10 Best Medical Schools in Australia
Australia is home to some of the world’s best universities. With programs that are cheaper compared to other industrialized countries, its foreign student-friendly universities continue to attract applicants from all around the world.
While the country offers diverse studies, many students – both local and foreign – opt for Australia’s medical schools. Not only do they offer top-tier education, but they also serve as gateways for a medical practice in both Australia and New Zealand.
How many years of schooling does it take to become a doctor in Australia?
To become a doctor in Australia, a high school graduate can proceed with 5 to 6 years of undergraduate medical education. As for bachelor’s graduates, a graduate-entry medical degree usually takes 4 years to complete.
What are the requirements for studying in Australian Medical Schools?
Applicants who need to apply for an undergraduate medical program need to have a certificate of secondary schooling. For graduate-entry applicants, an undergraduate degree is necessary.
Some schools will require students to undergo science pre-requisites as well.
Aspiring doctors also need to take a qualifying exam – either the University Clinical Aptitude Test or the Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admission Test – to be admitted in Australian medical schools.
Top Medical Schools in Australia
1. The University of Western Australia Medical School
Established in 1957, the University of Western Australia Medical School is one of the leading physician-makers in the country. It is recognized as the top-ranking Clinical Medical School in Australia – and the 8th in the world.
Its Perth campus offers a competitive Doctor of Medicine degree, which was developed to create doctors who are committed to their patient’s well-being. The first 2 years cover the basics of anatomy, physiology, genetics, biochemistry, pharmacology, and other relevant studies.
Rural or aboriginal health specialization comprises the majority of third-year education, while the 4th year of study involves placement in local, rural, or international institutions.
With its impressive curriculum and famous research programs, the school has produced many physician-researchers who specialize in 10 medical disciplines.
2. University of New South Wales Sydney
UNSW Sydney is Australia’s number 1 institution when it comes to research impact. Recognized as one of the world’s 50 best medical faculties, the School of Medicine is considered one of the world’s finest.
UNSW Sydney offers a 6-year undergraduate Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine, which is offered in both the Wagga Wagga and Port Macquarie campuses. As a marriage of research-based education and clinical experience, this dual degree provides great preparation for the doctors of tomorrow.
The school is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including modern laboratories, exercise physiology suites, and interactive classrooms. As it is affiliated with the Independent Medical Research Institutes, UNSW Sydney students also get to delve into revolutionary health research.
3. The University of Melbourne – Melbourne Medical School (MMS)
As the oldest medical school in Australia, the University of Melbourne is known for its world-class physician training, breakthrough research, and revolutionary policy developments. To date, it is ranked ninth out of all the medical schools in the world.
The school’s Doctor of Medicine degree is a 4-year program hosted on the University’s Parkville campus. Open to both domestic and foreign students, it focuses on advanced training that helps its students perform well in their internships.
MMS continues to work in partnership with some of the country’s renowned institutions and research centers, giving its students an edge in the fields of neuroscience, infectious disease, and oncology.
4. The University of Sydney School of Medicine
Established in 1856, the University of Sydney School of Medicine is home to 2,000 undergraduate students. Recognized by QR World Rankings as the second-best in Australia in terms of medicine, it takes the distinction of having the 18th best medical program in the world.
The School of Medicine is all about molding physicians who are leaders in the field of practice, education, and research. With its 4-year Doctor of Medicine degree, graduate students are allowed to rotate in any of its clinical schools. Selections include the Children’s Hospital Westmead, Sydney Adventist Hospital, and the University Center for Rural Health, to name a few.
5. Australian National University – ANU Medical School
ANU is a public university based in the capital of Canberra. Established in 1946, it traces its beginnings to the Canberra University College, which was incorporated into the university in 1960. Having one of the best medical schools in Australia, ANU was listed as the 24th best institution according to the World University Rankings.
Despite being a relatively young university, ANU offers a bevy of strong educational programs. One of which is the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery program, which is housed under the ANU Medical School.
