Why study with us?
With our Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ranked 17th in the world in the 2018 QS World University Rankings by Subject, you will learn from leading experts across more than 45 areas of study.
Sydney Medical School is ranked number one in Australia in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017.
The Bachelor of Arts/Doctor of Medicine gives you the opportunity to study in the area of arts and social sciences before undertaking medicine. This pathway allows school leavers who have achieved exceptional results to commence a three-year undergraduate arts degree and follow on with the four-year graduate-entry Doctor of Medicine (MD).
With a deeper understanding of the fundamentals that underpin the health profession combined with your study of the arts, you will be better prepared for any career in medicine, from specialisation to research and teaching.
The University of Sydney Medical School offers unparalleled opportunities to study medicine in Australia. When you study with us you will have access to world-class teaching hospitals, internationally-acclaimed academics, early patient care and a wide range of placement opportunities across Australia and overseas.
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has a history of excellence spanning 165 years. By joining a community of students from around Australia and the globe, you will be inspired to pursue your passion and combine your interests across the arts and social sciences and medical fields.
As a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts/Doctor of Medicine you will be committed to rational, compassionate healthcare and medical research of the highest quality. You will also maintain lifelong, self-directed learning and pursue evidence-based medical practice. You will initiate, lead and support advances in clinical medicine, research, education and community service.
Sample Study Plan: Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine
| Year | Sem | Unit of study | |||
| 1 | 1 | English Major | From Molecules to Ecosystems | Economics Elective | Gender Studies Major |
| 2 | English Major | Economics Elective | Economics Elective | Gender Studies Major | |
| 2 | 1 | English Major | Fundamentals of Human Anatomy | OLE (Cultural Competence: Fundamentals) | Gender Studies Major |
| 2 | English Major | Integrated Physiology A | OLE (Health Challenges: Allergy and Autoimmunity) | Gender Studies Major | |
| 3 | 1 | English Major | English Major | Gender Studies Major | Gender Studies Major |
| 2 | English Major | English Major | Gender Studies Major | Gender Studies Major | |
| 4 | Basic and Clinical Sciences Theme Patient Doctor Theme Population Medicine Theme Personal and Professional Development Theme MD Project Development |
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| 5 | Basic and Clinical Sciences Theme Patient Doctor Theme Population Medicine Theme Personal and Professional Development Theme MD Project Development |
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| 6 | Basic and Clinical Sciences Theme Patient Doctor Theme Population Medicine Theme Personal and Professional Development Theme MD Project Development Medicine Critical Care/Surgery Child and Adolescent Health Perinatal and Women’s Health Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine Community |
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| 7 | Basic and Clinical Sciences Theme Patient Doctor Theme Population Medicine Theme Personal and Professional Development Theme MD Project Development Medicine Critical Care/Surgery Child and Adolescent Health Perinatal and Women’s Health Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine Community |
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This is an indicative study plan only, students may choose other arts majors, minors and electives.
B Arts/MD students may undertake the Bachelor of Arts in the Dalyell stream.
In order to progress to the Doctor of Medicine, you need to meet all progression requirements during your first degree studies as specified under the BArts/MD course resolutions found in the respective Faculty Handbook.
You need to complete all requirements for the Bachelor of Arts, including the designated foundational knowledge units for medicine offered by the Faculty of Science within three years (or four years if candidates take an embedded honours component through the Bachelor of Advanced Studies), excluding any authorised periods of suspension.
You also need to maintain a credit average in each year of the Bachelor of Arts, this being the minimum achievement required for admission into the Doctor of Medicine.
Failure to maintain the minimum progression and minimum result requirements will result in candidates being transferred from the double degree program to a Bachelor of Arts degree with full credit for all units of study successfully completed.
Progression within the MD is as specified in the Resolutions for the MD.
Refer to the relevant single degree Bachelor of Arts.
Admission to this course is on the basis of the following criteria:
You are only eligible for admission to the first available course intake following receipt of your final results. If your results are not available in time to be considered for the 2020 intake (ie prior to the issue of invitations to the January 2020 assessment), you may be eligible to apply for the 2021 intake. Assessment dates are not negotiable and eligible candidates must attend the first assessment day after the release of their ATAR results.
Admission pathways are open to domestic applicants on the basis of equity or other adjustment factors, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants (a minimum ATAR of 90 to be considered) and E12 applicants (a minimum ATAR of 99.5 to be considered). Eligible applicants will be invited to attend the assessment process after ATAR results are released. For details, visit admission pathways.
