Applying for Graduate Entry Medicine in Australia

A Comprehensive Guide to 2023 Graduate-Entry ANZ Medical Schools 

We’re aware that navigating graduate-entry medical school applications can be extremely confusing at the best of times so our team of ANZ medical school experts have put together a comprehensive guide detailing 2023 graduate-entry medical schools in Australia and New Zealand. 

The graduate-entry medical schools in Australia and New Zealand are listed below:

  • Australian National University
  • Deakin University
  • Griffith University
  • Macquarie University
  • University of Melbourne
  • University of Notre Dame (both Sydney and Fremantle)
  • University of Queensland
  • University of Western Australia
  • University of Wollongong
  • Flinders University 
  • University of Sydney 

A Brief Overview

Applying to most 2023 ANZ graduate-entry medical schools will involve sitting an aptitude-based test, either the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and submitting your university grade point average (GPA), along with attending a medical school interview. 

As of 2023, the GAMSAT and MCAT are both computer-based aptitude tests that comprise different structures and are marked on different scales. If you wish to learn more about these tests in detail, please click on the official GAMSAT and MCAT web pages linked above or refer to our GAMSAT and and MCAT guide. 

To gain a better understanding of how ANZ medical schools will use your 2023 GPA, please see our article on ATAR vs. GPA. Essentially, most graduate-entry medical schools in Australia are a part of the Graduate Entry Medical School Admissions System (GEMSAS) which uses the 7-point scale system to calculate your GPA. GEMSAS medical schools predominantly utilise a weighted GPA where the grades earned in your last year of university receive a higher overall weighting. 

Australian National University (ANU) 

LocationCanberra, ACT
Medical School/Program Established 2003
QS Medicine Ranking 202292
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)Yes
International PlacesYes

Australian National University (ANU) is the top ranked university in Australia according to the QS 2022 rankings. It is a public university and a member of the Group of 8 (G8)— a coalition of top-ranked, research-intensive tertiary education institutions in Australia, similar to the Russell Group in the UK. ANU houses the only medical school in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and offers a 4-year graduate-entry medical program that awards a Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD) degree. 

Admission to ANU’s medicine program in 2023 is based on the following: 

  • Weighted GPA as approved by the ANU Medical School at a minimum of 5.6 (25%)
  • GAMSAT score with a pass in all sections and a minimum overall score of 55 (25%) 
  • Interview (50%)

International applicants can opt to send ANU an MCAT score in lieu of a GAMSAT score but must have passed each section with a minimum score of 125. 

Domestic applicants can apply to ANU’s medicine program through GEMSAS while international students must apply directly to the university independently or via an agent. 

Deakin University 

LocationGeelong, VIC
Medical School/Program Established 2008
QS Medicine Ranking 2022201-250
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)Yes
International PlacesYes

Deakin University is a public university in Victoria that was ranked 283 globally in the QS 2022 university rankings. It offers a 4-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. 

Admission to Deakin’s medicine degree is split into three streams:

  • General Entry Stream 
    • “Academic performance in an approved Bachelor, Honours, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters by coursework completed no more than 10 years before the course commencement date”
    • A final weighted GPA of 5.0 or higher
    • A minimum score of 50 in each of the sections of the GAMSAT obtained no more than 2 years prior to the course commencement date
    • Performance at interview 
    • International students may also need to meet certain English language requirements to gain entry 
  • Indigenous Entry Stream
  • Rural Training Stream
    • “The minimum entry requirements align with those for the general stream, with the addition of a written application and a tiered priority entry system aligned with specific rural geographical locations”

International applicants can opt to submit their MCAT score to Deakin University in place of their GAMSAT score, but must have achieved a score of 125 or greater on each of the four sections of the examination. 

Domestic applicants can apply to Deakin University’s medicine program through GEMSAS while international students must apply directly to the university independently or via an agent.

