International: How to apply to UNSW Medicine
As an international student, applying to study medicine at UNSW involves several stages. To get started, you’ll first need to identify which entry pathway applies to you.
International application process
Students joining us from overseas bring a broad range of qualifications and academic pathways. Depending on your background, there are several ways to gain entry into the Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine, including:
- Overseas qualifications
- Australian/New Zealand Year 12 or IB Diploma
- UNSW Foundation Studies
Continue reading to find all the info you need to apply to the Medicine program at UNSW.
Our application process is changing!
We’re redesigning the way you apply to better support you every step of the way. As part of these updates, the Medicine Application Portal (MAP) has now discontinued for all applicants.
From now on, applicants with an Australian, New Zealand Year 12 exam or IB Diploma will be able to complete the Medicine Application Form directly through the UAC system. The form will open at the end of June. If you’ve already submitted your UAC application and selected UNSW BMedMD as a preference before the end of June, we’ll notify you as soon as the new form becomes available.
Applicants with an overseas qualification will continue to apply only directly to UNSW via 'Apply Online'.
UNSW Foundation students will continue to apply directly to UNSW College. UNSW Foundation applicants will also be asked to complete an additional application form. More information can be found below:
- Application process
- Offers
- Key dates
- Key info
- FAQs
Application process
Click through to see the relevant selection criteria for our range of accepted qualifications.
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Overseas qualification selection criteria
UNSW accepts qualifications from all over the world. You can check whether your qualification can be accepted for assessment.
Year 12 students
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Overview
Year 12 students' overseas qualifications are assessed based on academic merit – based on your academic results from high school. To view the academic eligibility requirements for each medicine degree, visit UNSW International entry requirements.
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Criteria
- Academic Rank equivalent to an ATAR of 96.00 or above
- UCAT ANZ percentile of 50 or above or ISAT with a minimum score of 165
- Interview (if selected)
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Note
We will only consider the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) results if you do not have any other assessable secondary qualifications. For example, if you have completed the HSC as well as the SAT, your SAT results will not be assessed.
University students
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Overview
If you completed your secondary education and an equivalent of 0.75FTE or more of tertiary study in a single degree in the year you apply, your application will be assessed based on both your secondary and tertiary results. Each applicant must meet the following selection criteria:
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Criteria
- Academic Rank equivalent to an ATAR of 96.00 or above, AND
- a GPA of 5.5 or above based on a 7.0 GPA scale
- UCAT ANZ percentile of 50 or above or ISAT with a minimum score of 165
- Interview (if selected)
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Note
Only once you have met the minimum requirement for both your secondary and tertiary education, 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
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Overview
If you have completed any tertiary degree before the end of the year in which you apply only the completed tertiary qualification(s) will be considered.
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Criteria
- a GPA of 5.5 or above based on a 7.0 GPA scale
- UCAT ANZ percentile of 50 or above or ISAT with a minimum score of 165
- Interview (if selected)
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Note
As you have completed a tertiary degree, we will no longer consider your secondary qualification.
Overseas qualification application process
- Apply for and sit UCAT ANZ (University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand) or the International Student Admission Test (ISAT)
i). Complete the ISAT/UCAT ANZ Confirmation Form and upload this to your application.
ii). 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. - Apply through UNSW Apply Online by the closing date.
Note: As part of your application, complete the Medicine Personal Statement Form and upload this to your application. - Attend an interview if you are selected for interview. All interviews are undertaken online via Zoom.
- Wait for the outcome of your application. Applicants will be ranked once the interview round has concluded and their academic results are available. If you rank high enough for an offer, you will receive your offer via email from UNSW Admissions.
- Accept, decline or defer your offer as instructed by the acceptance deadline.
- Selected applicants will receive information on the UNSW Orientation Program, instructions for enrolment, information on NSW Health requirements, timetabling and other important information from mid-January onwards.
Interviews for Overseas qualification
If your application meets the minimum required criteria to study medicine at UNSW, you may be selected for an interview with us.
Interviews are structured and cover a wide range of relevant topics. The interview panel will exist of two interviewers and will take place via Zoom. If you’re shortlisted, you must be available to attend an interview during the interview period. If you can't attend, your application will not progress further. Your Medicine Personal Statement will be shared with your interviewers before your interview.
