The University of Notre Dame (Australia) Medicine Entry Guide — UCAT, GAMSAT, Course Structure & Selection

How Do You Get Into Medicine at Notre Dame?

Notre Dame uses a multi-stage selection process, and the exact mix of criteria depends on whether you apply through the undergraduate assured pathway or the graduate-entry MD.

Undergraduate assured pathway (school-leaver)

• Academic performance (ATAR or equivalent)
• UCAT ANZ (including the Situational Judgement Test), used to rank applicants for interview
• A Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
• Eligibility for rural or equity entry schemes (where applicable)
• Once enrolled, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 each semester throughout the Biomedical Science degree to hold the assured place and progress into the MD

Graduate-entry MD

• GAMSAT (min 52 overall, min 50 each section)
• Weighted GPA (min 5.2; competitive ~6.6–6.8)
• The CASPer situational-judgement test
• Bonus points (rurality, WA residency, HDR completion)
• MMI interview — applications made through GEMSAS for Sydney and Fremantle

What Does Notre Dame Require for Medicine?

Requirements differ between the undergraduate assured pathway and the graduate-entry MD — read the section that matches you.

Undergraduate Assured Pathway (school-leaver)

• Minimum ATAR of 92 (IB equivalent); competitive applicants present higher
• UCAT ANZ required — used to rank for interview (includes the Situational Judgement Test)
• Multiple Mini Interview (MMI), considered alongside ATAR and UCAT
• No specified subject prerequisites (confirm assumed-knowledge via the handbook)
• Apply via UAC (Sydney 650371) or TISC (Fremantle 3041 / 3581); maintain GPA 2.5 each semester to retain the assured place
• 10 reserved rural places per campus (min ATAR 92), Modified Monash Model MM 2–7; EAS/SEAS equity consideration

Graduate-Entry MD (GAMSAT pathway)

• A completed bachelor degree with a weighted GPA of at least 5.2 (competitive ~6.6–6.8), generally within the last 10 years
• GAMSAT required (no UCAT) — min total 52 with at least 50 in each section; competitive averages ~64–68
• MMI interview (Sydney MD also includes a panel component), indicatively weighted ~50% alongside the academic/test score
• CASPer situational-judgement test required; applications via GEMSAS
• Bonus points may apply for rurality, WA residency and HDR completion
• Bonded Medical Places (BMP, ~17 at Sydney); KCRMT (Broome) and Kimberley/Pilbara/Indigenous pathways have tailored thresholds (e.g. min GPA 5.0 plus personal statement and CV)

The single most important point: UCAT is not used for the MD — GAMSAT, GPA, CASPer and interview drive selection; for school-leavers, UCAT is central. Always confirm figures and weightings for your entry year via official Notre Dame and GEMSAS sources.

What Interview Does Notre Dame Use for Medicine?

Notre Dame uses a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. For the Sydney MD, the interview also includes a panel component, while the undergraduate assured pathway and Fremantle MD use an MMI structure. The interview is typically delivered online and assesses:

• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Ethical reasoning (reflecting the program's strong bioethics focus)
• Motivation for medicine and alignment with the university's values and service mission
• Empathy, professionalism and awareness of rural, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

Interview performance is a major component of selection. For graduate entry, the interview is indicatively weighted around 50% alongside the combined GAMSAT/GPA/CASPer score; for the undergraduate pathway it is considered alongside ATAR and UCAT.

Clinical Placements and Training

Notre Dame medical students complete placements across a broad clinical network spanning public and private hospitals, general practices, aged-care facilities and community-based health services in urban, regional, rural and remote settings across Australia.

Clinical training begins early through the program's problem-based learning model and intensifies in Years 3–4, when students rotate through core disciplines including medicine, surgery, paediatrics, women's health, psychiatry and general practice. The School of Medicine places particular emphasis on rural and remote medicine, palliative care and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

• Sydney: Darlinghurst clinical school and affiliated hospital and community sites
• Fremantle: WA metropolitan, regional and rural networks
• Broome: the Kimberley Centre for Remote Medical Training (KCRMT), an immersive remote-training experience

University Life at Notre Dame

Students studying medicine at Notre Dame benefit from a small-group, supportive learning environment with strong staff-student relationships and a values-based community ethos.

• Active medical and health student societies supporting peer learning, wellbeing and professional development
• Distinctive campuses — Fremantle's historic West End precinct and Sydney's Broadway and Darlinghurst sites — close to major hospital networks
• Opportunities for rural and remote placements, community service, and global and Indigenous-health initiatives
• Strong academic, pastoral and wellbeing support woven through the program

The Sydney clinical school at Darlinghurst sits alongside major teaching hospitals, while Fremantle and the KCRMT in Broome connect students to WA metropolitan, regional and remote health services — giving genuine exposure to practising medicine across diverse Australian communities.

FAQs: University of Notre Dame Australia Medicine