INTERVIEW
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University of Sydney Medical School

Published on
July 3, 2024
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Enjoy a complete guide to everything you need to know before applying to USyd Med School!

The University of Sydney (USyd) Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a four-year, full-time graduate entry course for students who have recently completed their undergraduate degree. 

Each year, the intake for the Doctor of Medicine course at USyd Medical is 300 students, with three quarters attaining Commonwealth Supported (CSP) and Bonded Medical Places (BMPs). In addition, The USyd Medicine program offers up to 70 full-fee places for international students in the Metropolitan stream.

To read a comprehensive guide for the University of Sydney Medical School Entry for 2025, please read here.

USyd Medical School Course Components

The USyd Doctor of Medicine (MD) program consists of eight vertical themes that runs throughout the 4-year course duration:

  • Basic and Clinical sciences
  • Clinical skills
  • Diagnostics and Therapy
  • Research evidence and informatics
  • Population health
  • Indigenous health
  • Ethics, Laws and Professionalism
  • Interprofessional teamwork.

In Year 1, USyd medical students will study three-four days per week in the university campus and one day each week in USyd clinical schools. The students focus on a number of units that cover all body systems, from both basic science and clinical practice perspectives, and will gain in-depth knowledge on the scientific foundations of clinical reasoning. 

The key areas of study, or ‘blocks’ include:

  • Cardiovascular sciences
  • Respiratory sciences
  • Musculoskeletal
  • Endocrine nutrition
  • Renal urology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Sexual health and reproduction
  • Neurosciences

The ‘block’ method of learning ensures that students gain immense knowledge within the scientific foundation and also develop the ability to problem-solve in difficult situations, skills that are vital in the medical profession.

Year two of the medical degree covers the course’s core elements and students spend most of their hours working at the clinical school. Students will also be allocated into a research project based on their personal experiences and interests. The students will work on this research project during year three of their medical course and will culminate in an article for publication.

USyd Medicine Admission Requirements

The University of Sydney has re-evaluated its admission process and admission timeline for the Doctor of Medicine 2021 entry. 

NOTE: These changes apply only to 2021 entry due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation in NSW.

Domestic Applicant Entry Requirements

Applicants applying for the MD course at USyd medical uni must have a bachelor's degree with at least 3 years full-time equivalent and must complete the bachelor’s degree by the 1st of January in the year that they intend to commence the MD course. Therefore, if an applicant wishes to apply for admission in 2020 for 2021 entry, you cannot undertake an exchange or study abroad program in the second half of 2020, or enrol in summer school in 2020-2021.

To be eligible for admission to the MD course, applicants must have:

  • A bachelor’s degree accredited at Level 7 under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) or a bachelor’s degree accredited at Level 8 under the AQF, from an Australian university or self-accredited educational institution; Or
  • A bachelor’s degree from an overseas institution if the degree is equivalent to the standard of an (Australian Bachelor’s degree)
  • Achieved a qualifying bachelor’s degree with a satisfactory minimum GPA score of 5.0 during the application process.
  • Achieved 50 in each section of the GAMSAT to be eligible for the admission process.

International Applicants Entry Requirements

International Applicants wanting to pursue their Medical course from the USyd must have a bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years full-time equivalence of study at an accredited educational  institution. The applicants must have completed the degree after the 1st January 2011 to be considered eligible for entry into the medical course. 

The admission requirements also demand international applicants who have completed or will complete at least 2 years of full-time equivalence of their bachelor’s degree at the accredited educational institution.

NOTE: Each section of the GAMSAT will be used to rank the applicants. Neither overall GAMSAT score nor average GAMSAT score will be taken into consideration during the assessment of applicants for the University of Sydney MD course.

Indigenous Applicants Entry Requirements

The USyd Medical Course offers an Indigenous Facilitated Admission Pathway for applicants with a bachelor’s degree and a valid GAMSAT score. This specific pathway is also available to Australian citizens of rural origin defined by the Australian Government.

How to Apply to the Doctor of Medicine at University of Sydney

Domestic Applicants 

Applicants must submit only an online application before the closing date for the applications.

Students must apply for a QAS (Qualification Assessment Service) through the UAC (Universities Admissions Centre) within the application period in the year of application, followed by an online MD application that must be directly submitted to the University of Sydney.

The Faculty Admissions Office will assess application files and QAS reports (passed on by the UAC) to determine whether an application is eligible, and valid in late July for admission to the Sydney uni MD course. Applicants who meet the GPA requirements and receive the required GAMSAT score will be invited to confirmation their spot online.

International Applicants Usyd Medicine Admission Process

International applicants interested to apply for the MD program at University of Sydney must submit an online application only. Students must submit an online MD application form directly to the University or apply through an authorised university agent. Online applications for international students, Doctor of Medicine Graduate-Entry program usually opens in late April, however this may be subject to change. 

Finally, all international students must submit valid admissions test results with their application, that includes:

  • A GAMSAT score of at least 50 in each section; Or
  • At least 500 in the new MCAT exam.

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is held across multiple international locations. During the time of your application, students must enter the correct AAMC ID number and the current verification code on the online application form.

The applicants must then forward their MCAT exam results to the University Admissions Office no later than the end of July.

USyd Medicine Application Timeline and Calendar

MD Course Timeline Applicant Dates
Domestic Applicants
Online applications open 28/29th April
Online applications close
29 June
Confirmation page to be completed by students
Starting week of August
First round offers made for MD course
End week of August (offers may continue to be made until January).
   
International Applicants
 
Online applications open
28/29th April
Online applications close
23/24 July
Confirmation page to be completed by students
Mid week of August
First round offers made for MD course
First week of October (7th)
Final round offers made for MD course

Second week of October (13/14th)

University of Sydney Course Fees

The USyd Medical course considers most domestic students with an undergraduate degree eligible for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). A CSP ensures that your course fees are partially supported by the Australian Government leaving you to pay a Student Contribution Amount (SCA).

Students opting for the Australian Full Fee (AFF) may be eligible for FEE-HELP, a government fund assisting students to access a loan to help cover all or part of their tuition fees. This is a fixed amount that a student can borrow in their lifetime, known as the FEE-HELP Limit.

International students follow different methods of paying their fees at USyd. When applicants are offered a place to study, they must deposit an amount equivalent to the first semester tuition fees. This will officially secure the applicant’s place and will allow you to further apply for a visa. 

NOTE: The total amount that needs to be paid will be confirmed in your Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE).

Fee Type Amount of Fees
Domestic Students
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)
Bonded Medical Places (BMP)
AUD $11,300 (The Student Contribution Amount indicative for Year 1 of full-time study)
Australian Full Fee (AFF)
AUD $68,000 (Amount indicative for Year 1 of full-time study)
International Students
UD $84,000 (Fee indicative of 1 year’s full-time equivalent study load)

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