How are medical studies structured in Australia, and which entry route would apply to me as an international student?

Medical studies in Australia have two levels of entry. Undergraduate programs accept students after high school and usually last about 5 to 6 years, while graduate programs usually last 4 years.

Two Entry Levels

Background on the Structure

• Medical education in Australia used to be similar to the UK system, with an MBBS and an MD kept for research training.
• Both pathways were graduate programs, which meant a bachelor's degree was a must for eligibility.
• A change in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) now classifies many medical programs, such as the graduate-entry MD, as master's degree programs.

My Advice

Decide first whether you are entering after school or after a bachelor's degree, because that decides which pathway you can use. Admission rules and course lengths vary by university, so check the official university pages for the latest details.