Benefits of Studying Medicine in Australia
Studying medicine is an arduous yet very rewarding journey, both emotionally and financially. This experience can only be enriched when you choose to study medicine in a progressive and developed country such as Australia.
Here are some benefits of studying medicine in Australia:
- Elite universities. Known for its excellent education system and support toward students, the country is home to five universities that rank among the top 100 universities in the world for medicine, with many other universities ranking in the top 200. This ensures that you will be choosing from elite institutions that offer some of the latest facilities and modern approaches to teaching.
- Strong labour market and job growth. Apart from the benefit of studying in distinguished universities, the strong labour market is another incentive for medical graduates who wish to work in Australia after their studies.
- According to Labour Market Insights, the occupation category of Specialist Physicians is expected to grow very strongly, with a 27% projected chance of growth during the 2021-2026 period.
- General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers are expected to grow as an occupation category, with a projected 10.2% growth rate. Physiotherapists are also in demand, with a 28.7% projected growth rate.
- High-paying jobs. Australia is also a country where medical workers are held in high regard and paid fairly. In fact, five out of the 10 highest-paid jobs in Australia are professions in the medical field, with surgeons being the highest-paid role in the country. Therefore, if you decide to work in Australia after finishing your medical degree, you can expect to reap the rewards of your hard work.
Careers and Pathways with a Medicine Degree
With numerous medical specialties and roles, the world is your oyster when it comes to choosing a career in medicine. Here are just a few of the many careers in medicine that you can choose from:
- Anaesthesiologist
- Cardiologist
- Dermatologist
- Epidemiologist
- Family physician
- Medical Researcher
- Medical assistant
- Nephrologist
- Neurologist
- Oncologist
- Ophthalmologist
- Paediatrician
- Psychiatrist
- Radiologist
- Surgeon
Entry Requirements for Medicine Degrees in Australia
There is a wide range of medicine degrees in Australia; therefore, entry requirements can vary depending on the type of program you are applying for. Additionally, medical programs can be competitive in highly-ranked universities, which means, universities set their prerequisites and requirements accordingly. For more detailed information, please check your chosen university’s website or contact a representative of the university.
Most universities also offer different pathways and programs leading to a Doctor of Medicine award. For example, Monash University offers a combined Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine program with a direct entry for students who have completed Australian year 12 (or equivalent). The University of Melbourne, on the other hand, offers only a graduate entry Doctor of Medicine program for which you must have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline within 10 years of 1 January in the year during which you plan to begin studies.
Undergraduate Program Requirements
In most Australian universities, if you want to apply to an undergraduate medicine program you will have to meet the following criteria:
- Successful completion of an Australian year 12 qualification (or equivalent) with good (30+) scores in Units 3 and 4 English and Sciences/Other.
- Alternatively, you have to submit proof of English proficiency through approved test scores (typically IELTS Academic 7.0 overall score or equivalent).
- You may have to undergo an interview with the university.
- Some universities require you to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) or the International Student Admissions Test (ISAT), or both.
Postgraduate Program Requirements
Requirements to enrol in a postgraduate Doctor of Medicine program in Australia usually include:
- Satisfactory performance on a relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent finished within the past 10 years.
- Proof of English language proficiency through Australian Year 12 subjects or approved English language tests
- Sitting the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) or the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and achieving minimum scores set by the university.
- Perform satisfactorily at a multiple mini-interview (MMI).
The following universities currently accept GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test) scores:
- Australian National University
- Deakin University
- Flinders University
- Griffith University
- Macquarie University
- The University of Queensland
- The University of Melbourne
- The University of Notre Dame (Fremantle)
- The University of Notre Dame (Sydney)
- The University of Sydney
- The University of Western Australia
- The University of Wollongong
When you receive your GAMSAT scores, you only need one application to apply to any of these universities.
Cost of Medicine Degrees in Australian Universities
The tuition fees for medicine degrees in Australian universities can vary depending on the type of program and the university you choose.
In general, fees for degrees leading to the M.D. title offered by the top Australian universities in medicine range from AUD 74,445 per year to AUD 96,160 per year.
Here is the full list of Doctor of Medicine programs at the leading Australian universities for medicine and their 2023 fees:
*All fees presented above are indicative and apply only to international students.
Medicine Degree Program Structures and Duration
By choosing a quality medical degree, you will learn from a meticulously-planned program that prepares you for a successful career in medicine. These programs are designed differently depending on the university you wish to attend; therefore, you should check individually for details on subjects and program length.
Typically, pre-medicine undergraduate programs last three to four years full-time, whereas the post-graduate Doctor of Medicine programs last four years full-time.
A small number of universities offer joint bachelor’s medical degree & Doctor of Medicine programs that last five to six years; however, they can have a heavier course load and be more competitive to get into.
In general, the most common route to becoming a doctor in Australia takes seven to eight years.
Doctor of Medicine programs in Australia will typically include the following components:
- Foundations of Medicine
- Clinical Skills and Principles
- Diagnostics and Therapy
- MD Research Projects
- Medical Ethics and Law
- Clinical Immersion
- Contact Hours and Advanced Practice in the Health Sector
Best Universities to Study Medicine in Australia
Are you wondering which university to choose for studying medicine in Australia? These are the highest-ranked and most distinguished Australian universities for medical studies:
