Admission of international applicants
International applicants can apply via a registered agent of the University of Sydney, or directly to the University of Sydney.
Direct applications can be made online. or by downloading and completing the two paper forms:
• Postgraduate coursework application (PDF)
• MBBS supplementary form (PDF)
Online applications will be open from Wednesday 23rd April to 5pm on Friday 13th July (Eastern Standard Time)
Admission requirements
Eligibility
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Admissions Test
Application process
Admission requirements
There are three basic admissions criteria for admission into the graduate-entry program:
- All applicants must have completed, or be in the final year of, a bachelors degree and have a minimum GPA of 5.5 out of 7.0 (or equivalent) at the time of application in order to be considered for admission*;
- All applicants must complete and submit the results of the Admissions test(s): There are the Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admissions Test (GAMSAT) (or GAMSAT UK) and the North American Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT). Whether an applicant must present results for the MCAT or have the choice of presenting either of MCAT or GAMSAT results, depends on the applicant’s individual situation. (Note: Please ensure you understand the admissions test requirements that apply to you. See Admissions Test.)
- Applicants who have achieved both the required grade point average and admissions test results will be invited to attend an interview.
Note: Offers of admission are made by the Dean. At the University of Sydney, the Dean of a Faculty is responsible for the admission of candidates to courses within that Faculty subject to the policies of the Senate and the Academic Board and the authority of the Vice-Chancellor: clause 37.2 of the University of Sydney (Amendment Act) Rule 1999.
The Dean, in exercising his responsibility in making any decision, will abide by University policies in relation to admission to Sydney Medical School award courses, including those that specify that applications for admissions are considered according to the criteria detailed in the course resolutions
*Note: Applicants with a PhD or a Masters by research degree from a recognised institution whose GAMSAT results have met the the minimum score of 50 in each section of the GAMSAT will be deemed eligible for interview regardless of their undergraduate GPA.
Eligibility
Applicants must have a bachelor degree from a recognised institution:
• an Australian university listed in the Australian Qualifications Framework at sub-category
i. Australian Universities or ii. Self-Accrediting Higher Education Institutions OR
• an overseas university listed in the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition
Note:
a) Applicants must complete at least two years full time (or equivalent if not studying full-time) of the bachelor degree program at the awarding institution. (New)
b) For further information about recognition of institutions and qualifications, applicants may contact NOOSR directly.
c) An applicant who has been excluded from any university must indicate this on the application form. Sydney Medical School may contact the applicant for further details.
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 either:
- obtain a second bachelor degree at a recognised institution* within 10 years before 1 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Medical Program or
- obtain a Graduate Diploma or a Master or PhD degree at a recognised institution* within 10 years before 1 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Medical Program.
For example, for 2013 entry, an applicant's first bachelor degree must not be conferred earlier than 1 January 2003.
Otherwise, an applicant needs to obtain a Graduate Diploma or a Master or PhD degree which must not be conferred earlier than 1 January 2003.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
BACHELOR DEGREE
All applicants must have completed,or be in the final year of, a bachelor degree and have a minimum GPA of 5.5 (7.0 scale) at the time of application (roughly approximate to a credit level at the University of Sydney or 65% based on a pass mark of 50%) in order to be considered for admission (calculations are not rounded up, i.e. a GPA of 5.49 does not meet the entry requirement).
(Note: Applicants with a PhD or a Masters by research degree from a recognised institution whose GAMSAT results have met the the minimum score of 50 in each section of the GAMSAT will be deemed eligible for interview regardless of their undergraduate GPA. )
The bachelor’s degree must be completed by 1 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Sydney Medical Program.
Applicants who have undertaken a bachelor degree in an accelerated program are eligible to apply after completion of the full degree.
Applicants with overseas qualifications are required to achieve an equivalent level (e.g. a GPA of 2.7 out of 4 for USA/Canada universities, a GPA of 3.3 out of 5 for Singapore universities, bachelor degree at a Lower II class for UK universities).
The University will not calculate your GPA prior to your application.
GPA CALCULATION (New).
Given the different structure of grades across universities a range of formulae have been developed by institutions to calculate an Annual Average Mark (AAM) or Grade Point Average (GPA). For the purpose of admission to the SMP and DMD program, academic results from a bachelor degree are used as a hurdle only. For example, a score of 5.5 and a score of 7.0 are ranked equally in terms of selection for interview.
If you are an international student you do not need to fill out any GPA forms no matter where you have completed / will complete your Bachelor degree. Although you do not need to fill out any GPA forms, calculate your GPA using the information below to ensure that you meet the minimum GPA requirement.
- The GPA is calculated over the final three years of the most recent bachelor degree including an honours year if undertaken.
- For applicants who have undertaken a combined degree program, all units of study undertaken in the last three years will be used in the calculation of a GPA.
- The unit values or credit points of each subject must be used. If this information is not available, a value of 1 should be assigned.
- All years of study regardless of level are weighted equally.
