Intenational school leaver status
Internatinal Student Admissions Test
Spatial awareness test – DMD only
Applicants must pass the test in order to be included on the final ranked list for Dentistry; however, the test score does not form part of the ranking for course offers
The interview process
Shortlisted applicants for the international Direct Pathways into Medicine or Dentistry are interviewed by a panel comprising two University representatives.
The usual process on the day is as follows:
Applicants shortlisted for an interview will be sent detailed information closer to the interview period and should carefully review the information provided.
What to bring and wear
Confidentiality
Interviewees will be asked to sign a statement of confidentiality as part of the registration process, indicating their agreement not to disclose information about the interview. UWA staff and interviewers will not disclose information regarding an applicant’s interview, responses or performance, including to other UWA staff or the applicant’s family. Information from the interview is not placed on an applicant’s student file whether or not they accept an offer to study at UWA.
The interviewers
A panel comprising two University representatives will interview each applicant. Interviewers receive regular training. A third interviewer may be present at the interview for training purposes. In this case, the third interviewer will be an observer only and will not have a formal role in the assessment of the applicant.
The assessment is evidence based. The interviewers can only rate interviewees on what they say in response to interview questions. The interviewers will take notes throughout the interview; however, this is to note what the interviewee has said. Interviewers have a comprehensive set of evidence-based measures with which to rate an interviewee’s responses and formulate an interview score directly after the interview has concluded.
Interview criteria
Applicants who qualify for an interview for both Medicine and Dentistry will be interviewed based on their higher preference. The same interview score will be used in the ranking for both.
Interview criteria will include communication skills and motivation/commitment to a career in Medicine or Dentistry.
The remaining criteria are currently under review and in past years have been chosen from: awareness of social diversity, provision of assistance, self-awareness, trust and trustworthiness, values and ethics, working with others. Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be provided with the criteria to be included that year.
Interview questions will not be based on clinical or scientific scenarios which would require specific medical, dental or scientific knowledge. The questions are designed to encourage interviewees to think and to explain their reasoning. The questions may be scenario based, awareness based, or experience based, but the assessment is evidence based. The interviewer can only rate interviewees on what they say. It is therefore important to give more than one-sentence answers, and that interviewees draw on their own experiences and knowledge to address a topic and provide appropriate examples.
The interviewers will read the questions as they are written to ensure every applicant is asked exactly the same question in the same way. Applicants will need to respond to the specific questions asked. There are no generic questions or opportunities for applicants to list their achievements and skills outside the scope of the questions.
Interview preparation and third party courses
Application timelines and due dates
Interview period
Course offers, commencement and deferral
Final ranking and availabilit of places
Prerequisite and recommended subjects
Direct Pathway students must complete a UWA bachelor’s degree before commencing the MD or DMD. In addition to English language competency requirements, there may be other prerequisites depending on the chosen major. In most cases, students who have not undertaken prerequisite subjects may undertake bridging units as part of their bachelor’s degree studies.
The following ATAR or equivalent subjects are recommended, or may be taken as Level 1 university units:
Students who plan to apply for a Direct Pathway into Medicine or Dentistry should prioritise getting the highest possible marks rather than particular subjects.
Course structure and currculum
Direct Pathway students will undertake a UWA bachelor’s degree of their choice before progressing to the MD or DMD. The most popular option is to undertake the Bachelor of Biomedical Science. On completion of their bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 5.5 Direct Pathway students will progress into the Doctor of Medicine or the Doctor of Dental Medicine. Direct Pathway students are eligible for a 3+3 option. The minimum period to complete both degrees is six years.
Students on a Direct Pathway may choose to undertake any UWA bachelor’s degree. This provides our students with the opportunity to build a unique skill set that will suit their interests and support their long-term career goals. Students who have an interest in research may like to undertake an honours year before proceeding to their postgraduate professional studies. Students who undertake an honours year, including those enrolled in the Bachelor of Philosophy, will take a minimum of seven years to complete both degrees.
Students choose a major from the degree-specific majors and may choose to add a second major from any field. This allows students to combine diverse interests for a unique degree. A student who has an interest in global health management may like to major in Population Health along with Political Science and International Relations. Students with an interest in public health promotion may combine Medical Sciences or another Biomedical Science major with Science Communication or Communication and Media Studies. Students who aspire to run their own practice may like to incorporate a major from the Bachelor of Commerce to build their business skills.
