General Entry Pathway

Please check our webpage regularly for any updates to timelines.

Timeline for 2026-2027

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

• A weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) from a valid qualifying degree*
• A valid GAMSAT score *
• A valid Casper score *
• UOW MD Admissions bonuses*
• An Interview (Multiple Mini Interview) score *

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

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.

Transferring into the UOW Doctor of Medicine from another medical program is not possible.

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 31 December 2026.

For 2027 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 all GEMSAS applicants is calculated via GEMSAS. The GPA calculator tool is available on the GEMSAS website.   

Applicants must have a weighted of 5.5 (or greater) 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 2026, 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 2026 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.

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 an academic currency waiver, applicants need to complete the the Academic Currency Waiver form, and upload a copy of their university transcripts, Curriculum Vitae (CV), and any other documentation in support of their request for assessment. This should be submitted as early as possible but must be submitted by 20 May, 2026 - 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 2027 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.

Domestic applicants need a minimum score of 50 overall, with no individual section score below 50, in the Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admission Test (GAMSAT).

For 2027 entry, GAMSAT score will be used as a qualifying hurdle for interview offers. GAMSAT score will not be used in ranking for interview or place offers once the hurdle has been met.

No other entrance examination is accepted for domestic applicants.

More information, including the period a GAMSAT result can be used, is available from the ACER website: Graduate Medical School Admissions Test

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 2027 entry, Casper scores are combined with UOW MD Admissions bonuses to rank 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 General and Rural Entry Pathway applicants for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle are as follows:

• Sun, Apr 12, 2026 10 am AEST
• Tue, May 5, 2026 7 pm AEST
• Thu, May 14, 2026 7 pm AEST
• Thu, Jun 11, 2026 7 pm 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.

** While the last test date listed is AFTER applications close with GEMSAS, it is still available for applicants for this admissions cycle, providing applicants have completed and submitted the rest of the GEMSAS application as per the GEMSAS deadlines. The 11 June 2026 test is the LAST test result accepted for domestic applicants for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle.

Applicants will receive a Casper quartile score from Acuity insights approximately 3-4 weeks after the test date.  This quartile is only a general guide of performance and should not be relied upon to make application decisions. However, applicants who choose to sit the test early may have the opportunity to receive this quartile score prior to completing their GEMSAS application.

Applicants must provide a GAMSAT ID in their Casper registration to assist with personal identification. The GAMSAT ID entered in the Casper registration does not need to be the same as the GAMSAT ID used in the GEMSAS application and is not used as part of the matching process. The GAMSAT ID nominated in the GEMSAS application is the identifier that determines which GAMSAT score will be used for assessment.

Matching of application components is based on personal details. Applicants must ensure that the same email address, date of birth and full name are used across their GEMSAS application, Casper registration, and UOW MD Admissions Bonus Form to allow all components of their application to be accurately matched.

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

UOW MD Admissions bonuses have been designed to reflect the principles underlying MD program admissions. For 2027 entry, Admissions bonuses are combined with Casper score to rank for interview offers, and combined with interview score to rank for place offers. 

All bonuses are weighted equally, bonuses are cumulative, and applicants may apply for as many bonuses as they are eligible.

The following list outlines the principles for MD program admissions, and a general summary of the eligibility requirements.

Full and specific details of the bonus eligibility and documentary requirements can be found in the which must be downloaded and reviewed. The Bonus Guide also contains specific wording for statutory declarations, links to bonus application form, application checklist and FAQs. Please note many bonuses have specified equivalencies for applicants from Aotearoa New Zealand – check the guide for more details.

BONUS 1. UOW first Preference Applicant

UOW welcomes applicants who believe the MD program at UOW offers the very best in medical education.

Eligibility summary: Applicants who select the UOW MD program as their first preference in their GEMSAS application. Full eligibility criteria and documentation requirements are outlined in the UOW MD Admissions Bonus Guide.

BONUS 2. Registered Health Professionals

UOW values interprofessional education and believes that applicants who already have health qualifications and are working in a health profession are likely to become doctors who work well in multi-disciplinary teams.

