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University of Sydney Medicine Entry Guide — ATAR, GAMSAT, Course Structure & Selection
The University of Sydney (USYD) offers medicine through two routes: a small school-leaver pathway (the 7-year Bachelor of Science or Arts and Doctor of Medicine, UAC codes 513715 and 513720) and a 4-year graduate-entry Doctor of Medicine (MD). USYD does not use the UCAT — undergraduate entry is guaranteed on a very high ATAR threshold (99.95 metro, 99.5 regional/remote) followed by a written assessment and group interview, while graduate entry is based on GAMSAT (minimum 50 in each section and overall), a GPA of 5.0+ and interview. The MD is built around four learning themes and culminates in a pre-internship final year, with clinical placements across a major Sydney and rural NSW hospital network.
Get help with your applicationKey Admission Information
Applications (2026 entry): Undergrad — UAC closes 15 December (assessment day 1) / 13 January (day 2); in-person assessment days 19 December & 19 January; final offers 23 December & 23 January. Graduate — opens 22 April 2026, closes 5 June 2026. Figures are indicative; confirm against official USYD and UAC pages.
Overview: Medicine at University of Sydney
Medicine at the University of Sydney is delivered by Sydney Medical School, part of the Faculty of Medicine and Health. The professional qualification is the Doctor of Medicine (MD), a four-year graduate-entry program, which can also be reached directly from school through a seven-year combined bachelor's and MD double degree.
USYD is one of a small number of Australian universities offering a guaranteed school-leaver pathway into medicine. School-leavers complete a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts over the first three years and then progress into the four-year MD, provided they meet the academic progression requirement. The majority of Sydney's medical students, however, enter through the graduate-entry MD after a prior bachelor's degree.
Students typically enter via undergraduate (school-leaver) entry (combined BSc/BA and MD), graduate-entry MD (Metropolitan or Dubbo Stream), or Regional & Remote rural support. Compare options in our overview of medical school entry requirements.
How Do You Get Into Medicine at University of Sydney?
The University of Sydney uses a different selection model from most Australian medical schools, and the process depends on whether you apply as a school-leaver or as a graduate.
Undergraduate (school-leaver) selection
- Academic performance (ATAR must meet the guaranteed-entry threshold)
- A short written assessment (around 30 minutes)
- A group interview (a facilitated discussion, typically with around five candidates)
- Eligibility for regional/remote and equity entry schemes (where applicable)
- Once you meet the ATAR threshold you are guaranteed an interview — the final offer is driven by your written assessment and group interview, not by exceeding the ATAR cut-off
Graduate-entry selection
- GAMSAT (minimum 50 in each section and overall)
- GPA (minimum 5.0/7.0 in a completed bachelor's degree)
- Interview (per the selection model for the relevant stream)
- A Personal Statement for the rural Dubbo Stream
Timeline: Undergrad — UAC closes 15 December (day 1) / 13 January (day 2); assessment days 19 December & 19 January; final offers 23 December & 23 January. Graduate — opens 22 April 2026, closes 5 June 2026 via UAC | Direct.
Speak with an advisorWhat Does University of Sydney Require for Medicine?
A clear checklist of what you actually need, separated by pathway.
