General Information
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A Brief History of the Australia by The World Factbook
Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the 1990s, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s. Long-term concerns include climate-change issues such as the depletion of the ozone layer and more frequent droughts, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. Read More.
A New Global Medical Education Program
The University of Queensland School of Medicine is partnering with Ochsner Health System in its graduate entry Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program.
Students complete their first two years studying the basic medical sciences at The University of Queensland's School of Medicine, which is ranked number 32 in the world in the Times of London's rankings of international medical schools, is a member of the Go8, and which is located in Brisbane, Australia.
Welcome from Professor David Wilkinson
Dear Medical Student,
The University of Queensland Medical School's partnership with the Ochsner Health System in New Orleans is a new model for preparing doctors to work anywhere in the world. UQ has been training doctors since 1936, and it is now the largest medical school in Australia. With a global reputation for excellence and quality in medical research and education, it is recognized as one of only four world class medical schools in Australia. We are proud to work with a visionary partner like the Ochsner Health System to achieve our shared goal of producing top quality doctors.
You will join over 400 first year medical students, including approximately 130 international students from around the world. You and the rest of your class will be at the forefront of medicine in the future. We look forward to welcoming you to UQ as you embark upon this lifelong journey of discovery and learning.
* Professor David Wilkinson, Head of the School of Medicine at the University of Queensland.
Welcome from Dr. William Pinsky
This program offers an opportunity to be part of a unique educational experience that truly provides a world view of all that a career in medicine can provide. By combining the resources of the world class academic environment of the University of Queensland and a world class healthcare organization, the Ochsner Health System, this program ensures that students will receive the best preparation for their future roles in the rapidly expanding field of medicine.
Just as the founders of the Ochsner Clinic had a vision for the future of healthcare, leaders at Ochsner and The University of Queensland now have a vision of a global healthcare experience that affords tremendous opportunity not only for the students who participate, but also the communities that we serve.
We look forward to your participation in this program and sharing this exciting opportunity with you.
* Dr. William Pinsky, Executive VP for System Medical Affairs, and Chief Academic Officer
About The Program and The Degree
The United States faces a serious shortage of physicians. In response to that need, two world class academic medical institutions, The School of Medicine of The University of Queensland, Australia, and Ochsner Health System in New Orleans, Louisiana, have joined to create a unique program for outstanding students leading to the practice of medicine in the U.S.
Study Two Years in Australia and Two Years in the U.S.
Admitted U.S. students will study two years of Basic Sciences at The University of Queensland School of Medicine. Australia is widely considered one of the most academically outstanding and desirable locations for U.S. students studying abroad. They will then spend two years in New Orleans and/or Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Ochsner Health System, completing their core and elective clinical rotations. Upon satisfactory completion of the four years, students will be eligible for ECFMG certification, to take the USMLEs, for the NRMP match, and to practice medicine in the U.S.
The MBBS Degree
UQ grants the MBBS degree, which is widely recognized in the U.S. as equivalent to the U.S. MD degree. However students are advised to check their particular state requirements as each state is different and changes occur frequently.
An Ongoing Demand for Quality Physicians
In the U.S. as the population grows and ages, the need for physicians is increasing dramatically and is expected to continue increasing through the next decade. U.S. medical school capacities (even with some current expansions) do not come close to addressing the size of the need. For the many qualified U.S. students who do not gain admittance to a U.S. medical school or for those who prefer a more international experience, the Queensland-Ochsner program is distinctive in being comparable to the highest quality U.S. medical education.
World Class Academic Institutions
The University of Queensland is one of Australia's finest medical schools. Founded in 1936, it is renowned globally as an award-winning research institution of excellence and rigor. Accreditations for Australian medical schools are recognized by the U.S. government and Department of Education as exacting as those of the US accrediting bodies.
The Ochsner Health System, established in 1942, has a nationally recognized forward-looking clinical delivery system, anticipating the medical needs of the future. Ochsner is highly regarded for the quality of its patient care and clinical services. Students will have the benefit of a well supervised and cohesive clinical experience.
2 Years Preclinicals in Brisbane
At UQ we offer a medical program with a structure that will be familiar to US students. The program is 4 year, graduate entry, with the first 2 years largely 'pre-clinical' and the last 2 years, clinical training.
