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Fast track your career in medicine

Study psychiatry at the University of Sydney

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Overview

The University of Sydney is currently not accepting applications for this degree for commencement in 2023. Please continue to refer to this course page for further updates.

About this course

The Graduate Diploma of Medicine (Psychiatry) will help you to develop a sophisticated understanding of the neuroscientific basis of psychiatry, gain expertise in critical appraisal and research design, strengthen your clinical capability, develop interdisciplinary clinical and research networks, and pursue research.

Psychiatrists provide a wide range of evidence-based and effective treatments, and work in multidisciplinary teams. There are many opportunities throughout this field for innovation, research, advocacy and leadership.

As a psychiatry student, you will learn from leading experts how to translate research into clinical practice and develop interdisciplinary clinical and research networks. We promote engaged enquiry and active problem solving, helping you to gain expertise in critical appraisal and research design.

Run by the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre, an industry leader in the investigation and treatment of diseases of the brain and mind, this degree is taught part-time over three years. Facilitated by experienced clinicians and academics, classes are presented weekly, with face-to-face teaching supported by online learning. If you are not based in Sydney or if you are working evening or night shifts, you can join the class online or view class recordings later.

Who should do this degree?

It is ideal for trainee or current psychiatrists who wish to upgrade their knowledge or skills.

Subject areas
Shared pool

Entry, fees, funding & how to apply

Depends on your qualification, citizenship status
The details on this page based on your selections are a guide only, and are subject to change.

Your entry requirements

English language proficiency

Find out if you need to prove English language proficiency (depends on your country of origin and educational background).

For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.

Your fee

Your funding & scholarships

How to apply

You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information. 

Applying for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)

There is no separate application required to apply for a CSP. Once you apply for admission, if you are successful in securing a CSP, you will receive notification via an offer of admission.

A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is not guaranteed as there are a limited number of CSPs available for postgraduate courses. The number of available CSPs for a course can change each semester/year.  CSPs are also not automatically awarded for course transfers and upgrades.

CSPs are awarded for the duration of a course based on academic merit determined by the University and eligibility criteria specified by the Australian Government. Learn more about CSPs. If you do not qualify for a CSP you may be offered a domestic fee-paying place.

Standard closing dates:

Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year

Semester 2 - 15 July of the commencing year

We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.

Starting date

Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)

You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information. 

Standard closing dates:

Semester 1 - 15 January of the commencing year

Semester 2 - 25 June of the commencing year

We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.

Starting date

Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)

What you'll study

The Graduate Diploma in Medicine (Psychiatry) requires the successful completion of 36 credit points of stream specific units of study including:

 including:

  • 6 credit points of compulsory units of study; and
  • 30 credit points of stream specific units of study; OR
  • 24 credit points of stream specific units of study and 6 credit points of stream specific elective units of study.

You will learn how to translate research into clinical practice, and develop interdisciplinary clinical and research professional networks. Facilitated by experts, classes are presented in small groups and supported by online learning.

Explore the Medicine and Health Postgraduate Handbook to learn more about what you will study as part of this degree:

Units of Study

Capstone (compulsory project)

Admission requirement

Admission requirements include: 

  • a medical degree
  • current employment in a RANZCP-accredited training position in psychiatry or equivalent position, or have previously done psychiatry training in Australia or overseas
  • current medical registration in Australia

International students currently working in Australia or New Zealand in an appropriate role and on an appropriate working visa, may apply for admission.

The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually and may be changed without notice.

Credit for previous study

For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.

Option to combine with

Professional accreditation

This course has been accredited by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists as a formal education course, and is aligned with its new competency-based fellowship program.

Career pathways & prospects

Future study options

Outstanding graduates may be eligible to pursue a higher degree by research in the following courses:

A research degree provides students with the opportunity to prepare a substantial piece of work which represents a significant contribution in a particular field of study and to gain transferable skills in general research methodology.

Learn more about our research degrees and research capability.

Short courses and non-award study

We offer a wide range of short professional development courses for health professionals. Many of the courses offered are pre-accredited for Continuing Medical Education (CME) points, and other courses may be awarded CME points on request to your relevant association or professional body.

Learn more about short courses in medicine

Career pathways

The Graduate Diploma in Medicine (Psychiatry) is tailor-made for psychiatry trainees. 

Start your journey at the University of Sydney

Domestic students

International students

Domestic students

Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount

The student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website.

Annual review and fee increases

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

Indicative Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee

The tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.

Annual review and fee increase

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental costs

For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html.

Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge

Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.

International students

Indicative International Tuition Fees for Postgraduate Students

The tuition fee for international postgraduate students is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.

Annual review and fee increases

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental costs and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the tuition fees. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protective clothing, and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html. In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through a government approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government. Further information is available from https://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/living-costs/health-insurance.html.

Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge

Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.