Questions most frequently asked about the Sydney Medical School Combined Degree Program
Before you apply
What programs are available?
When do I have to apply?
Do I have to have a Sydney Medical School Combined Degree Program as my first preference to get an interview?
Academic requirements
What is the ATAR for the course?
How do you select students to short-list for interview?
Do I have to sit the GAMSAT or UMAT?
Interview process
When will I find out about an interview?
What day will my interview be?
Where will the interview be held?
What will I be interviewed about?
What if I cannot attend the interview on that day?
Is it possible to sit the interview via telephone or video-conference?
Who will be on the panel?
Offers, quotas, deferral & transfer
How many places are there in the program?
If I don’t get in this year, can I apply to transfer after a year of university study?
If I don’t get into the Sydney Medical School Combined Degree Program, are there options for other programs with a similar structure?
If I defer for a year, can I keep my place?
Does the Combined Degree Program accept people transferring from other University courses?
Is there a Semester 2 intake?
Scholarships
What scholarships am I eligible for?
Finding out more
How can I find out more about the Sydney Medical School Combined Degree Program?
Before you apply
Q. What programs are available?
A. - Arts Advanced Honours-Medicine
- Music-Medicine
- Science (Advanced)-Medicine or Medical Science-Medicine*
- Commerce-Medicine or Economics-Medicine
There are no prerequisite subjects; assumed knowledge may apply – please refer to the website or individual faculties for details.
*The combined Science-Medicine programs are also available to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) applicants.
Q. When do I have to apply?
A. Applicants are required to apply through the Universities Admissions Centre by 30 September 2009, a late application fee will be charged for applications submitted after this date. Applications for the Sydney Medical School Combined Degree Program can only be added to UAC preferences up until 30 November 2009 (and 30 September for Music-Medicine).
Q. Do I have to have a Sydney Medical School Combined Degree Program as my first preference to get an interview?
A. No. If your ATAR (or equivalent) is high enough you will receive an interview offer, irrespective of preference.
Academic requirements
Q. What is the ATAR for the course?
A. To be eligible for the Sydney Medical School Combined Degree Program the minimum ATAR required is likely to be 99.95 (except Music-Medicine, which is likely to be 99.5). ATSI applicants must have a minimum ATAR of 95. Entry is competitive. The actual cut-off will be determined once all applications are received.
Q. How do you select students to short-list for interview?
A. Students will be short-listed for interview based entirely on academic performance in the NSW Higher School Certificate or equivalent.
Q. Do I have to sit the GAMSAT or UMAT?
A. For the purpose of admission to the Sydney Medical School Combined Degree Program, neither GAMSAT nor UMAT results are required.
Interview process
Q. When will I find out about an interview?
A. Most students will receive a telephone call in mid December once HSC results are available for NSW. Other students will be phoned when their results become available.
Applicants selected for interview receive a letter of invitation via email, which must be presented on arrival, together with PROOF OF AUSTRALIAN RESIDENCY or AUSTRALIAN/NZ CITIZENSHIP & PHOTO ID: a valid passport OR proof of residency along with an appropriate photo- and signature-bearing identification (eg. current Australian driver's licence). Note: An Australian driver’s licence alone is insufficient.
Q. What day will my interview be?
A. Interviews may be held on 17 and 18 December for NSW and ACT applicants and January 4 and 5 for interstate applicants. IB applicants will be interviewed on 21 January. Applicants are required to travel, at their own expense, to Sydney in order to attend an interview as part of the selection process. Interviews generally run for 20-30 minutes.
Q. Where will the interview be held?
A. Edward Ford Building - A27, Map reference K16, University of Sydney, Camperdown Campus, Sydney NSW.
Q. What will I be interviewed about?
A. The interview will be about you, your goals, and your future. The interviewers will want to hear from you about your skills both academic and non-academic. Also, they will want to know the reasons why you want to enter Medicine in this way.
Q. What if I cannot attend the interview on that day?
A. Due to the strict timeline of UAC admissions and the extremely busy schedule of the Dean and senior Faculty academics on the panel, no flexible interview arrangements are possible.
Q. Is it possible to sit the interview via telephone or video-conference?
A. No.
Q. Who will be on the panel?
A. Each interview panel will consist of three members recruited from the academic and clinical academic staff of Sydney Medical School or from the academic staff of the Faculty of Science/Arts/Music/Economics and Business.
Offers, quotas, deferral & transfer
Q. How many places are there in the program?
A. Up to 30 places will be offered for the Combined Degree Program for 2010 entry. In past years around 20 of these places have been taken by students in the Science-Medicine programs.
In addition, places for up to 5 ATSI students per year will be offered for the combined Science-Medicine degree programs.
Q. If I don’t get in this year, can I apply to transfer after a year of university study?
A. No. The Sydney Medical School Combined Degree Program is available for recent school leavers only (i.e. those who do not have a tertiary record).
Q. If I don’t get into the Sydney Medical School Combined Degree Program, are there options for other programs with a similar structure?
A. You are warmly encouraged to complete a Bachelor’s degree in any area and then to apply for the graduate entry Medical Program.
Q. If I defer for a year, can I keep my place?
A. You may request a deferral; all requests will be considered on a case by case basis.
Q. Does the Combined Degree Program accept people transferring from other University courses?
A. No.
Q. Is there a Semester 2 intake?
A. No.
Scholarships
Q. What scholarships am I eligible for?
A. The University of Sydney Outstanding Achievement Scholarship is available for all students with an ATAR of 99.95. Students do not need to apply for these scholarships, but must have a preference for the University of Sydney on their UAC application.
Finding out more
Q. How can I find out more about the Sydney Medical School Combined Degree Program?
A. Browse this site or for specific questions, please contact: Admissions Office
Email:
Tel: + 61 2 9351 3132
Fax: +61 2 9351 3196
You are also welcome to sign up for e-Updates to receive information about admissions changes, information events and more.