Admission of international applicants

• Admission requirements
• Eligibility
• Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Admissions test
• Application

Admission requirements

The three basic admissions criteria involve performance in:

1. A credit average or better in any Bachelor degree
2. The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) or North American Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT)
3. The Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI)

Eligibility

Applicants must have a bachelor degree from either:

1. an Australian university listed in the Australian Qualifications Framework at sub-category
   ii. Universities and Other Self-Accrediting Higher education Institutions);
   OR
2. an overseas university listed in the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition guide.

Where an applicant's bachelor degree contains credit from an institution other than the institution awarding the degree, the following conditions apply:

1. Students must study for at least two years full-time equivalent at the degree awarding institution.
2. Any qualification for which credit was given towards the bachelor degree used as the basis for admission will be included in the calculation of the GPA (applicants must submit original transcripts); where credits are unspecified, GPA will be calculated from all subjects completed in the first institution, and will contribute towards credits allocated by the second (degree awarding) institution.

Applicants for the University of Sydney Medical Program whose bachelor degree was conferred 10 or more years before 1 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the USydMP must have obtained either a second bachelor degree or a Graduate Diploma or a Master or PhD degree at a recognised institution* within the past 10 years before 5 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the USydMP. (i.e. 2009 entry, an applicant's first bachelor degree must not be conferred earlier than 1 January 1999. Otherwise, an applicant needs to obtain a Graduate Diploma or a Master or PhD degree which must not be conferred earlier than 1 January 1999.)

*Either an Australian university is listed in the Australian Qualifications Framework at: sub-category ii. Universities and Other Self-Accrediting Higher education Institutions) or an overseas university listed in the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition guide.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

BACHELOR DEGREE

All applicants must have completed or be in the final year of a bachelor degree and have a GPA of 5.5 (7.0 scale) at the time of application or above (equivalent to a credit level at the University of Sydney or 65% based on a pass mark of 50%) in order to be considered for admission (calculations are not rounded up, i.e. a GPA of 5.49 does not meet the entry requirement).

Applications from those who have undertaken an appropriate two-year bachelor degree in an accelerated program (e.g. three semesters per year) would only be able to apply after completion of the full degree.

Applicants with overseas qualifications are required to achieve an equivalent level (e.g. a GPA of 2.7 out of 4 for USA/Canada universities, a GPA of 3.3 out of 5 for Singapore universities, bachelor degree at a Lower II class for UK universities). GPAs will be calculated by the Admissions Committee on a case by case basis after a formal application is forwarded to the Faculty by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). The University will not calculate your GPA prior to your application.

• The GPA is calculated for the last 3 years of the most recent bachelor degree or 2, 3 and Honours year if undertaken.
• Subjects are grouped according to calendar year not academic year level. (If you studied part time or undertook any Summer/Winter School units, you would still divide all the subjects into 3 roughly equal groups, based on the order in which you completed them.)
• Each year is weighted equally.
• Percentages are used when available rather than grades.
• Applicants are instructed to enter unit values if they have subject weightings, otherwise a value of 1 will be assigned.
• Calculation based on subjects completed at the time of application. First semester results of applicants who are applying whilst in the final year of their degree are not included in the assessment of applicants for interview. Any offer of a place is conditional on the applicant completing his/her degree with the appropriate level of performance.
• Honours year grades will be converted to GAMSA grades using the table below. Percentage marks should not be used at this academic year level.
• For applicants who have undertaken a combined degree or parallel degree program, final 3 years only will be calculated whether or not they count towards the award of the degree.
• Any qualification for which credit was given towards the bachelor degree used as the basis for admission will be included in the calculation of the GPA (applicants must submit original transcripts; where credits are unspecified, GPA will be calculated from all subjects completed in the first institution, and will contribute towards credits allocated by the second (degree awarding) institution.
• Postgraduate coursework qualifications are not used in the calculation of a GPA.

PASS/FAIL GRADING SYSTEM

Applicants with a Bachelor degree where results in 1/3 or more of the units of study are awarded on a Pass/Fail basis only must provide official documentation, signed by the Dean of the relevant Faculty, indicating that they are ranked in the top 40% of their cohort.

HONOURS YEAR

Honours year grades will be converted to GAMSA grades using the table indicated below. Percentage marks are not used at this academic year level.

PHD OR MASTER BY RESEARCH DEGREE

Applicants with a PhD or a Master by research degree* from a recognised institution** whose GAMSAT results have met the standard requirements (see Admissions test) will be deemed eligible for interview regardless of their undergraduate GPA. The PhD or Masters degree by research must have been conferred less than 10 years before 1 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the USydMP (i.e. 2009 entry, an applicant's PhD or Masters degree by research must not be conferred earlier than 1 January 1999.) Applicants must submit proof of award of a PhD or a Master degree by research at the time of application. Otherwise applications will be processed as standard applications.

*Some Master by research degrees may require a limited amount of coursework, however, the research component must comprise 2/3 or more of the overall course requirements. The proof of award must indicate that the degree met this requirement.

