Adelaide is a lovely, historic city. Originally the home of the Kaurna People, European settlers founded the town and named it in honour of Queen Adelaide. Unlike other Australian cities, this new burg's inhabitants were wealthy, free settlers.
Today, this South Australian city still gives off that expansive vibe thanks to its generous public squares and wide, leafy boulevards.
Isn't it strange, then, that of all the places to study medicine in Australia, Adelaide should be on the stingy side with medical degree programs? The city doesn't stint on educational opportunities. It boasts three public universities and a private one, too. On top of that, students may enrol at one of Adelaide's three constituent colleges, representing foreign universities.
But of the four universities, only two offer medical degree programs: Flinders University and the University of Adelaide. Torrens University offers no medical courses but students can take science courses and apply for graduate studies in medicine. The University of South Australia's course catalogue lists some medicine-related courses but most won't have a pathway to medicine.
That school's Bachelor of Health Science (Public Health) lays a foundation for further medical studies. It's a three-year program that focuses on public health initiatives.
It does not provide the clinical knowledge every medical school candidate needs to succeed at the graduate level. It's still related to medicine but Adelaide has better study programs for future doctors to consider.
Two Pathways to Study Medicine in Adelaide
Medical school candidates have two ways to study medicine in Adelaide. Year 12 students preparing to sit their Australian Tertiary Assessment Rating (ATAR) exams may plan to enrol in an undergraduate medical program. Such a school leaver should have a high enough ATAR to guarantee them a place in the medical studies program of their choice.
A school leaver who is undecided about studying medicine might choose an undergraduate degree plan that's not related to medicine. During their undergraduate studies, they might decide to pursue a career in medicine. They would then complete their Bachelor's studies and afterwards take preparation courses for the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT). This detour adds another year to their stint in higher education - before adding two more for graduate-level studies.
This is quite a dilemma for any student, those hoping to study medicine in Perth and those wanting a place in one of Brisbane's medical programs alike. These future doctors and their families have many factors to consider before deciding which path to follow.
Let's talk about what you should consider if you're in this situation.
Study Medicine in Adelaide as a School Leaver or Graduate-Entry?
School leaver to a university medical program is the most straightforward path to take. As long as you score well enough on your ATAR exams and take the right ones, you're ahead of the admissions game. Unless you receive a guaranteed admission, you will have to submit to at least one multi-mini interview. And, of course, you must submit your application packet.
Some school leavers either choose or have to defer their medical course application. They may be uncertain whether they want to study medicine or their circumstances don't permit them to make a six-year commitment. There's nothing wrong with putting off your decision. My mate wanted to study medicine in Brisbane but their circumstances wouldn't allow it straight out of high school.
But once you decide that becoming a doctor is the right career path for you, you'll have several hurdles to clear. First, you must complete your undergraduate studies while maintaining a high grade average and exhibiting stellar conduct. Toward the end of this stint at university, you may start revising for GAMSAT, but most prefer to wait until they have their Bachelor's degree.
By all accounts, it takes more than one year to prepare for the GAMSAT, and not everyone passes on the first try. If you do, you may start looking for graduate medical courses. If you don't pass the exam, you must wait another year and take it again. This process costs you in two ways: paying for GAMSAT preparation courses and exams, and not working so you can focus on your studies.
None of this is meant to scare you from putting off your medical studies until you have everything in place. You'll need to devote your focus and energy to your medical coursework so it's best to be sure you'll enter medical school with no added burdens. But you need to know what you're facing so you can prepare yourself, both mentally and financially.
Once you're ready, it will be time to consider which university program to apply to.
Study Medicine in Adelaide at Flinders University
Like medical courses in Sydney, Flinders University offers undergraduate medical programs. In fact, their course catalogue boasts eight recently-added medicine-related courses. But the only pathway to a Medical Doctor (MD) is through their double degree program. It's open to school leavers and international students only.
Entry requirements are rigorous. Domestic students should present a 95 ATAR or higher. International students may earn consideration if they present a high-score International Baccalaureate (IB) or a Pearson overall rating of 65. These candidates must also present an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.
Applicants must further sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand (UCAT ANZ). These results, along with ATAR/IB scores will see the most successful candidates move into the interview stage. At this point, admissions teams look for strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as other practical skills.
Flinders urges interested students to apply as soon as possible because this six-year course has limited places. Should you miss your chance at a place, Flinders offers 25 graduate-entry programs in medicine. These courses are well-established and renowned throughout Australia. According to the Good Universities Guide, Flinders takes first place for full-time work placement in our country.
Fees for Flinders' dual degree program are higher than those for medical studies in Melbourne. Tuition is A$9,389 per year for domestic students, international students will pay roughly five times more.
Many of Flinders' scholarships are open only to first-year students or those doing postgraduate work. International and domestic students may apply for scholarships based on need, merit or their study program.
Study Medicine at The University of Adelaide
The Adelaide Medical School has a lot in common with medical studies in Melbourne. Course options are plentiful and offerings are generous, with lots of selections for undergraduate or graduate entry. The school's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is the university's largest school.
Besides a median 95 ATAR, domestic school leavers need to have studied Biology, Chemistry or Mathematical Methods during Year 12. International students should have corresponding subjects on their school transcripts, and a minimum of 7 on their IELTS. All candidates must also sit the UCAT ANZ, which will permit them to do clinical work.
Adelaide's School of Medicine accepts student transfers with one year of university experience, provided it is with the University of Adelaide. No other university background will be accepted. First-year students must present a 5 grade-point average (GPA) and have between 18-24 units of Level 1 study. For second-year students, that range goes up to 27-48; they're also expected to have a 5 GPA or higher.
Year 3 students are not eligible for transfer into the undergraduate medical studies programs. For them, GAMSAT and graduate entry are their only recourse. Still, the Adelaide Medical School is as flexible as possible so that every medical school hopeful has their shot.
And what opportunities they offer! The school's degree finder page is laden with medical and medicine-related categories. You'll find Allied Health, Health and Medical Sciences and Mental Health and well-being study programs. You may be interested in dentistry or veterinary medicine; this School offers those courses too.
In the Medicine category, we find the Bachelor of Medicine degree program. Earning this degree entails three years of full-time study, after which you will gain direct entry into the school's Doctor of Medicine program. Until 2021, Adelaide Medical School offered a six-year dual-degree program. This new initiative replaces that obsolete course.
Course fees are fairly steep. A domestic student can expect fees in the range of A$11,800, depending on the courses they select. The Adelaide Medical School has a number of Commonwealth Supported Places that they distribute according to merit. Fees for international students are substantially higher: A$83,000.
All students, including Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders, may offset their education costs with scholarships, bursaries and stipends. Anyone who studies medicine, from Canberra to Darwin, has the same access to financial help, though they might not have as broad a selection of courses to choose from. But no matter where in the country you study medicine, you'll receive the same quality of education.
That's thanks to the Health Workforce Initiative Australia, which aims to standardise education in medicine across the country.
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