International Entry Pathway

Please check our webpage regularly for any updates to timelines.

Timeline for 2024-2025 Admissions 

** To secure a place in the program applicants are required to return the acceptance form and $AUD 15000 + Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as soon as possible after receiving an offer. The remainder of first semester fees must be paid by 30 November, 2024 in order to receive Confirmation of Enrolment (COE). 

Individuals who have completed a valid qualifying university degree or are currently enrolled in the final year of their degree, in any field of study, are eligible to apply for entry into the UOW MD program. Direct applications will open on 1 March 2024 and close on 31 August 2024. No late applications will be accepted.

There is no application fee for direct applications.

Applicants in the International Entry Pathway must apply to the UOW MD program via the UOW MD International Entry Pathway application form and submit the following documentation to the Graduate School of Medicine:

• Scanned Certified copies of university transcripts showing the completion of a three-year undergraduate degree (if a degree has already been awarded). Applicants who are in their final year of study will need to provide certified copies of their most up-to-date results. Applicants should also provide certified copies of any postgraduate qualifications, if applicable.
• Scanned certified copies of MCAT or GAMSAT test results
• Scanned certified copies of English proficiency documents (if required)
• Scanned certified copy of passport
• Scanned copy of the completed UOW Postgraduate application form

The UOW MD International Entry Pathway application form will open on 1 March, 2024 and close on 31 August, 2024.

Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Residency status and eligibility

Applicants who are currently Temporary Residents (visa status) of Australia, a Permanent Resident of New Zealand or a Resident or Citizen of any other country (without also holding Australian or New Zealand citizenship) are considered international applicants and eligible to apply via the International Entry Pathway.

Applicants who are currently citizens or permanent residents of Australia (including Australian humanitarian visa holders) or citizens of New Zealand are categorised as domestic 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 Australian Permanent Resident status (or become an Australian or New Zealand Citizen) before the MD program has commenced, their application and offer will be void. They may re-apply as a domestic applicant in a subsequent intake.

Should an international student be granted Australian Permanent Resident status (or become an Australian or New Zealand Citizen) after the MD has commenced, they are unable to continue in the UOW MD program as an international student. There are no Commonwealth Supported Places available in the MD program for international students who subsequently become permanent residents or citizens. Therefore, the student will be required to relinquish their place, and exit from the medical program. 

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

• A weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) from a valid qualifying degree*
• A valid GAMSAT or MCAT score *
• A valid Casper score *
• An Interview (Multiple Mini Interview) score *
• Evidence of English Proficiency *

* see specific sections on eligibility to determine required standards for each criterion.

All applicants must have completed (or be in their final year of study at time of application) an undergraduate degree at AQF7 or above consisting of at least three years duration when studied full-time, or equivalent (FTE). To be classed as a valid qualifying degree, 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 valid qualifying degrees need to be completed by 31st December 2024.

For 2025 entry, GPA scores will be used as a qualifying hurdle for interview offers. GPA scores will not be used in ranking for interview or place offers once the hurdle has been met.

The GPA for international applicants is calculated using the GEMSAS GPA calculator. 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. 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

The GPA calculation is based on three years of full-time equivalent study (3.0 FTE) in the 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.

If the most recent eligible degree comprises less than 3.0 FTE worth of study, course results from the 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 2024, 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 2024 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, an applicant 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.

Exception: credit awarded towards a completed Postgraduate Diploma or Masters degree from a Graduate Certificate can be considered in the GPA calculation, up to the amount of credit awarded towards the Postgraduate Diploma/Masters degree.

Previous medical study

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. Applicants with incomplete medical studies who are humanitarian visa holders should contact the GSM for advice on their eligibility.

Duration of qualification

UOW does not normally recognise two-year Bachelor degrees or one year conversion degrees as valid qualifying degrees for the purposes of entry to the Doctor of Medicine program. 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 degree is less than three years FTE in duration. Accelerated Bachelor degrees are accepted as valid qualifying degrees by UOW; that is, a degree consisting of three full time equivalent trimesters per year for two years from a recognised institution.

Currency of qualification

Applicants are required to have graduated from their undergraduate degree within ten years of the closing date of applications for their degree to be considered a valid qualifying degree.

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 must be submitted by 21 August 2024 - a minimum of 10 business days prior to the closing date of applications.

