Course overview
- Description
This is a four-year program for entry to professional practice as a medical doctor. The overall aim of the course is to produce graduates committed to the well-being of the patient, community and society as accountable, responsible, scholarly, capable and caring doctors. The outcomes, content and teaching are based on the six PLACES themes of the program which reflect the roles of a doctor: professional, leader, advocate, clinician, educator and scholar.
The teaching consists of approximately 40 weeks of contact time each year. The first year of the program commences with an introduction to the educational aspects of the course, the formation of professional identity, and team and societal aspects of medicine. The preparatory science teaching that follows includes the disciplines of anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, immunology, genetics, anatomical pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and population health sciences. This learning is integrated with clinical skills and other professional aspects of medical practice. Early clinical experiences, small group learning tutorials and skills workshops are included in the teaching methods together with lectures, laboratories and seminars.
In Year 2, students undertake clinical preparation block to assist with their transition to the clinical learning environment, followed by clinical attachments in the WA health system with rotations in the major hospital specialties of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics/Rheumatology, Psychiatry and Surgery as well as a longitudinal attachment in general practice and a centralised teaching stream in advanced clinical skills and clinical reasoning.
In Year 3, students will experience clinical attachments in disciplines of Obstetric and Gynecology, Paediatrics, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Gener Practice/Ophthalmology. Twenty five per cent of the student cohort are allocated to the Rural Clinical School and spend their year in a rural site.
The 4th year of the program has further clinical attachments in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Rural General Practice, and Anaesthesia/Pain Medicine/Palliative Care/Cancer as well as elective and student selective terms where students have choice for overseas study and more in-depth study in areas of interest. The year concludes with a Preparation for Internship unit aimed at managing the transition to the clinical environment in the role of an intern. .
Each student also chooses a scholarly activity in three streams of research, coursework or service learning that is done simultaneously with the core medical rotations in Years 3 and 4. Through selection of specially designed scholarly activity units, students may also choose to specialise in rural or Aboriginal health. Following successful completion of the course, students are eligible to apply for internship as a pre-registration medical practitioner.
- Course title
- Doctor of Medicine
- Award abbreviation
- MD
- Course code
- 91850
- Course type
- Professional practice master's degree
- Status
- Current / 2025
- Administered by
- Medical School
- CRICOS code
- 089788A
Course details
- Intake periods
- Beginning of year only
- Attendance type
- Full-time only
- Credit points required
- 192
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester. - Standard course duration
- 4 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 144 points of taught units and 48 points of admission credit, as recognised and granted by the School
- Maximum course duration
- 4 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising up to 192 points of taught study (see Rule 5 for further information)
- Professional accreditation
- Doctor of Medicine is accredited by: Australian Medical Council.
- Time limit
- 10 years
- Delivery mode
- Internal
- Locations offered
- UWA (Perth)
- Domestic fee type
- Commonwealth supported and/or HECS-HELP
- Available to international students
- Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
- Course Coordinator(s)
- Dr Helen Wilcox
- Fees
- Visit the fees calculator.
Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.
No study plans found for this course. See study plans for more information.
Additional information
Specialisations
Course structure
Key to availability of units:
- S1
- Semester 1
- S2
- Semester 2
- NS
- non-standard teaching period
All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.
Year 1
Students who have not completed the Integrated Medical Sciences and Clinical Placement Major MJD-IMSCP must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 48 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | IMED3111 | Integrated Medical Systems 1 (24 points) |
| Approximately 24 hours per week, including, lectures 6-8 hrs, seminars 4 hrs, clinical skills workshops 2 hrs, Team Based Learning workshops 2 hrs, Pathology elearning and bottles tutorials 2 hrs, labs 2 hrs, online learning 4 hrs. |
| NS | IMED3112 | Integrated Medical Systems 2 (24 points) |
| Approximately 24 hours per week, including, lectures 6-8 hrs, seminars 4 hrs, clinical skills workshops 2 hrs, Team Based Learning workshops 2 hrs, Pathology elearning and bottles tutorials 2 hrs, labs 2 hrs, online learning 4 hrs. |
Year 2
Take all units (48 points):
1A
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | IMED4113 | Integrated Medical Systems 3 (24 points) |
| Approximately 25 contact hours per week |
| NS | IMED4222 | Integrated Medical Practice 1 (24 points) | There will be four, 6-week clinical rotations in IMED4222. Approx contact hours of 30-40 hours per week. |
Year 3
Note: Integrated Medical Practice Units. Students take Group 3A except for students electing: (a) Aboriginal Health specialisation or Rural Clinical School - take Group 3B (b) electing Rural Health specialisation - take either Group 3A or 3B. Scholarly activity units: Students: (a) electing Aboriginal Health specialisation - take Group 3C (b) electing Rural Health specialisation - take either Group 3D or 3E (c) electing Rural Clinical School - take Group 3F, 3G, 3H, 3I or 3J (d)not electing (a), (b), or (c) - take Group 3F, 3G, 3H, 3I or 3J.