Eligibility summary: Applicants who hold current practising registration in any AHPRA-registered health profession, or current practising accreditation as an Accredited Practising Dietitian (DA), Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (SPA), or Accredited Exercise Physiologist (ESSA). Full eligibility criteria and documentation requirements are outlined in the UOW MD Admissions Bonus Guide.

BONUS 3. Service Commitment

UOW believes that applicants who have shown a sustained commitment to service and demonstrate qualities of persistence, accountability, and professionalism are likely to succeed in medicine.

Eligibility Summary: Applicants with two or more consecutive years of active volunteer service with eligible Australian state or national service organisations, or two or more consecutive years of full-time continuous service with state or national emergency services or the Australian Defence Force. Full eligibility criteria and documentation requirements are outlined in the UOW MD Admissions Bonus Guide.

BONUS 4. Sustained Work Experience

UOW believes that applicants who have shown a sustained commitment in work environments have qualities of persistence, accountability, and professionalism that provide a strong foundation for the study of medicine and a career in medicine.

Eligibility summary: Applicants with two or more consecutive years of sustained paid employment in any industry. Full eligibility criteria and documentation requirements are outlined in the UOW MD Admissions Bonus Guide.

BONUS 5. Rural Work Experience

UOW is committed to rural medical education and believes that applicants working in rural locations have a strong connection to rural communities and that these applicants are more likely to practice in rural locations.

Eligibility summary:  Applicants with two or more consecutive years of sustained paid employment in any industry while living and working in a rural (MMM2–MMM7) area. Full eligibility criteria and documentation requirements are outlined in the UOW MD Admissions Bonus Guide.

BONUS 6. Rural High School Education

UOW believes that applicants who were educated at a rural high school have a strong connection to rural communities and that these applicants are more likely to return to rural locations. UOW also wishes to mitigate inequality of educational opportunities.

Eligibility summary: Applicants with four or more years of education at a rural high school in Australia (MMM2–MMM7), while residing in a rural area during the period of attendance. Full eligibility criteria and documentation requirements are outlined in the UOW MD Admissions Bonus Guide.

BONUS 7. Illawarra Local Resident MM1

UOW has a commitment to the local communities in which it is located.

Eligibility summary: Applicants who currently live in the MM1 Wollongong area (Helensburgh to Shellharbour) and have resided in the area for at least five consecutive years immediately prior to submitting an MD application. Full eligibility criteria and documentation requirements are outlined in the UOW MD Admissions Bonus Guide.

BONUS 8. NSW Rural Resident MM2-7

UOW has a commitment to health service provision for rural NSW.

Eligibility summary: Applicants who have resided in a NSW location classified as MMM2–MMM7 under the Modified Monash Model (2023) for at least five consecutive years (or ten cumulative years). Full eligibility criteria and documentation requirements are outlined in the UOW MD Admissions Bonus Guide.

 BONUS 9. UOW Graduate and BONUS 10. UOW Graduate + Academic Excellence

UOW believes in the quality of UOW graduates and has a commitment to those graduates whether they come from pre-medicine, engineering, arts, or any other UOW degree. Additionally, UOW recognizes local academic excellence.

Eligibility summary: Applicants who are graduates of a UOW undergraduate or postgraduate degree may be eligible for Bonus 9. Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria for Bonus 9 and achieve an overall weighted GPA of 6.5 or higher may also be eligible for Bonus 10. Full eligibility criteria and documentation requirements are outlined in the UOW MD Admissions Bonus Guide.

 BONUS 11. Indigenous Health Graduate

UOW is committed to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and believes that applicants who are working towards increasing their understanding of Indigenous Health are more likely to contribute to Cultural Safety in healthcare environments and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Eligibility summary: Applicants who have completed a postgraduate qualification specialising in Indigenous Health from an Australian university (or Māori Health qualification for applicants from Aotearoa New Zealand) may be eligible for Bonus 11. Full eligibility criteria and documentation requirements are outlined in the UOW MD Admissions Bonus Guide.

BONUS 12.  Financial disadvantage

UOW recognises that financial hardship can create barriers to accessing higher education and is committed to supporting equitable access to medical education. Applicants who have experienced socioeconomic disadvantage can bring valuable perspectives to the medical profession and contribute to a socially responsive healthcare workforce.

