Thread: Austrailian Undergraduate Medical Schools

What are some Austrailian Undergrad schools that don't require a college degree? How hard are they to get into from the U.S.? What is the tuition? How long do they last? Can clinicals be done in the U.S?

thanks,

-Matt

Originally Posted by m4ttjabz

What are some Austrailian Undergrad schools that don't require a college degree? How hard are they to get into from the U.S.? What is the tuition? How long do they last? Can clinicals be done in the U.S?

thanks,

-Matt

James Cook
University of Tasmania
University of Melbourne
Monash
University of Western Australia
University of Adelaide

Tuition varies...some will be switching to the 5 year program in 2005. Programs vary from 5-6 years. Clinicals (other than electives) must be done within Australia.

redshifteffectz, can I ask you if enrolling in a five year program will be better for someone intrested in staying in Australia after graduation?

Originally Posted by GeorgeMD2B

redshifteffectz, can I ask you if enrolling in a five year program will be better for someone intrested in staying in Australia after graduation?

George,

From my personal experience (and the research i've done) u will end up either in Tasmania or Western Australia...as that's where the spots are. The registrars in those states are all mainly from undergrad programs...and thus they hold them in more "prestige" than the other ones. If the 5 year program is an undergraduate one...then i can say yes ur chances of getting a residency in those states will definitely be increased.

I can give u an example. Until recently most post grad students were required to sign contracts that they would not attempt to stay in Australia after graduation. This has NEVER been teh case for undergrad students...and they have been happily getting internships/residencies (after their PR) even when post grad students were not allowed too stay.

But pick ur school wisely...as some of the undergraduate schools have their own problems..ie they are in big cities....so it becomes difficult to get an RMO position in those places. Either way if you want to stay..u will have to plan wisely.

I already posess an undergraduate Bachelor's Degree, is it still possible for me to apply to the undergraduate Medical programs at University of Western Australia and University of Tasmania?

Originally Posted by GeorgeMD2B

I already posess an undergraduate Bachelor's Degree, is it still possible for me to apply to the undergraduate Medical programs at University of Western Australia and University of Tasmania?

can't tell u about western australia..b/c i never applied there myself...but at tas it may even give u an advantage over the non bachelors degree students...so yes u can apply there.

redshifteffectz, can I ask, did you apply to the 6-year undergraduate or the 4-year graduate programs in Australia? If you're in the 6 year program, did you have to take the UMAT exam? Did you have a Bachelor's degree before you applied to the program? Were you also able to get sufficient financial aid? You mentioned that the best places for foreign students to obtain RMOs are in Western Australia and Tasmania and that there is a preference for 6 year graduates over 4 year ones? There is a 4 year program being started in Western Australia, if I enroll in this new four year course, will I be placed at serious disadvantage if I apply for an RMO?

Originally Posted by GeorgeMD2B

redshifteffectz, can I ask, did you apply to the 6-year undergraduate or the 4-year graduate programs in Australia? If you're in the 6 year program, did you have to take the UMAT exam? Did you have a Bachelor's degree before you applied to the program? Were you also able to get sufficient financial aid? You mentioned that the best places for foreign students to obtain RMOs are in Western Australia and Tasmania and that there is a preference for 6 year graduates over 4 year ones? There is a 4 year program being started in Western Australia, if I enroll in this new four year course, will I be placed at serious disadvantage if I apply for an RMO?

Hey George,

I only applied to the 6 year programs, because I was a highschool graduate. The ones that I applied to were Monash, Melbourne, and U Tas. Getting into all of them was not a big deal. I don't think u can apply to monash, b/c they only allow applicants that do not have a degree, that rest should be okay with a degree. UMAT is only required for some local Australians, some however like Adelaide require you to sit their own version of this called the PQA, and UWA requires the ISAT. But it's not difficult in comparison to the MCAT. Now the post grad schools require MCAT marks, whereas the undergrad schools do not. Tasmania didn't require UMAT/ISAT. Not sure about WA b/c i never applied there.

Financial aid wasn't a problem for me, I get some loans from the federal government (Canadian one). Hobart (tasmania) also probably has the cheapest cost of living of any state capital. You can get along comfortably with about $7000 AUD/year if you don't live in "college" (rez). Sydney is closer to $15000 and Melbourne probably $12000. Not sure about Adelaide or Perth.

The fee system for me was different than that for 2005 and onwards b/c i was on the 6 year program. The total cost was the same but it was less per year. I believe it will be $30 000 (AUD) / year X 5 years so about $150 000 AUD in total. Still a much cheaper deal than most carib schools. esp. with the currency conversion.

My feeling is this, if you do a 4 year course in WA itd be fairly new so they would treat it like any new carib school...BUT if that is what you decide you would have a better chance at an RMO job (b/c preference is still given to internationals from that state) than if you were to attend sydney or flinders. those would probably end up with only internships (even that if you're lucky) but NO RMO. But over other internationals first pick would go to the 6 year WA grads. NO doubt about it. (More established school + 6 year program).

What i'm trying to say is this: you have to decide whether the increased possibility of getting an RMO job is worth the 1 or 2 extra years. I can't give u a solid answer on the new WA schools b/c i don't know what will happen to the RMO positions in WA when these schools are open. Personally I'm glad i'm in Tas b/c we still the only school in town.

George,

Another thing u should keep in mind is that the class of 2005 is going to have a tougher time than us in getting an RMO position. WA has had a huge shortage of docs and thats why they are building their new schools to try and ease this shortage. Tasmania has had the same problem, and they've tried to deal with the problem by shortening the program so they get more grads.

Either way all of this is implemented in 2005...I'm not sure how this will affect WA, but from 2005 onwards there will be more competition for RMO places in general.

Best of luck.

I checked with the DIMA website and noticed Dentistry is on the skilled occupations list. Does that mean that studying Dentistry would give me a better chance at securing PR and a job? Even if I get PR am I required to leave Australia for two years and then reenter? Speaking of RMO positions in WA and Tasmania for those international students graduating this year in 2004, are they guaranteed of getting an RMO position? Are there more open spots than candidates to fill them?