Applicants who are required to be assessed for currency of qualification due to the ten-year rule will be deemed ineligible for consideration of an interview and place at UOW for 2025 entry if:

• An applicant submits a waiver request that is not approved by the Graduate School of Medicine.
• An applicant does not submit a waiver request at all.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit a waiver request. Late submissions of a waiver request are not accepted.

International applicants can apply using scores from the Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admission Test (GAMSAT) or the Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT).

For 2025 entry, GAMSAT/MCAT score will be used as a qualifying hurdle for interview offers. GAMSAT/MCAT score will not be used in ranking for interview or place offers once the hurdle has been met.

International applicants sitting GAMSAT need a minimum score of 50 overall, with no individual section score below 50. More information on the GAMSAT test is available from the ACER website: Graduate Medical School Admissions Test

International applicants sitting MCAT need a minimum score of 495 overall, with no individual section score below 123. More information on the MCAT test is available from the AAMC website: Medical Colleges Admissions Test

No other entrance examination is accepted for international 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.

For 2025 entry, Casper scores are used to rank International applicants for interview offers. A minimum eligible Casper score is set annually, reflecting the application cohort.

As an online situational judgement test, Casper is designed to assess areas such as ethics, empathy, and communication. Applicants must complete the Casper test during the testing periods identified for UOW MD applicants. Applicants without a valid Casper score are not eligible for entry to the MD program, regardless of their competitiveness against other entry criteria.

Casper testing dates for UOW MD international applicants for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle are as follows:

1. Tuesday, 16 April, 2024 - 9 am AEST
2. Wednesday, 1 May, 2024 - 7 pm AEST
3. Sunday, 26 May, 2024 - 10 am AEST
4. Thursday 6 June, 2024 - 7 pm AEST
5. Sunday 23. June, 2024 - 10 am AEST
6. Thursday 8, August, 2024 - 7 pm AEST
7. Friday 13, September, 2024 - 10 am AEST

It is recommended that applicants register to take the test on the first available date in case of emergencies or technical difficulties. Applicants without a Casper score will not be considered.

For more information on Casper including practice test content, technical requirements, fees, and registration see the Acuity Insights website. 

Applicants who meet the qualifying threshold hurdles for GPA and GAMSAT/MCAT performance are ranked for interview using Casper score.

For 2025 entry, international interviews will be conducted in an online Multiple-Mini-Interview (MMI) format.

International applicants may be offered an interview in one of the following rounds depending on the time of applications:

• 8-12 April, 2024 – April MMI interview round
• 24-28 June, 2024 - June MMI interview round
• 23-30 September, 2024 – September (main) MMI interview round

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

Further information about the interview process will be forwarded once applicants receive an interview offer.

International applicants whose undergraduate degree was not completed in English will 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

More information on criteria to meet UOW English language requirements can be obtained by contacting futurestudents@uow.edu.au

See The Medical Board of Australia website for additional ‘English Language Skills’ requirements for medical registration in Australia.

The UOW MD admissions interview score is used to rank international applicants for place offers. All international offers are full-fee paying places.

Offers are made for a specific campus and year of commencement only. 

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 secure a place in the program applicants are required to return the acceptance form and $AUD 15000 + Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as soon as possible after receiving an offer. The remainder of first semester fees will need to be paid by 31st October 2024 in order to receive Confirmation of Enrolment (COE). 

If the remaining of the first semester fees is not paid by 31st October 2024, the offer will be withdrawn. Once all 15 place offers have been confirmed and accepted, any students with outstanding offers will be placed on a waitlist in case a place becomes available.

Offers to applicants completing their degree in 2024 will be conditional on maintenance of the minimum required weighted GPA of 5.5. Evidence of completion must be produced for offer conditions to be cleared. Valid qualifying degrees used in GPA calculation must be completed by 31st December 2024.

Orientation day will be held in Wollongong for all students on 23 January 2025, with the course commencing on 27 January 2025.

UOW offers 15 International full fee places under the Rural-Regional Combined Medical Education Track.

Students in the Rural-Regional Combined Medical Education Track will be based at UOW Wollongong campus or UOW Shoalhaven campus for Phase 1 (first 18 months) of the program.  After Phase 1, students will then be allocated by the GSM to placements in these regions and other regional, rural, and remote areas across NSW.  

 The UOW MD program is a distributed program across several campuses and hubs across NSW.

