Eligibility requirements
To be considered for admission into the MD, an applicant must have:
- a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA. Recognised bachelor’s degrees are those conferred by Australian universities or higher education institutions recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework or the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR). While academic results from postgraduate study will be taken into account, postgraduate studies undertaken without a bachelor’s degree cannot be accepted as an equivalent qualification. Refer to information below regarding accepted degrees.
- the equivalent of HMS Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5.5, and
- a Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) overall score of at least 55 for the MD and no section score less than 50 for domestic applicants.
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, or a minimum GAMSAT score of 55 with no section under 50. Refer to information below regarding Graduate Admissions Tests for further details.
Applicants are initially ranked according to GPA and GAMSAT/MCAT, with the highest-ranking applicants being offered an interview.
After the interviews, candidates will be ranked by GPA, GAMSAT/MCAT and interview score, with the highest-ranking applicants being offered a place. Rural applicants will be ranked based on GAMSAT, GPA interview and rurality rating.
Please refer to the information below for details regarding the admissions and selection process. The Future Students team will be happy to assist with any further queries.
Application timelines and due dates
Application deadlines
Submission of GAMSAT/MCAT scores
All applicants must submit a valid admissions test score by the application closing date.
All domestic applicants to the MD require a valid GAMSAT score.
International applicants to the MD may submit a GAMSAT or MCAT score.
For details regarding validity periods, please refer to the heading Graduate Admissions Test for Medicine (GAMSAT/MCAT).
Applicants who hold more than one valid admissions test score may choose to use their best score in support of their application (not necessarily the most recent).
Interview periods
- Interviews for domestic applicants will take place in Perth around late September.
- Interviews for international applicants: early round interviews for Medicine are planned to be held early May. Main round interview period for Medicine to be advised. (Applicants who are interviewed in the early round for Medicine but do not rank for an early course offer will be considered again in the main round and will not require a further interview.)
- Applicants who are eligible for Indigenous entry should contact the Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health (CAMDH) regarding interview timelines for the current admissions period.
Course offers, commencement and deferral
- For domestic applicants, offers for the MD will commence during November. MD offer rounds will be according to the GEMSAS timeline.
- Course offer timing for international main round applicants to be advised. Offers are on a rolling basis and continue until all places are filled.
- The MD course commences during January.
- Applicants should consider their personal circumstances and apply for the MD in an admissions period where they are prepared to commence should they receive an offer:
- An offer for a place in the MD cannot be deferred; if an applicant cannot commence, their offer will lapse and they must re-apply and compete for a place in a later admissions period.
Eligibility criteria
Domestic
Australian citizens (including dual citizenship holders), permanent residents and New Zealand citizens must apply for a domestic place.
Rural (Domestic)
The Rural program is part of a Federal Government initiative to address workforce shortages in medicine, dentistry, and allied healthcare in regional, rural and remote Australia. To be eligible, an applicant’s principal home address must have been in an area defined by the Department of Health as regional, rural or remote according to the Modified Monash Model (MMM) for any five years consecutively or at least 10 years cumulatively. A search engine for eligible locations can be found on the DoctorConnect website - click on Modified Monash Model 2019. The MMM 2019 rates locations based on 2016 census data on a scale of 1 - 7. If you are a domestic student who lives or has lived in areas rated MM-2 through MM-7 for the defined periods you may be eligible for consideration within the Rural quota.
Graduate applicants for Dentistry, Podiatric Medicine, Optometry, Pharmacy or Social Work who believe they fit the rural definition must submit UWA's Graduate Rural Eligibility form to be considered for a Rural place. Domestic graduate applicants for Medicine will indicate their eligibility via GEMSAS. Contact the Specialist Admissions team for further information.
Indigenous (Domestic)
Applicants who identify as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are accepted as such by the community in which they live, or have lived, are eligible for consideration as an Indigenous applicant. Applicants must provide a person or organisation who can verify their Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status. Applicants should contact the Specialist Admissions team or the Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health (CAMDH) for information regarding this pathway.
International
Applicants who are not Australian citizens, permanent residents or New Zealand citizens, must apply for an international place. International students who have applied or are intending to apply for Australian permanent residency or citizenship need to be aware of the following:
- An offer for an international place will lapse if the applicant’s residency status changes before commencement. Applicants in this situation will need to re-apply during the next admissions period for a domestic place.
