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Best universities in Australia for medicine degrees
Find the best universities for medical degrees in Australia with Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings data
Study abroadFebruary 8 2021
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Medical degrees in Australia can be taken at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
While a few universities offer undergraduate medical degrees, most offer a master’s in medicine that students must complete in order to continue on to a career in medicine.
Most universities also offer health-related undergraduate degrees (in such fields as public health, biomedicine and science).
As with medicine courses across the world, medical degrees in Australia take longer than most other degrees, usually between four and six years. Given the time and dedication required, it’s worth taking care to choose the right one.
Most universities in Australia require a prospective student to take a UCAT test (for undergraduate admissions) or the GAMSAT (for postgraduate students). It is important to check with your chosen university if it demands either of these tests as well as the pass marks for acceptance.
1. University of Melbourne
The oldest medical school in Australia, the Melbourne Medical School is part of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne. It is known for its health research and its inclusion of all major fields of medicine, as well its emphasis on rural health.
The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences is Australia’s largest biomedical research faculty; there are some 1,500 academic staff, 4,000 honorary staff and 1,500 graduate researchers.
The University of Melbourne offers the first Australian professional entry master’s level programme. The four-year course has been created for those with an undergraduate degree in any discipline. Students will complete a year of clinical learning through a case-based teaching approach, two clinical training years and an MD research project focused on a single medical discipline.
There is no undergraduate degree in medicine available at the university; however, students can choose a bachelor in biomedicine or science.
2. Monash University
Monash University’s School of Medicine offers a master’s medicine programme for students looking to pursue a career in medicine. Students will spend one year studying, followed by three years spent in clinical environments in both metropolitan Melbourne and rural Victoria.
The Monash undergraduate medical course is a five-year programme of study with direct entry from school. Undergraduate students can also take the bachelor of medical science (honours), a one-year course that provides a pathway to further study in medicine.
The research faculty at the medical school has contributed to developments in areas such as IVF, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and infectious diseases.
The Monash Medical Centre is a 640-bed teaching and research hospital that offers specialist surgical, medical and mental health services to the wider community.
Students from more than 170 countries are represented within the student body.
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3. University of Sydney
The doctor of medicine at the University of Sydney is a four-year course aimed at graduates who have already completed a bachelor’s degree. It’s worth noting that exceptions are made for high school leavers who have achieved exceptional results. In such cases, these students can undertake the seven-year double-degree pathway, which combines the MD with an undergraduate degree.
The programme is centred on eight themes, including indigenous health and inter-professional teamwork. In the first year, students spend one day a week at one of the university’s clinical schools, and by year two placements account for 50 per cent of their time.
The university offers a number of science and health-related undergraduate programmes (such as diagnostic radiography), which can lead on to further study.
4. The University of Queensland
The University of Queensland (UQ) doctor of medicine is a four-year postgraduate-entry programme. (School leavers accepted for provisional entry must complete their first degree at UQ within the minimum time specified for the programme.)
The first year focuses on theory, patient contact and clinical research skills. The later two years develop these skills and feature clinical placements that offer students a chance to experience both metropolitan and rural Queensland.
From 2022, the university will introduce a multiple-mini interview as part of the application process for the MD as well as requiring all applicants to have completed prerequisite courses in integrative cell and tissue biology and systems physiology or equivalent.
The university also offers undergraduate programmes in a range of science and health-related subjects, which can be taken as a prerequisite to the MD programme.
The University of Queensland has two research-intensive schools, three clinical medical schools and five hospital-based institutes and centres.
5. UNSW Sydney
School leavers can apply for the bachelor of medical studies/doctor of medicine, which is a six-year double degree at UNSW Sydney. Alternatively, a range of master’s degrees are offered as well as flexible and fully online options to help with specialising.
Undergraduate options are also available, such as a bachelor in international public health, for students who wish to pursue a career in a health-related field, but not necessarily as a clinician.