Phase 1 students who are based at the Shoalhaven or Moss Vale campus, attend the majority of teaching sessions such as lectures and small group work at their campus location. Some teaching sessions are held face-to-face with the academic staff and others are video-conferenced. Typically, on one day per week all teaching sessions will be held at the Wollongong campus and students are expected to travel to Wollongong campus on those days. A travel subsidy is provided to eligible students to contribute to some of the travel costs. Further information will be provided to students at the commencement of session.

 Phase 2 to 4 students will all be required to travel to attend curriculum and placement activities. Public transport is not always available to meet the requirements of the program, and it is the responsibility of the student (not the School) to manage travel to and attendance for all curriculum or placement activities in any clinical teaching location in NSW.

 The majority of the students will do their program in a rural site, either in Phase 1 or later for clinical placements.  The location of all clinical placements is determined by the GSM and a student does not have a choice for the allocation. Therefore, all students must be prepared to, and able to, relocate to any allocated GSM clinical teaching site across rural NSW for any part of the program and for any the duration of the program (such as one year).

Offers of a place are made for a specified year only and course commencement can only occur in January (Semester 1) of each calendar year.

Deferral of a place is not possible.

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.

Students in the Rural-Regional Combined Medical Education Track will commence the program at UOW Wollongong campus or UOW Shoalhaven Campus (Nowra) for Phase 1 (the first 18 months of the program), before being allocated to placements in these regions and other regional, rural, and remote areas across NSW.

All students enrolled in the UOW Doctor of Medicine are required to undertake clinical placements in regional and rural communities across NSW in order to meet the requirements of the program. Students may be required to undertake rural clinical placements in each phase of the program. The placements will vary in duration but may be up to a full academic year in length and require a student to relocate and live in the community of placement.

At the time of application, International applicants will be asked to indicate a campus preference. Campus allocations will be made by the GSM taking into account campus preferences for all International students where possible.

Acceptance of a UOW MD place indicates acceptance of the campus allocation. Transfer between campuses will not be considered.

Additional campus information

Wollongong is a vibrant, multicultural city, situated on the coastal strip 85km south of Sydney and is the site of the UOW Wollongong campus. Among the city's many attractions are its entertainment options, chain of patrolled surf beaches and the spectacular bushland backdrop of the Illawarra escarpment. Wollongong is located in the Illawarra region and has a total population of just over 300,000 people.

Nowra is a bustling regional town on the banks of the Shoalhaven River, 160km south of Sydney. Nowra boasts gorgeous river scenery and a peaceful bushland setting and is the site of UOW Shoalhaven campus. Nowra is the commercial hub of the picturesque Shoalhaven region which contains a population of just over 100,000 people spread across 125km of coastal villages including 109 beaches and protected areas of National and Marine Parks.

Students in Phase 1 at Shoalhaven or Southern Highlands campus will attend their teaching sessions at the local campus and will engage in placements in their local community. On average, one day per week, students will travel to Wollongong for anatomy lessons and other selected teaching sessions. It should be noted that the International Student Office is located at Wollongong campus only, however support and outreach services are available on Shoalhaven campus for international students.

In later Phases of the MD program all UOW medical students will undertake clinical placements in medical facilities across NSW including many and varied regional, rural, and remote communities. Students will be expected to relocate to those communities.

First Aid Certificate

Successful applicants must have completed and hold a current approved First Aid Certificate for the duration of their enrolment. This will be required to be completed and evidence provided prior to the commencement of the MD program.   This certificate must meet the requirements of Provide First Aid / Senior First Aid from an accredited provider.  Australian certificates bearing the code HLTAID011 (previously HLTAID003) will meet this requirement and must have been undertaken within the past 3 years to be valid. Certificates from outside Australia will need to be individually approved by the GSM.

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.

Students will be excluded from clinical placement if evidence of this requirement is not provided within 4 weeks of commencement.

NSW Health Verification

Prior to the commencement of the MD program, all students are expected to complete the verification requirements of UOW and NSW Health. This process includes immunisation requirements, proof of identity, code of conduct agreements, and working with children checks and police record checks.

Students will be excluded from clinical placement if this verification process is incomplete within 4 weeks of commencement.

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.

Teamwork

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 and applicants are encouraged to contact the GSM early in the application process to discuss their individual circumstances on md-enquiries@uow.edu.au

The cost of tuition is set and indexed every year by the University. More information is available at International student fees

Information on scholarships may be found at Scholarships at UOW