Academic
- Undergraduate (school-leaver): an ATAR of 99.95 (metro) — a guaranteed-entry threshold; Regional & Remote applicants qualify at 99.5; Indigenous applicants at around ATAR 90
- Graduate entry: a completed bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0
- Progression (undergraduate): students must maintain a minimum 65 WAM in the bachelor's degree to progress into the MD
Admissions test
- UCAT: not required for any USYD medicine pathway
- Graduate entry uses GAMSAT instead — a minimum of 50 in each section and 50 overall
Interview & assessment
- Undergraduate: a 30-minute written assessment plus a group interview (a facilitated discussion of ~five candidates), in person — final offers based on assessment-day performance once the ATAR threshold is met
- Graduate entry: an MMI applies per the data pack; for some streams the interview is conditional/aptitude-based — see interview preparation
Prerequisites & additional requirements
- BSc/MD and BA/MD: no formal subject prerequisites (Mathematics may be assumed for some science pathways)
- Graduate (Dubbo Stream): a Personal Statement plus possible interview for rural intent and aptitude
- Gap-year applicants are not eligible for the undergraduate (school-leaver) guaranteed pathway
Special-entry, rural & bonded
- Regional & Remote scheme (undergraduate): eligible applicants receive a reduced ATAR requirement (99.95 → 99.5) and must place the course as their highest eligible UAC preference (rural applications 2 April – 30 September 2026)
- Dubbo Stream (graduate): a rural stream based at the School of Rural Health, requiring a Personal Statement
- Bonded Medical Places (BMP): a Bonded Place must be added as a separate UAC preference; about three-quarters of graduate domestic places are CSP, including BMP
Entry Pathways to University of Sydney Medicine
The guaranteed-entry route for current Year 12 students, delivered as the combined Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine (UAC 513720) or Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine (UAC 513715) — one of the smallest school-leaver medical intakes in Australia (~30 domestic places). Assessed on the ATAR threshold (99.95 metro; 99.5 Regional & Remote), a 30-minute written assessment and a group interview. Once the threshold is met, all applicants are guaranteed an interview, and the final offer is based on assessment-day performance.
The main route into medicine at Sydney, open to applicants who hold (or are completing) an approved bachelor's degree. Requires a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0 and GAMSAT (minimum 50 in each section and overall), with an interview per the data pack (MMI; conditional for some streams). Does not use UCAT. About 300 domestic places per year (~3/4 CSP, including BMP) plus ~70 international. Applications open 22 April 2026 and close 5 June 2026.
Dedicated rural support across both pathways: the Regional & Remote scheme (undergraduate) reduces the ATAR requirement to 99.5 for eligible applicants who reside in or attended school in a regional/remote area; the Dubbo Stream (graduate) is a rural stream of the MD based at the School of Rural Health (Dubbo/Orange), requiring a Personal Statement and demonstrated interest in rural and regional medicine.
What Interview Does University of Sydney Use for Medicine?
The interview format at the University of Sydney differs by pathway.
Undergraduate (school-leaver)
The assessment day comprises a 30-minute written assessment followed by a group interview — a facilitated group discussion typically involving around five candidates. Rather than a one-on-one panel, candidates are assessed on how they contribute to a shared discussion, demonstrating independent thinking while communicating and collaborating effectively. It evaluates:
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Reasoning, judgement and the ability to articulate ideas
- Collaboration and interpersonal awareness within a group
- Motivation for medicine
Graduate entry
Per the data pack, an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) format applies. Sydney's graduate model places heavy weight on GAMSAT and GPA, and the interview can be conditional or aptitude-based for some streams — the Dubbo (rural) Stream uses a Personal Statement and may interview to assess rural intent and aptitude.
Interview dates (2026 undergrad): in-person assessment days are held in two rounds — Round 1 on 19 December (offers from 18 December) and Round 2 on 19 January (offers from mid-January), with final offers on 23 December and 23 January. See our interview preparation resources.
Prepare for your medical interviewCourse Structure: University of Sydney Medicine Degree
Sydney's medical qualification is the Doctor of Medicine (MD), an integrated, research-rich program. The graduate-entry MD is completed over 4 years; the undergraduate pathway runs over 7 years (three years of a Bachelor of Science or Arts followed by the four-year MD). The MD is framed by four continuous learning themes that run across all four years: the Basic and Clinical Sciences Theme, the Patient and Doctor Theme, the Population Medicine Theme, and the Personal and Professional Development Theme. It totals approximately 192 credit points.
A Foundation block followed by organ-system blocks (musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, gastroenterology, neuroscience), with research methods introduced early and clinical exposure from as early as the second week.
Integrated medicine, surgery and community placements alongside research training.
Specialty clinical rotations and a 14-week research project in Year 3, leading to a Year 4 that acts as a full-immersion pre-internship.
