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UNSW Sydney Medicine Entry Guide — UCAT, Course Structure & Selection
Medicine at UNSW Sydney is the six-year Bachelor of Medical Studies and Doctor of Medicine (BMed/MD), a direct-entry, three-phase program at the Kensington campus. School-leaver applicants are selected on ATAR (indicative 96+), UCAT ANZ and a panel interview, applying through UAC (code 428000) plus the UNSW Medicine Application Portal. UNSW also offers a Rural Entry Access Pathway (REAP) and a Lateral Entry Scheme for its own BMedSci students.
Get help with your applicationKey Admission Information
Applications (2026 entry): UCAT ANZ July–August; UAC + UNSW Medicine Application Portal early April – late September; interview offers mid-October through mid-January; panel interviews late November – late January (Rural ~24–27 Nov, Onshore Yr 12 ~19–23 Dec, Offshore ~20–21 Jan); final offers January–February. Gap-year students eligible. Figures are indicative; confirm against official UNSW and UAC pages.
Overview: Medicine at UNSW Sydney
Medicine at UNSW Sydney is offered as the Bachelor of Medical Studies and Doctor of Medicine (BMed/MD), a six-year integrated degree based at the Kensington campus. The program is built around scenario-based and practice-based learning, blending basic medical sciences, professional and ethical practice, research training and progressive clinical placements across UNSW's affiliated teaching hospitals and health networks.
UNSW is one of a small number of Australian universities that still offers a direct undergraduate (school-leaver) pathway into medicine, alongside specialist entry schemes. School-leaver applicants are selected using ATAR, UCAT ANZ and a panel interview, while a separate Lateral Entry Scheme provides a graduate-style route for continuing UNSW Bachelor of Medical Science students.
Students typically enter via direct undergraduate entry (school-leaver via UAC 428000), the Rural Entry Access Pathway (REAP), or the Lateral Entry Scheme for continuing UNSW BMedSci students. Compare options in our overview of medical school entry requirements.
How Do You Get Into Medicine at UNSW Sydney?
UNSW uses a multi-stage selection process for undergraduate medicine that combines academic performance, the UCAT and a panel interview. For school-leaver applicants, the three core components are:
- Academic performance (ATAR, indicative 96+)
- UCAT ANZ (sat in the year of application)
- Panel interview (by invitation)
UNSW ranks applicants in two stages. Selection for interview is based on a combination of ATAR and UCAT. Final offers are then determined using ATAR, UCAT and interview performance together. A distinctive feature is that applicants must complete an additional application through the UNSW Medicine Application Portal, in addition to their UAC application — this includes a short written component which is not weighted in the ranking, but is used to generate talking points during the interview.
Typical timeline: UCAT July–August; UAC + Medicine Application Portal early April – late September; interview offers mid-October to mid-January (by round); panel interviews late November to late January; final offers across January into February.
Speak with a UCAT advisorWhat Does UNSW Sydney Require for Medicine?
The concrete checklist of what you actually need for direct undergraduate entry into UNSW medicine.
Academic
- Indicative ATAR of 96.00 or higher for local school-leaver applicants
- Lowest recent ATAR guideposts: ~96.10 (local) and ~91.00 (rural via REAP)
- Interstate Year 12 qualifications (HSC, VCE, QCE, SACE, WACE, IB) assessed using equivalent academic scaling
Admissions test (UCAT)
- UCAT ANZ required and a core selection criterion
- Used with ATAR to select for interview, and again (with the interview) for the final offer
- REAP: a UCAT minimum of roughly the 40th percentile applies as a threshold
- Lateral Entry: the UCAT overall score excluding the Situational Judgement Test is used
Interview
- Panel interview (semi-structured, in person on campus), by invitation only — part of the final-offer ranking alongside ATAR and UCAT — see interview preparation
Prerequisites & additional requirements
- No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites (strong science and mathematics is valuable preparation)
- Separate UNSW Medicine Application Portal submission in addition to the UAC application
- A short written component within that portal application — not weighted in the ranking, but used as talking points at interview
- Gap-year applicants are eligible to apply
Special-entry, rural & bonded
- Rural Entry Access Pathway (REAP): Australian/NZ citizens or PRs who have lived in a defined rural area (MM2–7) for at least 5 consecutive or 10 cumulative years between ages 5 and 18; requires a statutory declaration and an EAS application
- Educational Access Scheme (EAS) / Special Entry Schemes for applicants affected by educational disadvantage
- Bonded vs unbonded: all applicants automatically considered for both; once allocated, the allocation cannot be reviewed
Entry Pathways to UNSW Sydney Medicine
The main route for Year 12 students. Assessed on indicative ATAR (96.00+), UCAT ANZ and a panel interview. Applications are lodged through UAC (course code 428000) and the UNSW Medicine Application Portal. Interstate applicants (HSC, VCE, QCE, SACE, WACE, IB) are assessed via equivalent scaling; gap-year students are eligible.
