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We're ranked 22nd globally for life sciences and medicine by the 2021 QS University Rankings by Subject.
Our graduates are ranked 1st in Australia and 4th globally for employability by the 2020 QS Graduate Employability Rankings.
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in Semester 1, 2021.
Some units of study and/or placements relating to this course cannot be delivered remotely or online for students commencing their study in Semester 1, 2021. You will be required to attend in-person on campus from the commencement of studies in the Doctor of Medicine.
Note: The University intends to offer as many units of study as possible in a remote as well as face-to-face learning method of delivery in Semester 1, 2021 and subject to ongoing border closures and public health orders impacting attendance on campus, in Semester 2, 2021. However, some units of study and courses require students to study in-person at the relevant University of Sydney campus/es and host locations for placements and will not be available remotely.
About this course
Our double degree allows school leavers who have achieved exceptional results to commence a three-year undergraduate science degree followed by the four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD).
With a deeper understanding of the scientific fundamentals that underpin medicine, you will be better prepared for any career in medicine from specialisation to research and teaching.
Why study with us?
Who should study this course?
Students who have a passion for health care and who want to understand the science that underpins medicine should complete this double degree.
Please note: In 2020 a new MD curriculum and course structure will be introduced as described above. These changes are pending approval from the Australian Medical Council in 2019.
You are required to choose one major from the Bachelor of Science listing below and a second major or minor either from your faculty options or from our shared pool of majors and minors. During your Bachelor of Science, you will also complete 18 credit points of foundational knowledge units for medicine plus a zero credit point subject in Medicine.
Depends on your qualification, citizenship status
Prospective domestic students apply through the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for a Commonwealth Supported Place .
Refer to the UAC website . Also check the timeline under 'Admission Criteria' on this page for important application dates.
Refer to the UAC website .
Separate scholarship deadlines apply - visit the scholarships webpage for details.
Semester 1 (March)
Visit the How to apply page for detailed information on if you need to apply directly to the University or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). If you are a direct applicant, when you are ready to apply select the `Apply’ button on this course page.
Also check the timeline under 'Admission Criteria' on this page for important application dates.
Closing dates
Direct applicants:
Semester 1 - 31 October of the preceding year
Please also check the admission timeline under 'Admission Criteria' on this page for important dates.
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements.Separate scholarship deadlines apply - visit the scholarships webpage for details.
UAC Applicants: Refer to the UAC website. Also check the admission timeline under 'Admission Criteria' on this page for important dates.
Semester 1 (March)
The Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD) double degree may be undertaken in seven years full-time. In this double degree you will enrol in units of study to the value of 48 credit points per year in the first three years in science.
In fourth-year you will progress to the graduate medical program.
The MD program comprises of eight vertical themes that run through all four years of the course. These themes are: basic and clinical sciences, clinical skills, diagnostics and therapy, research, evidence and informatics, population health, indigenous health, ethics, law and professionalism and interprofessional teamwork.
In year one you will work through a number of blocks that cover all body systems from both basic science and clinical perspectives, with an emphasis on understanding the scientific foundations of clinical reasoning and clinical practice.
These key areas of study include: cardiovascular sciences, respiratory sciences, musculoskeletal/immunology, endocrine nutrition, renal urology, gastroenterology, sexual health and reproduction and neurosciences.
This ensures that the knowledge and problem-solving abilities which underpin medical practice have a strong scientific foundation.
During your first year, students will spend three to four days per week on the main University campus, with one day per week in our clinical schools.
In year two, students cover major aspects of clinical medicine and spend up to fifty per cent of their time in the clinical school.
During year two, students will also be allocated to a research project that they will conduct in year three. The allocation will be based on personal experience and interest and supported by training in research methods in year two. The objective of the ‘MD Project’ is to add depth to aspects of the medical studies and give students the experience of developing, managing and reporting on a circumscribed project under supervision.
Students will have a number of options for their projects, ranging from an advanced clinical assignment to a small research project. The project will culminate in a written report or an article suitable for publication.
While practical clinical experience forms the basis for all learning in the latter two years of the Sydney Medical Program, it is accompanied by a structured teaching program. The balance between clerkship-based activities and scheduled sessions varies. In general, formal teaching sessions reduce in number and frequency as students move through year three and the main emphasis in year four is on preparation for practice. This entails a full time, extended clinical placement in a hospital medical, surgical or general practice settings. Students work as part of the clinical multidisciplinary team under supervision, cementing and integrating the knowledge, skills and professional attributes they have developed over the program.
Additional information
For more information on course structure and for a program snapshot please:
Mandatory work component = 2310 hours.
This translates to 16.5 hours per week.
This mandatory work component must be completed as part of the award requirements for the course.
B Science/MD students may undertake the Bachelor of Science in either the Medical Science stream and/or the Dalyell Scholars program.
In order to progress to the Doctor of Medicine, you need to meet all progression requirements during your first degree studies as specified under the BSc/MD course resolutions found in the respective Faculty Handbook.
You need to complete all requirements for the Bachelor of Science, including the designated foundational knowledge units for medicine offered by the Faculty of Science within three years (or four years if candidates take an embedded honours component through the Bachelor of Advanced Studies), excluding any authorised periods of suspension.
You also need to achieve an Annual Average Mark of at least 65.0 in each year of study in the Bachelor of Science to continue in the double degree, this being the minimum achievement required for admission into the Doctor of Medicine.
Failure to maintain the minimum progression requirements will result in candidates being transferred from the double degree program to a Bachelor of Science degree with full credit for all units of study successfully completed.
Progression within the MD is as specified in the Resolutions for the MD.
Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine
| Year | Sem | Unit of study | |||
| 1 | 1 | Medical Science Major | Physics Elective | Maths | Psychology Major |
| 2 | Medical Science Major | Biology | Maths | Psychology Major | |
| 2 | 1 | Medical Science Major | OLE (Cultural Competence: Fundamentals) | Elective | Minor/Major |
| 2 | Medical Science Major | OLE (Health Challenges: Allergy and Autoimmunity) | Physics Elective | Psychology Major | |
| 3 | 1 | Medical Science Major | Medical Science Major | Psychology Major | Psychology Major |
| 2 | Medical Science Major | Medical Science Major | Psychology Major | Psychology Major | |
| 4 | Cardiovascular sciences Respiratory sciences Musculoskeletal/immunology Endocrine nutrition Renal urology Gastroenterology Sexual health and reproduction Neurosciences |
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| 5 | Clinical science and research methods block MD research project development |
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| 6 |
Four specialty rotations in psychiatry and addiction medicine, child and adolescent health, perinatal and women's health and critical care. 14-week MD research project
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| 7 | Pre-internship year solidifying your knowledge and skills to prepare you for practice Rotations through medicine, surgery and general practice. Elective period: opportunity to experience health care in another setting. |
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Refer to the relevant single degree Bachelor of Science.
Applying for Admission
The University is closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and we remain guided by NSW Government instructions and restrictions. The admissions process for 2021 intake has been reviewed, but may be subject to further changes. Please revisit this website on a regular basis for any updates.
Admission to this course is on the basis of the following criteria:
You are only eligible for admission to the first available course intake following receipt of your final results. If your results are not available in time to be considered for the 2021 intake (ie prior to the issue of invitations to the January 2021 assessment), you may be eligible to apply for the 2022 intake. Assessment dates are not negotiable and eligible candidates must attend the first assessment day after the release of their ATAR (or other secondary education qualification) results.
Admission pathways are open to domestic applicants on the basis of equity or other adjustment factors, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants (a minimum ATAR of 90 to be considered) and E12 applicants (a minimum ATAR of 99.5 to be considered). Eligible applicants will be invited to attend the assessment process after ATAR (or other secondary education qualification) results are released. For details, visit admission pathways.
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 for this course.
This course has a mathematics course prerequisite. For details on the prerequisite, and how it applies to you, visit: Mathematics course prerequisites.
Each year, up to 30 domestic and 10 international places can be offered (this includes both the Bachelor of Arts/Doctor of Medicine and the Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine double degrees).
Please note: dates for 2021 entry may be subject to change. Please use the below as a guide.
Domestic applicants will attend an assessment day online for 2021 entry only.
Most subject areas within the double degree allow you to take part in an international exchange program. These programs enable you to enhance your skills in a language other than English and your knowledge of other societies and cultures.
As a student in the Doctor of Medicine, you will have contact with patients and observe aspects of disease throughout your four years of study, with clinical placements at world-renowned institutes, and established elective placement opportunities in Europe, Africa, North America and Asia.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine double degree are eligible for registration by medical boards in all Australian states and territories and in New Zealand.
One year of internship is required prior to full registration. Most junior doctors make their career choice during their second postgraduate year, most commonly opting for general practice or one of the other specialties.
In the interest of equity and fairness to all applicants, those applicants who do not meet the admission criteria, including the required ATAR (or equivalent) and performance in the assessment, will not be considered for admission to the double degree. The ATAR (or equivalent) requirements shall apply, regardless of circumstances such as illness, misadventure or disadvantage during secondary school or high school studies.
It is not possible for candidates to obtain credit/advanced standing or exemptions for previous tertiary studies.
Most students enrolled in this double degree who have met all the requirements of their bachelor's degree will be permitted to begin the MD without being required to sit the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) or the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT), or participate in the assessment selection process for entry into the Doctor of Medicine.
Prior to commencing their observational study, students are required to comply with requirements for entering NSW Health facilities.
Sydney Medical School reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject an application for admission or to vary or cancel an offer of admission if your conduct prior to enrolment causes the Medical School to form the view that you are unsuitable for admission to the Doctor of Medicine.
Examples of conduct that might make you unsuitable for admission to the Doctor of Medicine include (but are not limited to):
International applicants to the double degree whose immigration status changes after they lodge their application should refer to the information on the University’s website at http://sydney.edu.au/future-students/international/undergraduate/predeparture-orientation/australian-student-visa.shtml.
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