The institution has five Rural Clinical School campuses and select-entry schemes for rural and indigenous students, which means that the university is home to one of the biggest cohorts of indigenous students in Australia.
Top universities in Australia for medicine 2021
Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2021 results
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Art of Smart > Top 5 Medical Schools in Australia for 2021 Revealed
Top 5 Medical Schools in Australia for 2021 Revealed
Considering studying medicine at university? Not sure which medical school to apply to?
We’ve rounded up the top five medical schools in Australia so you can see how they rank.
See which uni made the list!
#5. The University of Queensland
Image sourced from UQ Medicine
Rankings
The University of Queensland School of Medicine ranks at number 5 for top Australian medical schools, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2021.
The school is also ranked 51st globally, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2021.
About
The University of Queensland’s was officially founded in 1936, beginning classes in the Mayne Medical School (pictured above) in 1939, where the primary campus is today.
The Medical School has three primary education areas, including Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, and Medicine.
UQ offers a four-year Doctor of Medicine degree, run primarily from the School of Medicine’s central campus in Herston, close to Brisbane CBD.
As of 2019, UQ’s School of Medicine has 1522 student enrolments, and is under the leadership of 5 medical professors, 8 Head of Mayne academic staff, 10 head of unit coordinators, and 6 staff leading the office of medical education.
There are no undergraduate programs available for medicine, however it is strongly advised to complete a bachelor’s degree in health sciences, sciences, or biomedical sciences.
UQ also offers over 200 scholarships across the university for prospective students.
Entry Requirements
The following requirements are the UQ’s Doctor of Medicine.
- Pathway A: completion of a bachelor degree that cover the prerequisite courses for entry and have provided graduates with professional health qualifications, for example nursing and dental science
- Pathway B: completion of a bachelor degree that cover the prerequisite courses for entry into the Doctor of Medicine, for example sports sciences and nutrition
- Pathway C: completion of a bachelor’s degree with minimal prerequisite courses covered, for example a bachelor of arts
UQ are currently implementing changes to the selection process for 2021 and 2022, including the introduction of a multi-mini interview and prerequisite subjects.
You can find more information about UQ’s application process here.
#4. The University of New South Wales
Image sourced from UNSW Medicine
Rankings
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Medical School is ranked 4th in Australian medical schools according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2021.
UNSW Medicine is also ranked number 45 of medical schools globally according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2021 by Subject.
About
The UNSW School of Medicine was established in 1960, and partners with health facilities in both Sydney and regional Australia.
The school offers an undergraduate medical program completed at the main Kensington Campus in Sydney’s East.
As of 2019, UNSW Medicine has 1649 student enrolments, and is under the leadership of two Associate Deans and a Deputy Dean, with 13 head teaching staff.
The school offers a Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine for undergraduate students.
This degree is a six-year program and requires a minimum of a Band 4 in English Standard or higher to apply. There is also an option to complete a double degree in arts for the duration of 8 years.
This degree is structured in three phrases:
- Biomedical, clinical, and social sciences
- Integrated clinical courses and Independent Learning Project (ILP)
- Clinical placements
You can refer to the UNSW’s undergraduate course book for more information, found here.
Entry Requirements
- Completion of the University Clinical Aptitude Test (CAT) ANZ
- Complete the application form – to be considered for an interview, applicants must have a minimum ATAR of 96.00
- Upon the release of the ATARs, selected candidates are invited to attend the Medicine Interview
More information about entry requirements can be found here.
#3. Monash University
Image sourced from iGem
Rankings
The Monash University School of Medicine is ranked the 3rd best medical school in Australia, according to QS Top Universities Rankings 2021.
The school is ranked number 36 of medical schools globally according to QS Top Universities Rankings by Subject 2021.
About
Monash University, with campuses in Melbourne and Bendigo, offers a direct-entry 5-year Bachelor of Medical Science/Doctor of Medicine for school leavers.