Griffith University 

LocationGold Coast, QLD
Medical School/Program Established 2004
QS Medicine Ranking 2022251-300
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)Yes
International PlacesYes

Griffith University is a large public research university located in South-East Queensland. It offers a 4-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. 

Admission to Griffith University’s medicine program in 2023 is based on the following:

  • A final weighted GPA of 5.0 or higher
  • GAMSAT
  • Performance at interview 

International students may submit an MCAT score to Griffith University in lieu of a GAMSAT score that is no more than 2 years old at the time of application. 

Domestic applicants can apply to Griffith University’s medicine program through GEMSAS while international students must apply through Griffith International

Macquarie University 

LocationSydney, NSW
Medical School/Program Established 2018
QS Medicine Ranking 2022251-300
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)No
International PlacesYes

Macquarie University is a public research university located in Sydney, New South Wales. It offers a 4-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. It should be noted that Macquarie University does not offer any commonwealth-supported places, meaning all students will have to pay full tuition fees. 

Admission to Macquarie University’s medicine program in 2023 is based on the following: 

  • AQF Level 7 bachelor’s qualification (or NOOSR recognised equivalent)
  • Minimum GPA of 5.0
  • GAMSAT with a minimum score of 50 overall and 50 in each section 
  • Satisfactory personal statement
  • Interview performance 

International students may submit an MCAT score to Macquarie University in lieu of a GAMSAT, with a minimum overall score of 500. 

Domestic applicants can apply to Macquarie University’s medicine program through GEMSAS while international students must apply directly to the university.

University of Melbourne 

LocationMelbourne, VIC
Medical School/Program Established 1862
QS Medicine Ranking 202218
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)Yes
International PlacesYes

The University of Melbourne is the top ranked medical school in Australia according to the QS Medicine 2021 rankings. It is a public, academically acclaimed university and a member of the Group of 8 (G8). The University of Melbourne offers a 4-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. 

General admission to the University of Melbourne’s medicine program in 2023 is based on the following: 

  • “An undergraduate degree in any discipline, with studies to have been completed within 10 years of 1 January in the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Doctor of Medicine”
  • GAMSAT
  • Interview performance 

International students may submit an MCAT score to the University of Melbourne in lieu of a GAMSAT. 

Admission to the University of Melbourne’s MD Rural Pathway is based on the following:

  • the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) at La Trobe University with a Weighted Average Mark of at least 70 
  • Or
    • an undergraduate degree in any discipline, with studies to have been completed within 10 years of application 
    • for applicants whose most recently completed undergraduate degree was completed 10 or more years before 1 January of the year of application, a Graduate Diploma, Masters or PhD degree or equivalent completed within 10 years before 1 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Doctor of Medicine
  • Rural interview performance 
  • Doctor of Medicine Rural Pathway Rurality Form 

The University of Melbourne also has an Indigneous MD student entry pathway where “verified Indigenous applicants will not be subject to ranking and will be selected into the Doctor of Medicine if the following minimum entry requirements are met; Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 or above; and Multi Mini Interview passed.”

Domestic applicants can apply to Macquarie University’s medicine program through GEMSAS while international students must apply directly to the university. 

University of Notre Dame

LocationFremantle, WA and Sydney, NSW
Medical School/Program Established 2005 (Fremantle) and 2008 (Sydney) 
QS Medicine Ranking 2022501-550 (overall) 
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)Yes 
International PlacesYes (only Sydney)

The University of Notre Dame is a Roman Catholic private university. It has campuses in WA and NSW, offering a 4-year graduate-entry Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at both. 

Admission to the 2023 University of Notre Dame’s Fremantle medicine program is based on the following: 

  • A minimum weighted GPA of 5.4 
  • A minimum unweighted GAMSAT average of 52
  • Interview performance 
  • The Notre Dame Portfolio (including leadership experience, service to community and personal statement) 

Admission to the 2023 University of Notre Dame’s Sydney medicine program is based on the following: 

  • A minimum weighted GPA of 5.4 
  • A minimum unweighted GAMSAT average of 52
  • Interview performance 
  • The Notre Dame Portfolio (including leadership experience, service to community and personal statement) 

International students may submit an MCAT score to the University of Notre Dame Sydney campus in lieu of a GAMSAT, with a minimum overall score of 500. 

