International applicants
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- Application process
- Selection criteria
- Important dates
- Offers
- Government policies
- FAQs
Applying to study at UNSW Medicine requires several steps. To ensure you meet all deadlines, please review the important dates tab. Please read the following instructions before beginning your application.
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- UNSW Apply Online: If you’re not sitting an Australian or New Zealand Year 12 exam or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or if you have completed all or part of a tertiary degree program, you’ll need to submit your application through UNSW Apply Online. You should submit the documents required for your application as soon as possible as we hold interviews throughout the year and make offers to the program on a rolling basis until all places are filled. Consequently, there is a possibility that places may be filled before the application closing dates.
- UAC application: If you’re sitting an Australian or New Zealand Year 12 examination or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, you must apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
- UNSW Foundation Studies: Students should apply through the Unipreference system. Your Foundation Advisor can provide more details about how to apply this way.
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This step only applies to applicants who submit a UAC application or applicants studying in UNSW Foundation Studies. Applicants who submit their application via Apply Online are not required to complete an application via MAP.
The UNSW Medicine Application Form is available to complete and submit from early April in the year before your desired commencement at UNSW Medicine. Once you've started your application, you'll receive an email containing your receipt which is your password. You must log back in and submit your application by the deadline. The application deadline and other important dates can be found in the ‘Important Dates’ tab.
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Applicants need to provide their ISAT or UCAT ANZ registration number when they lodge their application. Once you have submitted one of the accepted tests of your choice (ISAT or UCAT ANZ), any subsequent submissions of the other test at a later date will not be considered for admission. This means you will need to decide which test you want us to use before lodging your application.
The International Student Admission Test (ISAT)
The ISAT is a general aptitude test that measures critical and quantitative reasoning. The three-hour test can be taken at testing centres around the world. All international applicants are required to complete the ISAT with a minimum score of 165 for consideration. For more information about ISAT or to locate a test centre, visit ISAT. Results need to be provided to us by 30 November at the very latest.
The University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand (UCAT ANZ)
The UCAT ANZ is a two-hour computer-based test. The test assesses a range of abilities through five separately timed sub-tests. Applicants must reach the 50th percentile on the UCAT ANZ to proceed to the interview stage of the application process. The Situational Judgement mark from the UCAT ANZ will not be considered. To learn more or register for the test, please visit UCAT ANZ.
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If you meet the academic requirements to study at UNSW Medicine, we may invite you for an interview with us. All interviews are undertaken online via Zoom.
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We’ll combine your academic merit, ISAT or UCAT ANZ results and the results from your interview to determine whether you’ll be offered a place at UNSW Medicine.
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If you’re offered a place to study at UNSW Medicine, you should accept your offer by the acceptance deadline, and ensure any relevant fees are paid in time.
*Entry requirements and the information on this page change from time to time based on several factors. Make sure you check this page before applying to get the most up-to-date entry information.
If you're an international student applying to study at UNSW Medicine, you'll be selected based on the following criteria:
- academic merit
- admission tests (ISAT or UCAT ANZ)
- interview with UNSW Medicine
Selection criteria
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Secondary school & high school students
Academic merit is based on your academic results from secondary school or high school. To view the academic eligibility requirements for each medicine degree, visit UNSW International entry requirements.
UNSW Foundation Studies students
UNSW Foundation Studies is an alternative entry pathway to study at UNSW. This program prepares students for the academic demands of studying at UNSW, including UNSW Medicine. Consideration for entry into a medicine degree program requires a minimum GPA of 9.0 in the life sciences stream of the UNSW Foundation Course. UNSW Medicine will also consider Foundation Studies results from the Group of Eight’ (G08) Universities. If you've completed your foundation studies at a non GO8 university, you'll need to complete at least one full-time year of university study for consideration.
University students
If you have completed an equivalent of 0.75 FTE (full time equivalent) or more of tertiary study in a single degree at the end of the year in which you apply, you will be assessed for admission to the Medicine program on either your secondary OR your tertiary study results. Each applicant needs to meet the minimum requirements for both of the following criteria:
- Your secondary school qualification component must reach 96.00 ATAR (or equivalent); AND
- your tertiary study component must reach WAM 70 or equivalent.
Once you have met the minimum requirement, a "best of" algorithm will apply and the qualification with a higher selection rank will be used as a final selection rank for Medicine program admissions purposes.
