The University of Melbourne

Doctor of Medicine

Graduate

Details

University Location Melbourne, Victoria
City Population 5.3 million
Student Population 54,000
Int'l Student Population 23,760
Main Campus Parkville (Melbourne)
Program Campus Parkville
Program Duration 4 years
Estimated Annual Tuition $101,952 AUD (2024 fees; subject to increase)
Semester Intake January
Next Available Intake 2025
Application Deadline June 12, 2024*
International Places 60 (total places 340)

Overview

The University of Melbourne is home to the oldest medical school in Australia and is internationally renowned for global leadership in teaching and training, health research, policy, and practice. According to the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject (Medicine), the University of Melbourne is ranked at #1 in Australia and at #24 in the world.

Launched in 2011 as the first Australian medical course at master’s level, the Melbourne MD created a new benchmark in 21st-century medical education.

Ten years later, it was time to once again take the educational lead by introducing our redesigned MD course, offering unprecedented levels of flexibility to those beginning their medical career.

Designed for students who have completed their undergraduate studies and are committed to professional training, the Melbourne MD supports both the personal and professional development of each individual. The redesigned course aims to produce high quality medical professionals who can thrive in complex environments and be the leaders of change.

It delivers advanced clinical and academic training to ensure students are prepared for the challenges of internship and an increasingly diverse medical career. With an emphasis on choice and customization, the Melbourne MD allows students to build their own future.

Program

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a 4-year full-time course comprising

  • 1 year of integrated bioscience and clinical learning featuring an innovative case-based teaching approach
  • 2 core clinical training years which facilitate learning with patients in a wide range of settings
  • discovery subjects which provide students flexibility to explore areas of particular interest
  • the option to complete an immersive research experience in an area of interest
  • a capstone semester in which you will “rehearse” the skills required for effective and safe clinical practice
  • an annual medical conference which will provide opportunities to interact with leaders in research, policy and clinical healthcare.

The Melbourne MD is a full-time course of study, with learning in clinical settings in each year of the program. Your learning is structured around three domains:

  • Applied medical sciences
  • Clinical knowledge and skills
  • Professional practice

Embedded within each of these domains are the themes of First Nations Health, Population and Global Health, and research methods.

In Year 1, you’ll develop foundational knowledge and skills via small group tutorials, practicals, clinical placement, and interactive online learning.

In years 2 and 3, you’ll be immersed in full-time clinical placement where you will apply foundational knowledge and skills to a broad range of patient encounters in a wide variety of health care settings. Clinical placement is complemented with small-group tutorials, simulation, clinical, and procedural skills alongside online interactive learning.

Year 4 will see you complete a research project in an area of interest and undertake a clinical placement-based capstone experience—learning as trainee junior doctors. This final capstone experience ensures that you are well prepared for your pending entry into the health care workforce.

Discovery Learning Pathway
A highlight of the MD program is the opportunity for students to individualize their learning experiences through participation in a Discovery learning pathway at each level of the MD. Discovery learning can be selected from a variety of bespoke clinically focused topics or from a curated list of approved faculty subjects allowing students to explore a wide range of areas or complete a deeper dive into a future specialty.

Another unique feature of the Melbourne MD is the yearly student conference. The MD Student Conference provides opportunities for broader disciplinary and inter-disciplinary learning and brings together all students from the MD. The conference allows students to participate in future focused learning and provides opportunities to explore areas of interest beyond core medical practice.

Beyond core, discovery and conference learning, students also have the opportunity to complete an elective placement outside of their allocated clinical school to broaden their understanding of health care. Rural rotations are available to all students to provide opportunities to experience clinical training in a rural setting.

Discovery will enable you to look deeper into an area aligned with the core curriculum that has piqued your curiosity.

  • In Year 1 of discovery, you’ll lay the foundation of knowledge and understanding (Discovery 1 – Foundation)
  • In Year 2, you’ll be applying your learning to the clinical setting (Discovery 2 – Application)
  • In Year 3, you’ll be integrating multiple concepts into your practice of medicine (Discovery 3 – Integration OR Discovery 3 – Research Scholar)
  • In Year 4, your discovery subject culminates in using what you’ve learned to create something new (Discovery 4 – Clinical Scholar OR Discovery 4 – Research Scholar)

You will also have the option of undertaking a clinical elective of least one week duration during any non-teaching period.