Take Integrated Medical Practice units according to the year 3 rule:
3A Integrated Medical Practice - Crawley
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | IMED5311 | Integrated Medical Practice 2 Part A (18 points) |
| 30 to 40 hours a week |
| NS | IMED5312 | Integrated Medical Practice 2 Part B (18 points) |
| 30-40 hours per week |
Take Integrated Medical Practice units according to the Year 3 rule:
3B Integrated Medical Practice - rural
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | RMED5311 | Integrated Rural Medical Practice 1 (18 points) |
| clinical sessions: 7; tutorial sessions: 2; personal study session per week: 1 |
| NS | RMED5321 | Integrated Rural Medical Practice 2 (18 points) |
| clinical sessions: 7; tutorial sessions: 2; personal study session per week: 1 |
Take units according to the Year 3 Scholarly Activity unit rule:
3C Aboriginal Health
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | AHEA5801 | Aboriginal Health Research and Ethics | None | lectures/seminars: 3 hours per week |
| S1, S2 | PUBH4403 | Epidemiology I | None | lectures: 60-70 minutes recorded lectures per week; online tutorial worksheets: ~ 2-3 hours per week |
Take units according to the Year 3 Scholarly Activity unit rule:
3D Rural
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | SRUR5331 | Rural Specialisation—Research Unit 1 |
| variable but there is regular contact with project supervisor |
| NS | SRUR5341 | Rural Specialisation—Research Unit 2 |
| variable but there is regular contact with project supervisor |
Take units according to the Year 3 Scholarly Activity unit rule:
3E Rural
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | SRUR5332 | Rural Specialisation—Service Learning Unit 1 |
| 4 hours per week |
| NS | SRUR5342 | Rural Specialisation—Service Learning Unit 2 |
| 4 hours per week |
Take units according to the Year 3 Scholarly Activity unit rule:
3F - Research
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | SMED5331 | Research Unit 1 |
| variable but there is regular contact with project supervisor |
| NS | SMED5341 | Research Unit 2 |
| variable but students have regular contact with project supervisors |
Take units according to the Year 3 Scholarly Activity unit rule:
3G - Service Learning
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | SMED5332 | Service Learning Unit 1 |
| 4 hours per week |
| NS | SMED5342 | Service Learning Unit 2 |
| 4 hours per week |
Take units according to the Year 3 Scholarly Activity unit rule:
3H - Health Professions Education
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | IMED5801 | Principles of Teaching and Learning | None | Unit is available for online students using asynchronous learning. Students enrolled face to face attend 6 x seminars for two hours and complete the online activities |
| S1, S2 | IMED5803 | Introduction to Research in Health Professions Education |
| Semester 1 - Unit is available face to face or online flexible. Semester 2 - Unit is online flexible |
Take units according to the Year 3 Scholarly Activity unit rule:
3I- Public Health
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | PUBH4403 | Epidemiology I | None | lectures: 60-70 minutes recorded lectures per week; online tutorial worksheets: ~ 2-3 hours per week |
| S1 | PUBH5749 | Foundations of Public Health | None | lectures/tutorials: 3 hours per week |
Take Units according to the Year 3 Scholarly Activity unit rule:
3J - Research Foundations
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | EMED5502 | Evidence-Based Emergency Medicine | None | |
| S1, S2 | MEDC5805 | Principles of Research Methods in Medicine | None | Predominantly online course, approximately 8 hours per week |
Year 4
Note: Scholarly Activity Units. Take 6 points from Group 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F or 4G in the same option stream as units taken in year 3.