University Graduates
If you have completed any tertiary degree before the end of the year in which you apply (e.g. applying for T1/25 and completing a bachelor’s degree in December 2024), only the completed tertiary qualification(s) will be considered for admission.
- Completed tertiary studies must reach a minimum WAM/GPA equivalent of a 96.00 ATAR.
As you have completed a tertiary degree, we will no longer consider your secondary qualification.
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As of 2021, UNSW will allow students to undertake either the ISAT or UCAT ANZ as part of its entry requirements. Once you have submitted one of the accepted tests of your choice (ISAT or UCAT ANZ), any subsequent submissions of the other test at a later date will not be considered for admission. This means you will need to decide which test you want us to use before lodging your application.
The International Student Admission Test (ISAT)
The ISAT is a general aptitude test that measures critical and quantitative reasoning. The three-hour test can be taken at testing centres around the world. Testing is available in pre-determined test cycles which you can find under the important dates tab. Applicants are required to complete the ISAT with a minimum score of 165 for consideration. For more information about ISAT or to locate a test centre, visit the Australian Council for Educational Research.
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT ANZ)
The UCAT ANZ is a two-hour computer-based test. The test assesses a range of abilities through five separately timed sub-tests. You'll be tested on verbal reasoning, decision making, quantitative reasoning, abstract reasoning and situational judgement, each containing several multiple-choice questions. Applicants must reach the 50th percentile on the UCAT ANZ to be considered for the interview stage of the application process. The situational judgement mark from the UCAT will not be considered. To learn more or register for the test, please visit UCAT ANZ.
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If your application reaches the interview stage, you’ll be invited to take part in an interview with a panel of two interviewers. The interviews are conducted online using Zoom. The interview covers a wide range of relevant issues to determine your suitability for study at UNSW Medicine. Interviews commence in May and continue throughout the year for the next year’s Term 1 commencement.
5-Mar-24 | Registration for UCAT ANZ opens* |
3-Apr-24 |
The Medicine Application Portal (MAP) is open for applicants who submit a UAC application or applicants studying in UNSW Foundation Studies. |
17-Apr-24 | Universities Admission Centre (UAC) applications open for international students sitting Australian or New Zealand Year 12 examinations. |
May-24 onwards |
Interviews commence. Interviews are held throughout the year. |
May-Nov-24 | ISAT must be completed by 30 November. UNSW makes offers to the medicine program throughout the year so sitting the test as early as possible is recommended.
ISAT Test windows: 29 April - 8 May 2024 (registration deadline: 19 April 2024) 29 July – 7 August 2024 (registration deadline: 15 July 2024) 29 October – 6 November 2024 (registration deadline: 14 October 2024) |
17-May-24 | On-time registration deadline for UCAT ANZ |
31-May-24 | Late UCAT ANZ booking closes |
1-Jul - 9-Aug 24 | UCAT ANZ testing dates |
30-Sep-24 | Last day to lodge an on-time application with UAC for international students sitting Australian or New Zealand Year 12 examinations. |
1-Dec-24 | Last day to include UNSW BMed/MD as a UAC preference |
1-Dec-24 | Last day to lodge an application with UNSW Apply Online for international students not sitting Australian or New Zealand Year 12 examinations. |
Mid-Jan-25 (date TBC) | Final date that UNSW Medicine can accept academic results from international applicants (in the case that applicants have completed an interview and have an ISAT or UCAT ANZ result available). Early application is recommended. |
TBC | UNSW O-Week |
TBC |
Commencement of Year 1 |
*Students can choose to sit either the ISAT or the UCAT ANZ, however, they will only be able to submit one test.
^The ISAT must be completed by 30 November. UNSW makes offers to the medicine program throughout the year so sitting the test as early as possible is recommended.
Your offer to study medicine at UNSW will be based on three selection criteria:
- your academic rank
- your ISAT or UCAT ANZ overall score
- your interview score
UNSW Medicine will combine these three measures to rank all applicants. Applicants are selected based on the highest rank determined by all three measures. We do not average scores, which means a high score in one area will not compensate for a low score in another.
Expectations of Medical Students
Prior to accepting your offer familiarise yourself with the Expectations of Medical Students.
Campus allocation
All international applicants who receive an offer will be allocated to the Kensington Campus.
There are several state and federal government policies our students need to be aware of and adhere to.
