Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

NOTE: 2021 was the final intake for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery program. The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery will be replaced by the new Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine programs.

We empower you to help others

Medicine is intellectually rewarding, challenging and inspiring. It requires critical problem-solving, teamwork and integrity.

Medical practitioners have an interest in wellbeing and the causes of ill health, working to protect and promote the health of individuals and communities. They are dedicated to alleviating pain and suffering, working out of comfort zones to care for vulnerable people.

What will you do?
Our Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery will provide you with the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to excel in healthcare. You will:

  • learn from clinicians in the new state-of-the-art Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences building
  • work in small groups to solve problems relating to health and disease
  • gain hands-on practical experience in simulated settings
  • undertake clinical placements in hospitals and other health and medical organisations.
Where could it take you?
Adelaide Medical School graduates are respected in the industry for their knowledge and experience. They are in-demand for positions in public hospitals, private practice, public health, teaching, clinical research, aid organisations, the defence forces and more.

You might become a general practitioner in rural Australia, providing vital services for your community. You could be a specialist paediatrician who works with children and their families. Perhaps you’ll pursue research and develop new knowledge about health and treatments.



Note:
On-campus attendance is required for courses in Years 4 to 6 of this program. If you are a continuing student in the program and are unable to attend campus, please contact your program coordinator for program advice.

Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
I am a:

This program is no longer being offered. Please see Bachelor of Medical Studies

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

Prerequisites SACE Stage 2: Biology or Chemistry or Mathematical Methods (if Maths subject was studied prior to 2017, the subject required was called 'Mathematical Studies'); OR IB: Biology (SL grade 4/HL grade 3) or Chemistry (SL grade 4/HL grade 3) or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL) ; OR equivalent (i.e. 1st year Human Biology as part of the Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences program). Subject prerequisites are applicable to all MBBS entry pathways, e.g. Rural Background entry, Higher Education. MathTrackX is an online bridging program available as a recognised alternative to Mathematical Methods.
Assumed Knowledge A necessary precursor for success is a high proficiency in the written and oral use of the English language.
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. To be considered as a secondary school leaver, applicants cannot have a tertiary academic record of study from a University, i.e. must never have enrolled in to a Bachelor degree or higher level program at an Australian or overseas University; OR have enrolled for a Bachelor degree or higher level program at an Australian or overseas university but have withdrawn from these studies before a result of 'Withdraw Not Fail' has been awarded. Academic Score (ATAR): To meet the minimum academic threshold for entry into the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree at the University of Adelaide you must achieve a Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors) of 90 or above, an International Baccalaureate score of 33 or above OR the interstate/ overseas equivalent). Please note: the MBBS degree does not consider adjustment factors for undertaking particular subjects in year 12. Please refer to the Additional entry requirements section for details of other entry requirements to the MBBS program.
Higher Education Study If you wish to be considered as a Higher Education (Tertiary Transfer) applicant: - Your only record of study must be from the University of Adelaide. You must not have a tertiary record from any other Australian or overseas University. It must be a minimum of one year full-time equivalent study and maximum of two years full-time equivalent study. To meet the minimum academic threshold as a Higher Education applicant: - First year students must have between 18 and 24 units of level 1 study and have achieved at least a credit average (Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 or more) across all subjects - Second year students must have between 27 and 48 units of level 1 and 2 study and have achieved at least a credit average (GPA of 5.0 or more) across all subjects. Third year students (having studied one or more level 3 subjects) are not eligible for entry into the Medical program at the University of Adelaide and should consider graduate medicine pathways. Higher Education applicants must also meet the prerequisite subject requirements (refer above). If you are a Higher Education applicant and wish to be considered for entry under the Rural Background Entry (RBE) pathway, please read the Domestic Admissions Guide for additional information.
Other Entry Pathways

2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer N/A
Median ATAR to receive an offer N/A
Highest ATAR to receive an offer N/A
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer N/A
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer N/A
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer N/A
Minimum eligibility score 90
Additional criteria considered Additional criteria

Fees and Scholarships

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:

Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $12,720

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Career Readiness

Upon completion of the medical degree, graduates are required to apply for provisional registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Provisional registration is required to undertake a 12 month internship which provides supervised clinical experience in an approved hospital.

After successful completion of the internship, graduates are eligible to apply to APHRA for general registration, allowing them to practise in Australia and New Zealand.

Internships are separate from the medical degree and the University of Adelaide does not facilitate the internship placements. It is current practice that SA Health guarantees an intern placement for South Australian commonwealth-supported medical graduates. International medical graduates may need to complete an intern placement in their home country. Further information regarding internship allocations can be found on the SA Health Careers and SA Medical Education and Training website.

Adelaide Medical School graduates are well regarded in the industry for their knowledge and experience, and are in demand for positions in public hospitals, private practice, public health, teaching, clinical research, aid organisations, the defence forces and more. The full, wide range of medical career paths and options become apparent as students progress through the degree.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.
  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Professional Accreditation

The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) is accredited by the Medical Board of Australia.

Graduate registration

To be eligible to work in Australia, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery graduates are required to register with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) on the completion of the degree. In order to register, all applicants must comply with the English language skills requirements as determined by AHPRA. For further details, visit ahpra.gov.au/Registration.aspx

New Zealand citizens applying to the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery intending to practise in Australia after graduation must be aware of criteria for obtaining a Medicare Provider Number.

International applicants should note that successful completion of this degree may not qualify them to practise/register in their home country. Students will have to contact the relevant health registration bodies of their home country for further information.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Doctor / Medical Practitioner;  Psychiatrist;  Medical Research;  Physiologist;  Medical Scientist;  Immunologist;  Surgeon;  Coroner

Degree Structure

The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery [MBBS] consists of three major streams reflecting the core elements of medical practice:

1.  Scientific Basis of Medicine
2.  Clinical Practice
3.  Medical Professional and Personal Development

A major emphasis is placed on professionalism, communication and clinical reasoning, as well as the practise of evidence-based and preventative medicine. Small-group Case-Based Learning (CBL) is the dominant learning mode during the early years of the curriculum. Lectures in the medical disciplines such as pathology, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology are carefully staged throughout the clinical cases of the most commonly encountered and socially significant diseases.

In Year 1, students will also undertake two semesters of Fundamentals of Biomedical Science, a course specifically designed for medical students. The Clinical Skills and Medical Professional and Personal Development courses begin in week one and assist students to acquire the skills required for effective clinical practice. The clinical practice tutorials in Years 1 and 2 are led by senior clinicians in a state-of-the-art clinical skills facility.

In Year 3, clinical skills training is conducted primarily in the public teaching hospitals. Students will then bring this core learning to their clinical placements in Years 4–6. These placements will be held in a wide range of organisations, including public teaching hospitals and the broader medical and health community. There are some clinical placements that all students must take, but there are also opportunities for students to choose from a range of electives.  Some students will be able to undertake Year 5 in a rural setting. Year 6 is focused on what students need to know for their internship. The major exam is conducted at the end of Year 5, and with the pressure of exams reduced, final year students can focus on their clinical practice and professional development.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

 

Assessment

Each year of the degree has a combination of written and clinical assessments, examinations, and competency based assessments and assignments.

Related Degrees

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Tuesday, 10 Oct 2023