Macquarie University Doctor of Medicine (MD)

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) program at Macquarie University, introduced in 2017 with its inaugural cohort in 2018, is renowned for its emphasis on producing culturally-driven and patient-centric medical professionals. Located at MQ Health, Australia's pioneering university-led integrated health campus, the program offers a cutting-edge curriculum that integrates digital health systems. Accredited by the Australian Medical Council and approved by the Medical Board of Australia, it provides students with a four-year graduate-entry pathway that includes both Australian and international clinical experiences.

With a commitment to excellence in medical education and a focus on diverse clinical exposures, the MD program at Macquarie University continues to shape future medical professionals equipped to meet the evolving demands of healthcare.

• Study within a research-active clinical environment: Benefit from learning opportunities provided by esteemed medical educators, researchers, and clinicians, both locally and globally, fostering a dynamic learning environment.
• Undertake clinical learning experiences in Australia and overseas: Gain invaluable exposure to diverse health systems, cultures, and clinical scenarios, broadening your understanding and cultural awareness.
• Enhance your learning within Macquarie’s unique health precinct: Immerse yourself in MQ Health, where clinical practice, research, and learning converge, providing a comprehensive and integrated educational experience.
• Boost your employability with professional recognition: Pursue a degree accredited by the Australian Medical Council and approved by the Medical Board of Australia, enhancing your credentials and career prospects in the medical field.

The quality of education at the Doctor of Medicine program at Macquarie University stood out as exceptional due to the expertise of its teaching staff, comprising surgeons and general practitioners. The program's innovative approach integrates clinical, scientific, professional, and cultural learning, grounded in real-life cases, fostering a holistic understanding of medicine. Emphasizing patient-centered care, students develop a profound appreciation for the human aspect of healthcare, which remains a cornerstone throughout their foundational education.

As students progress, the program provides extensive clinical learning opportunities, both domestically and internationally, facilitated by the university's partnerships. These experiences not only broaden students' exposure to diverse medical practices but also equip them with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of their future careers as healthcare professionals. The proximity to Macquarie Hospital further enhances the practical learning environment, ensuring students are well-prepared to meet the challenges of modern healthcare.

In the first year of the program, students focus on building foundational knowledge and skills that will form the basis of their medical practice. They will also begin developing clinical and consultation skills using state-of-the-art simulation equipment to simulate real-world medical scenarios.

Students will begin week-long placements in their first year.

In the second year of the program, students transition into real clinical environments within MQ Health, where they engage in various clinical courses covering different specialties such as Bone and Joint, Cancer, Cardiovascular and Respiratory, Critical Care and Anaesthetics, Neurosciences, Primary Care, Wellbeing and Diagnostics, Surgery and Gastrointestinal.

There will be an emphasis on studying patient safety and quality, particularly within the critical care context.

In the third year of the program, students undergo intensive clinical experience and training. Students will spend 22 weeks engaged in clinical placements in Australia, split between MQ Health and public hospitals within the Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD). Additionally, students will undertake a 22-week block of clinical placements in India, primarily at Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad, India.

Throughout the year, students will continue to work on their research projects, focusing on aspects of health systems, patient safety and quality, clinical research, or public health.

In the final year of the program, students consolidate their learning and gain choice and flexibility in their clinical experiences. They will have the opportunity to undertake selective clinical placements, including a mental health placement in Sydney and an urgent care placement in emergency departments and related clinical settings. As well as the opportunity to take a student-initiated elective placement allows students to choose a rural or urban setting anywhere globally.

The qualifications listed below for admission requirements must have been completed within 10 years of intended commencement of the course.

The GAMSAT and MCAT exam scores are only valid if they are completed within 2 and 3 years respectively of the application year to the Macquarie Medical Program.

