International Applicants

Admission to the UOW MD degree for international applicants is based on:

• A weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) from a valid degree*
• A valid GAMSAT or MCAT score *
• A valid Casper score *
• A completed UOW MD Admissions Portfolio *
• A structured UOW MD Admissions Interview *
• Evidence of English proficiency

* see specific sections below to determine required standards for each measure

Applicants who are NOT citizens or permanent residents of Australia or citizens of New Zealand are considered international applicants. GSM offers a minimum of 15 International places via an International pathway and applications are assessed directly by UOW. (That is, there is no application pathway via GEMSAS). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from late February 2023. 

There is no application fee. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis from late February 2023. Early applications are encouraged.

 Applicants who have completed medical studies in another country or qualified physicians are not considered eligible for entry to the UOW MD program. Applicants who have incomplete medical studies previously in Australia or overseas are not eligible for entry to the UOW MD program.

International applicants are encouraged to download and complete the application form and the International portfolio form then submit all the supporting documents along with the completed application form to UOW Future Students at future-students@uow.edu.au.

Weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) from a valid degree

All applicants must have completed (or be in their final year of study at time of application) an undergraduate degree consisting of at least three years duration when studied full-time, or equivalent (FTE). The undergraduate degree must be from an Australian university or an equivalent overseas Bachelor qualification from an institution that is recognised under the framework and guidelines set by the Australian Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) (previously AEI-NOOSR). All qualifying degrees need to be completed by 31^st December 2023.

All applicants must have a weighted GPA of 5.5 on a 7-point scale at the time of application, to be eligible to apply.

The GPA calculation is based on three years of full-time equivalent study (3.0 FTE) in your most recent eligible degree (or combination of degrees, if applicable). For the purpose of the GPA calculation, eligible degrees include Bachelor, Honours, Graduate Diploma and Master by Coursework programs. Course results from eligible degrees will be included in the GPA calculation if the degree is already completed or due to be completed by 31 December in the year of application.

All applicants will be required to submit electronic copies of their most recent Bachelor's degree (as well as Honours, Graduate Diploma and Masters by Coursework, if undertaken) with their application. If an offer is accepted, either certified copies or original transcripts will be required for final enrolment.  The GPA is calculated using all subjects taken within the last three full-time equivalent years of the most recent eligible degree(s).

UOW does not normally recognise two-year Bachelor degrees or one year conversion degrees for the purpose of admission to the medical course. Graduate entry two year programs, or applicants who have completed the equivalent of a three year FTE Bachelor degree but have been awarded credit for prior academic learning may be exempt from this rule. Please contact UOW GSM for more information if your degree is less than three years FTE in duration.

The GPA for all international transcripts is calculated using the GEMSAS GPA calculator. (This is the same method as the calculator used for domestic applicants). The GPA calculator tool is available on the GEMSAS website.   

Applicants must have a weighted GPA of greater than 5.5 on a 7 point scale at the time of being selected for interview to be eligible to apply. The GPA score required to receive an offer for interview will vary from year to year. A weighted GPA calculation is used for admission to the MD program. This means most recent results are weighted more heavily:

• Final GPA Year (most recent) = Weighted x 3
• Final-1 GPA Year (2nd most recent) = Weighted x 2
• Final-2 GPA Year (3rd most recent) = Weighted x 1

If your most recent eligible degree comprises less than 3.0 FTE worth of study, course results from your next-most-recent eligible degree(s) may be used to make up the remainder of the 3.0 FTE. For example, if an applicant has completed a 1 year standalone Honours degree after their Bachelor degree, their GPA would be calculated using 1.0 FTE worth of results from the Honours program (Final GPA Year) and the remaining 2.0 FTE worth of results would be taken from the last two years of the Bachelor degree (Final-1 and Final-2 GPA Years).

If the duration of a degree exceeds the equivalent of 3 full-time years of study, only the courses comprising the last 3.0 FTE worth of study will be used in the GPA calculation. For example, for a 5 year combined degree, the GPA calculation will only include the last 3 years of study and will not include the first 2 years.

