Bachelor of Medical Studies, Doctor of Medicine

at University of New South Wales

This program allows you to complete the Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine and Bachelor of Arts within seven or eight years. The medicine program is split into three phases, with two years in each phase. It’s recommended that you take your arts year in between the third and fourth year of the medicine program (middle of phase two), before you begin your research year.

Phase One: Scenario-based learning
In your first two years, you’ll learn the basic medical sciences in relation to the human life cycle and social/ethical/legal issues related to healthcare. Clinical and communication skills training also begins in this phase.

Phase Two: Practice-based learning
In your third year, you’ll gain increased clinical exposure in hospital placements with ongoing learning in biomedical and social sciences. Your fourth year is dedicated to research, where you’ll complete either the Independent Learning Project (ILP) or the Medicine Honours Program.

Phase Three: Independent reflective learning
Years five and six consist of clinical placements and include content from the basic medical and social sciences. 

Admission pathways

UNSW Global has university pathway programs that provide seamless transition to UNSW Sydney so you can achieve your academic and career goals. Learn more.

English language requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• English language tests and university English courses
• Prior study in the medium of English
• Other qualifications

2022 Indicative First Year Fee
$76,195*

2022 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree
$642,495*

Our medicine graduates go on to pursue diverse and rewarding careers in a wide range of roles across the medical industry. Upon successful completion of this program, you’ll be eligible to apply for provisional registration with the Medical Board of Australia. This will allow you to commence your one-year hospital internship following graduation, which is required to gain general registration as a doctor in Australia.

Further study and experience will allow you to specialise in a specific area of medicine, such as general practice, paediatrics, cardiology, oncology, general surgery, orthopaedics, pathology, radiology or psychiatry. If you choose not to work as a medical practitioner in a hospital or private practice, this degree will also prepare you for other career opportunities in medical research, health policy and medical education. 

The arts component of your degree has two key career benefits. Firstly, you’ll expand your knowledge beyond the medical realm, which can enhance your future career prospects. Secondly, the arts courses you choose can complement your medical degree. For example, you could use your arts degree to study a foreign language which will directly help you communicate as a clinician.