At UNSW Medicine, we understand the process prior to commencing study with us can be daunting, with many unanswered questions. This is why we've compiled the questions we're most commonly asked by prospective students. The information below may be subject to change but we update this regularly.
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There are potentially 100 international student places available each year. UNSW Medicine continues to be an exceptionally popular program and we usually receive in excess of 700 applications.
You are most likely to be offered a place in the UNSW Medicine program if you achieve the highest possible result in each of the three selection criteria (academic merit, ISAT, interview).
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UNSW has a support program for international students under 18 years of age. The UNSW Under 18s Care Program will enhance their student experience and provide increased personal and academic support as they transition to living in Sydney and attending UNSW. The program includes support meetings with an international student advisor to monitor each student’s academic and social adjustment, under 18s activities and workshops plus being matched with a senior cultural mentor.
All UNSW students aged under 18 who require a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare Arrangements (CAAW) to meet student visa requirements will need to enrol in UNSW Under 18s Care Program.
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As it is not considered appropriate for children under the age of 16 to participate in clinical training, applicants who will be under the age of 16 years at the commencement of Year 1 should discuss their proposed application with us prior to submitting an application. Please e-mail us at MH.MedAdmission@unsw.edu.au.
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Applicants may be aware that there are courses that claim to improve performance in the interview.
The Faculty would like applicants to be aware that:
- UNSW does not recommend or endorse any commercially available courses offering preparation for our interview. The interview at UNSW is significantly different from those used at other medical schools, with our interview focusing on your life experiences. There is no evidence that students who undertake interview training courses perform better at the interview. On the contrary, feedback from interviewers has indicated that students who have obviously been coached have been at a disadvantage in our style of interview.
- Some claims by those who provide these courses as to the high number who attended their courses and subsequently gained entry into UNSW Medicine have been found either to be untrue or profoundly exaggerated.
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Although there are no prerequisites for entry into UNSW Medicine, we recommend that students study English for their final high school examinations. There is assumed knowledge of this subject and studying it is considered desirable for successful study in the medicine program. Students who do not have the assumed level of knowledge are eligible to apply, be offered a place and to enrol (subject to meeting UNSW's English Language Requirement) but may be placed at a considerable disadvantage.
In addition, study in chemistry is recommended.
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UNSW admits most students into its medicine program immediately after they have completed recognised secondary school studies.
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All courses at UNSW are taught in English. Applicants who are applying on the basis of qualifications not conducted in English are required to provide proof of their competence in English. Detailed information is available at English Language Requirements.
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Yes - Students can apply to UNSW Medicine from March onwards, prior to their final high school results or ISAT/UCAT ANZ results being available. However, UNSW Medicine does not make any offers based on predicted results. Offers for places are based on final academic, ISAT/UCAT ANZ and interview results.
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You do not need to send us your result prediction. We will contact your school for a prediction if applicable.
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Please check our important dates tab where you can find the final date that UNSW Medicine can accept academic results from international students (who have already completed an interview and ISAT). Applicants who receive their results after this date cannot be considered for entry in the same year.
Please note, however, it is likely that our quota for international students will be full earlier. If the program is fully subscribed by this date, any offers made at this time will be considered for deferral until the following year.
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You can apply straight from secondary school or if you have already partially completed/completed tertiary studies. Have a look at our selection criteria tab where you can find details on how we assess your results.
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An international student who is studying at an Australian or overseas medical school or who has previously studied at an Australian or overseas medical school is eligible to apply to study medicine at UNSW Sydney as a commencing student only. No credit for previous studies will be given (except where applicable for 12uoc General Education courses).
Under no circumstances does UNSW Medicine accept international applications for transfer.
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No, we do not. There are around 100 places available for international applicants and we do not distinguish between school-leavers, applicants with previous tertiary results or mature-aged students.
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Due to the structure of the curriculum, we're rarely able to provide credit to students transferring after partly completing or completing another degree. Exemption from all or part of the 12 Units of Credit of General Education courses may be considered and granted when applicable.
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We do not offer a graduate pathway, i.e. it is not possible to join our program only for the MD component.
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If you believe that during the selection process to the UNSW Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine program, the standard selection procedures were applied to you improperly, you must advise us by e-mail (MH.MedAdmission@unsw.edu.au) within 24 hours of the event taking place. Your e-mail must include all necessary details (including the precise time and location of the event) to allow us to appropriately review your claim and address your concerns in a timely manner. If we do not receive an e-mail from you within 24 hours of the event, it will be deemed that the selection process has been duly followed.