- A student whose residency status changes after commencement cannot be guaranteed a domestic place in a course subject to quotas.
Graduate Admissions Test for Medicine (GAMSAT/MCAT)
GAMSAT
Domestic applicants for the MD must submit a valid GAMSAT score. GAMSAT scores are valid for two years and must be valid as at the closing date of applications. Information regarding testing dates and locations is available on the GAMSAT website.
There are three sections to the test: Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences; Written Communication; and Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences. The third section assumes knowledge equivalent to at least first-year university-level chemistry and biology, and A-level/Leaving Certificate/Year 12 physics. View information regarding GAMSAT preparation strategy on their website. Further information regarding GAMSAT preparation can be found below under prerequisites/recommended prior study.
GAMSAT minimum requirements
- Domestic MD: overall score of 55 with no section under 50
- International MD: overall score of 55 with no section under 50
MCAT
International graduate applicants to the MD may submit an MCAT result in place of GAMSAT. The MCAT is a standardised, multiple‐choice examination designed to assess the examinee's problem solving, critical thinking and knowledge of science concepts and principles prerequisite to health studies including verbal reasoning, physical sciences and biological sciences. Information on the test including preparation strategies can be found on the MCAT website.
MCAT scores are valid for three years and the test must be sat such that a result will be available prior to the closing date of 1 July. Applicants who do not yet have their result may submit their application with their MCAT ID and provide the result when it is available. Medicine applicants who wish to be considered for the Early Round must submit their MCAT score prior to the Early Round closing date of 29 April.
MCAT minimum requirements:
- International MD: overall score of 500 with no section under 124
Grade Point Average (GPA) calculation method and Accepted Degrees
Details regarding the Health & Medical Sciences Selection GPA (HMS GPA) calculation method are available on the GEMSAS website and should be considered alongside information below regarding UWA’s HMS GPA calculation method.
HMS GPA calculation method
- Applicants must show they have achieved the course-specific minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) in order to be considered.
- Each year is weighted equally: ("GPA most recent year" + "GPA 2nd most recent year" + "GPA 3rd most recent year")/3.
- No preference or scaling is given to particular universities or fields of study.
- Special consideration cannot be granted as part of the admissions process. GPA will be calculated from an applicant's results as they appear on their transcript.
- The HMS GPA as calculated by UWA may differ to that calculated according to the GEMSAS instructions.
What is included in the HMS GPA calculation
UWA's HMS GPA is calculated from university study undertaken in the most recent three years. A full time equivalent (FTE) will be calculated for students who have studied part time or overloaded. As an example, three years of full-time or equivalent study at UWA is 144 credit points, at Curtin it is 600 credit points, at ECU it is 360 credit points, at Murdoch it is 72 credit points.
The calculation is from units taken in chronological order, regardless of exemptions, credit or advanced standing which may have been applied to the most recent degree.
The HMS GPA calculation includes recognised bachelor’s, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master’s by coursework, completed honours, completed master's by research and completed PhD levels of study. Note that in order for honours or other research degree studies to be included in the HMS GPA calculation, it must be completed by the end of semester one of the application year. See information below regarding the treatment of research degree studies.
Recognised degrees are those conferred by Australian or overseas universities or higher education institutions recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), or the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR).
Domestic MD applicants who have undertaken additional study (whether postgraduate or additional bachelor level study) should indicate this on the GEMSAS application (when prompted to by the application questions). All other applicants should indicate this on their UWA application form and provide transcripts for studies not undertaken at UWA.
Accelerated Bachelor's degrees and conversion courses
UWA will accept recognised two-year accelerated bachelor’s degrees and one-year conversion degrees for the purpose of graduate admission into Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatric Medicine, Pharmacy and Optometry. Applicants who are in progress of a one-year conversion degree must complete that course before applying, unless they also hold a previously completed bachelor’s degree.
Postgraduate degrees by research
Applicants with a completed PhD at time of application will be awarded a HMS GPA of 7.0.
Applicants with a completed master’s by research at time of application will be awarded a bonus of 0.2 to be added to their overall HMS GPA.
