Q. Can I apply as a domestic student?
A. You can apply as a domestic applicant if you are a citizen of Australia or New Zealand, or a permanent resident of Australia.
Permanent residents of New Zealand are not categorised as domestic students for admission into Australian universities.

Q. I have dual Australian citizenship – do I apply as a domestic or an international?
A. If you have Australian citizenship then you must apply as a domestic student.

Q. I have dual New Zealand citizenship – do I apply as a domestic or an international?
A. If you have New Zealand citizenship then you must apply as a domestic student.

Q. I have a Bachelor degree and want to apply for entry to the Medical Program, what do I need to do?
A. Please see the admissions requirements

Q. When am I eligible to apply?
A. You are eligible to apply in the final year of your Bachelor degree or after you have completed your Bachelor degree.

Q. I am currently completing Year 12. Can I apply for admission into the Medical Program?
A. The Medical Program is a graduate-entry program, that is, you will need to have a Bachelor degree to gain entry.

School leavers may be interested in the Combined Medicine programs. Students will be able to combine an approved undergraduate degree with the University's four-year graduate-entry Medical Program. This entry route is highly competitive.

Q. Do I need to have a science degree to apply? Are there preferred Bachelor degrees or any prerequisites?
A. No. We do not have preferred Bachelor degrees. It is worthwhile noting that your first degree can be in any discipline that is of interest to you and does not have to be in science or medical science. Applicants who have backgrounds in the science, arts, humanities, social sciences, engineering, commerce, etc will be considered equally.

No specific courses or subjects are prescribed as prerequisites. There is no preference or advanced standing offered to applicants with particular first degrees and no exemptions are offered.

Q. I am an Australian permanent resident and have sat for the MCAT already - can I use my results from the MCAT instead of having to sit for the GAMSAT?
A. No. Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens must sit the GAMSAT in order to be eligible. Please note that if you are also a citizen or resident of the USA and intend to apply for a US study loan you must also have an MCAT result - please refer admission details for international students for guidance. As a domestic applicant your admission will be based on your GAMSAT result.

Q. Is there an age limit for entry into the Medical Program?
A. No - there is no age limit, however applicants for the Medical Program whose Bachelor degree was conferred 10 or more years before 1 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Medical Program must have obtained either a second Bachelor degree or a Graduate Diploma or a Master or PhD degree in the past 10 years.

Q. I completed my Bachelor degree longer than 10 years ago, but have recently completed a Graduate Diploma at my local university, am I still eligible to apply?
A. Applicants for the Medical Program whose Bachelor degree was conferred 10 or more years before 1 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Medical Program must have obtained either a second Bachelor degree or a Graduate Diploma or a Master or PhD degree in the past 10 years. (i.e. 2012 entry, an applicant's first Bachelor degree must not be conferred earlier than 1 January 2002. Otherwise, an applicant needs to obtain a Graduate Diploma or a Master or PhD degree which must not be conferred earlier than 1 January 2002.)

Q. What is the annual quota?
A. Sydney Medical School's quota of students who are citizens or permanent residents of Australia and for New Zealand citizens can be found under Domestic applicants - Offers.

Only Australian citizens or permanent residents are eligible for MRBSS places and BMPs. New Zealand citizens must be Australian permanent residents to be eligible to apply.

Contact details to obtain further information on the Medical Rural Bonded Scholarships Scheme:

Phone: MRBSS hotline (freecall) 1800 248 720
Email:
Website: Department of Health and Ageing - MRB Scholarships

Contact details to obtain further information on the Bonded Medical Places:

Phone: BMP hotline (freecall) 1800 987 104
Email:
Website: Department of Health and Ageing - BMP Scheme

Q. I am already studying medicine, can I transfer to the Medical Program?
A. Transfer of enrolment between medical schools is not possible except in very exceptional circumstances. For more information see our information on deferments and transfers.

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The GPA requirement

Q. What does GPA mean?
A. Grade Point Average

Q. How do I calculate my GPA?
A. Detailed instructions for calculating your GPA for each year of study are outlined under Admission - Grade Point Average.

Q. Should I include the subjects I failed or discontinued in the GPA calculations?
A. Yes. All grades (including fails) from the final 3 years of the most recent bachelor degree, including honors years if undertaken, will be included in the GPA calculation. The grade allocated for a failed subject is zero.