Eligibility summary: Applicants who can demonstrate receipt of eligible Centrelink income support payments for a minimum qualifying period within the past five years may be eligible for Bonus 12. Full eligibility criteria, including eligible payment types, duration requirements and evidence requirements, are outlined in the UOW MD Admissions Bonus Guide.

Check the  UOW MD Admissions Bonus guide (PDF: 1,405 KB) for full and specific details on all bonuses and eligibility requirements.

Applicants wishing to apply for ANY admissions bonus must complete the UOW MD Admissions Bonus Form, even if no additional documentary evidence is required.  The UOW MD Admissions Bonus Form will be available online, along with electronic uploading of documents, when GEMSAS applications open on 1 May, 2026. The Bonus Form must be completed, and all documentary evidence uploaded, by 5:00PM AEST on Monday, 15 June, 2026.

Link to the Admissions bonus form and all instructions for completion and required documentary evidence is available in the 

UOW MD Admissions Bonus Application Instructions

1. Applicants must download and carefully read the to determine which bonuses they are eligible for and the documentary requirements.
2. Applicants should then access the UOW MD Admissions Bonus Form– the link is published in the Bonus Guide, and the form will be open from 1 May, 2026 until 5:00PM AEST on 15 June, 2026.
3. Applicants must complete personal identification detailsin the bonus form – ensure the full name, date of birth and email address match those in your GEMSAS application.
4. Applicants must complete each bonus questionto identify which bonuses they wish to be considered for.
5. Applicants must attach supporting documentsas outlined in the Bonus Guide –files must be named according to specified naming conventions. Some bonuses will require Coversheets- the links to download these are available in the guide.
6. Where required, applicants must submit one witnessed Commonwealth Statutory declarationfor their application. The statutory declaration must meet the specific requirements outlined in the Guide, contain individual numbered paragraphs for each applicable bonus, include the statement on consequences of false information, and must be witnessed by an approved witness. A UOW MD Admissions Commonwealth Statutory Declaration template is available for download and is recommended.  Further details on declaration types, PDF file naming conventions, sample wording and worked examples are provided in the Bonus Guide.
7. Applicants must complete the Bonus Formwith all details complete and documents attached by the due date. Note: The Bonus Form must be completed in one sitting.

Bonus applications with incomplete or incorrect statutory declarations or supporting documents may be deemed ineligible for the relevant bonus.

Bonuses will not be granted if:

• The UOW MD Admissions Bonus Form is not submitted or incomplete
• Required documentary evidence is not uploaded, does not meet submission requirements or contains incomplete information.
• Bonus eligibility criteria are not met.

In these circumstances the GEMSAS application will continue to be assessed without the addition of any UOW admissions bonuses.  

Providing false or misleading information in a Commonwealth Statutory Declaration is a serious offence and may result in the applicant being charged with a Commonwealth criminal offence. If any false or misleading information is submitted as part of the UOW MD Admissions process, the application may be cancelled, any interview or place offers rescinded, and the applicant excluded from the MD program.

Applicants who meet the qualifying threshold hurdles for GPA and GAMSAT performance are ranked for interview using an algorithm of 50% Casper score and 50% UOW MD Admissions bonuses.

For 2027 entry, domestic interviews will be conducted in a live online multiple-mini-interview (MMI) format in the week commencing 17 September, 2026.  Interviews will reflect UOW’s values in medical education and are blueprinted to assess areas such as communication skills, empathetic and ethical approach, reflective manner, teamwork, and decision-making skills in clinical and community contexts. Important principles such as the delivery of health care to rural, regional and remote communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health will also be assessed.

Further information about the interview process will be forwarded in early September to applicants who receive an interview offer. 

AI use in admissions

• AI is not permitted in admissions in any capacity.  Please note that using generative AI tools such as, but not limited to, ChatGPT to obtain responses is not permitted at any stage of assessment for UOW MD Admissions as components of the application are intended to be reflective and represent original work completed wholly by you. If it discovered that any generative AI tools or equivalent have been used for any component of an application or at any point during the admissions process, the applicant will be disqualified. If it is discovered after an offer of admission has been sent, that offer will be withdrawn. If these circumstances are discovered after you are admitted to the MD program, you will be required to withdraw from the program. 
• UOW may, at its discretion, refuse to accept future applications to the MD program from an applicant who has submitted a false, misleading, or fraudulent application in the past.

