Course

Doctor of Medicine

Approved Abbreviation: MD

Western Sydney University Course Code: 4758.2

AQF Level: 9

CRICOS Code: 097592B

This version applies to students whose commencement year in this program is 2022 or later. Please use the link to the new Handbook for details.

Doctor of Medicine

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced.

For Commencement Year 2019 - please refer to: 4758.1 - Doctor or Medicine

For Commencement Year 2018 - please refer to: 4641.7 -Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) prepares you to be a doctor who can work safely, competently and effectively across the continuum of medical practice and to enter training in any medical specialty. You will learn through experience and immersion in a broad range of hospital and community-based services throughout the five-year program. From the first weeks, you will learn from real patients, supported by small group collaborative learning at the bedside and on campus. In the first two years, you will learn to apply the biomedical sciences to clinical problems, acquire and practice clinical and research skills. With guidance, you will build your personal learning journey by creating a portfolio of evidence of your learning. After second year, students with a passion for research may choose to do an additional year to gain the Bachelor of Medical Research. In the third year, you will extend and apply your knowledge and practical skills in full-time clinical and community placements and commence a significant project, and complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine). In the fourth and final years, you will build your clinical experience through placements in speciality and subspecialty medicine, ranging from major metropolitan hospitals to general practices and Aboriginal medical services in rural and remote areas. During this final phase, you will complete your project and portfolio to graduate with Doctor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine).

Study Mode
Five years full-time.

Accreditation
The Western Sydney University medical program is fully accredited by the by the Australian Medical Council. Graduates will be eligible for registration as a medical practitioner by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Inherent requirements

There are inherent requirements for this course that you must meet in order to complete your course and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this course online.

Inherent Requirements

Admission

There are multiple entry pathways to the MD course.

Prospective applicants are directed to the School of Medicine webpage to determine appropriate entry category and pathway.

School of Medicine

Requirements for local (domestic) applicants are below

MD Admission Criteria

To be eligible for a place in MD, applicants must meet three criteria

Criteria 1 – Academic Rank

Non Greater Western Sydney applicants - ATAR (or equivalent) of 95.5

1 semester or more but less than 1 year undergraduate (4-7 units) GPA = 6.4

1 year or more but uncompleted undergraduate (8-23 units) GPA = 6.2

3 years or more but uncompleted undergraduate (24 units or more) GPA = 5.5

Completed undergraduate degree GPA = 5.5

Completed undergraduate with Honours degree (Class 1, 2A, 2B and 2d) = no minimum GPA required

Completed Graduate Certificate = 6.5

Completed Graduate Diploma = 6.2

Completed Coursework Masters = 5.4

Completed Research Masters = no minimum GPA required

Greater Western Sydney applicants - ATAR (or equivalent) of 93.5

Equivalency: IB 36 or higher; OP 1 to 4, GCE of A A A* or higher (3 or less A2 subjects)

1 semester or more but less than 1 year undergraduate (4-7 units) GPA = 6.1

1 year or more but uncompleted undergraduate (8-23 units) GPA = 5.9

3 years or more but uncompleted undergraduate (24 units or more) GPA = 5.2

Completed undergraduate degree GPA = 5.2

Completed undergraduate degree with Honours (Class 1, 2A, 2B and 2d) = no minimum GPA required

Completed Graduate Certificate = 6.0

Completed Graduate Diploma = 5.7

Completed Coursework Masters = 4.9

Completed Research Masters = no minimum GPA required

Rural Entry Admission Scheme applicant – ATAR or equivalent of 91.5

Equivalency: IB 35 or higher; OP 1 to 4, GCE of A, A, A* or higher (3 or less A2 subjects)

1 semester or more but less than 1 year undergraduate (4-7 units) GPA = 5.8

1 year or more but uncompleted undergraduate (8-23 units) GPA = 5.6

3 years or more but uncompleted undergraduate (24 units or more) GPA = 4.9

Completed undergraduate degree GPA = 4.9

Completed undergraduate with Honours degree (Class 1, 2A, 2B and 2d) = no minimum

GPA required

Completed Graduate Certificate = 5.7

Completed Graduate Diploma = 5.4

Completed Coursework Masters = 4.6

Completed Research Masters = no minimum GPA required

Rural Entry Admission Scheme applicant – ATAR or equivalent of 91.5.