Where an applicant is completing the final year of their degree in 2023, the current year of study will only be included in the GPA calculation if at least 0.375 FTE worth of graded course results from Semester/Trimester 1 2023 are available to be used in the calculation. If at least 0.375 FTE worth of graded results are not yet available, the Final GPA Year will be excluded from the calculation and the GPA will be calculated using only the Final-1 (x2) and Final-2 (x1) GPA Years.

Ungraded Pass (UGP/CRS) results will not be included in the GPA calculation. UOW will include UGP in the ‘credit count’ for a particular GPA year, however, these are excluded from the calculation and that particular GPA ‘year’ will be calculated based on the available graded course results only.

An applicant must have a minimum of 0.375 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) worth of graded results available for a GPA to be calculated for that particular GPA ‘year’, i.e.: if 1.0FTE is the equivalent of 8 courses (or 48 credits with 6 credits per course), then using this module, you must have a minimum of 3 courses (0.375 FTE) that are graded (not UGP/CRS) for that year.

Please note Graduate Certificates, Masters by Research, PhDs, non-award study and study completed below AQF Level 7 will not be included in the GPA calculation.

For 2024 entry, GPA scores will be used as a qualifying hurdle for interview offers. GPA scores will not be used in ranking for interview or places offers once the hurdle has been met.

UOW does not normally recognise two-year Bachelor degrees or one year conversion degrees for the purpose of admission to the medical course. Graduate entry two year programs, or applicants who have completed the equivalent of a three year FTE Bachelor degree but have been awarded credit for prior academic learning may be exempt from this rule. Please contact UOW GSM for more information if your degree is less than three years FTE in duration. Accelerated Bachelor degrees are accepted by UOW; that is, a degree consisting of three full time equivalent trimesters per year for two years from a recognised institution.

UOW reserves the right to recalculate GPAs at any time before the close of the admissions cycle if required.

International applicants sitting the Graduate Medical Schools Admission Test (GAMSAT), need to have gained a minimum score of 50 for each of the three sections and an overall minimum score of 50 to be eligible to apply.

International applicants that use Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT) must have gained a minimum score of 123 in each sub-section and minimum overall score of 495 in the MCAT.

Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT): The GAMSAT test is offered twice each year in Australia, United Kingdom and Ireland and other countries. The test is held in March and September of each year. Please visit gamsat.acer.edu.au for details regarding GAMSAT.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): The MCAT test is offered a number of times each year in a range of countries. Please visit the AAMC website - Taking the MCAT® Exam for details regarding MCAT.

The results must be valid at time of application. The GAMSAT / MCAT score required to receive an offer for interview may fluctuate annually.

For international applications, applicants are required to complete Casper during the testing periods identified for UOW MD applicants.

Casper is a standardised, online assessment of non-cognitive skills, interpersonal characteristics, and personal qualities that are important for success as a medical student and as a future medical practitioner.

Casper is a 100-120 minute online video based scenario, situational judgement test and is designed to assess areas such as ethics, empathy and communication. Applicants need to have completed the Casper test during the testing periods identified for UOW MD applicants. Applicants who do not have a valid Casper score will not be considered eligible for entry, regardless of their competitiveness against other entry criteria. For 2024 entry, Casper scores will be used as a primary hurdle requirement for interview ranking.

Casper sitting dates will be available throughout the year for International applicants. For the 2023-2024 admissions cycle the following dates are available:

• Wednesday 3 May 2023 - 10am AEST
• Sunday 28 May 2023 - 10am AEST
• Thursday 8 June 2023 - 7pm AEST
• Sunday 25 June 2023 - 10am AEST
• Friday 18 August 2023 - 10am AEST
• Friday 15 September 2023 - 10am AEST

It is recommended that applicants try and register to take the test on the first available date.

More information about Casper can be found in Casper FAQs (PDF: 158 KB)

The UOW MD Admissions Portfolio is a document that allows applicants to identify personal experiences and qualities in areas of achievement, leadership, teamwork and service ethic and commitment and ties to regional, rural and remote communities. All applicants will be required to prepare a portfolio to be submitted to UOW GSM.

In submitting an admissions portfolio, applicants will need to consider the following:

• Leadership
• Capacity to work with others
• Service ethic - outside your employment environment
• High level of performance in an area of human endeavour

After candidates are selected for an interview, verification of activities may be undertaken by email.