The UOW MD admissions interview score is combined with the UOW MD Admissions bonuses to rank applicants for place offers in an algorithm of 70% interview score and 30% admissions bonuses. If an applicant has been interviewed at another GEMSAS school, their interview score will be standardised and used in place of the UOW interview score.  GPA, GAMSAT, and Casper results are not included in the weighting formula for offer of a place. 

Offers are made in early November with a small number of subsequent offers in December and January (if required). Offers are made for a specific place type, campus, and year only. 

Candidates who do not respond to their official Letter of Offer by the required due date specified by UOW will have the offer rescinded. The offer may be allocated to the next eligible applicant in a subsequent offer round, at the discretion of the University.

Offers to applicants completing their degree in 2026 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 31 December, 2026.

In person attendance will be required for all students from 25 January 2027.

The UOW MD program offers the Rural End-to-End Medical Education track, which offers all parts of the MD to be undertaken in a rural location, or the Rural-Regional Combined Medical Education Track, which offers a combination of placements.

The UOW MD program is a distributed program across several campuses and hubs across NSW. The majority of the students will undertake 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 the duration of the program (such as one year). Phase 1 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.

UOW MD Program - Rural-Regional Combined Medical Education Track

UOW offers Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP and BMP) 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 within NSW. Placements will be in regional, rural, and remote areas within NSW where the GSM has a clinical education/training site. UOW training sites and teaching hubs currently include placements in the Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands, Illawarra, Murrumbidgee, Clarence Valley, Northern Rivers, Central West, and Outback regions of NSW.  These regions may change in the future. Students will need to relocate to the allocated site for the duration of the clinical placement.  

The Rural-Regional Combined Medical Education Track consists of a total of 64 places. These places are allocated across the General Entry pathway, Rural Entry Pathway and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pathway. 

Two place types are available in this Track:

• Commonwealth supported place – Unbonded (CSP)
• All domestic students studying medicine at UOW are entitled to a Commonwealth Supported place (CSP) which provides reduced course fees subsidised by the Australian Government through the Commonwealth Grant Scheme.
• Some of these places are “unbonded” places with no additional conditions or return of service obligations. 
• CSP places are available to all domestic applicants.
• Commonwealth supported place – Bonded medical program (BMP)
• The Bonded Medical Program provides students with a Commonwealth Supported Place in medicine, in return for a commitment to work in eligible regional, rural, and remote areas for a specified period after completion of their medical course. This commitment is referred to as a Return of Service Obligation (RoSO).
• Participants of the Bonded Medical Program are subject to Part VD of the Health Insurance Act 1973(Act) and must abide by the Health Insurance (Bonded Medical Program) Rule 2020 (Rule).
• Further information is available at The Department of Health and Aged Care Bonded Medical Program website.
• The Commonwealth BMP scheme is only available to Australian citizens/permanent residents.

UOW MD Program – Rural End-to-End Medical Education Track

UOW also offers Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP-E2E) under the Rural End to End Medical Education Track.

Students in the Rural End-to-End Medical Education Track will be based at UOW Shoalhaven campus or UOW Southern Highlands campus for Phase 1 (first 18 months) of the program. After Phase 1, students will then be allocated by the GSM to placements within NSW. Placements will be in regional, rural, and remote areas within NSW where the GSM has a clinical education/training site. Rural end to end students must reside and study in a rural NSW location, as determined by the medical school, for the duration of the entire four-year program.

Students in the Rural End-to-End Medical Education Track are offered priority access to GSM Accommodation during Year 1 of the program to ease their transition to rural living in the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands. Additionally, students in the Rural End-to-End Medical Education Track will be given priority allocation to remain at their Base Campus, where possible, for Phase 3 longitudinal placement.

The Rural End-to End Medical Education Track consists of a total of 30 places. These places are allocated across the General Entry Pathway, Rural Entry Pathway and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pathway. 

One place type is available: 

• Commonwealth supported place – rural end-to-end (CSP-E2E)
• The Rural End-to-End Medical Education track provides students with a Commonwealth Supported Place in medicine, in return for a commitment to reside and study in a rural area for the duration of their medical degree.
• CSP–E2E places are available to all domestic applicants.

