University of Adelaide Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine Overview

University of Adelaide Bachelor of Medical Studies provides the foundation knowledge and skills needed to excel in health care. Learning in partnership with outstanding clinicians in our state-of-the-art Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences building, you will:

• work in small groups to address scenario-based problems relating to common and important individual, community, Indigenous and global health issues
• gain valuable exposure to real-world clinical practice and develop your own safe and effective clinical skills in cutting-edge simulation facilities
• investigate the social determinants of health and health behaviours
• learn to evaluate the health status of individuals and populations
• acquire a solid foundation in research skills and evidence-based care
• learn collaboratively in interprofessional teams.

You will also gain a deep understanding of how our health care system works. This includes from the ‘consumer’ perspective; how patients interact with various health services and providers.

Where could it take you?

This is the first part of our medicine program; upon completion, you’ll gain direct entry into the Doctor of Medicine.  Together, these degrees will qualify you to practice medicine anywhere in Australia and throughout most of the world.

The Medical program at the University of Adelaide has a six-year full-time duration which leads to the awards of Bachelor of Medical Studies and Doctor of Medicine.  Entry to the Doctor of Medicine is based on completion of the Bachelor of Medical Studies at the University of Adelaide.

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Medical Studies and Doctor of Medicine is an integrated program. Combined, these degrees will equip you with the knowledge, skills and attributes that will enable you to practice as a medical doctor safely and effectively. The integrated medical program is aligned with the Australian Medical Council accreditation standards including science and scholarship, clinical practice, professionalism and leadership, and health and society.

Throughout all six years, there is a strong emphasis on scenario-based learning, evidence-based decision making and professional practice. You will learn in South Australia’s premier health education precinct, the Adelaide BioMed City, situated next door to the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. You will be part of the eco-system of education, research and clinical care working together to create better health outcomes for individuals and communities.

You will practice and refine your skills in our world-leading simulation facilities, the only facilities in Australasia with accreditation by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare for excellence in learning and teaching. You will be taught by practicing clinicians who are leaders in their field and learn from the best in their fields.

The first three years of the medical program is the Bachelor of Medical Studies which provides the foundation of medical science and practice. The emphasis on these early years is on integrated learning, learning and building clinical skills and developing your understanding of the role of a doctor. A major emphasis is placed on professionalism, communication and clinical reasoning, as well as the practice of evidence-based and preventative medicine. Small-group Scenario-Based Learning (SBL) is a key part of learning the early years of the curriculum. Lectures in the medical disciplines such as pathology, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology are carefully staged throughout the clinical cases of the most commonly encountered and socially significant diseases.

In year 1, you will learn fundamental knowledge of biomedical science and how the health care system works. To build this knowledge you will begin to have patient contact by having the opportunity to experience the health care system from the ‘consumer’ perspective. The use of SBL will introduce you to underlying mechanisms and concepts from a real-world perspective.

In year 2, you will continue to learn about clinical problems through clinically based scenarios which explore the science of medicine. You will continue to develop clinical skills in diagnosis and management, and be introduced to the public health and professional aspects of becoming a medical practitioner.

In year 3, the focus is on preparing you for full-time clinical studies within the Doctor of Medicine. You will undertake your first clinical placements, and begin to learn research skills with the completion of a research proposal and critical appraisal. You will understand research methodology and have the skills required to ensure as you move into the clinical years of the program you can use research to ensure you make evidence-based decisions to ultimately guide clinical practice towards treatment modalities and therapies that improve patient outcomes. Alongside this, you will have increased clinical exposure with experiences in primary and hospital care settings. This will be supported by scenario-based learning which will focus on clinical management

Entry requirements

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

2024 entry requirements:

• Adelaide application deadline 30 June (Australia time)
• Prerequisite subjects: one of Chemistry / Mathematics / Biology – taken at year 12 level
• Ontario High School diploma with 85% / Alberta High School diploma with 90% (level 30 with exam mark) / BC Certificate of Graduation 85%
• International Baccalaureate score minimum 34
• Student with University study (partial or complete) are eligible to apply
• UCAT ANZ
• Interview by invitation (approx 160 invites available).  Invite is based on UCAT score.  Interviews held late September
• Students are ranked based on 1. interview results  2. UCAT ANZ results  3. gpa (meet minimum requirments – used to separate applicants with equal scores from interview and UCAT)
• Outcomes issued mid October up to and including February of year of intake.  Acceptance required within 1 week of receiving offer

Professional Recognition in Canada

Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine students are required to register with the Medical Board of Australia. This process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

KOM Consultants understand 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.