Admission Information - All Applicants

The University of Wollongong Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (UOW MBBS) programme is a 4-year full time graduate entry level medical course operating at both the Wollongong and Shoalhaven campuses by the UOW Graduate School of Medicine. Successful applicants will be offered a place at one of these locations. The programme has an emphasis on the health of regional, rural and remote communities in Australia, in keeping with the vision of the school. Over the four years clinical placements will occur in regional, rural and remote Australia which may mean students will be required to temporarily relocate for up to a year at a time.

The mission of the GSM is to produce excellent medical practitioners who have the capacity and desire to contribute to the enhancement of health care for patients in all geographic settings, but particularly in regional, rural and remote communities. We strive to use recent technology, best educational practice and an innovative curriculum to produce graduates with a commitment to patient-centred, evidence-based, reflective and cost-effective medical practice.

Each academic year is approximately 42 weeks in length. Students should expect to participate in 15-20 hours of structured and 15-30 hours of self-directed teaching and learning activities each week. Part time study is not available for the MBBS degree programme.

On completion of the UOW MBBS all graduates must undertake one year of pre-vocational training to be eligible for unconditional registration as a medical practitioner in NSW. This training (referred to as PGY1 or internship) occurs under supervision as determined by the NSW Health Education & Training Institute (HETI). Graduates who satisfactorily complete pre-vocational training will be registered as Medical Practitioners in NSW and eligible to apply for registration in Australia and New Zealand.

Admission information

For information regarding UOW MBBS admissions criteria, eligibility and the application process for domestic and international applicants, please refer to the relevant pages linked below:

• Domestic applicants
• International applicants

Admissions Information Evening

Interested in applying for medicine at UOW? The GSM Admissions Information Evening is a great opportunity for prospective applicants to learn about our admissions criteria and selection process, our unique curriculum and have all of your questions answered.

The annual GSM Admissions Information Evening held on Tuesday May 14th gave applicants an opportunity to:

• Meet with current students, Admissions staff and Academic staff
• Discuss and receive advice on admissions, your application, course structure, and career pathways
• Learn what it is like to be a medical student of the GSM

A recorded presentation of the session is now available for viewing:

• GSM Admissions Information Evening (1 hour, 43 minutes)

Additional information for all applicants

It is a condition of offer that students need to fulfil the following requirements

First Aid Certificate

Successful applicants must have completed and hold a current approved First Aid Certificate (minimum 14hr training content) prior to commencement of study. Evidence of this certificate must be presented on the first day of the programme.

Examples of relevant courses are:

• St John’s Ambulance - 2 Day Senior First Aid
• Red Cross - Senior First Aid

No exceptions will be made to this requirement for entry regardless of previous work experience or qualifications.

The cost of a First Aid course is the student's responsibility.

Infectious Diseases Policy

Prior to the commencement of clinical placements, all students are required to comply with the NSW Health Policy Directive 'Occupational Assessment, Screening & Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases'. See http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/immunisation/ohs/

Students are advised to take this card to your GP for completion. No other form or letter will be permitted instead of this card. Students will be excluded from clinical placement if this card is incomplete.

Criminal Record Check

NSW Health requires all students undertaking clinical placement as part of a health related course to undergo a criminal record check. The criminal record check shall be completed before a student can attend any clinical placement in a health facility. Students will be provided advice with their Offer of Admission on the process to be followed to obtain a suitable criminal record check. If a student receives a positive result from the check it will not necessarily exclude them from a clinical placement as each situation will be individually and confidentially assessed. See http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/jobs/student_clearance/index.asp for more information.

International students are required to bring with them a certified criminal record check clearance letter, in English, from their country of origin. At the time of enrolment applicants must show this letter plus provide a copy for certification by a Justice of the Peace. The copy is then attached to the criminal record check application form.

Students will be excluded from clinical placement if this process is incomplete.

Prohibited employment declaration

Under the "Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998", UOW is required to distribute to students a "Prohibited Employment Declaration" form for completion before students will be allowed to take part in practical training. This will be provided to each student at the time of enrolment.

Students will be excluded from clinical placement if this process is incomplete.

Deferral

Offers of a place are made for a specified year only and course commencement can only occur in January/February (Semester 1) of each calendar year. Deferral of places is not normally granted. Applicants who do not, or are unable to accept an offer, must re-apply if they wish to undertake the course in a subsequent year.

Transfer from another medical programme

Students commencing a medical degree programme at any Australian or New Zealand medical school are expected to complete the entire programme at their chosen university. Transfer of enrolment between medical schools is not normally approved except in very exceptional circumstances. Any student wishing to transfer into the MBBS programme at UOW must apply in writing. All applications for transfer will be assessed individually by Academic Leader, Admissions & Selection.

Advanced standing

The MBBS programme is a graduate entry programme that requires the completion of a Bachelors degree, but has no subject area prerequisites. The GSM accepts and encourage applicants from a wide range of fields. The curriculum is integrated with clinical material from commencement and as such advanced standing is not granted for any part of the MBBS programme at enrolment.

Scholarships

Information on scholarships may be found at:

• Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship
• Bonded Medical Places Scheme
• The John Flynn Placement Program
• HECS Reimbursement Scheme
• Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme
• RAMUS Scholarship
• Scholarships at UOW
• Scholarships - Graduate School of Medicine

The NSW Rural Doctors Network keeps track of Scholarship opportunities:

• Rural Doctors' Network website

Technology Guidelines for GSM Students

The UOW GSM is committed to using technologies that have been demonstrated, or have potential, to enhance the learning process.

Among the range of technologies that will be implemented, the GSM makes extensive use of an Online Learning Environment that provides students with a collection of educational resource materials; allows for access to a number of online learning activities, facilitates interaction among students, teachers and administrative staff; provides access to weekly formative assessments; and, allows students to track and document their progress through the course.

The University provides access to desktop computers in the public access and medical school buildings, and via wireless internet access campus wide. However, due to the distributed nature of the curriculum, which includes significant periods of time in clinical placements, MBBS students are strongly encouraged to organize their own access to personal computing facilities.

Printing and photocopying facilities are available on both campuses.