To be considered for the MD coursework at Macquarie University, applicants must have:

• Achieved an AQF Level 7 bachelor’s qualification or a recognised equivalent
• A minimum GPA score of 5.0 out of 7.0
• A minimum overall GAMSAT score of 50 and 50 in each section
• A minimum overall score of 500 in the MCAT test for international students residing outside Australia
• Satisfactory performance at Macquarie Medicine Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)

EXCLUSIVE: in the 2024 intake, Macquarie University’s cohort has an average 66 GAMSAT score across each section and an average 6.7 GPA.

At Macquarie University, a 3% adjustment bonus is applied to the weighted GPA score to students who can provide valid proof of evidence that they belong to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and rural background, as well those students with a Macquarie University Bachelor of Clinical Sciences degree.

If a student belong to more than one of the above mentioned cohorts, then they are automatically eligible for a maximum bonus of 5% applied to their weighted GPA. These adjustment factors are only applicable for domestic applicants and not international students.

Domestic and International applicants are entitled to submit a ‘Personal Statement’ during their application process. The Personal Statement typically requires students to respond to three sets of questions.

All domestic applicants must submit their application via the GEMSAS portal and must read through the GEMSAS Medicine Admissions Guide prior to submitting the applications to Macquarie University.

International applicants are required to submit their application directly to International Admissions at Macquarie University and must submit the following copies of the following documents

• Passport
• Evidence of previous academic qualifications and transcripts. If your qualifications are not in English, translations must be provided along with the original documents.
• Evidence of English proficiency, if required.

These documents should be certified copies to ensure their authenticity and accuracy during the application process.

EXCLUSIVE: In the 2024 intake, 223 applicants were offered interviews, 125 offers were made in total with 79 of them going to domestic applicants.

The Macquarie University Medical Interview is conducted in the Multiple Mini Interview format. Only students that receive an invitation from the university are eligible to attend the MMI. Students applying for the medical program at Macquarie are ranked and selected for an interview based on:

1. 50 % of their GPA
2. 50% of the GAMSAT score
3. Well-articulated Personal Statement

At the MMI, each station comprises interviewer/s posing different sets of scenarios to the students with a predetermined amount of prepping time allocated at each station.

Final offers of a medical place are based on:

• 50% of GPA/WAM
• 50% MMI

The Macquarie University MMI will be conducted in person in Sydney. They are held on the weekends during the university break.

NOTE:  International applicants will be invited to a modified MMI conducted on a videoconference platform.‍

The Doctor of Medicine program at Macquarie University stands out for its unique interview process, which incorporates a diverse panel of interviewers ranging from unit coordinators and medical professionals to members of the general public, representing a blend of community and healthcare perspectives.

What sets this interview experience apart is its incorporation of roleplay scenarios, providing applicants with an opportunity to demonstrate their practical skills and interpersonal abilities. Additionally, interviewers may inquire about the applicant's academic background and pose culturally sensitive questions tailored to their experiences, particularly regarding India. Given the university's partnership with Apollo Hospital, a hospital in India, applicants may be asked about their perspectives on overseas placements, including their views on the positive student experiences in India.

Notably, Macquarie University has introduced a General Practice (GP) stream as an alternative to overseas placements, with a limited number of spots available for the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) process, further diversifying the opportunities for students within the program.

Each year, Macquarie University conducts an annual review for the tuition fees of Australian and international fee-paying graduates. It will increase each year of their study period.

The students enrolled in the MD program at Macquarie will either pay the Full Fee Payment (domestic students) or the international tuition fees. There are no subsidies provided by the Australian Government for Australian full fee or international student places.

Macquarie accepts approximately 50 full-fee paying student places and close to 20 international students for the postgraduate medical program. These quotas are subject to change annually, however, for 2025 academic year, the GEMSAS guide clearly states the aforementioned information as the number of final places offered at Macquarie.

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Now that you have a detailed overview of the application process to apply for medicine at Macquarie University, try out this fun Fraser’s GAMSAT Coffee Quiz, to predict your choice of med school based on your coffee order!