Doctor of Medicine

The Sydney Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a masters-level degree that provides students with world-class clinical and research training.

On completion, graduates are eligible for registration with the Australian Medical Board as a doctor.Our course is based on best practice in medical education, with opportunities to learn in Sydney’s premier teaching hospitals as well as in rural and international locations.

Graduates leave as medical practitioners, responsive to the health needs of individuals, families and communities and committed to improving the health care system at all levels.In 2020 a new MD curriculum and course structure will be introduced.

The program will maintain the best aspects of the existing course, while enhancing learning opportunities through earlier clinical exposure, added personalisation options, new research opportunities, and immersive clinical placements in the last year of the program, preparing students for practice as a doctor.Postgraduates from any discipline who are interested in becoming a doctor and have a passion for healthcare.The Doctor of Medicine (MD) medical program, of the University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School, has been approved by the Medical Board of Australia (AMC) as providing qualification for the purposes of registration in the medical profession.

This qualification is approved until 31 March 2025.

The final report will be published on the AMC website.

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for this course for eligible domestic students.

This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA).

CSP places are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.

Admission criteria

Applying for Admission

Due to the rapidly-evolving situation of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the University of Sydney has reviewed its admissions process and application timeline for Doctor of Medicine 2021 entry. These changes apply only to 2021 entry. Please revisit this website on a regular basis for any updates.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) in 2021, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfactory performance* in an eligible bachelor’s degree at the time of application, as indicated by Grade Point Average (GPA); and
2. Satisfactory performance* in an admissions test – Domestic applicants must submit valid Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) results with their application. International applicants must submit valid GAMSAT or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) results with their application. Applicants whose GAMSAT results are not available at the time of application, and who can provide proof of registration for the May/June 2020 sitting, please refer to the relevant Admissions Guide (see below) for full details.

The University reserves the right to ask some applicants to participate in further assessment using another selection tool. The University will give these candidates due notice of any additional requirements.

*Satisfactory performance is defined in the relevant Admissions Guide.

Please click on the links below for the Admissions Guide (Version 2: 26 May 2020):

• MD and DMD Domestic Admissions Guide (pdf, 1.1MB)
• MD and DMD International Admissions Guide (pdf, 721KB)

Important dates for the 2021 intake are available below:

• Timeline for the application process (pdf, 76KB)

You will be ineligible to apply if:

• You have not been or will not be qualified for an eligible bachelor’s degree by 1 January of the year in which you intend to enrol in the MD. (Please note the exception for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students under the Indigenous Admission Pathway – see below.)
• You have previously applied unsuccessfully for admission to the MD at the University of Sydney and have commenced studies in postgraduate medicine at another University.

If you have previously accepted an offer of a place in the MD at the University of Sydney, and have:

(a) failed to submit any outstanding documentation to proceed with an unconditional offer or to enrol; or

(b) enrolled in and subsequently withdrawn from or discontinued the MD without prior approval from the Head of School and Dean;

You will be ineligible for admission to the MD for a period of two years from the date of application or enrolment, as relevant.

Facilitated admission pathways

Facilitated admission pathways are available to the following applicants:

- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:

• Indigenous Facilitated Admission Pathway (for applicants with a bachelor’s degree and GAMSAT results)
• Indigenous Admission Pathway (for applicants with a postgraduate degree)

- Australian citizens of rural origin as defined by the Australian government.

Please refer to the MD and DMD Domestic Admissions Guide (pdf, 1.1MB) for definitions and information on facilitated admission pathways.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent requirements are the essential tasks and activities necessary to be able to achieve the core learning outcomes of a course. They are specific to a particular course or discipline. To assist students to make informed choices about their study, we have identified and set out the inherent requirements of this course.

What you'll study

Units of Study