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The main program of assistance for international undergraduate medicine students is the Australian Development Scholarship (ADS). ADS are funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). Only students from certain developing countries may apply. The conditions and level of assistance vary according to the country. Applications close as early as January of the year before the year of study. Information about ADS and other AusAID programs may be obtained from the Australian Diplomatic Post or the Australian Education Centre in your home country.
For information on undergraduate scholarships, please visit the UNSW Scholarships website and enquire with the scholarships team directly if you have any questions.
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If a student gains Australian permanent residency status or becomes a New Zealand citizen, they are unable to continue in the UNSW Medicine Program as an international student. This is a requirement of the Australian Government and UNSW Australia has no discretion in the situation.
Overseas students and other temporary residents who are granted an Australian permanent visa after they arrive in Australia must be treated as domestic students. Where the student had previously been offered or held a full fee-paying overseas student place, there is no obligation on the institution to offer the student either a HECS-liable or domestic fee-paying place. However, the student cannot continue to be treated as an overseas student. (Paragraph 3.5 of the HECS Loans and Fees Manual 2004).
Commonwealth Supported places (CSPs) are offered in all undergraduate programs and in a limited range of postgraduate coursework programs. Because CSPs are limited, eligibility is not automatic and international students who become domestic students are required to compete for a place based on merit.
Commencing students:
- If your residency status change is dated prior to 1 January for Term 1 commencement, your offer as an international fee-paying student will be withdrawn. You will need to apply for a Commonwealth Supported place via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) and meet the selection criteria for local/rural applicants in order to be assessed for entry into the program (remember that UCAT ANZ – not ISAT – will be required when applying as a local student)
- If your residency status change is dated on or after 1 January for Term 1 commencement, you will be transferred to a domestic fee-paying place. You will have an opportunity to apply for a Commonwealth Supported place via UAC in the next intake (Semester One each year)
Current students:
- If you're an undergraduate student, you must apply for admission to a CSP via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for the next available intake.
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For information on housing, please visit the UNSW Accommodation website and contact the accommodation team directly if you have any questions.
Please note that residential college accommodation is limited and there are always waiting lists. Students interested in college accommodation are advised to apply early - preferably three to six months before starting at UNSW.
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Classes in the first three years commence in February and conclude in late November or early December.
UNSW Medicine has one intake of students each year.
For more details view the UNSW Medicine academic calendar.
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The main hospitals located in Sydney which are used for clinical teaching are:
- Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick
- St George Hospital, Kogarah
- St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst
- Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool
- Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick
- Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick
- Sutherland Hospital, Caringbah
- Bankstown Hospital, Bankstown
- Fairfield Hospital, Fairfield
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International students are subject to the conditions of their student visa. Subject to those conditions, UNSW Medicine will permit leave applications only in exceptional circumstances.
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After completing formal medicine program requirements for the award of the BMed/MD degrees, you will be provisionally registered by the Medical Board of Australia as you are required to complete an internship for at least one year in selected hospitals before obtaining final registration as a medical practitioner. Obtaining provisional registration does not guarantee an internship.
Local student graduates are guaranteed an internship. International graduates are not guaranteed an internship and should check with state health departments to confirm internship availability. You can find contact details on the Australian Government Department of Health website. Final registration can only be obtained following an internship year.
Although the UNSW Medicine degree is recognised internationally, many countries require foreign graduates to sit a licensing examination to ensure the doctor understands the local health problems and health care systems prior to practicing.
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After completing and graduating from the six-year medicine program, an internship is undertaken. In New South Wales this is called Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY1). It is a paid position in a hospital, and is usually one year in length. It must be undertaken prior to full registration as a medical practitioner.
In Australia, the internship training period is controlled by the various state Departments of Health and no guarantee can be given that an internship training program will be available to all international students. This applies in all states of Australia.
In the State of New South Wales, NSW Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) follows a priority category system if there are more applicants than internship positions available. Please note that UNSW Medicine cannot guarantee that internship positions will be available in the future, particularly as there has been an increase in the number of local medical students. Students are encouraged to pursue alternatives such as an internship in their home country or another country, as well as applying for an internship in New South Wales and other Australian states.
After allocation, HETI and the Primary Allocation Centre will assist international graduates to obtain a visa to undergo internship in NSW.
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