University of Queensland Doctor of Medicine (MD)
The University of Queensland (UQ) is situated in the sunny region of Queensland in Brisbane, the capital city of the state. Prospective students interested in pursuing the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program at UQ can benefit from opportunities for clinical practice abroad. Upon completion of the program, graduates can pursue pre-approved placements through UQ’s network partners, such as Queen’s University in Canada.
The four year full-time Doctor of Medicine program at UQ is designed to offer a top-tier medical education, providing hands-on experience to equip you for practice in diverse global environments. The university focuses on cultivating medical professionals who possess clinical excellence, teamwork skills, kindness, compassion, a sense of responsibility, and a commitment to continually improving health outcomes for individuals and communities.
The University of Queensland is ranked:
- 32 in the world for life sciences and medicine (QS World University Rankings 2023)
- 39 in the world for public health (Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023)
Beginning in 2023, the university are introducing a revised Doctor of Medicine (MD) program aimed at leveraging the enthusiasm, maturity, and diversity of our student body. This updated program features a streamlined structure with an integrated approach to active learning. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to customize their learning experience by selecting enrichment opportunities.
The UQ medicine course is set around 4 themes:
- Clinical Science
- Clinical Practice
- Ethics and Professional Practice
- Health, society, and research
Within UQ's medical program, education is deeply integrated, emphasizing a case-based learning methodology that involves early engagement with patients. The curriculum includes a strong emphasis on research, equipping students with advanced critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills essential for delivering high-quality medical care.
At the culmination of Year 1, students embark on a 4-week Observership, followed by Phase 2 (years 3 & 4) where they undertake ten core clinical placements within various frameworks, along with a final year elective.
Domestic applicants have the opportunity to secure placements at both Metropolitan and Rural hospitals, while International students are limited to placements within Metropolitan hospitals.
Throughout the program, students become part of a 'learning community', which serves as a clinical home for continuous learning and development.
- Year 1: Emphasizes foundational concepts in medical sciences, clinical practices, professional skills, procedural skills, and the roles of physicians.
- Year 2: Students engage in clinical practice settings, honing their medical knowledge and skills while focusing on the symptomatology of common conditions and refining clinical reasoning abilities.
- Year 3: Involves immersion in hospital and community environments, with structured teaching and clinical learning embedded within the workplace.
The final semester is dedicated to a Transition to Practice term, during which students become active pre-intern members of a clinical team. This experience facilitates a safe and effective transition into internship/residency and sets the stage for their ongoing medical careers.
School leavers have the opportunity to enter the Doctor of Medicine program through the provisional entry pathway.
To be eligible for provisional entry, applicants will need to meet the following requirements:
- Achieve a minimum adjusted ATAR of 95 (or equivalent)
- Successfully complete Queensland Year 12 English (or equivalent)
- Obtain a competitive aggregate score on the University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand (UCAT ANZ) during the year of application (previous years this has been 3000+ for some pathways)
- Participate in a multiple mini-interview (MMI) as part of the application process.
The University of Queensland offers 4 provisional entry pathways into their Doctor of Medicine Program:
- Greater Brisbane Provisional Entry
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Provisional Entry
- Central Queensland and Wide Bay Regional Medical Pathway
- Darling Downs and South West Queensland Medical Pathway
If applicants receive a provisional entry offer, they must fulfil the following criteria to progress to the MD program:
- Complete their degree at UQ within the specified minimum time for the program
- Attain a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in their first degree
- Successfully complete the MD subject prerequisite courses.
To be eligible for the MD course at UQ, domestic students must have:
- Completed a degree within ten years of the course commencement date.
- GPA of at least 5 in any key undergraduate degree from a recognised university.
- Minimum (unweighted) GAMSAT score of 50 per section
- Attended the UQ Medicine Interview, also referred to as the UQ Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI).
The prerequisite for the Doctor of Medicine at UQ for domestic applicants applies to the international students as well, except the latter can either choose to sit the GAMSAT or an MCAT exam.
International applicants sitting the GAMSAT must receive a minimum score of 50 per section or an MCAT score of 504. Once the GPA and GAMSAT/MCAT scores are weighted, the students may then be invited to attend the UQ MMI.
