Eligibility requirements
To be considered for admission into the DMD, 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 selection Grade Point Average (sGPA) of at least 5.5, and
- a Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) overall score of at least 50 with no section score less than 50 for domestic applicants. International applicants submitting a GAMSAT score require a minimum overall score of 55 with no section under 50.
International applicants for the DMD 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. International applicants for the DMD may submit Canadian or American Dental Association Dental Admissions Test results (DAT/CDAT). 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 DMD require a valid GAMSAT score.
International applicants to the DMD may submit a GAMSAT or MCAT score.
For details regarding validity periods, please refer to the heading Graduate Admissions Tests.
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.
- Interview period for international applicants to be advised.
- 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 and commencement
- For domestic applicants, offers for the DMD will commence during November.
- Course offer timing for international applicants to be advised. Offers are on a rolling basis and continue until all places are filled.
- The DMD course commences during January.
- Course offers for the DMD cannot be deferred. Applicants should consider their personal circumstances and apply for the DMD in an admissions period where they are prepared to commence should they receive an offer. In the event that a course offer recipient 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 Tests
GAMSAT
Domestic applicants for the DMD 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 DMD: overall score of 50 with no section under 50
- International DMD: overall score of 55 with no section under 50
MCAT
International graduate applicants to the DMD 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 DMD: overall score of 500 with no section under 124
DAT
International applicants for the DMD may submit results from Canadian or American Dental Association Dental Admissions Test (CDAT/DAT). Results must be valid as at the application closing date of 1 July. Due to the availability of test dates, results may be valid for slightly longer than two years. Contact the Specialist Admissions team for advice.
Grade Point Average (GPA) calculation method and Accepted Degrees
The selection GPA (sGPA) forms part of the eligibility and selection criteria for graduate entry into this course. The UWA Admissions team will calculate the sGPA. Applicants must meet the specified minimum sGPA to be considered for a place in this course.
There is no 10-year rule for graduate entry into this course, which means that applicants with degrees older than 10 years, including the initial Bachelor's degree, will be considered should they meet the sGPA and other minimum eligibility requirements.
All graduate applicants require a recognised bachelor’s degree to be considered for entry into this course. Applicants who have completed a higher degree without having completed a recognised bachelor’s degree will not be eligible for consideration.
sGPA calculation method
The UWA Admissions team will calculate the sGPA according to the GEMSAS calculation method, with some variations and clarifications which are listed below. Information about the GEMSAS calculation method is available on the GEMSAS website.
- sGPA is calculated from the most recent completed study going back three years from semester one of the application year. A full-time equivalent will be calculated where there are periods of part-time or non-contiguous studies.
- 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 for this course. sGPA will be calculated from an applicant's results as they appear on their transcript.
- The sGPA as calculated by UWA may differ to that calculated according to the GEMSAS instructions.
What is included in the sGPA calculation
The sGPA calculation is from degree units going back in chronological order, regardless of exemptions, credit or advanced standing which may have been applied to the most recent degree.
The sGPA calculation includes recognised bachelor’s, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master’s by coursework studies, and takes into account complete research degree studies, that is, honours, master's by research and PhD levels of study. Research degree studies must be completed by the end of semester one of the application year (or equivalent period). Such degree studies due for completion later in the application year will not be taken into account. 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).
Applicants for the DMD, DPM, DOpt or MPharm must provide all transcripts for studies not undertaken at UWA as part of the application.
Domestic MD applicants who have undertaken additional study (whether postgraduate or additional bachelor level study) should indicate and provide transcripts via the GEMSAS application (when prompted to by the application questions). For most Australian universities the GEMSAS application system will direct gather transcripts through the Automated Results Transfer System (ARTS).
Accelerated Bachelor's degrees and conversion courses
UWA will accept recognised two-year accelerated bachelor’s degrees and one-year or two-year conversion degrees for the purpose of graduate admission into this course. 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 sGPA 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 sGPA. Incomplete honours, master’s by research and PhDs are not considered in the sGPA calculation. In order to be included, all research degree requirements must be met by semester one of the application year (or the equivalent period).
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 sGPA will be based on 0.875 FTE of results. Where an applicant has more than one year or FTE of ungraded passes within their most recent three years FTE the calculation will include results from older study where available.
Ungraded or graded fails
Both the result and credit value/weighting of ungraded fails are included in the sGPA calculation. An ungraded fail will confer a sGPA result of 0 for that unit. All Fail results falling within the most recent three years FTE, whether graded or ungraded, will be included in the sGPA calculation.