We used a 'blended learning' approach. By this we mean a mixture of large group teaching (lectures) and small group learning (tutorials and self-directed learning). Also, a mix of face to face teaching, and online support.
In Years 1 and 2, students study body systems, once each year. So, for example, the cardiovascular system is studied in both years, covering different diseases each time, but also reinforcing key principles each time. Approximately 10 systems are studied for about 4 weeks each.
Each week during the first 2 years has a typical structure. There is a mix of lectures, Problem Based Learning tutorials, Clinical Skills Sessions, and tutorials (for example pathology) and laboratory sessions (anatomy and physiology and so on).
Year 1 has more of a focus on the basic biomedical sciences, with Year 2 having more of a clinical focus.
Then, in Years 3 and 4, students rotate through a series of Core Clinical Rotations. There are 10 of these, including an elective, and each is 8 weeks long (5 Rotations in each year).
In Year 3 we do medicine, surgery, general practice/family medicine, rural/community medicine, mental health. In Year 4 we do obstetrics, paediatrics, medical speciality, surgical speciality (including acute care), and the elective.
The philosophy we follow in terms of teaching is: provide clear direction in terms of the curriculum and expectations; work hard as an individual and work well within your study group; provide a mix of learning opportunities; provide sufficient time for your own study.
2 Years Clinicals in New Orleans
The 3rd and 4th years of the MBBS program at Ochsner will build on the foundations provided in years 1 and 2 in Brisbane.
Through core clinical rotation at Ochsner, students rotate through clinical services with a diverse patient base and exposure to medical practice in an integrated health care delivery system. Core Clinical rotations include medicine, surgery, general practice / family medicine, mental health and rural / community based practice, obstetrics, pediatrics, and medical and surgical specialties.
Students will be provided a mix of learning opportunities working with the physician faculty at Ochsner as well as experience team based learning with other healthcare professionals. Rotations will cover formal teaching, problem based learning sessions, facilitated clinical teaching, and clinical work.
General Practice and community rotations will focus on exploring the community context of health and illness and everyday management of health and health problems.
Electives made available for 4th year students will provide opportunity for further exploration of areas of specific clinical interest. Electives currently offered include, but are not limited to; addiction psychiatry, anesthesiology, diagnostic radiology, emergency medicine, ophthalmology, general pediatrics and pediatric critical care, and physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Curriculum and student assessment at Ochsner will meet the objectives established by The University of Queensland.
Leveraging the unique strengths of both Ochsner and The University of Queensland, students will have an experience unlike any other available.clinicals in New Orleans
How to Apply and Application Form
Students Note: The Application for the Medical School Program is titled Undergraduate Studies.
Please contact us for instructions and application form.
Tuition and Program Fees
2012 Entering Class
| Tuition | |
| Year One | $52,000 US |
| Year Two | TBD |
| Year Three | TBD |
| Year Four | TBD |
Click here for the Tuition Refund Policy.
Living costs
Brisbane rates well on cost of living indexes for Australian cities
The cost of living will vary according to an individual student’s lifestyle and requirements.
As a guide, a student living in shared accommodation off-campus would pay approximately:
- AUD$12,400 a year for rent, food, and utilities, and
- approximately AUD$3725 for establishment costs when setting up their accommodation, and
- additional living expenses such as public transport, entertainment, telephone costs, textbooks, photocopying and clothing.
Students should refer to the Expenses guide to determine which costs they should consider.
Personal access to a computer and the Internet is recommended for all students and, in most programs, is required. While computers are available on campus, students are advised to bring a computer with them or to purchase or hire a computer in Australia. For students who wish to purchase a car, costs can vary from AUD$5000 to AUD$25,000 or more and running costs after purchase price are about AUD$90 per week. It is strongly recommended that students use public transport.
Allowances should also be made for recreation, for emergencies and for health expenses not covered by OSHC. Exchange rate variations may also affect budgeting.
International students may also need to consider the payment of
- school fees and
- associated costs for any dependent children.
International financial aid
The University of Queensland participates in, and assists students to apply for student loan programs offered by their home countries to cover study and other related expenses while enrolled as a full-time student in our programs.
At present this session is under development. If you have any questions in relation to these loans please contact the Financial Aid Officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
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