Incomplete honours, master’s by research and PhDs are not considered in the HMS GPA calculation. In order to be included, all research degree requirements must be met by semester one of the application year.
Applicants who only hold higher degrees
All applicants require a recognised bachelor’s degree for graduate entry into UWA’s MD, DMD, DPM and MPharm. Applicants who have completed a higher degree but have not completed a recognised bachelor’s degree will not be eligible for consideration.
COVID19 - Treatment of Results from Semester 1 2020
As a temporary measure due to impacts of COVID19, all results obtained from studies undertaken during Semester 1 2020, and concurrent non-standard study periods, were treated as ungraded pass/fail in the HMS GPA calculation. As the impact from this period on the overall GPA has lessened, the Selection GPA calculation will now treat results from this period as shown on the transcript.
Ungraded passes
The credit value/unit weighting of ungraded passes will count towards the three years of FTE study; however, the result itself is left out of the calculation. For example, if a student has 0.125 FTE of ungraded pass in a particular year, that year's HMS GPA will be based on 0.875 FTE of results.
The exception is where an applicant has more than one year or FTE of ungraded passes within their most recent three years FTE. In this instance, the calculation will include results from older study where available.
Ungraded fails
Both the result and credit value/weighting of ungraded fails are included in the HMS GPA calculation. An ungraded fail will confer a GPA result of 0 for that unit.
Minimal results in the current year of study
Where an applicant has 0.25 FTE (or less) of results for their final HMS GPA year, the calculation will include older study. Where no older study is available, the HMS GPA will be calculated from only the GPA 2nd most recent and GPA 3rd most recent years. Where there has been no older study, and if an applicant is made an offer, it will be conditional upon their performance in all enrolled units which had been incomplete during the application year (see information below about conditional offers).
Exchange studies
The HMS GPA calculation will use the results that appear on the home university’s transcript. In most cases, such studies are shown as an ungraded pass or an ungraded fail. If an applicant has ungraded pass/fail units amounting to more than one year FTE of their most recent three FTE years of study, the HMS Admission team may require the applicant to provide the host university's actual graded results.
Credit/Exemptions/Advanced Standing
The HMS GPA is calculated from units that an applicant has undertaken in the most recent three years FTE, regardless of credit/exemptions/advanced standing units which have been applied to the most recent degree.
For example, if an applicant previously completed 1.5 years FTE, and then transferred into a different degree with credit/exemption/advanced standing applied for 1 years FTE, and has since then completed a further 1.5 years FTE in the new degree, the most chronologically recent 1.5 years FTE from the previous recognised degree studies will be included in the calculation. This will include any Fail results which fall within the most recent 3 years FTE.
Repeated units/subjects
Applicants who successfully complete a unit and subsequently repeat the same unit (or an equivalent unit) will not have the repeated unit included in their HMS GPA calculation, whether or not the unit was taken as part of degree studies.
If the applicant has repeated a unit due to failing the first time, then the standard HMS GPA rules apply. That is, all units completed within the most recent three years of valid full time or equivalent study will be included in the calculation, including the fail result if it falls within the most recent three years FTE.
Not for degree studies
Results from individual units which are not taken as part of a degree are not included in the HMS GPA calculation, excepting where not-for-degree study constitutes more than 0.5 year of FTE study.
As an example, where an applicant's study includes 4 Access UWA undergraduate units within the most recent three years, these would not be included as the 4 units are equivalent to 0.5 year of FTE study. If 5 Access UWA undergraduate units have been undertaken within the most recent three years or full-time equivalent, these would be included in the HMS GPA calculation, as this exceeds 0.5 years of FTE study.
Inherent requirements
Students who aspire to pursue medicine as a career should review the inherent requirements [PDF, 156KB].
English language competency requirement
All Assured Pathway applicants are required to meet the standard English language competency level for The University of Western Australia.
Prerequisites and recommended prior study
Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree before commencing the MD. There are no preferred bachelor’s courses or specific prerequisites; however, there are recommended subjects in order to best prepare for the GAMSAT or MCAT.
Be aware that UWA does not endorse third party GAMSAT preparation courses or materials, including third party courses which may be held on UWA premises.It is advisable to instead build knowledge through university studies.
