University applications are already challenging on their own, but there is often an extra level of complexity when applying to overseas institutions given the unfamiliarity. Do not fret as you have come to the right place. We here at Icon Education will guide you through the process of preparing your application for UNSW Medicine.
The six-year long combined Bachelor of Medical Studies (BMed) and the Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a medical programme offered at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia, accredited by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC). It is considerably competitive, with approximately 1 out of 10 applicants receiving offers.
The typical grade profiles of accepted applicants are as follows:
|
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) |
91.30 points total for Rural, 97.15 points total for Local. |
|
International Baccalaureate |
Minimally 38 points total. |
|
Singapore and Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level/ GCE A-Levels |
Minimally 22 points total. The point system is as follows: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. |
|
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) |
Minimally 1370 points total. Take a SAT diagnostic test |
|
Foundation Studies |
Students reading the UNSW Foundation Course must achieve a minimum GPA of 9.0 in the life sciences stream. Students reading foundation studies from the Group of Eight (G08) Universities are also considered. |
|
University students |
Students who have completed their foundation year at a non-G08 university must successfully finish at least a full-time year of university study to be considered for admission. Additionally, they need to attain 96.00 ATAR (or its equivalent) for their secondary school qualification. Final selection will be based on your ranking with other applicants. |
For applicants who are required to take an English proficiency test, these are the scores you need to attain to be considered for admission:
|
IELTS |
Overall score of minimally 7.0, with no individual band score falling below 6.0. |
|
TOEFL iBT |
Overall score of minimally 94, with scores that do not fall below 23 in the Reading component, 23 in the Listening component, 23 in the Speaking component and 25 in the Writing component. |
|
Pearson Test of English (Academic) |
Overall score of minimally 65, with scores that do not fall below 54 in each subtest. |
|
C1 Advanced Cambridge |
Overall score of minimally 185, with scores that do not fall below 169 in each subtest. |
|
C2 Proficiency Cambridge |
Overall score of minimally 185, with scores that do not fall below 180 in each subtest. |
The International Student Admission Test (ISAT) or University Clinical Aptitude Test Australia and New Zealand (UCAT ANZ)
The ISAT and USAT ANZ are tests administered to measure your aptitude for tertiary education, with the latter specifically designed to test your suitability for a career in medicine.
The ISAT primarily assess applicants’ critical and quantitative reasoning skills, and applicants have to score 165 points at bare minimum to be considered for admission. On the other hand, the UCAT ANZ covers sections on verbal reasoning, decision making, quantitative reasoning and situational judgement. Applicant scores must reach the 50th percentile to be considered competitive, as this takes up 50% of your medical school admissions weightage. Although your scores for the situational judgement section will not be considered, do not neglect this section.
Feel free to take a free ISAT diagnostic test and/or UCAT diagnostic test here at Icon Education.
Once successfully shortlisted, applicants would be invited to attend an online zoom interview. There will be 2 interviewers, who will ask a variety of questions to determine your suitability for the programme, drawing from topics ranging from your motivation to study medicine to questions regarding your position on certain ethical dilemmas in the medical profession.
It is vital to find ways to stand out amongst the hordes of equally talented and dedicated applicants. Here are some tips you can consider to give yourself the best shot:
2. Although the application does not require you to submit a personal statement, it is advisable to make it a habit to think about the variety of experiences that shaped your decision to pursue medicine, and identify the key lessons that you have learnt from them. Understanding your motivations in-and-out will help you to identify how they make you both a suitable and a unique applicant for medical school.
3. Last but not least, carry out your own research to understand the way in which the curriculum is structured, as well as the mode of teaching carried out by the programme. Looking into student reviews, and understanding the key characteristics of the area will also help with ensuring that you are a good fit with UNSW and its environment.
We hope that this has given you a clearer picture of what is required for your medical school application. Remember to enjoy the process, and reach out to Icon Education for tailored help and support. Good luck!
Additional resources
https://www.icon-plus.com/articles/australia-med-guide-2024
https://www.icon-plus.com/articles/cost-of-medical-education