Step Nine - Medicine & Dentistry

Medicine is in it’s own league. Here, passion isn’t enough… you need purpose. Why do you want to be a doctor, not a nurse? What moments or expereiences have shaped that decision? What qualities do you already demonstrate that will make you an excellent doctor? What makes an excellent doctor? From super-curricular activities like health-based seminars, work experience, informational interviews or volunteering in health-related setting (yes - log these in your LEAVERS Pass), it’s about painting a clear, authentic picture of your future in medicine.

 

Undergraduate Medicine & Dentistry Courses

Medicine & Dentistry Programs Across Australia

NSW

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

Medicine Application Process - The Breakdown

So you’re thinking about studying medicine - amazing! It’s a huge goal, but if it’s something you’re passionate about, now is the time to get serious and understand the pathway. Here is a simplified version of what the process looks like for Year 12 students:

1. Is Medicine Really For You?

Before you dive into the UCAT and applications, it’s really important to check in with yourself:

  • Are you really passionate about healthcare and helping others?

  • Do you understand how demanding and long the journey is?

  • Are you genuinely committed to the lifestyle and study load?

  • Do you have the personal qualities like empathy, resilience, and a lifelong learning mindset?

These are not just “tick-the-box” questions - this is about making sure you’re choosing medicine for the right reasons.

2. ATAR Expectations & Academic Requirements

You’re going to need a high ATAR - in most cases, above 90, with some universities sitting in the mid to high 90s. Also, many courses will have highly recommended subjects like Chemistry and Mathematics.

3. Key Testing Dates - UCAT, UAC & Direct Applications

Let’s break this up:

  • UCAT ANZ: This is the big one for undergraduate medicine entry. Book early to avoid late fees. Testing happens in July.

  • UAC: Apply through UAC by the 30th September 2025 for NSW/ACT universities.

  • Direct Applications: Some universities (like UNSW or JCU) will require direct applications to the faculty - yes, it’s an extra step… and an important one.

4. Applications - How to Actually Do It

You will likely need to do all three of the following:

  • Register for UCAT - Pick a date, pay the fee and sit the test.

  • Submit UAC preferences - Make sure medicine is sitting at the top.

  • Direct Applications - This is where you upload your application / personal statement, resume or anything else they require.

IMPORTANT: Pay close attention to deadline - many direct entry medicine programs do not accept late applications.

5. Interviews & Assessments

If your ATAR + UCAT get you across the line, you will be invited to an interview.

Types of Interviews:

  • MMI (Multiple Mini Interviews)

    • The MMI is not a traditional sit-down interview. Instead, you will rotate through a series of short stations where you will face different scenarios or questions. Think of it like speed dating meets ethics class.

    • Each station is designed to explore:

      • Ethical-reasoning (e.g. what would you do if a classmate was cheating?)

      • Your problem solving ability (e.g. what you would prioritise in a hospital emergency?)

      • Your communication skills (e.g. explaining a complex concept to a child or elderly person)

      • Your interpersonal awareness and empathy

      • How you reflect on social issues (e.g. fairness, privilege, cultural sensitivity)

    • You’re not expected to give a perfect “medical” answer. The focus is on how you think, how you treat others, and how you handle pressure. Your composure and thought process is an important part of this style of interview. It’s about who you are as a person, not just your grades or knowledge.

    • TIP: These questions might not be about medicine at all. They are about your worldview, maturity, and ability to listen, reflect, and act with integrity - all of which are essential qualities in a future doctor.

  • Panel Interviews

    • A panel interview is mor traditional. You will sit down with a group of interviewers, often two or three people from medicine, academia, or healthcare and have a longer-form conversation.

    • Expect questions about:

      • Your motivation for studying medicine

      • How you have demonstrated resilience, leadership or teamwork

      • Ethical challenges and your perspective on social issues

      • Your work experience, volunteer work or personal insights

      • Your response to prompts in your application (so review what you wrote!)

    • While the content may overlap with MMIs (e.g. ethics, problem solving, personal qualities), the key difference is that you’re speaking to the same people the whole time, so they can ask follow-up questions to go deeper.

Tip: You will need to talk clearly about WHY you want to be a doctor, what qualities you have, and how you’re developing them. Be authentic, well prepared, and always be able to explain WHY MEDICINE (and why not nursing, for example).

6. Offers and Acceptance

  • Offers typically come out between December - January.

  • Once you get an offer - celebrate! …… then accept it online, and prepare for your first year.

7. Post Acceptance

This is where the real fun begins! First-year medicine is known to be challenging, but by this stage, you’ll be ready.

Optional Pathways to Keep in Mind:

  • Didn’t get in first time? That’s ok, many students:

    • Sit the UCAT again in their first year of university.

    • Go through graduate entry medicine after finishing a bachelor’s degree and sitting the GAMSAT

    • Discover Nursing, Physiotherapy, Chiropractic, OT, Speech Pathology, Radiography and Sports & Exercise Physiology

    • Select Pre-medicine, Health Science, Advanced Science or Clinical Science - some of which include GAMSAT preparation.

The UCAT

www.uact.edu.au

Tests taken in Australia - $325

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT ANZ) is an admissions test used by the UCAT ANZ Consortium of universities in Australia and New Zealand for their medical, dental and clinical science degree programmes.

The test helps universities to select applicants with the most appropriate abilities and professional behaviours required for new doctors and dentists to be successful in their clinical careers. It is used in collaboration with other admissions processes such as interviews and academic qualifications.

It is also an opportunity to stand out from other applicants and demonstrate aptitude for a demanding programme of study.

The UCAT ANZ is a computer-based test delivered in Pearson VUE test centres throughout Australia, New Zealand and worldwide.

Please note that some pathways to medicine / dentistry / clinical sciences will not require the UCAT ANZ. For some applicants a different test may be required. For details candidates should refer to the websites of the universities to which they intend to apply.

UAC Essentials

Key Dates

UCAT Registration Open - 4th March 2025

UCAT Registrations Close - 16th May 2025

Final Late Booking Deadline - 6th June 2025

Testing Dates - 1st July- 5th August 2025

Results delivered to universities - Early September 2025