Take all units (42 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | IMED5411 | Integrated Medical Practice 3 Part 1 (18 points) | up to 40 hours/week | |
| NS | IMED5412 | Integrated Medical Practice 3 Part 2 (12 points) | Up to 40 hours/week | |
| NS | IMED5421 | Preparation for Internship (12 points) | up to 40 hours/week |
Take all units (42 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | IMED5421 | Preparation for Internship (12 points) | up to 40 hours/week | |
| NS | RMED5411 | Integrated Rural Medical Practice 3, Part 1 (18 points) |
| Up to 40 hours per week |
| NS | RMED5421 | Integrated Rural Medical Practice 3, Part 2 (12 points) |
| Up to 40 hours per week |
Take unit from Group 4A:
4A Elective Placement
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | IMED5413 | Medical Elective (0 points) | Four week clinical or clinical research placement (up to 40 hours per week). |
Take units according to the Year 4 Scholarly Activity unit rule:
4B - Aboriginal Health specialisation
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | PUBH4401 | Biostatistics I |
| lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials: 1.5 hours per week |
Take units according to the Year 4 Scholarly Activity unit rule:
4C Rural Specialisation
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | SRUR5411 | Rural Specialisation—Research Unit 3 | Regular contact with research supervisor | |
| NS | SRUR5412 | Rural Specialisation—Service Learning Unit 3 | 150 |
Take units according to the Year 4 Scholarly Activity unit rule:
4D Research and Service Learning
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | SMED5411 | Research Unit 3 | variable but students have regular contact with project supervisors | |
| NS | SMED5412 | Service Learning Unit 3 |
|
Take units according to the Year 4 Scholarly Activity unit rule:
4E Health Professions Education
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | IMED5804 | Clinical Teaching and Supervision | None | This unit is available online in asynchronous format of learning. The unit is also offered face to face through three x 8 hour workshops. |
| S1 | IMED5806 | Simulation and Interprofessional Learning in Health Professions Education |
| Face to face involves a compulsory two day face to face workshop, with the remaining content delivered online using asynchronous learning methods. Online flexible is delivered online using asynchronous learning methods |
Take units according to the Year 4 Scholarly Activity unit rule:
4F - Public Health
See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.
Rules
Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures
1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.
(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules
2.(1) A student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).
(2) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.
English Language competency requirements
3.(1) To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
(2) Applicants presenting with the IELTS Academic require an overall score of at least 7.0 and no band less than 7.0.
Admission requirements
4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a health and medical sciences grade point average (GPA) of at least 5.5;
and
(c) (i) a Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) overall score of at least 55; or
(ii) a Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score of at least 123/123/123/123 after April 2015 for international applicants;
OR
(d) a place in a Direct Pathway into this course;
OR
(e) entry via an Indigenous pathway
OR
(f) entry via Oral and Maxillofacial entry pathway for graduates with a BDS, DMD or equivalent, as recognised by UWA.
Admission ranking and selection
5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on—
(a) a structured interview in which eligible applicants will be assessed based on the personal qualities considered desirable in medical practitioners, with invitation to attend the interview based on equal weightings under Rule 4(2) and 4(3), in alignment with the interview quota for the year;
and
(b) the intake quota for that year;
and
(c) a selection score determined by the GAMSAT/MCAT, GPA and interview for non-rural applicants, or the GAMSAT, GPA, interview and rurality ranking for rural applicants
OR
(d) for candidates via the Oral Maxillofacial entry pathway:
(i) a personal statement addressing motivation and relevant clinical experience and training;
(ii) a structured interview;
(iii) two referee reports;
(iv) the intake quota for that year.
Articulations and exit awards
6. This course does not form part of an articulated sequence.
Course structure
7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 192 points (maximum value) which include conversion units to a value of 48 points.
(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.
(3) Students who have completed the Integrated Medical Sciences and Clinical Placement Major MJD-IMSCP are granted credit for conversion units up to a value of 48 points.
Satisfactory progress
8. Supplementary of the Doctor of Medicine course rules is this document governing what constitutes satisfactory progress in the course and what rules are applied in cases of unsatisfactory progress.
[Approved exceptions to University Policy]
9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.