For details on the mathematics prerequisite, please visit Mathematics course prerequisites.
Each year, up to 30 domestic and 10 international places can be offered (this includes both the Bachelor of Arts/Doctor of Medicine and the Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine double degrees).
The timeline for 2020 admission will be published as soon as it is available.
The timeline for 2019 admission (below) is for your reference only.
Please note:
Domestic applicants MUST attend an assessment in person unless they are under mandatory obligations (e.g. National Service) at the time of assessment. In which case, alternative arrangements will be made, such as an assessment via Skype.
You may undertake the Bachelor of Arts in the Dalyell Scholars program.
Most subject areas within the double degree allow you to take part in an international exchange program . These programs enable you to enhance your skills in a language other than English and your knowledge of other societies and cultures.
As a student in the Doctor of Medicine, you will have contact with patients and observe aspects of disease throughout your four years of study, with clinical placements at world-renowned institutes, and established elective placement opportunities in Europe, Africa, North America and Asia.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine double degree are eligible for registration by medical boards in all Australian states and territories and in New Zealand.
One year of internship is required prior to full registration. Most junior doctors make their career choice during their second postgraduate year, most commonly opting for general practice or one of the other specialties.
In the interest of equity and fairness to all applicants, those applicants who do not meet the admission criteria, including the required ATAR (or equivalent) and performance in the assessment, will not be considered for admission to the double degree. The ATAR (or equivalent) requirements shall apply, regardless of circumstances such as illness, misadventure or disadvantage during secondary school or high school studies.
It is not possible for candidates to obtain credit/advanced standing or exemptions for previous tertiary studies.
Most students enrolled in this double degree who have met all the requirements of their bachelor's degree will be permitted to begin the MD without being required to sit the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) or the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT), or participate in the assessment selection process for entry into the Doctor of Medicine.
Prior to commencing their observational study, students are required to comply with requirements for entering NSW Health facilities.
Sydney Medical School reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject an application for admission or to vary or cancel an offer of admission if your conduct prior to enrolment causes the Medical School to form the view that you are unsuitable for admission to the Doctor of Medicine.
Examples of conduct that might make you unsuitable for admission to the Doctor of Medicine include (but are not limited to):
International applicants to the double degree whose immigration status changes after they lodge their application should refer to the information on the University’s website at http://sydney.edu.au/future-students/international/undergraduate/predeparture-orientation/australian-student-visa.shtml.
Indicative Undergraduate Student Contribution Amount
The student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the calendar year in which you undertake your study in the course, and the specific units of study in which you enrol. For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs
Please note that for some courses there are additional costs in addition to the student contribution. Some of these additional costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protective clothing, and equipment. Please consult the University's web page for more information: https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html.
Double degrees (undergraduate to postgraduate) - price differentiation
Commonwealth Supported students enrolling in a double degree course, please note that student contribution amounts for the postgraduate degree are higher than the undergraduate degree. Some combined degree courses also have a price differentiation. When you are calculating the likely total cost of your course please carefully factor in this price differentiation.
Visa/MasterCard surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa or MasterCard. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
Indicative International Tuition Fees for Undergraduate Students
The tuition fee for international undergraduate students is an indication of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount. For further information about how to calculate your specific total tuition fees, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Combined undergraduate degree tuition fees
For international students, for combined undergraduate degrees, a single indicative course tuition fee applies for the duration of your study in the combined degree, regardless of the units of study that are undertaken as part of your combined degree. Importantly, the single indicative course tuition fee is subject to annual review, and will increase each year of your study in the combined degree.
Additional incidental costs and health insurance
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the tuition fees. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protective clothing, and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html. In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through a government approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government. Further information is available from https://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/living-costs/health-insurance.html.
Double degrees (undergraduate to postgraduate) - price differentiation
The two indicative tuition fee rates for double degrees that comprise an undergraduate degree and a postgraduate degree with a higher tuition fee rate for the postgraduate degree. The first indicative tuition fee listed is for students commencing the undergraduate degree as part of the double degree for Year 1. The fee is subject to annual increases for each year of your study. The second indicative tuition fee listed is for students commencing the postgraduate degree for Year 1. This fee will be subject to a number of annual reviews and indexation before you may be eligible to commence your study in the postgraduate degree. You will need to consult the faculty for up-to-date information about your tuition fees.
Visa/MasterCard surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa or MasterCard. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