Equivalency: IB 35 or higher; OP 1 to 4, GCE of A, A, A* or higher (3 or less A2 subjects)

1 semester or more but less than 1 year undergraduate (4-7 units) GPA = 5.8

1 year or more but uncompleted undergraduate (8-23 units) GPA = 5.6

3 years or more but uncompleted undergraduate (24 units or more) GPA = 4.9

Completed undergraduate degree GPA = 4.9

Completed undergraduate with Honours degree (Class 1, 2A, 2B and 2d) = no minimum GPA required

Completed Graduate Certificate = 5.7

Completed Graduate Diploma = 5.4

Completed Coursework Masters = 4.6

Completed Research Masters = no minimum GPA required

Criteria 2 – Aptitude Test

Applicants must sit the allocated aptitude test. The level of achievement the University requires will vary each year, determined by the performance of all applicants competing for a place in the MD course and will not be disclosed.

Criteria 3 - Interview

The interview will take the format of a Multi-station Mini Interview (MMI). Applicants invited to interview are asked a series of questions; each question is asked by a separate interviewer in a separate interview station. Interview places are reserved for Western Sydney and Rural background applicants.

Applicants with current or previous university study:

Applicants with current or previous university study will be assessed on their GPA. Applicants who have attempted or completed more than one tertiary qualification will be assessed based on the qualification with the highest GPA (minimum of 4 subjects or one semester equivalent full-time).No deferrals will be accepted for this course.

Additional information

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

International applicants must apply directly to the Western Sydney University via the International Office.

International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Special Requirements Prerequisites
Students are required to obtain and provide all necessary documentation to be verified by NSW ClinConnect. This verification is a requirement of the NSW Health Department for all students enrolled in medical programs. If a student fails to produce this documentation to ClinConnect they will not be able to attend hospital and health service teaching sessions, and placements. Attendance is a mandatory requirement of the course to ensure that professional competencies are met. Failure to attend will result in a ‘CF’ (Compulsory Fail) of the unit. Documents that must be provided to ClinConnect are: 1. National Police Certificate; 2. Adult Health Immunisation Schedule; 3. Code of Conduct Agreement. Students must also meet the inherent requirements of the course as outlined in the University of Western Sydney Inherent Requirements for Medicine: (www.uws.edu.au/ir/inherent_requirements/inherent_requirements_for_medicine_courses). Inherent requirements are personal capabilities which are essential for achieving the learning outcomes of the Course or Unit in a way that will preserve the integrity of the University’s teaching, learning and assessment standards and the accreditation requirements for the course. The Disability Education Standard, Section 3.4 (3) states: “In assessing whether an adjustment to the Course, Unit of the Course or program in which the student is enrolled, or proposes to be enrolled, is reasonable, the provider is entitled to maintain the academic requirements of the Course or program, and other requirements or components that are inherent in or essential to its nature. Note: In providing for students with disabilities, a provider may continue to ensure the integrity of its Courses or programs and assessment requirements and processes, so that those on whom it confers an award can present themselves as having the appropriate knowledge, experience and expertise implicit in the holding of that particular award.” Essential Equipment: 1. Stethoscope; 2. Pencil torch; 3. White laboratory coat; 4. Watch (with a second hand or display).

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This course includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this course. Please contact the Course Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

AMC accreditation standards require that medical courses provide minimum of clinical placement hours to ensure graduate readiness for supervised medical practice. The current Western Sydney MD meets and exceeds these requirements as well as offering community engaged experiences in GWS community services and in Aboriginal Medical Services across NSW. The MD will provide the same number of weeks and hours in clinical and community placements, and in addition, scaffold and integrate this learning through the use of a longitudinal Professional Portfolio.

Quality of supervision, including workplace-based teaching, supervision of informal learning and assessment are also mandated by AMC accreditation standards. The MD procedures and policies are regularly reviewed, and improved where necessary. Some of these arrangements include:

(1) Clinical School staff in each major clinical school site to make direct contact with and liaise with health service management and clinical supervisors on the ground

(2) Targeted recruitment and selection of clinical placements and supervisors, ongoing support and training through strategies such as face to face workshops and forums, and recognition through conjoint appointments and teaching awards

(3) Regular distribution of information about curriculum requirements and use of common assessment tools, assessor calibration and training resources

(4) Collection and analysis of evaluation data from students and teachers, implementation of improvements where necessary

(5) Collection and comparison of assessment data across teaching sites and student cohorts

(6) Regular meetings and communication between the School leadership and curriculum coordinators, health and community service leadership and managers, formal contractual arrangements

Course Structure

Qualification for the award requires the successful completion of 400 credit points including the units listed in the sequence below.

Year 1

Autumn

401276

Clinical Sciences 1

Spring

401276

Clinical Sciences 1

Year 2

Autumn

401277