The new core curriculum is designed to train quality evidence-based doctors. It will have a modular design for progress at each student’s optimal pace, with online platforms for consistent delivery across all sites and continual assessment to reinforce knowledge.

Clinical Placements

Clinical learning means that you will gain most of your knowledge “at the bedside,” with every patient having a unique story to tell. You’ll spend time in community clinics where most healthcare is delivered, and come to understand the principles of promoting healthy lifestyles, rather than just treating disease. Being immersed in clinical settings, including opportunities to work in rural and remote Australia, maximizes your learning.

Melbourne’s clinical school structure means that, after one year learning how to interact with patients and understanding the mechanisms behind their illnesses, you will spend the remainder of the course closely engaged with your colleagues in your hospital-based clinical school. This is where you will learn many aspects of medicine, such as talking with patients, examining them and contributing to their care—all with the support of excellent, passionate clinical teachers.

Admission Requirements

1. Completed bachelor’s degree
Completed bachelor’s degree with GPA of roughly a 2.7 / 4.0. GPA (approximately 70%), using weighted grade point average, calculated by the last 3 full-time years of your degree (including honours when available). The weighting will be calculated by final year x2, third year x2, second year x1.

2. Admissions test
You must have a minimum MCAT score of 505; Melbourne requests a 492+; however, based on previous intakes, students who didn’t achieve a minimum MCAT score of 505 were not eligible for an interview. OzTREKK will not submit any MCATs below a 505. MCAT scores are valid for 4 years prior to the program commencement. Tests written between January 1, 2021 and July 25, 2024 will be accepted for the 2025 intake.

3. Interview
Candidates are short-listed based on their performance in previous studies (GPA) and their results in the MCAT/GAMSAT (50:50).

Offers to the Melbourne MD will be made on the basis of a combined ranked list where the multi-mini-interview will contribute 50%, GPA will contribute 25% and MCAT (or GAMSAT) will contribute 25%.

Admission Timeline

*While applications for the 2025 intake close June 12, 2024, you’re encouraged to apply as early as possible.

2025 Intake Application Timeline

Application deadline: June 12, 2024
Last date to sit MCAT: June 22, 2024. If your MCAT scores will be released after the deadline, please email medicine@oztrekk.com your MCAT registration confirmation.
Interview invitations: Mid- to late August
Interviews: Week of September 9, 2024

1/5

“It has a very unique clinical placement program”

It's in an amazing location, being super close to the inner city. It has a very unique clinical placement program for first-year students.

Maharshi S
Doctor of Medicine
The University of Melbourne, 2022

“I like that we have a hybrid learning model”

I like the university culture and environment.  I like that we have a hybrid learning model and can watch our lectures from home, this frees up a lot of time. I don't like that the class size is so large because it makes it difficult to get to know people.

Geetika G
Doctor of Medicine
The University of Melbourne, 2022

“Melbourne’s MD program is ranked as one of the best in the world and it’s clear to see why”

University of Melbourne is a very good school and their campus is beautiful full of all the amenities that a student might need. It's also within walking distance to the core business district making it easy to get access to all the city has to offer. Melbourne's MD program is ranked as one of the best in the world and it's clear to see why. There are many methods deployed to teach the content. From lectures, to anatomy dissections to lab practicals. With only year being pre cl... Read More

Aditya M
Doctor of Medicine
The University of Melbourne, 2019

“There is fantastic clinical exposure”

The medical program itself and my interactions with other students and faculty have really increased my confidence in my abilities. Australia is a beautiful country that has a lot to offer. There is fantastic clinical exposure, an amazing cohort of students I call colleagues and friends, and a supportive faculty who are passionate about teaching and training the next generation of doctors.

Mani R M
Doctor of Medicine
The University of Melbourne, 2019

“…the best starting point for my medical career”

The supportive and friendly environment with extensive clinical and research opportunities at the University of Melbourne provided the best starting point for my medical career. Not only did I get a taste of a different healthcare culture, I also had the opportunity to practice and build on my clinical knowledge and hands-on procedural experiences.

Jessica W
Doctor of Medicine (Graduate)
The University of Melbourne, 2018