Indicative Course Units (Doctor of Medicine)
MD units use the MDMP prefix and are typically delivered as large, year-long integrated units. Unit codes and credit points are indicative and vary by cohort — confirm via the official University of Sydney Handbook (MD unit of study table).
| Year | Unit | Code | CP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Medical General Foundation Knowledge 1 (Foundation, MSK, Respiratory, Cardiovascular) Stage 1 | MDMP5511 | 24 |
| Year 1 | Medical General Foundation Knowledge 2 (Renal, Endocrine, Nutrition, Gastro, Neuroscience) Stage 1 | MDMP5512 | 24 |
| Year 2 | Clinical and Research Practice 1 (Medicine, Surgery, Community, Research Methods) Stage 2 | MDMP6511 | 24 |
| Year 2 | Clinical and Research Practice 2 (Medicine, Surgery, Oncology, Haematology, Palliative Care) Stage 2 | MDMP6512 | 24 |
| Year 3 | Specialty Clinical 1 (Psychiatry, Addiction, Child & Adolescent Health, Critical Care, Women's Health + Research Project) Stage 3 | MDMP7511 | 24 |
| Year 3 | Specialty Clinical 2 (continuation of specialty clinical training) Stage 3 | MDMP7512 | 24 |
| Year 4 | Preparation for Practice 1 (pre-internship; GP, Medicine, Surgery rotations) Stage 3 | MDMP8511 | 24 |
| Year 4 | Preparation for Practice 2 (continuation of pre-internship clinical immersion) Stage 3 | MDMP8512 | 24 |
Clinical Placements & Training
Sydney medical students train across one of the largest teaching-hospital networks in Australia, delivered through the University's clinical schools in major Sydney metropolitan hospitals and regional NSW:
- Central Clinical School — Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA), with Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospital and Canterbury Hospital
- Westmead Clinical School (the University's largest) and the Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School
- Northern Clinical School (Royal North Shore and northern Sydney sites)
- Nepean Clinical School (Nepean Hospital and the Blue Mountains)
- Concord Clinical School and other metropolitan affiliates
- School of Rural Health (Dubbo/Orange) for rural placements, including year-long regional immersion
Clinical exposure begins early — students are in hospital settings from as early as the second week — and builds to a final pre-internship year of full clinical immersion across metropolitan, regional and rural NSW.
Rankings & Recognition
USYD is consistently recognised as one of the world's leading research universities and a top destination for medicine, health and biomedical research, with multiple health disciplines in the global top 25. Rankings vary by methodology and year.
University Life at University of Sydney
Students studying medicine at the University of Sydney benefit from a large and diverse medical student community spanning the graduate-entry MD and the small school-leaver cohort.
- Active medical and health student societies (such as the Sydney University Medical Society) supporting peer learning and professional development
- Opportunities to engage in a substantial research project and global health and elective experiences
- Strong academic, wellbeing and pastoral support throughout a demanding program
- On-campus accommodation through the University's residential colleges and halls; scholarships such as the Sydney Scholars Award (~$6k/year) and Faculty of Medicine Scholarships ($1k–$10k)
The historic Camperdown/Darlington campus sits beside Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Sydney's inner-city health precinct, while the Westmead precinct provides access to one of the country's largest health, research and education hubs — supporting clinician-scientist career pathways and translational research across NSW.
Career and Research Pathways
Graduates of the University of Sydney medicine degree are awarded the Doctor of Medicine, qualifying for provisional registration with the Medical Board of Australia (Ahpra). After an accredited internship, graduates pursue careers across:
- Hospital medicine, including medical and surgical specialties
- General practice and rural / community-based healthcare
- Specialist training programs following internship and residency
- Research and academic medicine, including clinician-researcher pathways
- Public health, global health and health policy roles
Sydney is particularly recognised for its research strength, with a dedicated research project embedded in the MD and access to leading medical research institutes — giving students strong exposure to research-led teaching and clinician-researcher careers. At Sydney, dentistry and medicine both use ATAR-plus-interview rather than UCAT for undergraduate entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the University of Sydney require UCAT for medicine?No. The University of Sydney does not require the UCAT for either its undergraduate school-leaver pathway or its graduate-entry Doctor of Medicine. Undergraduate entry is based on the ATAR threshold plus a written assessment and group interview, while graduate entry is based on GAMSAT, GPA and interview.
What ATAR do you need for University of Sydney undergraduate medicine?The undergraduate (school-leaver) pathway requires an ATAR of 99.95 for metropolitan applicants, reduced to 99.5 for eligible Regional & Remote applicants (and around 90 for Indigenous applicants). The ATAR is a guaranteed-entry threshold — once you meet it you are guaranteed an interview, and the final offer is based on your written assessment and group interview performance.
