At UNSW Medicine, we understand the process prior to commencing study with us can be daunting, with many unanswered questions. This is why we've compiled the questions we're most commonly asked by prospective students. The information below may be subject to change but we update this regularly.
There are potentially 90 international student places available each year. UNSW Medicine continues to be an exceptionally popular program and we usually receive in excess of 700 applications.
You are most likely to be offered a place in the UNSW Medicine program if you achieve the highest possible result in each of the three selection criteria (academic merit, ISAT/UCAT ANZ, interview).
UNSW has a support program for international students under 18 years of age. UNSW Under 18s Care Program will enhance their student experience and provide increased personal and academic support as they transition to living in Sydney and attending UNSW. The program includes support meetings with an international student advisor to monitor each student’s academic and social adjustment, under 18s activities and workshops plus being matched with a senior cultural mentor.
All UNSW students aged under 18 who require a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare Arrangements (CAAW) to meet student visa requirements will need to enrol in UNSW Under 18s Care Program.
As it is not considered appropriate for children under the age of 16 to participate in clinical training, applicants who will be under the age of 16 years at the commencement of Year 1 should discuss their proposed application with us prior to submitting an application. Please e-mail us at MH.MedAdmission@unsw.edu.au.
Applicants may be aware that there are courses that claim to improve performance in the interview.
The Faculty would like applicants to be aware that:
- UNSW does not recommend or endorse any commercially available courses offering preparation for our interview. The interview at UNSW is significantly different from those used at other medical schools, with our interview focusing on your life experiences. There is no evidence that students who undertake interview training courses perform better at the interview. On the contrary, feedback from interviewers has indicated that students who have obviously been coached have been at a disadvantage in our style of interview.
- Some claims by those who provide these courses as to the high number who attended their courses and subsequently gained entry into UNSW Medicine have been found either to be untrue or profoundly exaggerated.
- Some providers also give misleading information concerning the application process for UNSW Medicine. One false claim is that the Medicine Application Form is used as part of the selection of applicants for the interview. The Faculty makes it very clear that students are selected for the interview based on academic record or predicted HSC result. Applicants, therefore do not increase their chances for an interview by paying someone to review their Medicine Application Form.
Although there are no prerequisites for entry into UNSW Medicine, we recommend that students study English for their final high school examinations. There is assumed knowledge of this subject and studying it is considered desirable for successful study in the Medicine Program. Students who do not have the assumed level of knowledge are eligible to apply, be offered a place and to enrol (subject to meeting UNSW's English Language Requirement) but may be placed at a considerable disadvantage.
In addition, study in Chemistry is recommended.
UNSW admits most students into its Medicine program immediately after they have completed recognised secondary school studies.
All courses at UNSW are taught in English. Applicants who are applying on the basis of qualifications not conducted in English are required to provide proof of their competence in English. Detailed information is available at English Language Requirements.
Yes, if you reach the minimum academic rank and minimum ISAT/UCAT ANZ result, you will be offered an interview.
Yes - Students can apply to UNSW Medicine from March onwards, prior to their final high school results or ISAT/UCAT ANZ results being available. However, UNSW Medicine does not make any offers based on predicted results. Offers for places are based on final academic, ISAT/UCAT ANZ and interview results.
You do not need to send us your result prediction. We will contact your school for a prediction if applicable.
Please check our Important Dates page where you can find the final date that UNSW Medicine can accept academic results from international students (who have already completed an interview and ISAT/UCAT ANZ). Applicants who receive their results after this date cannot be considered for entry in the same year.
Please note, however, it is likely that our quota for international students will be full earlier. If the program is fully subscribed by this date, any offers made at this time will be considered for deferral until the following year.
Students may apply for admission to UNSW Medicine after completing some tertiary study. Please note that the Faculty does not set a limit to the number of years an applicant may submit an application for admission.
University study includes bachelor degrees, masters by coursework, masters by research and PhD.
Applicants who have completed at least 0.75 full-time study equivalent of their first year of a tertiary program will be assessed based on "BEST OF" algorithm - The following minimum criteria applies:
- Secondary school qualification component must reach 96.00 ATAR of equivalent AND
- Tertiary study component must reach WAM 70 or equivalent
Once the applicant has met the minimum requirement, the qualification with a higher selection rank would be used as a final selection rank for medicine admissions purposes.
An international student who is studying at an Australian or overseas medical school or who has previously studied at an Australian or overseas medical school is eligible to apply to study Medicine at UNSW as a commencing student. No credit for previous studies will be given (except where applicable for 12uoc General Education courses).
Under no circumstances does UNSW Medicine accept applications for transfer.