The full-time, 4-year graduate course covers 4 themes, including medical science, clinical skill, population health, and professionalism & leadership.
The first 2 years focus on problem-based learning, which includes lectures, tutorials, and clinical immersions. The last 2 years, on the other hand, require immersion in rural centers, hospitals, even institutions from other parts of the globe.
6. University of Adelaide – Adelaide Medical School
The University of Adelaide, formerly known as Adelaide University, is a public educational institution founded in 1874. While the main campus is located in North Terrace, Australia’s third-oldest university also has campuses in Roseworthy, Urrbrae, and Melbourne.
As one of the country’s globally-renowned universities, it offers a top-tier medical program through the Adelaide Medical School. As the largest department on the campus, it provides collaborative learning for students who wish to specialize in translational medicine and research.
For aspiring physicians, the university offers a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. This 6-year undergraduate program, which is held in North Terrace, provides students with the skills and knowledge that they need to fulfill a career in healthcare.
7. Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health
Flinders University is one of the many public universities based in Adelaide, Australia. Founded in 1966, it is a verdant institution that is ranked among the top 500 universities in the world. This medical school in Australia offers a 6-year Bachelor of Clinical Sciences, Doctor of Medicine double degree for high school graduates.
The first 2 years cover core topics in human physiology, healthcare, and patient care. These usually include the learning methods of workshops and practical exams.
Years 3 to 6, on the other hand, involve placements that allow students to work on their diagnostic and clinical skills. Additionally, students may also opt to take a 12-year clinical elective in any of the hospitals/institutions around the world.
8. Griffith University School of Medicine
Griffith University is a public university based in South East Queensland. Founded in 1971, it has five campuses in 3 cities. Despite its young age, Griffith is recognized as one of the best universities under 50 by QS.
One of Griffith’s newest departments is the School of Medicine, which was just opened in 2005. With its first students graduating in 2008, the school has produced 1,200 doctors ever since then.
Its flagship program is the 4-year Doctor of Medicine degree, a graduate-entry program accredited by the Australian Medical Council. With a Bachelor’s degree, you can take this program to become a full-fledged physician.
The School of Medicine takes pride in its small class sizes. As such, its students are honed well with the help of problem-based learning and clinical skills development. The curriculum covers rotation with GPs, while the last 2 years are all about hospital and rural experience. Students are also entitled to a foreign elective at the World Health University or Harvard Medical School, among many other reputable institutions.
9. Deakin University School of Medicine
Next on our list of best medical schools in Australia is the Deakin University School of Medicine. Deakin University is a public educational institution based in Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1974, it is named after former prime minister Alfred Deakin. Even as one of the country’s newest universities, Deakin has made wonderful strides in the field of research.
One of the departments that have made such a distinction is the School of Medicine. As Victoria’s first rural and regional medical school, it has an innovative curriculum complemented by multi-million health facilities.
Deakin’s Doctor of Medicine degree is a graduate-entry program housed in the Waurn Ponds campus. The first 2 years entail small group learning sessions, lectures, and simulated clinical teaching. The third and fourth years, on the other hand, cover clinical training in any of the university’s 5 centers.
Deakin students also get to rotate in foreign medical institutions.
10. Curtin University – Curtin Medical School
The Curtin Medical School was founded in 2017. As the newest department under the Faculty of Health Sciences, it aims to create new-age physicians who focus on strong primary care. With the help of its excellent professors and modern facilities, Curtin hopes to produce doctors who will stay in underserved rural areas.
Curtin offers a five-year undergraduate Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. The first year covers the necessary basic subjects, while the second and third years are all about intensive medical education. Rotations in community and rural settings cover the fourth year, while the hospital internship completes the last year of schooling.
As a newly-established medical school in Australia, the Perth-based faculty has the best that educational technology has to offer. From problem-based learning rooms, clinical skill areas, anatomy suites, to simulation rooms, Curtin students are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to become competent physicians.
I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Australia Scholarships Page.