Medicine is a wide and complicated field of study. The university system in each country has put a different path to empower its students to become outstanding doctors or surgeons. Similarly, Australia has a special training system for the medical studies. So, if you have a dream to study medicine in Australia, here you are the step-by-step guide.
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How many years does it take to study medicine in Australia?
Medical education in Australia consists of two program cycles: the Undergraduate medical curriculum and the Graduate medical curriculum.
The first, which usually lasts 6 years and leads to a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).
The postgraduate program then leads to a Doctorate in Medicine and Surgery (MD&S) after 4 years of study. During these four years, you will get to study basic sciences in the first two years. Then, the last two years consist of practical studies in different specialties, divided into 10 periods of 8 weeks each.
Entry Requirements to study medicine in Australia
For the undergraduate program
Australian universities are among the most selective around the world. Thus, if you want to join one of these universities to study medicine, the requirements would be in general as the following:
- High school transcripts in the scientific field, with a solid foundation in chemistry.
- Passing and getting a high grade in the ISAT exam.
ISAT is a 3-hour computer-based multiple-choice test. Its purpose is to help the Australian universities choosing the international students in some of the university courses and postgraduate studies.
Most universities in Australia require this test, except Newcastle University and the University of Adelaide.
Instead, it requires another test called PQA (Personal Qualities Assessment). The PQA assesses the mental abilities, attitudes and professional behaviors of candidates to the medical profession. ISAT is conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACE).
- Getting 7 in the IELTS, orequivalent.
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It is designed to assess the language ability of non-speakers who intend to study, immigrate or work.
Furthermore, This is an international test accredited by around 9,000 institutions and organizations around the world.
You can take this test in around 900 accredited centers distributed over 130 countries all over the world.
For the Graduate program
To join the Graduate program, you will need :
- Having good grades in your undergraduate degree
- Your aptitude test results
- Take the Graduate Medical School Entrance Test (GAMSAT) with a minimum score of 50 in each of the 3 sections of the test.
- Pass an interview conducted by the university.
Some universities require both a C.V. and a recommendation letter by the student’s previous professors.
However, the list of requirements and documents may differ from one institution to another, due to the complicated nature of the medical curricula.
Thus, we advise you to be in direct contact with the universities to make sure that the admission process will be smooth.
Best Medical Colleges in Australia for international students
The Australian government is giving due attention to education, which explains it being a home for the best universities.
Indeed, there are five Australian universities come between the best 100 universities around the world. Among the leading universities in the field of medicine are the following:
Flinders University’s Medical Studies
Flinders University is a public university in Australia. It was founded in 1966 and is located in Adelaide.
Moreover, It is categorized as one of the Australian universities that spend an enormous amount of money on research and experiments. That is why it is a perfect choice, which most of the students seek to win a place.
Learn more and visit the website of Flinders University.
NewCastle University: College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
The University is located in Callaghan, a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales. The medical school was established in 1978. It is also known for its problem-solving based learning system in its Undergraduate Medical program.
Get more information from NewCastle University.
Bond University’s Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine
Bond University is the first private not-for-profit university in Australia. It offers an academic environment for its students that enables them to excel and get outstanding results.
The Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine at Bond University also prides on the excellence of its education and research in the medical and health sciences.
Moreover, it offers a personalized educational experience where you will enjoy the small-sized class and work experience opportunities.
This is in addition to the comprehensive use of industrial equipment and the latest technologies.
Visit Bond University and know more.
James Cook University: Medicine and Dentistry Studies
James Cook University is a leading university in the field of research in Australia. It enjoys an international stamp through its partnership with a number of global universities and research institutions. This empowers the university to offer its graduates the needed skills and qualifications to enter the global job market.
Read more at James Cook University
Monash University: Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Monash University is the second-oldest university in the State of Victoria and one of the biggest universities in Australia, regarding the number of students. It also has the most recognition in the fields of research and research institutions.
Learn more from Monash University.
Macquarie University Doctor of Medicine Program
Macquarie University is a public research university based in Sydney, Australia. It was founded in 1964 and considered the third university to be established in the metropolitan area of Sydney.
Moreover, the university has five colleges, including Macquarie University Hospital and School of Management, which is located in Macquarie City Campus.
For more information, visit Macquarie University.
The University of Western Australia: Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program
The University of Western Australia (UWA) is one of the leading universities in Australia. It has an excellent international reputation in teaching as well as research. Additionally, The number of joining students reaches 24,000.
Read more at the University of Western Australia.
How much does it cost to study medicine in Australia?
Australia is a very pricey destination for international students. Tuition fees in Australia are between the highest around the world.
For instance, the cost of the annual medical training reaches around AUD 65,000, equivalent to 42,000 euros annually.
The student needs more than 300,000 euros to complete medical studies inAustralia.
Although these fees may seem inconvenient and very high for you, but bear in mind that the salary in the medical professions in Australia could sometimes reach around triple that of the same position in the countries of the European Union.
Don’t forget to check The Cost of Studying and Living in Australia and How to Get Student Accommodation in Australia.
Scholarships to Study Medicine in Australia
Are you looking forward to studying medicine in Australia and need financial aid? To cover the fees for your MD and MBBS study in Australia, check the following scholarships:
Bond University Scholarship
Bond University offers this scholarship so that the qualified students who are willing could get a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetic practice or master’s in healthcare innovations. You can get a scholarship on the basis of academic excellence.
Learn more at Bond University Scholarship.
Melbourne University Scholarships
The university offers more than 300 scholarships per year. These scholarships are available for the domestic, international and highly-performing students.
Therefore, getting one of these scholarships is considered an excellent academic achievement.
Get more information at Melbourne University Scholarships.
Also check Types of Scholarships in Australia
Can you work as a doctor after graduation?
Yes, you can!
And after that, just a few years of experience, and you will be one of the highest-paid doctors in the world.
Australia comes in second place around the world in the average salaries of the general and specialized doctors. The average salary of the general practitioner is around AUD 100,000, while the income of a medical specialist could reach AUD 250,000.
To summarize, maybe the salaries of the medical profession in Australia are between the highest around the world, but studying medicine in one of the Australian schools gives you the opportunity to study in one of the best educational institutions around the world.
So, if you found a chance to study medicine in Australia, do not hesitate to grab it.