The University of Auckland's medical school says it is "reasonably sure" a fake medical student did not deal with hospital patients.

An investigation has been launched by the university to figure out how a student managed to pose as a medical student for two years.

The dean of the Medical and Health Sciences Faculty, John Fraser, said it was unclear whether the student got through the doors of Auckland Hospital.

"We understand that he assigned himself to a group, but whether he actually was there, on site, and engaged with the patients, we are reasonably sure that didn't occur," Professor Fraser told TVNZ.

The man also forged a student identification badge, which he was seen wearing.

The man, yet to be named, had even fooled his family into thinking he was training legitimately to be a doctor.

Starting out as a health science student and failing to get into medical school, he took part in second and third year medical studies and was involved in human cadaver dissection.

Prof Fraser said the man deceived everyone in the class and his fellow, legitimate, students were feeling betrayed and angry.

"We had a formal meeting with students yesterday, their reaction was not surprisingly hurt and upset and there was some degree of anger.

The university's medical programme head Warwick Bagg said the bogus student would be referred to the appropriate health services to help him.

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Fake med student forged ID - university