Starting from 2022, applicants aspiring to join the MD program at UQ are required to fulfill two science prerequisites: cell and tissue biology, and systems physiology. These prerequisites should be completed during the second year of undergraduate study. It's crucial to note that these prerequisite subjects must have been completed within a 10-year timeframe from the commencement of the Doctor of Medicine program. For instance, if you are applying for the 2025 intake, the prerequisite subjects must be completed from 2015 onwards.
While not mandatory, it is recommended undertaking courses in the following areas during your undergraduate studies:
- Biostatistics
- Anatomy
- Humanities
Although not obligatory, proficiency in these fields will lay a strong foundation for your MD studies.
All domestic students must apply online via the Graduate Entry Medical School Admissions System (GEMSAS). Refer to the GEMSAS website to learn key dates and timelines to apply for the University of Queensland.
If an international applicant has either completed a key degree or are currently in their final year of a bachelor's degree (or equivalent), they have the option to apply directly to UQ online.
To proceed with their application, they’ll need to select the postgraduate MD program with the code 5740. They will have the choice to either complete the application themself or utilize the services of an approved UQ agent located near them.
Please note that there is a non-refundable application fee of A$100 that must be paid upon submission of the application.
To apply for enrolment in the 2025 academic year, applicants must adhere to the following application deadlines:
- Round 1 offers: The deadline for submission is 14 June 2024. If applicants plan to sit for the MCAT on 10, 11, or 16 May 2024, applicants can still apply for Round 1. However, applicants must provide evidence of their MCAT booking confirmation. The University will assess their application once the MCAT results are released on 11 and 18 June respectively.
- Round 2 offers: The deadline for submission is 8 August 2024. If applicants intend to take the MCAT on 13 July 2024, they can still apply for Round 2. Similar to Round 1, they will need to provide evidence of their MCAT booking confirmation, and the University will consider their application upon the release of MCAT results on 13 August.
Both domestic and international students are evaluated based on non-academic factors, such as:
- Empathy
- Integrity
- Communication skills
The UQ MMI is composed of short stations where each applicant interacts with individual interviewers. At each interview station, an applicant is presented with a scenario and is given 2 minutes to prepare. The next 7 minutes is allocated for the applicant to speak and reflect upon the given scenario. The MMIs at UQ are usually face-to-face but due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, all applicants appearing for their interviews for 2025 entry will use the Zoom platform online.
The UQ MMI on the virtual platform requires each applicant to have any form of photo identification proof at the time of the interview. The applicant should not be accompanied by another individual during the time of the interview. Students must also refrain from using wristwatches, writing materials, mobile phones/and electronic devices. The scenarios will be presented to each applicant similar to the face-to-face interview style, however, after a scenario is presented and answered by the applicant, a new interviewer joins the screen posing a fresh question.
Once all the scenarios have been presented by each interviewer and answered by the applicant, the circuit is complete.
All the interviewed applicants will be ranked in a merit order and will be granted final medical places based on:
- 50% Interview (MMI) score
- 25% Unweighted average GAMSAT Score
- 25% Grade Point Average (GPA)
Please note that since the University of Queensland is a GEMSAS school, interview offers will be released at the same time as other GEMSAS schools - around the end of August.
Following the interviews, all applicants will be ranked, and applicants will be notified if they are eligible to receive an offer.
This is a commonly asked question by students wanting to pursue a career in medicine at UQ. Applicants with a good GPA and GAMSAT score, as well as satisfactory performance in the MMI will be considered to study medicine at UQ.
Approximately 100 places are allocated for Graduate CSP applicants (including rural, Brisbane and Central Queensland – Wide Bay) and 28.5% (40 places) are allocated for BMP.
The University of Queensland has 135 places (including BMP and rural) reserved for Provisional Entry pathway (applicants completing Year 12 degree and entering medicine) and half for graduates entering via the Graduate/Direct Entry Pathway.
Interestingly, about 180 places are purely meant for international applicants.
NOTE: Note that is the cost per unit. To calculate the tuition fees, multiply the unit value of your selected course in the given subject area by the rate per unit for that subject area.
What Should You Read Next?
Now that you have all the information about the application process for medicine at The University of Queensland, check out the Fraser’s Guide to Medical School Applications for additional information on GPA, GAMSAT, and Portfolios.