Interview selection
International applicants are ranked for interviews based on academic results and UCAT ANZ overall score or ISAT score. You must receive sufficiently high marks on both selection criteria to be successful at this stage. There are approximately 300 interview places for international applicants each year. Interviews take place montly from June to January each year.
Interview location
All interviews will take place via Zoom.
Interview non-attendance
Once an interview has been scheduled, rescheduling is not permitted. Once you enter the Zoom interview you're deemed fit to be interviewed. If before the scheduled interview you believe you're not fit to be interviewed, you should immediately advise the Student Experience Team and follow their guidance. An alternative day and time of interview may be offered based on availability but cannot be guaranteed.
What to do if you believe something went wrong in the interview process
If you believe that during the interview process to the UNSW Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine program, the selection procedures were applied to you improperly, you must advise us by email (mh.admissions@unsw.edu.au) within 24 hours of the event taking place. Your email must include all necessary details (including the precise time and location of the interview), to allow us to appropriately review your concern and address it in a timely manner. If we do not receive an email from you within 24 hours of the interview, it will be deemed that the process has been duly followed.
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Year 12 (AU/NZ) & IB Diploma selection criteria
Year 12 students
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Overview
Academic merit is based on your academic results from high school. To view the academic eligibility requirements for each medicine degree, visit UNSW International entry requirements.
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Criteria
- Academic Rank equivalent to an ATAR of 96.00 or above
- UCAT ANZ percentile of 50 or above or ISAT with a minimum score of 165
- Interview (if selected)
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Note
We will only consider the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) results if you do not have any other assessable secondary qualifications. For example, if you have completed the HSC as well as the SAT, your SAT results will not be assessed.
University students
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Overview
If you completed your secondary education and an equivalent of 0.75FTE or more of tertiary study in a single degree in the year you apply, your application will be assess based on both your secondary and tertiary results. Each applicant must meet the following selection criteria:
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Criteria
- Academic Rank equivalent to an ATAR of 96.00 or above, AND
- a GPA of 5.5 or above based on a 7.0 GPA scale
- UCAT ANZ percentile of 50 or above or ISAT with a minimum score of 165
- Interview (if selected)
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Note
Only once you have met the minimum requirement for both your secondary and tertiary education, 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
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Overview
If you have completed any tertiary degree before the end of the year in which you apply only the completed tertiary qualification(s) will be considered.
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Criteria
- a GPA of 5.5 or above based on a 7.0 GPA scale
- UCAT ANZ percentile of 50 or above or ISAT with a minimum score of 165
- Interview (if selected)
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Note
As you have completed a tertiary degree, we will no longer consider your secondary qualification.
Year 12 (AU/NZ) & IB Diploma application process
- Apply for and sit UCAT ANZ (University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand) or the International Student Admission Test (ISAT). 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.
- Apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) by the closing date. If you are sitting an Australian or New Zealand Year 12 examination or the International Baccalaureate Diploma
- Attend an interview if you are selected for interview. All interviews are undertaken online via Zoom.
- Wait for the outcome of your application. Applicants will be ranked once the interview round has concluded and their academic results are available. If you rank high enough for an offer, your offer notice will be available through your UAC account.
- Accept, decline or defer your offer as instructed by the acceptance deadline.
- Selected applicants will receive information on the UNSW Orientation Program, instructions for enrolment, information on NSW Health requirements, timetabling and other important information from mid-January onwards.
Interviews for the Year 12 (AU/NZ) & IB Diploma
If your application meets the minimum required criteria to study medicine at UNSW, you may be selected for an interview with us.
Interviews are structured and cover a wide range of relevant topics. The interview panel will exist of two interviewers and will take place via Zoom. If you’re shortlisted, you must be available to attend an interview during the interview period. If you can't attend, your application will not progress further. Your Medicine Personal Statement will be shared with your interviewers before your interview.
Interview selection
International applicants are ranked for interviews based on academic results and UCAT ANZ overall score or ISAT score. You must receive sufficiently high marks on both selection criteria to be successful at this stage. There are approximately 300 interview places for international applicants each year. Interviews take place montly from June to January each year.
Interview location
All interviews will take place via Zoom.