- Percentages are used when available rather than grades, this includes honours years. Grades should be converted to percentages where no percentages are given; the conversion table (pdf) can be used for this purpose. The mark assigned should be the lowest equivalent percentage in the relevant band.
- All failed subjects must be included in the calculation with a mark of zero (0). If a subject appears on your transcript as 'withdrawn' or 'discontinued', i.e. a subject in which you were enrolled but did not complete, you only include this in the GPA calculations if 'Withdraw/Fail' or 'Discontinue/Fail' is shown. In this case, these subjects are assigned a zero (0) and no percentage marks can be used.
- If a subject has been failed and repeated, both marks must be included in the GPA calculation.
- The calculation is based on subjects completed at the time of application. First semester results of applicants who are applying whilst in the final year of their degree will be included in the assessment only if those results are available on the transcripts at the time of application. It should be noted that any offer of a place is provisional and conditional upon the applicant completing his/her degree at the appropriate level of performance.
- Credit transfer subjects (from another institution) are excluded from the calculations.
- Exchange subjects are excluded from the GPA calculation.
- Postgraduate coursework qualifications are not used in the calculation of a GPA.
PASS/FAIL GRADING SYSTEM
Applicants with a Bachelor degree where results in 1/3 or more of the units of study in the final three years of the degree are awarded on a Pass/Fail basis only must provide official documentation, signed by the Dean of the relevant Faculty, indicating that they have a credit average. Pass/Fail results which comprise less than 1/3, of the final three years of the degree, do not need to be included unless they were failed subjects.
PhD OR MASTERS BY RESEARCH DEGREE
Applicants with a PhD or a Masters by research degree** from a recognised institution* whose GAMSAT results have met the the minimum score of 50 in each section of the GAMSAT (see Admissions Test) will be deemed eligible for interview regardless of their undergraduate GPA. The PhD or Masters degree by research must have been conferred less than 10 years before 1 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Medical Program (i.e. 2013 entry, an applicant's PhD or Masters degree by research must not be conferred earlier than 1 January 2003). Applicants must submit proof of award of a PhD or a Masters degree by research along with their transcripts of a Bachelor degree at the time of application. Otherwise applications will be processed as standard applications.
Please note that applicants with PhD by research will have 3 percentage points added to their total final score (determined by the Medical School). There will be no extra points for other types of doctorates or Masters degrees.
*Either an Australian university is listed in the Australian Qualifications Framework at: sub-category i. Australian Universities or ii. Self-Accrediting Higher Education Institutions) or an overseas university recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition
**Some Master by research degrees may require a limited amount of coursework, however, the research component must comprise 2/3 or more of the overall course requirements. The proof of award must indicate that the degree met this requirement.
Admissions Test (New)
Admission test requirements of Sydney Medical School
These are the Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admissions Test (GAMSAT) (or GAMSAT UK) and the North American Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT). Whether an applicant must present results for the GAMSAT or MCAT or have the choice of presenting either of those tests, depends on the applicant’s individual situation.
Please note applicants must have achieved a minimum score of 50 in each section of the GAMSAT to be considered. Applicants with MCAT scores must have achieved a minimum grade of M in the writing sample and 8 in sections that are given numerical scores to be considered.
Which test results must I present to be eligible for admission to Sydney Medical School?
In general:
- Australian or NZ citizens or Australian permanent residents must submit GAMSAT results, and their eligibility for admission to Sydney Medical School will be assessed using their GAMSAT results.
- Applicants who are not Australian or NZ citizens or Australian permanent residents, and who are not US citizens, nationals or permanent residents, may submit either GAMSAT or MCAT results. If they submit both GAMSAT and MCAT results, their eligibility for admission to Sydney Medical School will be assessed using whichever test score gives them the higher ranking.
- The requirements for applicants who are US citizens, nationals or permanent residents depend on: (i) whether they are also citizens or permanent residents of a country other than the US; and (ii) whether they seek to participate in the US Direct Loan Program. For details, please click here to see the flow chart.
Please click here to download a consent form.
Why are US citizens, nationals and permanent residents subject to special admission requirements?
In 2010, the US Department of Education (DOE) revised its regulations regarding eligibility of students of non-US medical schools to participate in the US Title IV, HEA Programs direct loan scheme. These changes were intended by the DOE to provide the data it requires to monitor the quality of the non-US medical schools at which it assists students.
The University of Sydney has decided to continue to support the eligibility of its students for participation in the US Title IV, HEA programs direct loan scheme and to do so is required to comply with the new regulations.
The new regulations require that Sydney Medical School submits to the Australian Medical Council, and on request, to the Secretary of the US Department of Education, the MCAT score, together with the number of times that the MCAT was undertaken, for the US citizens, nationals and permanent residents admitted to the School.
Where a student admitted is a US national, citizen or permanent resident and also the citizen or permanent resident of another (non-US) country, it is only required to submit the MCAT score and the number of times the MCAT has been undertaken for those students, who wish to participate in the US direct loan program.
What are the implications for US citizens, nationals and permanent residents applying for entry to the Sydney Medical School?