How do you get into the University of Sydney graduate-entry medicine (MD)?Graduate entry requires a completed bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0 and a GAMSAT score of at least 50 in each section and overall, followed by interview (per the data pack, an MMI format applies, and for some streams the interview is conditional). UCAT is not used. The rural Dubbo Stream additionally requires a Personal Statement.
What interview does the University of Sydney use for medicine?For the undergraduate school-leaver pathway, Sydney uses a 30-minute written assessment plus a group interview (a facilitated group discussion of around five candidates), held in person. For graduate entry, an MMI applies per the data pack, with the interview conditional or aptitude-based for some streams; the Dubbo rural stream uses a Personal Statement and may interview for rural intent.
How long is the University of Sydney medicine degree?The graduate-entry Doctor of Medicine (MD) is four years full-time. The undergraduate school-leaver pathway runs over seven years: a three-year Bachelor of Science or Arts followed by the four-year MD.
How many places are there in University of Sydney medicine?The undergraduate school-leaver pathway offers only around 30 domestic places (one of the smallest intakes in Australia), plus about 10 international places. The graduate-entry MD offers around 300 domestic places per year (about three-quarters Commonwealth Supported, including Bonded Medical Places) and around 70 international places.
Is there a UCAT cut-off score for University of Sydney medicine?No. Because the University of Sydney does not use the UCAT for medicine, there is no UCAT cut-off. School-leavers should focus on meeting the ATAR threshold and preparing for the written assessment and group interview, while graduates should focus on GAMSAT and GPA.
Does the University of Sydney offer a rural pathway into medicine?Yes. Undergraduate applicants can apply through the Regional & Remote scheme, which reduces the ATAR requirement from 99.95 to 99.5 for eligible applicants who reside in or attended school in a regional or remote area. Graduate applicants can apply to the Dubbo Stream, a rural stream of the MD requiring a Personal Statement.
Are there bonded (BMP) places at the University of Sydney?Yes. About three-quarters of the graduate domestic places are Commonwealth Supported and these include Bonded Medical Places (BMP). For the undergraduate pathway, a Bonded Place must be added as a separate preference in your UAC application.
How much does it cost to study medicine at the University of Sydney?For domestic students, the undergraduate pathway is offered as Commonwealth Supported Places, with an indicative ~$10,409 per year for the bachelor's component and ~$13,241 per year for the MD component; the graduate-entry MD is indicatively ~$13,240 per year (CSP). International graduate fees are around $91,000 per year. Always confirm current figures via the official University of Sydney fee pages.
Can I take a gap year and still apply for undergraduate medicine at Sydney?No. Gap-year students are not eligible for the undergraduate (school-leaver) guaranteed-entry pathway. Applicants who have taken a gap year would generally need to consider the graduate-entry MD or other pathways.
Can interstate students apply for undergraduate medicine at the University of Sydney?Yes. Students completing Year 12 outside NSW can apply through UAC. Interstate qualifications such as the QCE, SACE, WACE and the IB are assessed using equivalent academic scaling to the ATAR, and eligible applicants are then invited to the in-person assessment day (written assessment and group interview).
What research opportunities are built into the Sydney MD?The MD embeds a dedicated research project (a 14-week project in Year 3) and research methods training from early in the program, with access to the University's leading medical research institutes and hospital partnerships — supporting clinician-researcher career pathways.
Next steps: your path to medicine at USYD
Getting into medicine at the University of Sydney requires either an outstanding ATAR and strong assessment-day performance (school-leaver pathway) or a competitive GPA and GAMSAT result (graduate entry) — and no UCAT for either route. MedView's expert tutors can help you target the pathway that fits your profile.
Book a free consultationDisclaimer: This page is an independent guide compiled by MedView Education to help applicants understand entry to medicine at the University of Sydney. Figures such as ATAR/GAMSAT/GPA thresholds, place numbers, fees, dates and selection details are indicative and subject to change. Always confirm current requirements with the University of Sydney and UAC before applying. MedView Education is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Sydney.