Interview non-attendance
Once an interview has been scheduled, rescheduling is not permitted. Once you enter the Zoom interview you're deemed fit to be interviewed. If before the scheduled interview you believe you're not fit to be interviewed, you should immediately advise the Student Experience Team and follow their guidance. An alternative day and time of interview may be offered based on availability but cannot be guaranteed.
What to do if you believe something went wrong in the interview process
If you believe that during the interview process to the UNSW Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine program, the selection procedures were applied to you improperly, you must advise us by email (mh.admissions@unsw.edu.au) within 24 hours of the event taking place. Your email must include all necessary details (including the precise time and location of the interview), to allow us to appropriately review your concern and address it in a timely manner. If we do not receive an email from you within 24 hours of the interview, it will be deemed that the process has been duly followed.
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UNSW Foundation Studies selection criteria
Foundation students
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Criteria
- UNSW Foundation Studies GPA of 9.0 in the life sciences stream
- UCAT ANZ percentile of 50 or above or ISAT with a minimum score of 165
- Interview (if selected)
UNSW Foundation Studies application process
- Apply for and sit UCAT ANZ (University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand) or the International Student Admission Test (ISAT). 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.
- Apply via the UNSW Foundations Studies students application form by the application deadline. Go to application form.
- Attend an interview if you are selected for interview. All interviews are undertaken online via Zoom.
- Wait for the outcome of your application. If you meet all selection criteria and do well in your interview, you will receive your offer via email from UNSW Admissions.
- Accept, decline or defer your offer as instructed by the acceptance deadline.
- Selected applicants will receive information on the UNSW Orientation Program, instructions for enrolment, information on NSW Health requirements, timetabling and other important information from mid-January onwards.
Interviews for UNSW Foundation Studies
If your application meets the minimum required criteria to study medicine at UNSW, you may be selected for an interview with us.
Interviews are structured and cover a wide range of relevant topics. The interview panel will exist of two interviewers and will take place via Zoom. If you’re shortlisted, you must be available to attend an interview during the interview period. If you can't attend, your application will not progress further. Your Medicine Personal Statement will be shared with your interviewers before your interview.
Interview selection
International applicants are ranked for interviews based on academic results and UCAT ANZ overall score or ISAT score. You must receive sufficiently high marks on both selection criteria to be successful at this stage. There are approximately 300 interview places for international applicants each year. Interviews take place montly from June to January each year.
Interview location
All interviews will take place via Zoom.
Interview non-attendance
Once an interview has been scheduled, rescheduling is not permitted. Once you enter the Zoom interview you're deemed fit to be interviewed. If before the scheduled interview you believe you're not fit to be interviewed, you should immediately advise the Student Experience Team and follow their guidance. An alternative day and time of interview may be offered based on availability but cannot be guaranteed.
What to do if you believe something went wrong in the interview process
If you believe that during the interview process to the UNSW Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine program, the selection procedures were applied to you improperly, you must advise us by email (mh.admissions@unsw.edu.au) within 24 hours of the event taking place. Your email must include all necessary details (including the precise time and location of the interview), to allow us to appropriately review your concern and address it in a timely manner. If we do not receive an email from you within 24 hours of the interview, it will be deemed that the process has been duly followed.
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Offers for international students
International applicants are ranked based on their academic merit and the interview score. Offers will be made to applicants with the highest rank determined by all measures. Scores aren’t averaged - a high score in one area won’t compensate for a low score in another.
Learn more about the UNSW international offer rounds and offer dates.
Campus allocation: All international applicants who receive an offer will be allocated to the Kensington Campus.
International important dates
NOW OPEN
May - November 2026
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:
27 April - 8 May 2026 (registration deadline: 13 April 2026)
27 July - 7 August 2026 (registration deadline: 13 July 2026)
26 October - 6 November 2026 (registration deadline: 12 October 2026).
Results available within 2 weeks of the last day of the test window
May 2026
11 May 2026: UCAT ANZ: Concession Scheme application deadline
15 May 2026: UCAT ANZ: Bookings close
15 May 2026: UCAT ANZ: Access Arrangements application deadline
29 May 2026: Late UCAT ANZ booking closes
June 2026
5 June 2026: UCAT ANZ: Final booking deadline
June 2026 onwards: Interviews commence. Interviews are held monthly throughout the year.