Domestic applicants can apply to Macquarie University’s medicine program through GEMSAS while international students must apply directly to the university.

University of Queensland 

LocationBrisbane, QLD
Medical School/Program Established 1936
QS Medicine Ranking 202251
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)Yes 
International PlacesYes

The University of Queensland is within the top ranked medical schools in Australia according to the QS Medicine 2021 rankings. It is a public, research-intensive university and a member of the Group of 8 (G8). The University of Queensland offers a 4-year graduate-entry Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, however, the university also has provisional entry pathway for high school leavers wanting to pursue the University of Queensland MD. 

Graduate-entry admission to the University of Queensland’s medicine program in 2023 is based on the following: 

  • Completion of at least a 3-year Bachelor’s Degree
  • Minimum GPA of 5.0
  • GAMSAT completed with a minimum score of 50 per section
  • Interview performance 

International students may submit an MCAT score to the University of Queensland in lieu of a GAMSAT, with a minimum overall score of 504. 

Domestic applicants can apply to the University of Queensland’s medicine program through GEMSAS while international students must apply directly to the university. 

University of Western Australia 

LocationPerth, WA
Medical School/Program Established 1957
QS Medicine Ranking 2022127
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)Yes 
International PlacesYes (through the provisional entry pathway) 

The University of Western Australia is a public research university located in Perth, WA. It offers a 4-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. 

Graduate-entry admission to the University of Queensland’s medicine program in 2023 is based on the following: 

  • A relevant Bachelor’s Degree 
  • A GPA of at least 5.5 
  • An overall GAMSAT score of at least 55 and no section score less than 50 

International applicants for the MD may sit the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in place of the GAMSAT and require an overall minimum MCAT score of 500 with no section under 124. 

There is also a provisional entry pathway to the University of Western Australia’s MD program for high school leavers. 

Domestic applicants can apply to the University of Western Australia’s medicine program through GEMSAS while international students must apply directly to the university. 

University of Wollongong 

LocationWollongong, NSW
Medical School/Program Established 2006
QS Medicine Ranking 2022301-350
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)Yes
International PlacesYes

The University of Wollongong is a public university in NSW. It offers a 4-year graduate-entry Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. 

Admission to the 2023 University of Wollongong’s medicine program is based on the following: 

  • Minimum GPA of 5.0
  • Minimum GAMSAT score of 50 overall and 50 per section
  • Online situational judgment test, CASPer
  • Submission of a Portfolio covering past experiences, leadership, service to community 
  • Panel interview performance 

International applicants can choose to submit an MCAT score in place of a GAMSAT score, for which a minimum score of 123 in each section and an overall score of 495 is required. 

The University of Wollongong’s Medical School also has a special entry scheme for Indigenous students. 

Domestic applicants can apply through GEMSAS while international applicants need to apply directly to the university.

Flinders University 

LocationAdelaide, SA
Medical School/Program Established 1996
QS Medicine Ranking 2022251-300
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)Yes
International PlacesYes

Flinders University is a public research university based in Adelaide, SA. It offers a 4-year graduate-entry Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. 

Admission to 2023 Flinders University’s medicine program is based on the following: 

  • Weighted GPA
  • GAMSAT score
  • Interview performance 

While there is no explicit minimum or cut-off GAMSAT/GPA score for the Flinders University medicine program, successful students in the past have met a certain average. To find out more, read this application guide for domestic students or this application guide for international students

Flinders University does not accept applications through GEMSAS. All applicants should apply through the university. 