Recommended prior study
It is recommended that applicants have undertaken at least:
- Physics to Year 12 ATAR level (or equivalent)
- Chemistry to first-year university level (including completion of Year 12 level chemistry)
- Biology or Human Biology at first-year university level
These subjects are not prerequisite; however, completion of these subjects will help prepare applicants for Medicine studies, as well as for the GAMSAT. Refer to the GAMSAT website for further information regarding preparation strategy.
Recommended UWA units
These units may be incorporated into any UWA bachelor’s degree as major, minor, elective or broadening units. Note these are recommendations and options; it is not a requirement to undertake every listed unit. Some units have prerequisites – refer to the linked unit details. The unit details will also help you compare your own academic background if you have not studied at UWA.
Biology
ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
BIOL1131 Plant and Animal Biology
SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
Chemistry
CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics
CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (required for students who have not completed ATAR Chemistry or equivalent)
Physics (for those without ATAR Physics)
PHYS1021 Applied Physics A
PHYS1030 Physics Bridging Unit
Interviews
- Applicants will be shortlisted for an interview based on their GAMSAT or equivalent score and GPA.
- The interview allows applicants to display some of the personal qualities considered desirable in medical and dental practitioners, and increase their competitiveness for a place.
- Approximately one to two candidates are interviewed for every graduate medicine place.
- Shortlisted applicants are notified one to two weeks prior to the interview by email.
- Applicants who accept their interview will be provided with detailed interview information and preparation material prior to the interview.
- Due to COVID19 disruptions the usual interview process for International students is under review. International applicants will be provided with more information as it becomes available.
- Domestic applicants will be kept informed should changes become necessary due to COVID19 restrictions.
Timing
- Interviews for domestic graduate applicants are held in Perth during late September. Applicants will be notified should changes to the process be required due to COVID19 disruptions.
- Domestic candidates should allow two-and-a-half hours, including registration, preparation and the actual interview process.
- Applicants are required to attend their interview in person within their given interview period and are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements.
- Interviews for international graduate applicants are held in Perth and specified overseas locations during July and early August (venues subject to availability). Due to COVID19 disruptions the usual interview process for International students is under review. Applicants will be provided with more information when it becomes available.
Final ranking
- Final ranking for non-rural domestic applicants to the MD will be based on GAMSAT (20%), GPA (30%) and interview (50%).
- Final ranking for rural applicants to the MD will be based on GAMSAT (15%), GPA (22.5%), interview (37.5%) and rurality rating (25%).
- Final ranking for applicants who are eligible for Indigenous entry will be based on GPA and interview by the Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health (CAMDH).
- Final ranking for international applicants to the MD will be based on GAMSAT (or equivalent) (20%), GPA (30%) and interview (50%).
Degree completion – conditional offers
Applicants who are eligible for a course offer during the final year of their initial bachelor’s degree will be made a conditional offer requiring them to:
- attain a minimum GPA of 5.5 for semester two of the final year of their degree; and
- complete their bachelor’s degree requirements by the end of the year prior to commencement.
Applicants who are in progress of their initial bachelor’s degree and undertake a course of action that will result in receiving late results may not meet offer conditions. Therefore applicants must take care when undertaking any course of action which could delay the receipt of results or degree completion. This may include undertaking deferred/supplementary exams, undertaking units that fall outside normal semesters (e.g. summer units or trimester units) or going on exchange during the final year of study. Applicants who do not complete all requirements for their initial bachelor’s degree by the 31 December deadline will have their offer withdrawn.
Previous average scores for graduate entry into the MD and DMD
Previous year statistics are provided as indicative information only and do not predict or preclude outcomes for subsequent years. Results significantly lower than previous averages may be less realistically competitive for a place. Results equal to or higher than previous averages do not guarantee an interview or course offer. The statistics provided pertain to the domestic cohort. Information regarding international admissions outcomes is not provided due to the relatively small cohort.
Doctor of Medicine Graduate Entry (not including Rural)
Applicants shortlisted for interview had an average GPA of 6.82, and an average GAMSAT of 73.84. Shortlisting for interview was ranked by GPA and GAMSAT, equally weighted.
Applicants who received a course offer had an average GPA of 6.89, and an average GAMSAT on 75.22. Ranking for course offers was by GPA, GAMSAT and interview score equally weighted.