Q. I am in the final year of a 3-year Bachelor degree. Which years do I use to calculate my GPA?
A. Please refer Admission - Grade Point Average.

Q. I am currently doing an Honours year. Which years do I use to calculate my GPA?
A. Please refer Admission - Grade Point Average.

Q. I am in the final year of a 5-year combined degree. Which years do I use to calculate my GPA?
A. Please refer Admission - Grade Point Average.

Q. Can I count postgraduate coursework studies (e.g. masters or diploma) towards my GPA?
A. No.

Q. Can I count postgraduate research studies (e.g. masters or PhD) towards my GPA?
A. If you have been awarded a PhD or a Masters degree by research, this is deemed to meet the GPA requirement – refer Admission - Grade Point Average for details.

Q. I am an Australian citizen, but I obtained my Bachelor degree at an overseas institution. Can I still apply?
A. Yes, as long as it is a recognised institution. If you are a domestic applicant with a bachelor degree from a university outside Australia or New Zealand, you are required to contact UAC to have your qualification assessed and GPA calculated. Allow at least two weeks for UAC to process this assessment. Please note that a service fee may apply.

Q. I have calculated my GPA and it is less than 5.5. What can I do?
A. If you are in the final year of your Bachelor degree and you expect to achieve good marks in your final year, then you can delay applying until next year, when the final year marks can be used as part of the GPA calculation.

You may be able to improve your GPA by completing an Honours year. Otherwise you would need to complete another Bachelor degree and achieve a minimum GPA of 5.5 in order to be eligible.

You may want to consider other medical schools, as some have a minimum GPA requirement less than 5.5.

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Making your application

Q. I've sat the GAMSAT, what next?
A. Make your application directly to the University of Sydney, via the online form Please refer to the The Admissions Guide before making your application.

Q. I sat the GAMSAT this year and last year. Last year my score was higher, but the percentile was lower – which score should I use?
A. Interviews are offered based on GAMSAT overall score; percentiles are not considered. It would be advisable to apply with your higher score.

Q. I have filled out the online application. Do I need to send in a hard copy application?
A.No, but be sure to upload certified copies of all required documents together with your application by the closing date.

Q. I come from a rural background. How do I apply for "rural facilitated entry"?
A. On the online application, indicate that you are from a rural background. You must also upload proof of your rural origin – see our Rural origin applicants webpage for details.

Q. If I apply for “rural facilitated entry” does that mean I have to accept a rural bonded place?
A. You have the same choice of places as all other applicants.

Q. Can I apply for both Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Sydney?
A. Yes. Eligible applicants who have applied to both Medicine and Dentistry will be required to attend one interview only. Please note that applicants that wish to apply to both programs must submit two separate applications.

The admission process – interviews

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Q. When will I hear whether I am going to be invited to attend an interview?
A. TBA

Q. Is it important for me to check my email?
A. Yes! All correspondence with the University will be by email. Please ensure that you include an email address in your application which you can use to receive mail.

Some email messages/attachments may not be accepted or may be flagged as spam by some email providers (e.g. Hotmail or Yahoo). Applicants are advised not to provide a Hotmail or Yahoo or similar address for the purposes of admission and are responsible for any delays caused by the above problem.

Q. How do I find out the time and location of my interview?
A. TBA

Q. When do I choose what kind of place (CSP, MRBSS, BMP etc.) I wish to be considered for?
A. When you book your interview online, you will also be required to choose your preferences for the types of places you wish to be considered for. Please make this decision carefully, as you cannot change your preferences after the interview bookings system has closed.

For more information on the types of places, check the information on our website on quotas and fees.

Q. What are Clinical Schools?
A. From the very first week of the medical program, students have patient contact in the various Clinical Schools: Westmern, Nepean, Central, Concord and Northern Clinical Schools, and the SAN provide students with invaluable clinical experience in a variety of settings. All students are allocated to a Clinical School and attend there for all clinical teaching.

Q. How much time is spent at the Clinical School?
A. In Stages 1 and 2 you will be at your Clinical School one day per week. The other days will be spent at the Camperdown campus for Problem Based Learning session (PBLs) and lectures etc.