Progress status
10.(1) The School, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, may assign a progress status of 'On Probation' or 'Excluded' to a student who does not make satisfactory progress under the progression rules.
(2) Unless it determines otherwise in light of exceptional circumstances, and except as set out in (3), the School, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, will assign a progress status of 'On Probation' to a student who is repeating a year and fails to make satisfactory progress under the progression rules.
(3) Unless it determines otherwise in light of exceptional circumstances, the School, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, will assign a progress status of 'Excluded' to a student who fails to make satisfactory progress under the progression rules in a year in which they have a progress status of 'On Probation'.
(4) Unless it determines otherwise in light of exceptional circumstances, the School, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, will assign a progress status of 'Excluded' to a student who—
(a) fails to make satisfactory progress under the progression rules and has previously repeated two years of the course; or
(b) fails to make satisfactory progress under the progression rules in the same year of the course for a second time.
(5) A student who is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded' under (4) (a) or (b) will not be permitted to re-enrol in the course.
[(5) is an exception to University Policy]
11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.
Award with distinction
12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—
(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;
(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;
and
(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.
Deferrals
13. Applicants are not permitted to defer admission to this course and are expected to commence their course in the offered intake only. Approved leave is not available during the first academic year of this course. Applicants seeking admission to an alternative intake must submit a new application for that intake.
Additional rules
Supplementary assessment
14.(1) Subject to (2), a student who fails a barrier component of a unit may be granted a supplementary assessment in that component.
(2) The Board of Examiners will not provide an opportunity for supplementary assessment to a student who—
(a) fails two or more units in any calendar year;
or
(b) fails a deferred or supplementary assessment;
or
(c) has a progress status of 'On Probation'
Prerequisites
15. Unless the School permits otherwise, students are not permitted to proceed to units of a higher level until they have completed all units of the previous level.
Requirements of students on probation
16.(1) Subject to (2), students who have been assigned a progress status of 'On Probation' must repeat all units that they have previously attempted in that year of the course
(2) Students are exempt from the requirement to complete one or more of the following units if they have a mark of at least 70 per cent in the unit(s) concerned: any coursework, research or service learning units undertaken as part of Scholarly Activities.
Approved leave and retention of credit
17.(1) Students may apply for a period of approved leave in accordance with the University Policy on Enrolment
2) Following a period of approved leave of less than two years, students retain credit for all units previously passed.
(3) Following a period of approved leave of two years or more, full credit is unable to be granted and students must repeat the units comprising the most recently completed year of the course.
Mode of study
18.(1) Students must enrol on a full-time basis unless the School permits otherwise in exceptional circumstances.
(2) Students who have been permitted to enrol on a part-time basis in units of one level will not be permitted to enrol on a part-time basis in units of the next level.
Requirement to attend and complete prescribed work?
19.(1)Students must attend compulsory teaching and other sessions and do clinical and practical work as required at the University and at teaching hospitals and other institutions approved by the School, as set out in the School's Guidelines on Workplace-based placements.
(2) Students must abide by the Professional Behaviour Procedure set in out in the Workplace-based placements.
Infection Control Requirements
20. Upon entry and during their enrolment students must comply with the Medical School's Infection Control Requirements as appended to the UWA Policies on Admission and Student Enrolment
Apply First Aid Requirements
21. At the time of enrolment students must show first aid competence equivalent to assesment requirements for HLTAID003, valid for no more than three years
Short leave
22.(1) Students can apply for short leave in accordance with the program guidebook. Such leave can include compassionate leave, medical leave, personal/other leave.
(2) Providing approval is granted, a student is permitted to take a maximum of 10 University days annually as short leave.
Advanced Standing
23.(1) The School may grant advanced standing for previously completed Medicine units if they were completed as part of a postgraduate medical course recognised by the School as equivalent to the Doctor of Medicine course of this University.
(2) The School may grant advanced standing of up to 48 points for the successful completion of the Integrated Medical Sciences and Clinical Placement major IMSCP from UWA,
National Police Clearance
24. At admission and intermittently during enrolment, students must provide a clear current Australian National Police Clearance or equivalent certification, and comply with other mandatory checks and certifications.
Unsatisfactory progress in Elective Placement
25. Students who do not successfully complete their elective placement must enrol in IMED5417 Elective Remediation Unit, in years where the elective placement is offered.