James Cook University Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery Overview

The medical program at James Cook University is highly regarded, producing skilled, work-ready graduates with a strong foundation of scientific and medical knowledge. JCU Medical School values social justice, innovation and excellence. The School is a leader in our focus areas of rural and remote health, tropical medicine and the health of Indigenous Australians and it is committed to developing understandings of and workforce appropriate for under-served populations.

James Cook University Medical School graduates can work as interns anywhere in Australia or New Zealand and pursue further training in any medical discipline. The course is particularly suited to those with an interest in health care for underserved populations and in an adventurous medical career that makes a difference.

The six-year, full-time Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree is a comprehensive program with integrated instruction in biomedical sciences, professional practice and clinical medicine. Students attend the Townsville campus for the first half of the course with clinical experience from year one. The James Cook University medical precinct is opposite The Townsville Hospital, the largest teaching hospital in regional or tropical Australia. In later years, students have a base at one of the James Cook University clinical schools that include Townsville, Cairns, Mackay or Darwin.

Students undertake rural and remote clinical attachments throughout the course and have opportunities to pursue international interests, in places as diverse as Norway, North Dakota, Papua New Guinea, South America and many others.

Course Structure

JCU medical course has a unique place among Australian medical schools. The medical program is undertaken entirely in northern Australia and has an emphasis on tropical medicine, the health of rural and remote communities, and of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. The JCU medical program is informed by a concern for social justice, innovation and excellence in medical education, research and service.

Medical students at JCU gain early experience in the tropical health care context and benefit from extensive clinical experience and a full course of medical education and training. The program attracts students, staff and clinicians with an ambition to make a difference, whatever their background, specialty or career direction.

The JCU program aspires to what is described by the World Health Organization as socially accountable medical education – a medical school accepting its obligation to direct education, research and service to priority health concerns of communities that it has a mandate to serve.

At JCU, students will benefit from small group teaching, modern facilities, extensive clinical training and a superior learning location.

James Cook University’s Townsville campus medical precinct is situated opposite the Townsville Hospital, the largest teaching hospital in regional Australia. Other clinical campuses include the Cairns and Mackay Base Hospitals, the Mater hospitals in Townsville and Mackay, the Northern Territory Clinical School in Darwin and numerous smaller teaching centres in rural and remote communities. Students undertake clinical placement in each year of the course and spend at least 20 weeks on placement in small rural and remote communities.

Entry requirements

Applications for 2024 intake are open.  Please contact KOM to apply to JCU Medicine

2024 entry requirements 

Completed High School Diploma with minimum gpa 86%:

• Ontario – top 6 Year 12 including prerequisite subjects
• High School pre -reqs required: English (Year 12), Chemistry (Year 12) Maths B (Year 12 – covering algebra, statistics, vectors, geometry, trigonometry, calculus (calculus should include differentiation and/or integration)

University study (partial or completed) carrying a competitive GPA of 82% minimum (to be considered)

Supplementary application (similar to personal statement) required, this will outline desire for studying medicine, volunteering and/or work experience

Rolling interviews in country or by video conference.  Early offers may be issued to high achieving students prior to application deadline.

Entry into James Cook University’s Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery course is highly sought after, attracting a wide range of excellent applications. A balance between school scores, application form and interview will make you a competitive candidate for this course.

Professional Recognition in Canada

JCU Medical School graduates are highly regarded as work-ready with a strong foundation of knowledge in biomedical and social sciences knowledge and extensive clinical experience. The JCU Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery degree has full Australian Medical Council accreditation, so you graduate with qualifications recognized anywhere in Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

In Canada, provincial and territorial medical regulatory authorities have the responsibility to confer licences to physicians. The Medical Council of Canada plays an important role in the assessment of potential physicians in Canada. This assessment includes national qualifying examinations and satisfactory completion of acceptable postgraduate training. It is the responsibility of the medical school graduate to contact the provincial body for regulations and requirements.

KOM Consultants understands the process and requirements needed to enter the medical profession in Canada. Contact KOM Consultants for more information.

All students applying directly through KOM Consultants will be supported with the latest information on the accreditation process.