• Applicants who do not submit a portfolio will not be considered for an interview.
• All activities listed in the UOW MD Admissions Portfolio require a contact name with a valid email address and/or contact phone number to verify the activity.

A copy of the portfolio template and guide is available here:

• Portfolio Guidelines (PDF: 803 KB)
• Portfolio Application Form (PDF: 687 KB)

International applicants will be considered for interview based on a combination of GPA, Casper and GAMSAT score plus UOW MD portfolio. Interviews for 2024 entry are scheduled to occur in rounds from March to September 2023 and will be conducted in an online format.

UOW MD Admissions Interviews are designed to assess personal qualities important for success as a medical student and as a future medical practitioner.

Interviewees are assessed on areas such as communication skills, empathetic and ethical approach, reflective manner, teamwork and decision-making skills.

More information on the details and format of the interview process will be provided to candidates once they are selected for interview.

Applicants are required to have graduated from their undergraduate degree within ten years of the closing date of applications.

Applicants whose undergraduate degree was completed outside the ten year period may still be considered for admission if they have successfully completed the equivalent of one year full-time tertiary study at Graduate Diploma level or higher at a recognised university within the last ten years. If no postgraduate study has been completed in the last ten years, applicants can apply for a waiver of this rule if they can demonstrate through other activities that they hold current high level academic skills. 

To request a waiver, applicants need to provide a copy of their university transcripts, Curriculum Vitae (CV), and any other documentation in support of their request to md-enquiries@uow.edu.au. This should be submitted prior to applying to ensure that currency of qualification has been deemed acceptable.

In cases where the degree is greater than 10 years old and the candidate is considered eligible to apply, the GPA will still be calculated on the most recently completed eligible qualifications.

Students whose undergraduate degree was not completed in English may be required to demonstrate English proficiency.

The UOW MD Program English Language Requirements are:

A minimum IELTS score of 7.0, plus the following band scores:

• 7.0 in reading and listening; and
• 7.0 in speaking and writing

Applicants are ranked for an offer after the interview. All international offers are full-fee paying places.

Firm offers are only made to applicants who are already graduates. Provisional offers are made to applicants who have not completed their final year of their Bachelor's degree at the time of interview. A provisional offer will lapse if the applicant does not reach a weighted GPA of 5.5 on a 7-point scale or above on completion of their degree. The original academic transcript issued by the conferring University providing final year results and confirming the completion of the Bachelor's degree must be submitted to the Graduate School of Medicine before enrolment.

Offers will be made throughout the year. This is a highly competitive process, and more offers may be made to eligible applicants than places available. To ensure your place is secured in the program you are required to return the acceptance form and $AUD 15000 + Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as soon as possible. The remainder of first semester fees will need to be paid by 31st October prior to starting the MD program. If the remaining of the 1st-semester fees is not paid by 31st October, the offer will be withdrawn. Once all 15 places have been confirmed and accepted, any students with outstanding offers will be placed on a waitlist in case a place becomes available. Your prompt response to the offer is vital to secure your place.

The MD Program of the University of Wollongong consists of two main campuses – Wollongong and Shoalhaven. At the time of the interview, applicants will need to indicate their preferred campus (Wollongong or Shoalhaven) for Phase 1 of the program.  This preference will be considered but not guaranteed. Extenuating circumstances for campus preference may be considered. International students may be allocated to either campus. See Wollongong campus and Shoalhaven campus facilities. 

Acceptance of a UOW MD place indicates acceptance of the campus allocation. It should be noted that the International Student Office is located at Wollongong campus only.

Applicants who are NOT citizens or permanent residents of Australia or citizens of New Zealand are considered international applicants.

Permanent Resident Status is established from the date stamped on the applicant/student's passport or a "certificate of Evidence of Resident Status" from the Department of Immigration & Border Protection, not the date on which the application for status is made.

Should an international applicant be granted Permanent Resident status (or New Zealand Citizenship status) before an offer is made, their application will be void. They may re-apply for a domestic place in a subsequent intake.