Due to the structure of the curriculum, few if any credits can be granted to students who have partly completed or completed another degree. Exemption from all or part of the requirement to undertake 12 Units of Credit of General Education courses will be considered and granted when applicable.
We do not offer a graduate pathway, i.e. it is not possible to join our program only for the MD component.
Applicants who believe that the UNSW Medicine’s admissions process has not been fairly implemented in relation to their application have the right of appeal. Such appeal is to be in writing to: The Dean of Medicine, UNSW Sydney NSW 2052. The reason for the appeal will be investigated by a UNSW Medicine staff member and the Dean will make a determination.
The main program of assistance for international undergraduate medicine students is the Australian Development Scholarship (ADS). ADS are funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). Only students from certain developing countries may apply. The conditions and level of assistance vary according to the country. Applications close as early as January of the year before the year of study. Information about ADS and other AusAID programs may be obtained from the Australian Diplomatic Post or the Australian Education Centre in your home country.
For information on undergraduate scholarships, please visit the UNSW Scholarships website and enquire with the scholarships team directly if you have any questions.
If a student gains Australian permanent residency status or becomes a New Zealand citizen, they are unable to continue in the UNSW Medicine Program as an international student. This is a requirement of the Australian Government and UNSW Australia has no discretion in the situation.
Overseas students and other temporary residents who are granted an Australian permanent visa after they arrive in Australia must be treated as domestic students. Where the student had previously been offered or held a full fee-paying overseas student place, there is no obligation on the institution to offer the student either a HECS-liable or domestic fee paying place. However, the student cannot continue to be treated as an overseas student. (Paragraph 3.5 of the HECS Loans and Fees Manual 2004).
Commonwealth Supported places (CSPs) are offered in all undergraduate programs and in a limited range of postgraduate coursework programs. Because CSPs are limited, eligibility is not automatic and international students who become domestic students are required to compete for a place based on merit.
Commencing Students:
- If your residency status change is dated prior to 1 January for Semester One commencement, your offer as an international fee-paying student will be withdrawn. You will need to apply for a Commonwealth Supported place via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) and meet the selection criteria for local/rural applicants in order to be assessed for entry into the program (remember that UCAT ANZ – not ISAT – will be required when applying as a local student)
- If your residency status change is dated on or after 1 January for Semester One commencement, you will be transferred to a domestic fee-paying place. You will have an opportunity to apply for a Commonwealth Supported place via UAC in the next intake (Semester One each year)
Current Students:
- If you are an Undergraduate student, you must apply for admission to a CSP via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for the next available intake.
For information on housing, please visit the UNSW Housing website and contact the housing team directly if you have any questions.
Please note that residential college accommodation is limited and there are always waiting lists. Students interested in college accommodation are advised to apply early - preferably three to six months before starting at UNSW.
The main hospitals located in Sydney which are used for clinical teaching are:
- Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick
- St George Hospital, Kogarah
- St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst
- Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool
- Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick
- Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick
- Sutherland Hospital, Caringbah
- Bankstown Hospital, Bankstown
- Fairfield Hospital, Fairfield
International students are subject to the conditions of their student visa. Subject to those conditions, UNSW Medicine will permit leave applications only in exceptional circumstances.
After completing formal Medicine program requirements for the award of the BMed/MD degrees, you will be provisionally registered by the Medical Board of Australia as you are required to complete an internship for at least one year in selected hospitals before obtaining final registration as a medical practitioner. Obtaining provisional registration does not guarantee an internship.
Local student graduates are guaranteed an internship. International graduates are not guaranteed an internship and should check with state health departments to confirm internship availability. You can find contact details on the Australian Government Department of Health website. Final registration can only be obtained following an internship year.
Although the UNSW Medicine degree is recognised internationally, many countries require foreign graduates to sit a licensing examination to ensure the doctor understands the local health problems and health care systems prior to practicing.
After completing and graduating from the six year Medicine program, an internship is undertaken. In New South Wales this is called Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY1). It is a paid position in a hospital, and is usually one year in length. It must be undertaken prior to full registration as a medical practitioner.
In Australia, the internship training period is controlled by the various state Departments of Health and no guarantee can be given that an internship training program will be available to all international students. This applies in all states of Australia.
In the State of New South Wales, NSW Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) follows a priority category system if there are more applicants than internship positions available. Please note that UNSW Medicine cannot guarantee that internship positions will be available in the future, particularly as there has been an increase in the number of local medical students. Students are encouraged to pursue alternatives such as an internship in their home country or another country, as well as applying for an internship in New South Wales and other Australian states.
After allocation, HETI and the Primary Allocation Centre will assist international graduates to obtain a visa to undergo internship in NSW.