head start.
Heading to Otago Health Sciences First Year? Use summer to refresh the foundations, try a different way of studying and arrive with a plan. You can start small.
Forces in balance
A crate moves right across a level floor at constant velocity. A horizontal pull of 45 N acts to the right. What is the friction force? The pull and friction are the only horizontal forces.
In the full lesson videos, your tutor explains each step out loud, so you can follow the method as well as the working.
Where do you want to start?
Explore the foundations and planned Summer modules for each semester one paper.
A summer plan you can actually use
Finish school, then take a breath
Put your school exams first. Once they are finished, look at what you remember comfortably and where you want help. Leave room for work, friends and a break.
Choose a foundation to revisit
Try explaining a cell membrane, balancing a chemical equation or rearranging a physics formula. Use the point where you get stuck to choose your next topic.
Answer, check, explain again
Close your notes and try a question. Check the reasoning, then explain the answer in your own words. Revisit the part you could not explain rather than copying out the whole chapter.
Make a routine that fits
Choose study sessions around your existing commitments. A plan that leaves time to rest is easier to return to than one that assumes every day is free.
Do you need a summer prep course?
There is no single preparation route that suits everyone. Start with your background and the support you want.
Prepare independently
Use your school notes and textbooks to revisit gaps. The paper guides above include starting points you can use without joining Cutline Summer.
Choose guided preparation
Cutline Summer is for students who want an organised sequence of lessons, explanations and practice. Try the sample before deciding whether that approach suits you.
If you have limited chemistry or physics background, check Otago’s official preparation guidance. It explains university options such as CHEM150 and JumpStart Physics, including eligibility. Cutline does not replace university course advice.
Part of Cutline Summer
One programme covering CELS191, CHEM191, PHSI191 and HUBS191. Choose Summer for the course, or Summer + Mentoring for additional support.
Short lessons, tutor walkthroughs and exam-style practice are planned for Summer. Try a beta lesson to see the approach while the full programme is being built.
- Summer
- NZ$699
- Summer + Mentoring
- NZ$1,199
- Programme access
- 16 November 2026 to 28 February 2027
Prices are in NZD and include GST. These are whole-programme plans, not separate paper purchases.
Join the free waitlistConfirm your email for Summer updates and the free student guide. No payment today.
Compare plans and enrolment datesBefore you decide
When should I start HSFY summer preparation?
Our suggestion is to prioritise school exams, take a break, then start with a foundation you want to strengthen. Cutline Summer’s access dates are listed above; you can work at your own pace within that window.
Does Summer guarantee a grade or a place in medicine?
No. Preparation cannot guarantee grades or admission to a professional programme. Summer is new and has no measured student outcomes yet. Check Otago’s current admissions guidance for official requirements.
What if I am already studying HSFY?
Use the HSFY practice question pages for the papers you are taking. This guide and the Summer programme are aimed at preparation before first year.
Cutline is independent of the University of Otago. Summer is optional preparation, not a university paper or a requirement for admission. Summer is new, so programme outcomes are not yet measured.