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University of Newcastle & University of New England Joint Medical Program (Undergraduate) 2025 Guide

Published on
July 16, 2024
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University of Newcastle and University of New England offers an undergraduate medical program called the Bachelor of Medical Science & Doctor of Medicine Joint Medical Program (JMP). The program is designed to be a modern course adapted for the rapidly evolving health care field.

The JMP’s medical course assists students to improve their medical expertise and skills required to improve community health, especially the Indigenous and rural regions in Australia. The faculty at Newcastle Uni and New England Uni Medicine consists of a team of medical experts in their prime as inter-professional health care practitioners.

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JMP Undergraduate Medicine Course Overview & Structure

The University of Newcastle and University of New England offer a five-year Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine degree, delivered jointly by the faculties of both universities within the Hunter New England and Central Coast Local Health Districts.

Graduates of the JMP program typically secure a clinical internship after completing their degree. The program is structured into two phases: the Bachelor of Medicine (Years 1-3) and the MD program (Years 4-5).

The JMP course employs a Problem-Based Learning method, clinical method workshops, patient-centric forums, panels, research seminars, and clinical placements, alongside professional development opportunities.

Year 1: Biomedical Sciences

  • Study major body structures and disease mechanisms
  • Clinical skills workshops on safe practice, communication, and patient assessment
  • Patient-specific assessments for cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems

Year 2: Expanded Themes

  • Foundation courses on immune, nervous, musculoskeletal, reproductive, psychiatric, and hematological systems
  • Transition to clinical settings and General Practice

Year 3: Patient Management

  • Case-based learning and student-directed seminars
  • Focus on General Practice, General Medicine, and Surgery
  • Community Placement Option and Research Project

Year 4: Advanced Clinical Skills

  • Continued research project
  • Full-time placements in Medicine, Psychiatry, Women's Health, and Adolescents' & Children's Health

Year 5: Pre-Internship

  • Full-time clinical immersion in Surgery, Medicine, General Practice, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, and Aesthetics

University of Newcastle & University of New England JMP Undergraduate Admissions Criteria

Applying to the Newcastle Uni and New England Uni JMP requires meeting specific entry criteria, crucial for determining eligibility:

JMP Medicine ATAR Requirement

  • Minimum ATAR of 94.3 for HSC or equivalent.
  • Minimum ATAR of 91.4 for applicants from rural/remote locations.

Note: ATAR requirements are indicative and subject to annual adjustments.

JMP Medicine UCAT Score Cut-off

  • UCAT performance is pivotal. Aggregate scores determine invitations to the JMP Assessment.
  • Situational Judgement Test is excluded for 2024 undergraduate medical degree applicants.

Joint Medical Program Assessment

The JMP Assessment evaluates readiness for medical school and future practice:

Part A - Personal Qualities Assessment (PQA):

  • Online test assessing essential qualities for medical practice.

Part B - Multiple Skills Assessment (MSA):

  • Resembling MMI format with eight stations.
  • Assessing critical decision-making, interpersonal skills, and motivation for a medical career.

JMP Medical Course Application & Fees Overview

When applying for the JMP Medical Course at the University of Newcastle or University of New England, consider the following:

Enrolment Location Preference

  • Choose between University of Newcastle or University of New England for your MSA location.
  • Placement is not guaranteed and depends on factors like available spots and ranking.

Application Process

  • Sit the UCAT ANZ exam, preference the JMP, and apply via UAC by late September.
  • Approximately 170 places are offered annually across both universities.

Medicine Fees

  • Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) and Bonded Medical Places (BMP) are available.
  • CSP subsidises most tuition fees for undergraduate domestic students. BMP aims to address healthcare gaps in rural and remote areas. For more information about Australian Medical School Places, please read here.
  • For the JMP Medicine Course, the payable tuition fee appears to be AUD $12,7200. (subject to change)

Note: Fees and eligibility may vary. Check with respective universities for the latest information.

JMP Undergraduate Medicine Interview Dates

Description of the Event Newcastle Uni Medicine Term Dates
UAC Applications open Early April 2024
UCAT Testing Window Early July - Mid August 2024
Joint Medical Program Online - Direct Applications open Mid-August 2024
• Closing date for direct university application to the JMP
• Early Bird applications for UAC closing date
• Final date to make changes to enrolment location preference
Late September 2024
Final date to make changes online to your MSA location preference Early October 2024
• Interviews sent via email to successful applicants
• Interviews conducted at University of Newcastle/ University of New England
Early November 2024
Final date to include JMP amongst UAC preferences Early December 2024
Offers released by the UAC Portal Mid January 2025
University of Newcastle and University of New England MP University Mock Interview Banner

Where To From Here?

We hope our article on the University of Newcastle & University of New England Joint Medical Program Undergraduate Medicine was useful and helps you through your application process. Here’s a list of FREE RESOURCES available on the Fraser’s website to get you started on preferencing medical schools for undergraduate courses. Additionally, check your odds of receiving a medical interview offer and enrol into some of our medical interview prep courses.