**Either an Australian university is listed in the Australian Qualifications Framework at: sub-category ii. Universities and Other Self-Accrediting Higher education Institutions) or an overseas university listed in the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition guide.

The above is the sole method of calculating a GPA. Please DO NOT contact the Faculty to request special consideration or to request that other methods be used.

Admissions Test

International applicants must take one of the admissions tests:

• Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admissions Test (GAMSAT) or GAMSAT UK
• North American Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT)

Please note applicants must have achieved a minimum score of 50 in each section of the GAMSAT to be considered. Applicants will be selected for interview based on their GAMSAT Overall Score. Applicants with MCAT scores should achieve a numerical aggregate of 24 with a grade of M or better in the writing sample and 8 in sections that are given numerical scores.

For 2009 entry, applicants who meet the admissions test requirements given above, and who also meet the GPA requirement, will be invited for interview.

The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)

The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) has been developed as a selection instrument by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) in collaboration with the graduate-entry medical schools. For more information please contact the Graduate Medical Admissions Centre at ACER:
Graduate Medical Admissions Centre
Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER)
19 Prospect Hill Road
Camberwell VIC 3124
Australia

Phone: 03 9277 5710
International:+61 3 9277 5710
Email:
Website: www.acer.edu.au/tests/university/gamsat/intro.htmlGAMSAT is designed to serve five major purposes:

• to ensure that all commencing students have analytical and problem-solving skills and basic competence in the biological and physical sciences
• to recognise those applicants who have a broad understanding of those basic concepts in the social sciences and humanities which are considered advantageous to the study and practice of medicine
• to ensure that applicants have an acceptable standard in written communication in English
• to provide valid and reliable information that will allow ranking of applicants
• to indicate to potential applicants the background knowledge necessary to commence the course and the standards required (how an applicant gains this knowledge is an individual choice).

The test consists of three sections designed to assess each applicant's performance in the areas of:

1. reasoning in humanities and social sciences
2. written communication in English
3. reasoning in biological and physical sciences (Chemistry 40%, Biology 40%, Physics 20%).

The assumed level of knowledge for the section on reasoning in the biological and physical sciences corresponds to the first year of university studies in biology and chemistry, and Year 12 in physics.

Applicants must achieve a minimum level in all three sections of GAMSAT and will be ranked according to their overall performance.

Applicants must register with ACER to sit GAMSAT by the published deadline date in January. The test takes place once a year only, in March, and can be taken one or two years before the year in which an applicant seeks to begin the University of Sydney Medical Program.

ACER produces materials to assist candidates in their preparation for GAMSAT.

Please note GAMSAT results are valid for two years (i.e. results from GAMSAT 2008 will be valid for application to the 2009 and/or 2010 entry). The applicant nominates which year's results are to be considered if more than one set of test results are valid. Individual section scores from tests in different years cannot be mixed.

Registration for GAMSAT and application for admission to the University of Sydney Medical Program are separate processes.

Application forms, information and sample questions for GAMSAT are available from the Graduate Medical Admissions Centre at ACER. Information and application forms for admission to the University of Sydney Medical Program may also be obtained from the Graduate Medical Admissions Centre, and applications for admission must be submitted to ACER in June in the year prior to the year in which the applicant wishes to commence study. (Please contact ACER - - for more information.)

The North American Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT)

Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT) is held in a number of international locations. MCAT results are valid for 2 years.

All MCAT results must be forwarded to ACER via the ThX system by the closing date for applications. For entry into 2009 international applicants must have taken MCAT in August 2006 at the earliest and on 31 May 2008 at the latest.

Details about MCAT, including registration dates, location and dates of tests and preparation guidelines are available from the MCAT Program Office:The MCAT Care Team
Association of American Medical Colleges
Section for Applicant Assessment Services
2450 N St., NW
Washington, DC 20037

Phone: +1 202-828-0690

Web: Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
Email:

Application

All applications for the Medical Program are also handled by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). All applicants must complete an application form and fee to ACER via the Graduate Medical Admissions Centre website in June in the year prior to the year in which the applicant wishes to commence study. Late applications are not accepted. (NOTE: Registration for GAMSAT and application for admission to the University of Sydney Medical Program are separate processes.)

After completing the online form and payment, applicants must submit the original transcripts, and other required documents, and a printout of the online application form to the Graduate Medical Admissions Centre at ACER by post.

For details, please visit the ACER's website. The updated 2009 GMAC Admission Guide will guide you through key topics and step-by-step instructions on submitting your application. Detailed FAQs address a wide range of common questions. Please read the Admissions Guide carefully before submitting your application.

The online application system and the GPA calculator for USydMP are now closed for 2009 entry.

Applicants should be aware that the presentation of forged documents in connection with admission to the University of Sydney Medical Program is a criminal offence and the University may take appropriate action against such cases, or other admissions irregularities, including the withholding of relevant information. Action may include cancellation of an application for admission, an offer of admission, or enrolment.