In Stage 3 (Years 3 & 4) the focus of teaching becomes strongly clinical and you will be at your Clinical School full time.

Q. Where are the Clinical Schools located?
A. Our Clinical Schools are located all over Sydney – see the map of Clinical School locations under Current Students for details.

Q. Do I get to choose which Clinical School I go to?
A. You will be asked to select your preferences for your Clinical School when you make your online interview booking. We strongly recommend that you research the various Clinical Schools well in advance so that you can make an informed choice. Start with our information on the Clinical Schools. Please make this decision carefully, as you cannot change your preferences after the interview bookings system has closed

Q. Am I guaranteed to get my first preference Clinical School?
A. No. Some schools will be first preference for more applicants than they can accommodate, so some students will be allocated to Schools further down their preference list. When you accept your offer, you must agree to accept the Clinical School allocation you are given.

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Interview Booking and Administration Fee (NEW)

Q.I don’t have a credit card; can I make payment via another method?
A. No; payment must be made online via credit card at the time of booking.

Q.How and when will I receive a receipt for payment?
A. Confirmation of your interview booking will be sent via email once your online payment is confirmed.

Q.If I make a booking and payment, but later change my mind, can I book a new interview?
A. Yes, but as there are a limited number of interview times, other times may not be available so try to get it correct the first time

Q.Why are you charging a fee for interviews; none of the other medical schools or dental schools are?
A. The Sydney Medical School and Faculty of Dentistry select students on the basis of a broad sampling of skills, both cognitive and non-cognitive. Selecting the best future doctors requires a very diverse range of characteristics reflecting the diverse range of careers in medicine and dentistry. The Multiple-Mini Interviews (MMIs) are a crucial component of the Medical Program’s and the Bachelor of Dentistry program’s admissions process. The fee covers the cost of the interviews. Almost all US and Canadian Medical Schools* levy a “Secondary Administration Fee” which is in addition to The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application fee. The “Secondary Fee”, which covers local administration costs, averages around $US80 - $US120.

*AAMC Medical School Admission Requirements 2012-2013 https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/requirements/msar/

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The admission process – offers

Q. When will I know whether I have been offered a place in the Medical Program?
A. TBA

Q. Is it possible for me to defer my place?
A. You may request deferment and all requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. See our deferment information for the grounds for deferment that will be considered.

Q. I have been offered a Bonded Medical Place. Is there any way I can transfer to another kind of place?
A. No. If you accept a MRBSS or BMP, you are unable to transfer to any other type of place.

Q. I have been offered a Bonded Medical Place. What documentation do I have to return and where to? What is the deadline?
A. You must lodge the 2 copies of your contract with the government. An envelope with the mailing address will be provided with the contracts.

You must return your acceptance form to Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney (the address is on the form).

The due date for the acceptance form and the contracts is stated on the acceptance form. You must lodge the contracts before you can accept your place in the Medical Program.

Q. I received a vaccination card in the mail. What do I do with it?
A. This card should be completed by your medical practitioner. More information can be found in the documentation which was enclosed with the card. It is advisable to consult with your GP as soon as you receive the vaccination card, as the requirements may take some time. Don’t leave it to the last minute! If you have any other questions regarding vaccination requirements, please contact NSW Health directly.

Q. Can I study part-time?
A. No. The Medical Program is offered on a full-time basis only.

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Finding out more

Q. How can I find out more about the Medical Program?
A. Browse this site, or for any further information, please contact:

Admissions Officer
Email:
Tel: + 612 9351 3132
Fax: +61 2 9351 3196

Q. Please send me an application form and test information.
A. Application forms and further information on the application process for entry in 2013 will be made available on this website in the near future - please check regularly for updates

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The University of Sydney - Sydney Medical SchoolFuture students

Questions most frequently asked by prospective domestic students

Before you apply

The GPA requirement

Making your application

The admission process – interviews

Interview Booking and Administration Fee (NEW)

The admission process – offers

Finding out more

Before you apply

The GPA requirement

Making your application

The admission process – interviews

Interview Booking and Administration Fee (NEW)

The admission process – offers

Finding out more

The University of Sydney - Sydney Medical School
Future students