For applicants with a genuine rural background — Australian/NZ citizens or PRs who have lived in a defined rural area (MM2–7) for at least 5 consecutive or 10 cumulative years between ages 5 and 18, evidenced by a statutory declaration. Minimum ATAR around 91.00 and a UCAT minimum of ~40th percentile; final ranking considers academic rank, UCAT, interview, rural rating and geographic location. Apply via the Medicine Application Portal plus the Educational Access Scheme (EAS).
A graduate-style stream into the BMed/MD, restricted to domestic UNSW Bachelor of Medical Science students who apply during Year 2 and have completed all 16 core BMedSci courses by the end of Year 2 (no transfer credit). Selection for interview uses the weighted average mark of core courses plus UCAT (excluding the SJT); the final offer uses WAM + UCAT + interview. Only ~30 are invited to interview for approximately 10 domestic places; successful applicants complete the BMedSci and a Science (Honours) year before the MD (~7 years overall).
What Interview Does UNSW Sydney Use for Medicine?
UNSW uses a panel interview format for medicine, rather than a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). The interview is semi-structured and conducted in person on campus. It is designed to assess:
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Motivation for, and understanding of, medicine
- Ethical reasoning and judgement
- Reflective thinking and personal insight
A distinctive UNSW feature: the short written application you submit through the Medicine Application Portal is used to generate talking points during the panel interview — so what you write there matters even though it is not separately scored. Interview performance is combined with ATAR and UCAT to determine final offers.
Interview rounds (2026 entry): Round 1 (Rural) ~24–27 November; Round 2 (Lateral Transfer) ~16 December; Round 3 (Onshore Year 12) ~19–23 December; Round 4 (Offshore Year 12) ~20–21 January. Offers are released progressively from mid-October (Rural) to mid-January (Offshore). See our interview preparation resources (which also cover panel-style interviews).
Prepare for your medical interviewCourse Structure: UNSW BMed/MD
The UNSW Bachelor of Medical Studies and Doctor of Medicine is a six-year, full-time program delivered across three phases, integrating medical science and clinical practice from the first year. Study load is measured in Units of Credit (UOC) — a standard full-time year is around 48 UOC, so the degree totals roughly 288 UOC, including the compulsory Independent Learning Project.
Foundational biomedical sciences across the human life cycle; social, ethical and legal issues in healthcare; and early clinical exposure. Mostly taught at Kensington, with some clinical sessions in hospitals.
Increasing hospital placement (around three days per week) plus the Independent Learning Project (ILP) or Medicine Honours Program.
Almost entirely hospital-based, with bedside tutorials, ward rounds, advanced rotations, a pre-internship term and a capstone portfolio examination with oral defence.
Indicative Course Units
A representative selection from the UNSW BMed/MD curriculum (MFAC prefix). Unit codes, sequencing and credit (UOC) allocation are indicative and vary by cohort — confirm via the official UNSW Handbook and Medicine Program structure page.
| Year | Unit | Code | UOC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Foundations Phase 1 | MFAC1501 | 12 |
| Year 1 | Society & Health 1 Phase 1 | MFAC1502 | 12 |
| Year 1 | Beginnings, Growth & Development 1 Phase 1 | MFAC1503 | 12 |
| Year 1 | Health Maintenance 1 Phase 1 | MFAC1504 | 12 |
| Year 2 | Ageing & Endings 1 Phase 1 | MFAC1505 | 12 |
| Year 2 | Society & Health 2 Phase 1 | MFAC1506 | 10 |
| Year 3 | Society & Health 3 Phase 2 | MFAC2501 | 10 |
| Year 3 | Integrated Clinical Studies 2 Phase 2 | MFAC2515 | 16 |
| Year 4 | Independent Learning Project (ILP) Phase 2 | MFAC4999 | — |
| Year 5 | Medicine (clinical rotation) Phase 3 | MFAC3501 | — |
| Year 5 | Surgery (clinical rotation) Phase 3 | MFAC3502 | — |
| Year 6 | Children's Health (clinical rotation) Phase 3 | MFAC3506 | — |
| Year 6 | Psychiatry (clinical rotation) Phase 3 | MFAC3503 | — |
Clinical Placements & Training
UNSW medical students complete clinical placements across a large teaching network of affiliated hospitals and health services, primarily in Sydney and across New South Wales. Clinical exposure begins in Phase 1 and intensifies through Phases 2 and 3, where students spend most of their time in hospital settings.
Placements are delivered through UNSW's clinical schools and partner health services, giving students experience in core disciplines including medicine, surgery, women's and children's health, mental health, and general practice, as well as a pre-internship term designed to prepare graduates for their intern year. Rural-stream and REAP students may complete placements in regional and rural locations as part of UNSW's commitment to rural health workforce development.
