Doctor of Medicine (MD)

The mission of Graduate Medicine (GM) is to produce excellent medical practitioners with a commitment to patient-centred, evidence-based, reflective and cost-effective medical practice. Graduates will contribute to the enhancement of health care for patients in all geographic settings, but particularly in regional, rural and remote communities. Closing the gap on Indigenous health and social outcomes is a priority and GM aims to produce culturally safe medical practitioners.

The University of Wollongong (UOW) MD course aims to effectively address the shortage of medical practitioners in regional, rural, remote and in Indigenous communities in Australia, whilst also achieving national and international status as a leader in medical education. The MD curriculum reflects evidence-based approaches to medical education and incorporates innovative use of teaching styles and information technologies.

The four-year graduate entry program has been designed using the best educational evidence from medical schools around the world, with an innovative, integrated curriculum based around a Case-Based Learning (CBL) core. Graduate Medicine is initially based at two UOW campuses; Wollongong (regional) and Shoalhaven (rural). Students undertake the first 18 months of the course based at either the Wollongong or Shoalhaven Campuses. The next year of the degree is hospital based, with clinical rotations occurring in Wollongong and in the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands regions. In year 3, students will be based in one of 11 regional, rural or remote locations throughout NSW for an integrated longitudinal placement. During this year, students also undertake a research project which adds to their critical thinking skills and makes them more competitive for internship positions. In their final year, students have the opportunity to undertake International and National elective placements, as well as a Pre-Internship (PRINT) term in NSW.

Entry Level

Graduate
Graduate entry courses are bachelor degree or Masters level courses that you can’t enter straight from school. You can only study them if you already have a degree. For medicine in Australia, and depending on the university, this degree can be either be in any field or must be a specific bachelors degree. Graduate entry medical degrees are shorter than undergraduate medical courses. The reason they’re shorter is that the university can assume that you’ve already developed the ability to learn effectively at university level and that you have an understanding of the basic sciences.

The UOW MD program is a graduate course offered at Masters level. This means that students who are applying must hold a bachelor degree in any subject to gain entry to the program. The University of Wollongong MD program takes 4 years to complete – the graduate degree is shorter than an undergraduate medical degree because the University can assume that students have already developed the ability to learn effectively at a tertiary level.

Entry Criteria

Admission into the course is based on GAMSAT performance, academic marks (completed, recognised undergraduate degree with GPA average of 5 or above), UOW GM portfolio and the outcome of a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). The portfolio is strongly weighted towards Indigenous and rural/remote entry students. An Indigenous Community Panel is a further process for Indigenous applicants that gauges the applicant’s potential as a future health leader and role model for the Indigenous community. This enables flexibility in GAMSAT and GPA scores and provides a holistic assessment of Indigenous applicants. Proof of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage through relevant Indigenous organisations is required.

Preparation Course

Pre-Medicine, Science and Health is available. See here for more information.

Indigenous Entry Pathway:

Yes, UOW’s Graduate School of Medicine understands the important role of Indigenous medical practitioners in addressing the disparity of health outcomes for Indigenous people. This is demonstrated through a commitment to training Indigenous doctors by providing a range of support mechanisms for applicants who are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to contact MD admissions in the first instance.

Email: md-enquiries@uow.edu.au

please see this link.

• The UOW Graduate Medicine (GM) has an allocated sub-quota of places for applicants who are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; however this does not limit the number of Aboriginal or Islander students admitted to the program. To be considered for these places, applicants must mark the appropriate section on the application form and also provide proof of identity as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. This documentation must be viewed by the Academic Leader: Admissions & Selection and the Academic Leader: Indigenous Health. Applicants in this category are required to reach acceptable levels of performance in GAMSAT, interview and GPA as determined by the school.
• The UOW GM Admissions Portfolio is a written description of the applicant’s experiences and achievements. Applicants have the opportunity to highlight areas of achievement, community engagement, leadership, teamwork, service ethic and commitment as well as ties to Indigenous, regional, rural and remote communities.
• The interview for students will take the form of a scenario based process in which each applicant proceeds through a series of 10 stations, with each station assessed by a different interviewer. The interviews are not medical or science-based but are geared toward assessing life experiences and attitudes.
• The GM of the University of Wollongong consists of two main campuses – Wollongong and Shoalhaven. Up front, applicants are asked to indicate their preferred campus (Wollongong or Shoalhaven) which will serve as their ‘base’ for the first 18 months of the program (Phase 1). After that time, students will be rotated through both campuses and other regional, rural and remote areas in NSW. A student’s campus preference will be considered but not guaranteed.
• There are no pre-requisite degrees or subjects; however science knowledge would be beneficial.