First Aid Certificate

Successful applicants must have completed and hold a current approved First Aid Certificate prior to commencement of study. Evidence of this certificate must be presented on the first day of the program.

The course must be designated by course code” HLTAID011 Provide first aid” and be provided by an accredited provider.

Examples of accredited providers include

• St John Ambulance
• Australian Red Cross
• Surf Life Saving Australia

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.

NSW Health Verification

Prior to the commencement of any clinical placement, all students are expected to complete the verification process with NSW Health. Students may be excluded from clinical placement if this process is incomplete.

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.

Inherent requirements 

Inherent requirements for the UOW MD course are guided by the Medical Deans of Australia and New Zealand (MDANZ) Inclusive Medical Education guidance note which refers to the following:

Communication skills – verbal, non-verbal and written

Medical students will be expected to communicate effectively and sensitively with a range of different people to establish rapport, involve patients and carers in decision making, and practise in a culturally safe way to deliver high quality, safe care. This applies to listening, speaking, reading, writing, and the capability to use these different modes to elicit information from people, often under pressure and in difficult situations.

Professionalism

Medical students will be expected to demonstrate capabilities consistent with those of a medical professional, including a commitment to making the care of patients their priority, and to practise safely and effectively, treat people with dignity and respect, and be aware of the limits of their own knowledge, skills and health. They will also be required to comply with the law, regulations and any other university codes or policies.

Insight into their own health and behaviour

Medical students will be expected to demonstrate an ability to recognise when they experience poor health and put in place effective processes to ensure their own health or behaviours do not pose a risk to others.

Cognition, critical thinking and problem solving skills

Medical students will be expected to have an aptitude for problem solving, based on scientific principles to understand and solve the complex medical needs of patients, whilst also considering the context of the patient’s circumstances and the health system they are working in.

Team work

Medical students will be expected to work willingly and cohesively as part of a team, taking responsibility for their actions as well as recognising and respecting the skills of other professionals.

Physical and observational capabilities

Medical students will be expected to demonstrate their ability to acquire information, carry out a range of procedures suitable to their level of capability, and understand and carry out their role in assisting during a medical emergency.

Sustainable performance

Medical students will be expected to demonstrate both physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level to perform multiple tasks in an assigned period of time that provides safe and effective care without compromise.

Diversity and Inclusion

UOW and the GSM seeks to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, including those with a disability.  The School encourages potential applicants who anticipate they may need particular support to participate in the medical program to make early contact with the GSM for a discussion regarding the requirements of the course and the potential for reasonable accommodations.

It should be recognised that there may be cases where students will not be able to meet the requirements of the program, even with reasonable accommodations. Staff are available to provide guidance on other study options.

Applicants who have incomplete medical studies previously in Australia or overseas are not eligible for entry to the UOW MD program.

Information on scholarships may be found at Scholarships at UOW

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?

Applicants are encouraged to apply for entry to the UOW MD program as early as possible. International applications are assessed throughout the year.

WHAT ARE THE LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?

All students who have undertaken undergraduate study in a non-English speaking country are required to obtain a minimum overall IELTS score of 7.0, with at least 7.0 in the reading and listening band, and at least 7.0 in the speaking and writing band. Evidence of the score must be submitted with your application. See The Medical Board of Australia website for ‘English Language Skills’ requirements for internships.

WHAT IS THE COST OF TUITION?

The cost of tuition is set and indexed every year by the University. Contact the Graduate School of Medicine or check this link for more information: International student fees

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE UOW MD OVERSEAS?

The UOW MD degree is an accredited medical degree in Australia and is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.

CAN I DO MY INTERNSHIP IN AUSTRALIA?

International graduates of the MD program are not automatically entitled to internship, registration, or access to a provider number in Australia. More information on practicing medicine in Australia can be found on the Medical Board AHPRA website

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY RESIDENCY STATUS CHANGES DURING THE COURSE?

If a student gains Australian permanent residency status or becomes an Australian or New Zealand citizen, they are unable to continue in the UOW MD program as an international student. There are no Commonwealth Supported Places available for International MD students who subsequently become permanent residents or citizens. Therefore, the student will be required to relinquish their place, and exit from the medical program.