Rankings & Recognition
UNSW is consistently recognised as one of the world's leading research universities and one of Australia's strongest for medicine and health. Rankings vary by methodology and year.
University Life at UNSW Sydney
Students studying medicine at UNSW benefit from a large and diverse medical student cohort across the undergraduate program and entry schemes.
- Active medical and health student societies (including the medical society and specialty interest groups) supporting peer learning and professional development
- Opportunities to engage in research through the Independent Learning Project, Medicine Honours and faculty research programs
- Strong academic, wellbeing and pastoral support services throughout the degree
- On-campus residential colleges and halls for interstate and rural students; scholarships including the Scientia Scholarship (~A$10k–$12k/year) and Medicine Honours scholarships (~A$5k)
The Kensington campus sits within Sydney's eastern suburbs, close to major teaching hospitals and health precincts, supporting both clinical training and research involvement across UNSW Medicine & Health and affiliated research institutes.
Career and Research Pathways
Graduates of the UNSW medicine degree are awarded the Bachelor of Medical Studies and 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 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
UNSW is particularly recognised for its strengths in biomedical and translational research and its early integration of research training through the Independent Learning Project, giving students strong exposure to research-led teaching and pathways into clinician-researcher careers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UCAT required to study medicine at UNSW Sydney?Yes. UCAT ANZ is required for undergraduate (school-leaver) entry into medicine at UNSW. It is combined with ATAR to select applicants for interview, and then used together with the interview to determine final offers.
What ATAR do you need for UNSW medicine?UNSW undergraduate medicine has an indicative ATAR of 96.00 or higher for local school-leaver applicants, with recent lowest selection ranks around 96.10 (local) and 91.00 (rural via REAP). The exact threshold changes each year with applicant demand.
What interview does UNSW use for medicine?UNSW uses a panel interview, not an MMI. It is a semi-structured, in-person interview that assesses communication, motivation for medicine and ethical reasoning, and draws talking points from your Medicine Application Portal submission.
Is there a UCAT cut-off score for UNSW medicine?UNSW does not publish a single fixed UCAT cut-off for the standard undergraduate pathway; UCAT is assessed relative to the applicant pool each year. For the Rural Entry Access Pathway (REAP), a UCAT minimum of approximately the 40th percentile applies as a threshold.
How do you apply to UNSW medicine?You apply through UAC (course code 428000) and must also complete a separate application via the UNSW Medicine Application Portal. The portal application includes a short written component used as talking points at interview; it is not separately weighted in the ranking.
Does UNSW offer a rural entry pathway for medicine?Yes. The Rural Entry Access Pathway (REAP) is for applicants with a rural background (Modified Monash Model MM2–7) who meet residence requirements. It has a lower indicative ATAR (around 91), a UCAT threshold near the 40th percentile, and is applied for via the Medicine Application Portal plus the Educational Access Scheme (EAS).
What is the UNSW Lateral Entry Scheme?The Lateral Entry Scheme is a stream into the BMed/MD restricted to continuing UNSW Bachelor of Medical Science (BMedSci) students who have completed all core courses by the end of Year 2. Selection uses WAM, UCAT (excluding the Situational Judgement Test) and an interview, with only around 10 domestic places.
How long is the UNSW medicine degree?The Bachelor of Medical Studies and Doctor of Medicine is a six-year, full-time program delivered across three phases, from foundational sciences (Years 1–2) to practice-based learning (Years 3–4) and hospital-based independent learning (Years 5–6).
How much does it cost to study medicine at UNSW?For domestic students, UNSW medicine is offered as a Commonwealth Supported Place with an indicative student contribution of about A$10,500 per year (roughly A$78,000 across the degree). International fees are higher, around A$95,500 per year. Always confirm current figures on UNSW's official fees pages.
Can interstate students apply for undergraduate medicine at UNSW?Yes. Students completing Year 12 outside NSW can apply. Interstate qualifications — including HSC, VCE, QCE, SACE, WACE and the IB — are assessed using equivalent academic scaling, alongside UCAT performance and the interview.
Does UNSW require subject prerequisites for medicine?No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites are required for entry into UNSW medicine. Strong results in science and mathematics are still valuable preparation for the program's biomedical content.
Next steps: your path to medicine at UNSW
Getting into medicine at UNSW Sydney requires strong academic planning, a competitive UCAT, a well-prepared Medicine Application Portal submission and panel-interview readiness. MedView's expert tutors can help with UCAT targets, ATAR strategy, your portal submission and interview preparation.
Book a free consultationDisclaimer: This page is an independent guide compiled by MedView Education to help applicants understand entry to medicine at UNSW Sydney. Figures such as ATAR thresholds, UCAT percentiles, place numbers, fees, dates and selection details are indicative and subject to change. Always confirm current requirements with UNSW Sydney and UAC before applying. MedView Education is not affiliated with or endorsed by UNSW Sydney.