July - August 2026
1 July - 5 August 2026: UCAT ANZ: Testing Period
November 2026
30 November 2026: Last day to include UNSW BMed/MD as a UAC preference (for international students sitting Australian or New Zealand Year 12 examinations or the IB).
30 November 2026: Last day to lodge application with UNSW (Overseas Qualification and UNSW Foundation Studies)
February 2027
February 2027: UNSW O-Week
February 2027: Commencement of Year 1
FAQs for international students
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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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You can apply straight from secondary school or if you have already partially completed/completed tertiary studies. Have a look at the selection criteria section on this website for information on how we assess your tertiary studies.
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It's 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 prior to submitting an application. You can e-mail us at mh.admissions@unsw.edu.au.
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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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No, there is no separate quota for non‑recent school leavers. Recent and non‑recent school leavers are ranked together within the same entry scheme or admission pathway.
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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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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 12 UOC General Education courses).
Under no circumstances does UNSW Medicine accept international applications for transfer.
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Although there are no prerequisites for entry into UNSW Medicine, we recommend that students study English for their final secondary school examinations. There's assumed knowledge of this subject and it's desirable for success in the Medicine program. Students who don't have the assumed level of knowledge can apply and enrol but may find themselves disadvantaged.
In addition, study in chemistry is recommended.
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We don't offer a graduate pathway into our program. It's not possible to join our program for the MD component alone. There's a graduate-entry stream into the Medicine program, but only for domestic students enrolled in the UNSW Bachelor of Medical Science (BMedSc).
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Applicants can only use test scores from the prior year for current year admissions. For example, only 2026 results can be used for the 2027 intake.
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The University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand (UCAT ANZ) is a two-hour computer-based test. The test assesses a range of abilities through four separately timed sub-tests. You'll be tested on verbal reasoning, decision making, quantitative reasoning and situational judgement, each containing several multiple-choice questions. However, the situational judgement mark from the UCAT ANZ will not be considered.
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ISAT results are valid for two years from the date your results were released.
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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. 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.
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Yes - Students can apply to UNSW Medicine from April 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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Yes, you can sit both tests. However, 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.
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International applicants are ranked for interviews based on academic results and UCAT ANZ overall score or ISAT score. You must receive sufficiently high marks on both selection criteria to be successful at this stage.
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Once an interview has been scheduled, rescheduling is not permitted. If you have not yet scheduled your interview and are not available due to circumstances outside of your control, please contact the Student Experience Team as soon as possible and follow their guidance. An alternative day and time of interview may be offered based on availability but cannot be guaranteed.
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Please note that we do not provide the outcome of or give feedback on the interview component of an application to the BMed/MD program at UNSW. Rest assured that the process is incredibly competitive and only the top applicants receive an offer. If you did not receive an offer, it is because the combination of your scores (academic selection rank, UCAT ANZ or ISAT score, interview outcome) did not place you above the cut-off for an offer. Applicants must have high marks in all three categories to be competitive.
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Applicants may be aware of courses that claim to improve performance in UCAT ANZ/ISAT or in the interview however, we would like applicants to be aware that:
- UNSW Medicine does not recommend or endorse any commercially available courses offering UCAT ANZ or ISAT preparation.
- Some claims by those who provide these courses have been found either to be untrue or profoundly exaggerated.
- Some providers also give misleading information about the application process for UNSW Medicine.
- The interview at UNSW is significantly different from those at other medical schools. There's no evidence that applicants who undertake interview training courses perform better at the interview. On the contrary, feedback from interviewers has indicated that applicants who have obviously been coached were likely to have been at a disadvantage in our style of interview.
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International applicants are ranked based on their academic merit and the interview score. Offers will be made to applicants with the highest rank determined by all measures. Scores aren’t averaged - a high score in one area won’t compensate for a low score in another.
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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 will be considered and granted when applicable.
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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.admissions@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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You can find information about your right of appeal in the “Admission to Coursework Programs Procedure” which you can download on the UNSW Policies website.
Please also refer to “What to do if you believe something went wrong in the selection process?” above.
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Have a question about applying to Medicine at UNSW?
Contact us below to speak to one of our Future Student Advisers. We’re here to help.