University of Sydney 

LocationSydney, NSW
Medical School/Program Established 1856
QS Medicine Ranking 202219
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)Yes
International PlacesYes

The University of Sydney is one of the top ranked medical schools in Australia according to the QS Medicine 2021 rankings. It is a public, research-focussed university and a member of the Group of 8 (G8). The University of Sydney offers a 4-year graduate-entry Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, although a provisional entry pathway is offered to high school leavers holding an ATAR score of 99.95. 

Graduate-entry admission to the University of Sydney’s medicine program in 2023 is based on the following: 

International students may submit an MCAT score in place of the GAMSAT score and are not required to submit a personal statement.

The University of Sydney does not accept applications through GEMSAS. Domestic students can lodge their applications through Universities Admissions Centre (UCA), while international students can submit an online application to the university directly. For more information, refer to the domestic admissions guide or the international admissions guide

FAQs

→What is graduate entry medicine in Australia?

Graduate entry medicine in Australia is a pathway for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in any field to pursue a medical degree. It typically takes four years to complete, compared to the traditional six-year undergraduate medical degree.

→What are the entry requirements for graduate entry medicine in Australia?

The entry requirements for graduate entry medicine in Australia vary by university, but generally include a bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 or higher (on a 7.0 scale), and completion of prerequisite courses in subjects such as biology, chemistry, and physics.

→How do I get into graduate-entry medicine in Australia?

To get into graduate-entry medicine in Australia, you need to have completed a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with specific prerequisite subjects, such as anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. You will also need to take either the GAMSAT or the UCAT, depending on the university’s requirements, and submit an application through the relevant admission centre. Successful candidates will then be invited for an interview, and selection is based on a combination of academic performance, test scores, and interview performance.

→How long does it take to complete graduate entry medicine in Australia?

The duration of graduate entry medicine programs in Australia varies by university, but most programs are typically completed within four years.

→Is it hard to get into graduate-entry medicine?

Yes, it is generally considered to be quite competitive to get into graduate-entry medicine in Australia, as there are a limited number of places available at each university, and the selection process is rigorous.

→Is the UCAT or GAMSAT harder?

Both the UCAT and GAMSAT are challenging tests, but they are designed to assess different skills and knowledge. The UCAT is focused on aptitude and critical thinking skills, while the GAMSAT tests knowledge in science, reasoning, and written communication. The difficulty of each test will depend on the individual’s strengths and weaknesses.

→Can you get into medicine without GAMSAT?

It is generally not possible to get into medicine in Australia without taking the GAMSAT or an equivalent test, as it is a standard requirement for most graduate-entry medical programmes. However, some universities may offer alternative pathways for entry, such as through a postgraduate diploma or a bridging course.

→Can international graduate students study medicine in Australia?

Yes, international graduate students can study medicine in Australia, but they will need to meet the same entry requirements as domestic students, including completing a bachelor’s degree with specific prerequisite subjects and taking the GAMSAT or UCAT. International students will also need to meet visa requirements and may be subject to additional fees and restrictions.

→Which university is the best for medicine in Australia?

There are several universities in Australia that offer highly regarded medical programmes, including the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, and the University of Queensland. However, the “best” university for medicine will depend on individual preferences and priorities, such as location, programme structure, and research opportunities.

→What financial assistance is available for graduate entry medicine in Australia?

Financial assistance for graduate entry medicine in Australia varies by university and program, but may include scholarships, bursaries, and government loans. You should contact the relevant university’s financial aid office for more information.

→What are my chances of being accepted into graduate entry medicine in Australia?

Acceptance into graduate entry medicine in Australia is highly competitive, with only a limited number of positions available each year. Your chances of being accepted depend on your academic record, GAMSAT score, interview performance, and the number of applicants.

→What are the job prospects after completing graduate entry medicine in Australia?

Graduate entry medicine programs in Australia prepare students for a range of careers in the medical field, including general practice, specialist practice, research, and academia. Graduates of these programs are highly sought after and have excellent job prospects.

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