The University of Melbourne Medical School Guide

Situated in the bustling heart of Melbourne, the University of Melbourne (UOM), also known as UniMelb, stands as a beacon of medical education excellence. With students immersing themselves in placements at some of Melbourne's premier metropolitan hospitals, UniMelb's Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is renowned for its comprehensive training, preparing aspiring doctors for success both locally in Australia and on the global stage.

As a vital component of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, the University of Melbourne Medical School boasts a rich legacy as the oldest medical school in Australia. Its sterling reputation extends worldwide, recognised for its leadership in medical education, cutting-edge research, and influence on health policy and practice. Covering a wide array of medical disciplines, including rural health, the school remains at the forefront of innovation and advancement in healthcare.

The MD curriculum emphasizes clinical learning across applied biomedical science, clinical skills, and professional practice, with integrated themes such as First Nations Health, Population and Global Health, and research methods.

At the University of Melbourne Medical School, prospective doctors can embark on a transformative journey through the Graduate Entry Doctor of Medicine program—a rigorous four-year, full-time course. Pioneering in its approach, the University of Melbourne was the first in Australia to introduce a medical degree at the master's level, catering to graduates seeking to transition into the medical profession seamlessly.

The Doctor of Medicine course is a 4-year full-time course comprising of:

1. 1-year integrated Bioscience and clinical learning using case-based teaching
2. Two core clinical training years enabling students to practice with patients in a wide range of disciplines.
3. Discovery subjects that allow students to explore areas of specified interest.
4. Options to complete an immersive research experience in the area of interest.
5. An exciting capstone semester to exercise the skills required for effective and safe clinical practice.
6. An opportunity to attend annual medical conferences to interact with leaders in research, policies and clinical healthcare.

Students at UniMelb have access to both locally and internationally acclaimed clinical and research-based opportunities. You will also gain access to the resources of multiple major teaching hospitals - Royal Melbourne, St Vincent’s, Austin Hospital and well-networked hospitals located in North-Western Melbourne and rural Victoria.

Flexible Pathways at the University of Melbourne MD

Introduced in 2022, the redesigned The University of Melbourne Doctor of Medicine Course (MD) presents pathways for students to fulfil the core research learning outcomes while offering the opportunity to specialise further through the Research Scholar pathway or the Clinical Scholar pathway.

This innovative approach provides students with the flexibility to hone their expertise in either research skills and leadership (via the research scholarship pathway) or clinical advocacy and leadership (through the clinical scholarship pathway). Each pathway offers tailored learning activities, projects, and assessments designed to exceed the course learning outcomes, catering to individual interests and aspirations.

The University of Melbourne MD Student Conference (MDSC)

The UOM MD Student Conference stands out as a distinctive and forward-thinking initiative in medical education, uniting students from all stages of their journey within the Melbourne Medical School in an environment reflective of their future roles as medical professionals. This conference offers a platform to delve into aspects of medicine beyond the scope of their MD curriculum.

Attendance at the conference is mandatory, contributing 6.25% to the overall grade each year. The University of Melbourne has chosen to prioritise the MDSC conference annually over an additional week of lectures.

For more information on the MDSC, please read here.

Graduating with a Degree within 10 Years of Starting the UniMelb MD Program

To apply you must have an undergraduate degree in any discipline, with studies to have been completed within 10 years of the 1st of January in the year in which you intend to begin medicine.

If you are amongst those applicants who completed an undergraduate degree 10 or more years ago, a Graduate Diploma, Masters equivalent or PhD completed within 10 years before 1st of January of the year in which you intend to commence the MD curriculum.

For example,

• Henry completed his Biomedical Undergraduate degree in 2023. This means that he is able to apply for the UniMelb’s Doctor of Medicine Program for 2025 entry.
• Bella completed her Masters in Communication in 2017. This also means that she is able to apply for the UniMelb’s Doctor of Medicine Program for 2025 entry.
• Emily completed her Science Undergraduate degree in 2014. This means that she is unable to apply for the UniMelb’s Doctor of Medicine Program for 2025 entry as she had graduated from her degree over 10 years ago.

While we discuss about the prior bachelor's degree, it is imperative to take note of the GPA score threshold demanded at UniMelb. A minimum GPA score of 5.0, that measures the last 3 years of the applicant's undergraduate coursework completion is considered at the time of admission.

GAMSAT/MCAT Score Requirement for Entry into the UOM MD Program

To be considered for a medical place, you must have completed either:

• Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admission Test (GAMSAT) for Domestic applicants, OR
• North American Medical Colleges Admission Test (MCAT) for International applicants

The University of Melbourne applies equal weighting to all three sections of the GAMSAT and does not use the GAMSAT ‘overall score’ in selection. Domestic and on-shore international applicants must achieve a minimum of 50 in each section of the GAMSAT in order to be eligible for selection.

For international students residing overseas at the time of application may use the MCAT instead of GAMSAT. You must achieve a minimum MCAT score of at least 492 in order to be considered eligible for entry.

NOTE: International applicants residing within Australia cannot use MCAT and must use the GAMSAT exam only in their application. However, international students residing outside Australia can use their MCAT scores for admission purposes.

Passing the Multi Mini Interview (MMI) for Entry into UOM MD Program

The Melbourne Uni Medicine Interview accounts for 50% of your entry ranking, and the GPA and GAMSAT will account for 25% each. UniMelb MMI questions play an integral part in the selection process of the MD. Applicants who fail the MMI cannot be admitted to the University of Melbourne Medical program.