Nominating place and track types

At the time of GEMSAS application, applicants will provide a preliminary indication of their selected place type, campus type and medical education track for the UOW MD program. ALL APPLICANTS must also submit a completed Campus, place type, and Med Ed track Nomination Form directly to UOW to confirm and finalise their application.

The form can be accessed online: UOW Campus place type and med ed track nomination form and must be submitted by 5 pm PM AEST Sunday 27 September 2026.

Applicants may submit the form multiple times if their preferences change before the deadline. Any new submission will override the previous selection on record. Late submissions will not be accepted.

If an applicant does not nominate a certain track and place type, and that is the only place available, they will not be made an offer from UOW. Acceptance of a UOW MD place indicates acceptance of the track and place type allocation. Transfer between tracks or place types is not possible at time of offer or at any time a student is enrolled in the four years of the program.

If an applicant refuses an offer of a particular place type, then that offer (of that place type) will be made to the next applicant.

See Campus Allocation section for more details about campuses, travel, and placement requirements.

Offers of a place are made for a specified year only and MD degree 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 MD degree in a subsequent year.

Students in the Rural-Regional Combined Medical Education Track will commence the program at Shoalhaven or Wollongong campus before being allocated to placements in these regions and other regional, rural, and remote areas across NSW. Placements are determined by the medical school.

Students in the Rural End-to-End Medical Education Track will commence the program at Shoalhaven or Southern Highlands campus and will be required to reside and study in a rural NSW location, as determined by the medical school, for the duration of the entire four-year program.

See Medical Education Tracks and Place Types section for more details on the differences between tracks and place types.

Students in Phase 1 will attend most classes at their allocated base campus and will engage in placements in their local community.  In addition, regardless of their base campus, all students will be required to travel between campuses for specific teaching sessions in Phase 1.

All students will be required to attend Wollongong campus for anatomy lessons on average once per week, and all students will be required to attend whole-of-cohort teaching sessions at Shoalhaven campus on average once per fortnight. Students on rural campuses may be eligible for subsidies to assist with these travel costs. 

All students enrolled in the UOW Doctor of Medicine are required to undertake clinical placements in regional and rural/remote communities across NSW in order to meet the requirements of the program. Students can expect to 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 GEMSAS application, applicants will provide a preliminary indication of their selected place type, campus type and medical education track for the UOW MD program. ALL APPLICANTS must also submit a completed Campus, place type, and Med Ed track Nomination Form directly to UOW to confirm and finalise their application.

The form can be accessed online: UOW Campus place type and med ed track nomination form and must be submitted by 5:00 PM AEST Sunday 27 September 2026.

Applicants may submit the form multiple times if their preferences change before the deadline. Any new submission will override the previous selection on record. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Applicants who are limited in their ability to study at all campuses may be less likely to be successful in gaining an offer.  

Acceptance of a UOW MD place indicates acceptance of the campus allocation. Transfer between campuses will not be considered. If an applicant refuses an offer at a particular campus, then that offer (at that campus) will be made to the next applicant.

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.

Moss Vale is a heritage rural town, located at 700m above sea level in the Great Dividing Range, 140km southwest of Sydney and is the site of UOW Southern Highlands campus. Moss Vale is part of the Southern Highlands region of NSW with contains a population of 45,000 people and is known for its lush landscapes, historic rural villages, wineries, and National Parks featuring mountains, caves and waterfalls in a cool temperate climate.

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 from an accredited provider. Australian certificates bearing the code HLTAID011 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. See for further information about MD program requirements for professional behaviours.

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 degree 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 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

Commonwealth supported students are required to pay a student contribution amount towards the cost of their course. The amounts are calculated based on the subject cluster and the Equivalent Full-time Study Load (EFTSL) value of the subject. For information regarding student contribution amounts, please refer to the UOW Current Students - Fees and assistance website*.

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative and are based on normal course length and progression. These fees are subject to change from year to year.

Information on scholarships may be found at:

• Bonded Medical Places Scheme
• Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme
• RAMUS Scholarship
• Scholarships at UOW

The NSW Rural Doctors' Network website lists additional scholarship opportunities.