This is the only course in Victoria that allows for direct-entry into medicine for school leavers.
As of 2019, Monash University Medical School had 1925 students enrolled, and is under the leadership of Professor Peter Ebeling AO.
Monash Medicine has 10 different schools and departments, including a School for Central Clinical School, Nursing and Midwifery, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Rural Health, Biomedical Sciences and more.
They have over 30 research centres and institutes from centres for Human Anatomy Education, Inflammatory Diseases, Obesity Research and Education (CORE), Cardiovascular Research and more.
The
Entry Requirements
Prerequisites for the course include VCE English scores of 30 (English other than EAL) or 35 (EAL) and a Chemistry score of at least 30 in units 3 or 4.
Selection process for applicants are based upon UCAT results, your ATAR, and an interview process.
The ATAR changes each year as there are minimal places for students in the course – you can find more information about entry requirements here.
#2. The University of Sydney
Image sourced from Uni Reviews
Rankings
The University of Sydney Medical School is ranked number 2 in Australia by QS Top Universities Rankings 2021.
The school is ranked number 19 globally for medicine according to QS Top Universities Rankings by Subject 2021.
About
The University of Sydney School of Medicine has been training medical professionals since 1856.
The faculty is located on the university’s main Camperdown campus and partners with health facilities in Sydney and in rural communities for student placements.
The faculty teaches many disciplines within medicine, including anaesthesia, surgery, general practice, and emergency medicine to name a few.
As of 2019, The Sydney University School of Medicine had 1139 student enrolments, and is under the leadership of Professor Cheryl Jones.
There are numerous academic staff specialising in a variety of medical fields, such as cancer and cardiovascular research.
There are a number of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships available here.
Entry Requirements
You can enter via an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
Undergraduate
Combined Bachelor of Arts/Doctor of Medicine or combined Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine are both seven year full time degrees. There is a limited quota of 30 domestic students and 10 international students intake per year.
The undergraduate degree selection process is as follows:
- Completion of the UCAT ANZ and a minimum ATAR of 99.95
- Upon release of ATARs, selected candidates are invited for an interview
- Candidates complete a written assessment
Postgraduate
Sydney University offers a four-year Doctor of Medicine for post-graduate students, with an annual intake of 300 students per year.
Admission requirements are:
- Completed an undergraduate degree, minimum three years
- Selected candidates are required to attend an interview
#1. The University of Melbourne
Image sourced from The University of Melbourne
Rankings
The University of Melbourne School of Medicine is ranked as the best Medicine School in Australia by QS Top Universities Rankings 2021.
The school is ranked 18th globally for medicine according to QS Top Universities Rankings by Subject 2021.
About
Founded in 1862, The University of Melbourne School of Medicine is the oldest medical school in Australia.
The school is part of the university’s Faculty of Dentistry and Health Sciences, located in the university’s Parkville campus.
The school offers a four-year postgraduate medicine degree.
As of 2019, Melbourne Medical School currently has 1406 students enrolled.
There are a number of scholarships available for this degree, more information can be found here.
Entry Requirements
Students applying for the four-year Doctor of Medicine program must meet the following requirements:
- Have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline
- Prerequisite studies in anatomy, physiology and biochemistry.
- Sit the Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admission Test (GAMSAT)
- Submit to a multi mini interview.
You can read more about entry requirements to Melbourne Medical School here.
Grace Mitchell hopes to one day stand in front of a Year 12 Modern History class teaching the history of the Soviet Union, or have an insightful discussion with a Year 10 English class on race relations in To Kill a Mockingbird. Either way, Grace is beginning her teaching journey studying a Bachelor of Education (Secondary: Humanities and Social Sciences)/Bachelor of Arts at Sydney University. Grace loves to learn new things, write short stories and opinion pieces, read, and play contemporary Australian compositions on the clarinet. When she is not learning – if that is possible – Grace loves to sit and watch the sun set.
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