You can receive your predicted odds to receive an interview from a med school with Fraser’s Medical Interview Offer Calculator.

This entry pathway is open to two cohorts of students who are currently completing their undergraduate degree at UniMelb:

1. Chancellors Scholars - those students who entered their UG degree with an ATAR of 99.90
   • This can apply for current UniMelb Students or UniMelb Students who completed their course the previous year and entered their degree with a 99.90+ ATAR
2. Guaranteed Full Fee Entry - those students who also entered their UG degree with an ATAR of 99.90

To be considered for the University of Melbourne Medicine Guaranteed Entry, you must have:

• Commenced and successfully completed an undergraduate course with the University of Melbourne with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 75% and above.
• Completed the MMI

Note on the GAMSAT Exam Requirement: Applicants successful in the Guaranteed Entry Pathway are NOT required to apply via the Graduate Entry Medical School Admissions System (GEMSAS), or sit the GAMSAT.

To be eligible for this pathway, applicants must provide valid identification proof of coming from an Indigenous background.

Similar to the Guaranteed Entry Pathway, Indigenous applicants must:

1. Completed an undergraduate, a Graduate Diploma, Masters equivalent or PhD completed within 10 years before 1st of January of the year in which you intend to commence the MD curriculum.
2. Submit a Confirmation of Identity to mdhs-indigenous-admissions@unimelb.edu.au to be considered eligible via this pathway.
3. Achieve a GPA of 5.0+ and pass the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)

Indigenous applicants who satisfy these minimum requirements will be invited to attend an interview with a panel chaired by the Associate Dean (Indigenous) of the Faculty (or their nominee), and other appropriate Indigenous representatives.

Note on the GAMSAT Exam Requirement: Applicants successful in the MD Indigenous Pathway are NOT required to apply via the Graduate Entry Medical School Admissions System (GEMSAS), or sit the GAMSAT.

The UOM MD Rural Pathway offers 30 available positions, with 15 bonded Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) specifically allocated for graduates of La Trobe University's Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Medical) degree. The remaining 15 bonded CSPs are open to students who have completed an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 5.0 or higher and can demonstrate their rural origins.

Given the University of Melbourne's strong dedication to rural health, candidates applying through the Rural Pathway for the Doctor of Medicine program will undergo their entire degree training in rural Victoria. This commitment underscores the university's efforts to address healthcare needs in rural communities.

To be considered for the MD Rural Pathway:

1. You must have completed either:
   • A Bachelor of Biomedical Science at La Trobe University with a WAM score of at least 70, OR
   • Follow the same requirements listed out in the Standard Pathway and/or the Indigenous MD Student Pathway
2. Provide evidence of your rural residence for 5 years consecutively or 10 years cumulatively as classified under the Australian Statistical Geographic Standard - Remoteness Area (ASGS-RA) (2016). As Remoteness Areas (RA) 2 to 5 since birth and preferably completed Years 11 and 12 at schools in areas classified as RA2 & RA5.
3. Pass the rural-specifc Multi Mini Interview, demonstrating a genuine commitment to rural communities and a deep understanding of rural life. Applicants must be committed to undertaking their medical education wholly in rural settings and becoming part of rural and regional Australia’s workforce.

All domestic students applying through standard pathways must apply to medicine through the Graduate Entry Medical School Admissions System (GEMSAS). The consortium manages applications, calculates GPAs, and applies individual school selection rules to:

• Allocate you to an offer of an interview at the highest preferred medical school for which you are both eligible and ranked within the quota.
• Allocate you to an offer of a place at the highest preferred medical school for which you are both eligible and ranked within the quota.

UniMelb Application Process For Standard Pathway:

1. Fulfil the selection criteria for the Doctor of Medicine course
2. Sit through the GAMSAT/MCAT.
3. Submit your applications via the GEMSAS and ensure that you have thoroughly read through the terms listed in GEMSAS Medicine Admissions Guide prior to submission.
4. Perform the Multiple Mini Interview
5. Offers are presented (conditional and non-conditional). Final results to be submitted and offer conditions must be met.

Selection Dates For Other Pathways:

MMIs for Australia-Based Applicants Applying for the University of Melbourne MD Program

The interview component is an 8 station Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). The duration of the whole interview process per applicant is approximately 50 minutes. Each station takes 5 minutes and has a single interviewer. The MMI is a blend of MMS staff, fourth-year medical students, and others drawn from other faculties. This is believed to strike a balance between medical experts and laypeople.

The aim of the MMI is to assess you based on your non-academic qualities including - cultural sensitivity, maturity, collaboration, reliability and communication skills. The stations may include practical tasks, answering questions, commenting on short films and explaining thinking.

MMIs for Offshore Applicants Applying for the UniMelb Doctor of Medicine Program

• If you are an applicant residing offshore at the time of application, you will be interviewed via video conference.
• If you are an applicant residing in Australia but subsequently completed your undergraduate degree in the intervening period between application and invitation to the interview and are no longer residing in Australia, you are still eligible to complete the MMI via video conference.
• The video conference will run separately for the MD and DPT Applicants.

Check out Fraser’s Medical MMI Question Generator to predict the questions and prepare well for the medical interview!

Read further to explore the detailed course overview offered at UniMelb.

What Should You Read Next?

Now that you have read about the application process for medicine at UniMelb, check out which universities utilise a Weighted vs. Unweighted GAMSAT score for their admission process, or alternatively check out our article on GAMSAT and GPA score cutoffs.