Refer to information under the heading "Final Ranking" regarding weighting for the current admissions round.
Doctor of Medicine Rural Graduate Entry
Applicants shortlisted for interview had an average GPA of 6.49, and an average GAMSAT of 66.4. Shortlisting for interview for Rural eligible applicants was ranked by GPA and GAMSAT, equally weighted.
Applicants who received a course offer had an average GPA of 6.46, and an average GAMSAT of 67.08. Ranking for course offers was by GPA, GAMSAT, interview score and Rurality Rating equally weighted.
Refer to information under the heading "Final Ranking" regarding weighting for the current admissions round.
Bonded Medical Places – Domestic MD only
The Australian Government’s Bonded Program aims to provide more Australian trained doctors where there are workforce shortages, particularly in rural and remote Australia. In accordance with the Department of Health and Ageing, 28.5 per cent of all Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) in UWA’s Doctor of Medicine have been designated as Bonded Medical Places (BMPs).
Bonded Places will be allocated according to the ranked list. Applicants are not required to specify a preference for a Bonded Medical Place.
MD students who have accepted a Bonded Medical Place agree to work in an area of workforce shortage for a period specified by the Department of Health after they have graduated. Depending on the specialisation, areas of workforce shortage may be in remote, rural or urban locations. This period can be completed between commencing internship and five years after fellowship is achieved.
Further information on the current BMP Scheme, including the Deed of Agreement, is available on the Department of Health BMP website.
Curriculum
- The UWA MD is a four-year course. Full details of the course structure are available in the UWA Handbook.
Internship and registration for medical practitioners
Registration upon completion: Doctor of Medicine
On completion of the MD, graduates will have both an undergraduate and a postgraduate degree ensuring they have a well-rounded skill set as well as the specialist skills needed in their professional career.
For registration as a medical practitioner in Australia, all graduates are required to complete a pre-registration internship in an approved hospital, followed by a period of specialist training (e.g. surgeon, general practitioner). Doctors may undertake further specialist training after registering as a medical practitioner (e.g. psychiatry, neurology). The Australian Medical Association provides information regarding the registration process.
Priority for internships is given to graduates who are Australian citizens or permanent residents. The Department of Health has advised that due to an increase in Australian medical graduates, it is likely there will be limited internship opportunities for international graduates. As per previous years, international graduates who wish to undertake internship in Australia are only accommodated if sufficient intern places are available. International graduates may also look into requirements to undertake internships in their home country.
Graduates who did not complete the majority of their education in English in a recognised country may be subject to additional English Language requirements for registration. For further information, refer to the Medical Board.
Section 19AB limits Medicare access for Overseas Trained Doctors (OTDs) and Foreign Graduates of an Accredited Medical School (FGAMS) who became permanent Australian residents or citizens on or after 1 January 1997.
Refer to the Australian Department of Health for information regarding registration to practice medicine in Australia.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Pathway
Registered and practicing dental or medical practitioners who are interested in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) specialty may be eligible to apply for graduate entry into the Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) via the OMFS pathway.
Applications for 2023 commencement are now open and will close on 31 August 2022. To apply, download the OMFS application form and submit via email to the Specialist Admissions Team.
This Pathway offers an alternate entry pathway to the UWA dentistry and medicine courses for eligible applicants. It does not guarantee a place in the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons OMFS training programme which is the registrable qualification for practice as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.
Applicants who have already completed a dental degree and who hold both unrestricted registration and a Medical Provider Number, may be able to apply for a specified sub quota of medicine places.
Applicants who have already completed a medical degree and who hold both unrestricted registration and a Medical Provider Number, may be able to apply for a specified sub quota of dentistry places.
In order to be eligible for consideration, applicants require a minimum Selection GPA of 5.5. Refer to information regarding the calculation method under the 'Grade point average' heading above.
In both cases, selection for interview is based on Selection GPA. GAMSAT is not required. A short-list of candidates will be interviewed. The offer of a place will be based on GPA and interview score.
Applicants who apply through this pathway cannot also lodge a separate application for standard graduate entry.
This pathway is reviewed each year. Contact the Specialist Admissions team if you require further information or clarification.
Anatomist or Physiologist
Cardiologist
Doctor (Medical Practitioner)
Gastroenterologist