Students on a Direct Pathway are not required to sit the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) in order to take up their place in the MD or DMD. In order to be fully prepared for their postgraduate studies, Direct Pathway students may like to incorporate chemistry, biology and physics units into their UWA bachelor’s degree as major, complementary, elective or broadening units.
Guaranteed college commodation
Successful international applicants for the Direct Pathway to Medicine or the Direct Pathway to Dental Medicine may opt to take up guaranteed accommodation at University Hall. Students are recommended to stay in one of the colleges for at least the first year of their studies. The college experience provides opportunities to interact with peers, senior students and University staff in a collegiate environment, with access to an array of academic, cultural and social programs. There are other housing options to explore, including Perth city student accommodation and a housing database.
Change to citizenship or residency status
If you have applied or are intending to apply for Australian Permanent Residency or Citizenship, be aware of the following implications for your application:
Internship and registration for medical practitioners
Registration upon completion: Doctor of Medicine
On completion of the MD, graduates will have both an undergraduate and a postgraduate degree ensuring they have a well-rounded skill set as well as the specialist skills needed in their professional career.
For registration as a medical practitioner in Australia, all graduates are required to complete a pre-registration internship in an approved hospital, followed by a period of specialist training (e.g. surgeon, general practitioner). Doctors may undertake further specialist training after registering as a medical practitioner (e.g. psychiatry, neurology). The Australian Medical Association provides information regarding the registration process.
Priority for internships is given to graduates who are Australian citizens or permanent residents. The Department of Health has advised that due to an increase in Australian medical graduates, it is likely there will be limited internship opportunities for international graduates. As per previous years, international graduates who wish to undertake internship in Australia are only accommodated if sufficient intern places are available. International graduates may also look into requirements to undertake internships in their home country.
Graduates who did not complete the majority of their education in English in a recognised country may be subject to additional English Language requirements for registration. For further information, refer to the Medical Board.
Section 19AB limits Medicare access for Overseas Trained Doctors (OTDs) and Foreign Graduates of an Accredited Medical School (FGAMS) who became permanent Australian residents or citizens on or after 1 January 1997.
Refer to the Australian Department of Health for information regarding registration to practice medicine in Australia.
Registration for dental practitioners
Registration upon completion: Doctor of Dental Medicine
On completion of the DMD, graduates will have both an undergraduate and a postgraduate degree ensuring they have a well-rounded skill set as well as the specialist skills needed in their professional career.
On successful completion of the DMD, graduates will be able to register with the Dental Board of Australia, or with overseas Dental Boards with reciprocal arrangements, and enter the profession immediately. Registered Dentists may choose to later undertake further specialist training (e.g. orthodontics, oral pathology).
Graduates who did not complete the majority of their education in English in a recognised country may be subject to additional English Language requirements for registration. Refer to the Dental Board of Australia for information regarding registration to practice dentistry in Australia.
Higher English scores are required for admission to higher degrees in some faculties at UWA:
The UWA Doctor of Medicine (MD) aims to produce graduates committed to the wellbeing of the patient, community and society as responsible, accountable, scholarly, capable and caring doctors. This course prepares graduates with the clinical and professional attributes required for successful internships and future training. The course is accredited by the Australian Medical Council and graduates are able to be registered for professional practice as a doctor.
In the first year of the MD program, you’ll gain necessary background knowledge in biomedical sciences. In years two and three, students have clinical attachments in the wards and clinics of the hospitals of Perth, general practices and other community settings.
The final year commences with an opportunity to experience an overseas elective, and continues with clinical attachments and a Selective option. During this time, students complete their Scholarly Activity stream, e-Portfolio and Procedural Skills Logbook. Year 4 concludes with a Preparation for Internship block which includes an Extension option in a clinical area of their choice, and an intern-shadowing block to ensure graduates are ready for work as interns.
PLACES Curriculum
The future doctor will need to fulfil a number of roles including that of a professional, leader, advocate, clinician, educator and scholar, and these key roles form the themes around which the UWA MD curriculum is structured.
Scholarly Activity Program
In year 2, all UWA MD students choose a Scholarly Activity Program that continues into year 4. The choices include a research stream, a community-based service learning stream, or coursework streams in public health or health professions education.
Rural Clinical School
In year 3, 25% of UWA MD students undertake their studies in a Western Australian rural setting, being places in hospitals and general practices from Esperance to Kununurra. Rural students complete the same curriculum as the urban students, but in a longitudinal and integrated clinical setting.
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