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 sGPA calculation. As the impact from this period on the overall sGPA has lessened, the sGPA calculation will now treat results from this period as shown on the transcript. Fail results that appear on the transcript will be included in the sGPA calculation (regardless of their treatment on the transcript GPA).
Minimal results in the current year of study
Where an applicant has 0.25 FTE (or less) of results for their final sGPA year, the calculation will include older study. Where no older study is available, the sGPA 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 sGPA 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 Admissions team may require the applicant to provide the host university's actual graded results.
Credit/Exemptions/Advanced Standing
The sGPA is calculated from units that an applicant has undertaken in the most recent three study years FTE, regardless of credit/exemptions/advanced standing units which have been applied to the most recent degree. This will include any Fail results which fall within the most recent 3 years FTE.
Credit/Exemptions/Advanced Standing from pre-Bachelor's Diploma studies
Results from Diploma or other studies completed as a pathway to Bachelor degree studies will not be included in the sGPA calculation, including where such studies have been credited to a Bachelor's degree.
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 sGPA 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 sGPA 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 sGPA 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 sGPA calculation, as this exceeds 0.5 years of FTE study.
Further queries
Further queries may be addressed to the Admissions team. While advice can be provided regarding specific circumstances, a full sGPA calculation cannot be provided without a formal application.
Eyesight requirements
Applicants are recommended to have an eye examination to determine if they have any vision defects which will interfere with their ability to practise as a dentist. Students must meet these visual requirements. Vision defects that can be corrected, such as by the wearing of glasses, should be done so prior to enrolment. Colour blindness may affect the ability to become a dentist and it is strongly advised that affected applicants seek advice from an ophthalmologist.
English language competency requirement
To fulfil the English Language Competency requirement applicants must have:
- Completed 2+ years or full time equivalent tertiary study in English only at an institution in Australia, the United Kingdom, the USA, Ireland, Canada (except Quebec), and New Zealand; OR
- IELTS Academic with overall score of 7.0 and no band less than 7.0 (IELTS Indicator will be accepted during the 2020-2021 admissions period):
- from one test sitting;
- or
a maximum of two test sittings within a six month period only if:
- a minimum overall score of 7.0 is achieved in each sitting;
- and
a minimum score of 7.0 in each band across the two sittings;
- and
no score below 6.5 in any band.
Applicants who have completed English A-Levels in Singapore are required to submit a IELTS result.
ELC requirements must be met by the application closing date.
Prerequisites and recommended prior study
Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree before commencing the DMD. 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 Dentistry 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
- The interview allows shortlisted candidates to display some of the personal qualities considered desirable in healthcare practitioners, and increase their competitiveness for a place.
- The interview questions will assess candidates on a variety of attributes such as accountability, ethical and moral judgement, communication skills, management skills, problem solving, self-awareness, teamwork/collaboration, conflict resolution, empathy, resilience.
- Shortlisted candidates who accept their interview will be provided with interview information and preparation material prior to the interview.
- Domestic candidates are interviewed in the Multi Mini interview format with the process including registration taking approximately 90 minutes.
- International candidates are interviewed by a panel with the process including registration taking approximately one hour.
- Shortlisted candidates will be notified of available dates and venues relevant to their quota, including the availability of online interviews.
Final ranking
- Final ranking for non-rural domestic applicants will be based on GAMSAT (20%), GPA (30%) and interview (50%).
- Final ranking for rural applicants 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 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 with 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. Offer recipients 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 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 Dental Medicine
Applicants shortlisted for interview had an average GPA of 6.76, and an average GAMSAT of 68. Shortlisting for interview was ranked by GPA and GAMSAT, equally weighted.
Applicants who received a course offer for 2022 commencement had an average GPA of 6.80, and an average GAMSAT of 68.
Due to the very small cohort, information regarding successful rural DMD applicants is not provided. Final ranking for course offers was by GPA, GAMSAT and interview score, equally weighted, and for successful Rural applicants included a rurality rating.
Registration for dental practitioners
Registration upon completion: Doctor of Dental Medicine
On completion of the DMD, 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.
On successful completion of the DMD, graduates will be able to register with the Dental Board of Australia, or with overseas Dental Boards with reciprocal arrangements, and enter the profession immediately. Registered Dentists may choose to later undertake further specialist training (e.g. orthodontics, oral pathology).
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. Refer to the Dental Board of Australia for information regarding registration to practice dentistry in Australia.