As of 2012, the Sydney Medical School will be reporting to the Australian Medical Council, and if requested to the Secretary of the US DOE, the MCAT score and number of times that the MCAT has been undertaken for the following classes of students admitted to the Medical Course in 2013 and beyond:
(a) US citizens, nationals and permanent residents, who are not also citizens or permanent residents of another (non-US) country
(b) US citizens, nationals and permanent residents, who are also citizens or permanent residents of another (non-US) country, and who intend to participate in the US direct loan scheme.
From 2012 the application form for admission to the Sydney Medical School will request that applicants who fall into categories (a) or (b) above provide both their MCAT score and the number of times that they have undertaken the MCAT.
Whether the MCAT score will be used in assessing the application depends on the applicant’s circumstances (see flow chart). The number of times that the MCAT has been sat will play no role in assessing the application.
Submission of the consent form will be regarded as consent by the applicant for the Medical School to provide the applicant’s MCAT score and number of times that they have undertaken MCAT to the Australian Medical Council and to the Secretary of the US Department of Education.
The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)
The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) has been developed as a selection instrument by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) in collaboration with the graduate-entry medical schools.
GAMSAT is designed to serve five major purposes:
- to ensure that all commencing students have analytical and problem-solving skills and basic competence in the biological and physical sciences
- to recognise those applicants who have a broad understanding of those basic concepts in the social sciences and humanities which are considered advantageous to the study and practice of medicine
- to ensure that applicants have an acceptable standard in written communication in English
- to provide valid and reliable information that will allow ranking of applicants
- to indicate to potential applicants the background knowledge necessary to commence the course and the standards required (how an applicant gains this knowledge is an individual choice).
The test consists of three sections designed to assess each applicant's performance in the areas of:
- reasoning in humanities and social sciences
- written communication in English
- reasoning in biological and physical sciences (Chemistry 40%, Biology 40%, Physics 20%).
The assumed level of knowledge for the section on reasoning in the biological and physical sciences corresponds to the first year of university studies in biology and chemistry, and Year 12 in physics.
ACER produces materials to assist candidates in their preparation for GAMSAT.
The GAMSAT takes place once a year only, in March, and can be taken one or two years before the year in which an applicant seeks to begin the Medical Program. Applicants must register with ACER to sit the test by the published deadline date in January.
Please note GAMSAT results are valid for two years. The applicant nominates which year's results are to be considered if more than one set of test results is valid. Individual section scores from tests taken in different years cannot be mixed. For 2013 entry, 2011 or 2012 results will be accepted.
Application forms, information and sample questions for GAMSAT are available from the Graduate Medical Admissions Centre at ACER.
Graduate Medical Admissions Centre
Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER)
750 Springvale Rd
Mulgrave VIC 3170
Australia
Tel: +61 3 8508 9097
Email:
Website: www.gamsat.acer.edu.au/
The North American Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT)
Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT) is held in a number of international locations. The applicant nominates which results are to be considered if more than one set of test results is valid. Individual section scores from different tests cannot be mixed. For 2013 entry, the MCAT results must be obtained no earlier than January 2010.
Registration for MCAT and application for admission to the Medical Program are separate processes.
Details about MCAT, including registration dates, location and dates of tests and preparation guidelines are available from the MCAT Program Office:
The MCAT Care Team
Association of American Medical Colleges
Section for Applicant Assessment Services
2450 N St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: +1 202-828-0690
Web: Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
Email:
Application
Applicants must submit an application and fee by July 13 of the year prior to the year in which the applicant wishes to commence study*. (NOTE: Registration for GAMSAT/MCAT and application for admission to the Sydney Medical Program are separate processes.)
International applicants for the Medical Program may submit an application to Sydney Medical School via one of the following the methods:
1. Direct application to the University of Sydney:
To apply directly to the University, please either:
- complete the Online application form (available from April 1) OR
- Download, complete and return these paper forms: Postgraduate coursework application & Medcine-MBBS supplementary form
Deadline: Applications open 23rd April and close on the 13th July*
Subject to places being available, Sydney Medical School will also assess late applications and make offers outside of the main round.
2. Direct application via a University representative (agent)
Deadline: Applications open 23rd April and will close 13th July*
Checklist of required documentation (PDF)
Subject to places being available, Sydney Medical School will also assess late applications and make offers outside of the main round.
Application procedure
Applicants may apply through a University of Sydney representative, either in Australia or in another country.
The University is represented by offices in over 50 countries.
This may be helpful to you if:
- you need advice on living in Australia, or
- you need assistance with completing documentation required by the University or the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, or
- you need a reliable point of contact for communication with the University.
Please note that some representatives may charge a fee for their services.
Applicants should be aware that the presentation of forged documents in connection with admission to the Medical Program is a criminal offence and the University may take appropriate action against such cases, or other admissions irregularities, including the withholding of relevant information.
Action may include cancellation of an application for admission, of an offer of admission, or of enrolment.
* If you are unable to meet this deadline please click here for the late submission policy