Other Graduate Entry Programs That Use GAMSAT

Graduate entry medicine programs are not the only degrees which use the GAMSAT Exam as part of their entry requirements. Some dentistry, optometry, and pharmacy programs also require completion of the GAMSAT® Exam for entry. This blog post will outline these programs and their entry requirements.

 

Dentistry

 

University of Melbourne – Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)

This is a 4-year program in dentistry which allows graduates to qualify as dental practitioners. The DDS entry requirements are: GPA (no minimum), GAMSAT® Exam (no minimum), and completion of prerequisite subjects (second year anatomy, physiology and biochemistry). There is no interview as part of the application. Rather, application is done via GEMSAS, just like medicine applications.

Selection for the DDS is based on the GPA and GAMSAT® scores. The GPA is a weighted GPA from the last three years of the applicant’s undergraduate degree (regardless of any subsequent graduate studies). It is important to note that the applicant’s most recent degree must have been completed within 10 years of commencing the DDS. There are 96 applicants available per year which is based on the availability of dental chairs at Melbourne hospitals.

 

University of Sydney – Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)

This is a 4-year program in dentistry which allows graduates to qualify as dental practitioners. The DMD entry requirements are: GPA (minimum 5.0) and GAMSAT® Exam (minimum 50 overall). If there is a tie, an additional selection tool such as an interview or Situational Judgement Test (SJT) may be used. You must apply directly to the University of Sydney (they do not use GEMSAS).

There are special entry schemes available for applicants of indigenous background (Indigenous Facilitated Entry Scheme and Indigenous Entry Pathway) or rural origin (Rural Origin Facilitated Entry Scheme). The minimum GPA is 4.5 if applying under one of these entry schemes.

 

University of Western Australia – Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)

This is a 4-year program in dentistry which allows graduates to qualify as dental practitioners and includes a significant research component. The DMD entry requirements include: GPA (minimum 5.5), GAMSAT® Exam (minimum of 50 in each section and 50 overall), and an interview. As part of the interview process applicants must complete manual dexterity and spatial awareness tests; these must be completed successfully but are not used to rank applicants. Successful applicants for 2022 commencement had a median GAMSAT® of 68 and median GPA of 6.80. Applications are made directly to the university (note that this is in contrast to the UWA MD, which can be applied for via GEMSAS).

There are special entry schemes available for applicants of indigenous background, rural origin, or those who completed Year 12 at a secondary school with low socioeconomic background (Broadway). There are approximately 50 places in total available each year.

 

Optometry

 

University of Melbourne – Doctor of Optometry (OD)

The Doctor of Optometry is a 4-year program which allows graduates to qualify as optometrists. The OD entry requirements are: GPA (no minimum), GAMSAT® Exam (no minimum), and completion of prerequisite subjects (three second- or third-year subjects in relevant biological science disciplines). Applications are submitted via GEMSAS.

If you already have a degree in optometry and wish to upskill, rest assured that you may be eligible for advanced standing! 100 credit points (one year) of advanced standing is usually given to applicants with an undergraduate degree in optometry or vision science. 200 credit points (two years) is usually given to applicants who are already registered as an optometrist with the Optometry Board of Australia and have at least three years of practice as an optometrist within the last ten years.

 

Pharmacy

University of Sydney – Master of Pharmacy (MPharm)

The Master of Pharmacy is a 2-year graduate-entry program which allows graduates to progress towards registration as pharmacists. The MPharm requires a minimum GPA of 5.0 or minimum GAMSAT Exam scores of 55 overall with 50 in each section. There are also prerequisite subjects (chemistry, pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry, calculus, and statistics). There is no interview as part of the application. Applications are made directly to the university.

 

Entry Requirements Summary

	GPA	GAMSAT	Interview	Rural	Indigenous	Masters/PhD
Dentistry UMelb	No min.	No min.	N	Y	Y	N
Dentistry USyd	>= 5.0	>=50 overall	N	Y	Y	N
Dentistry UWA	>= 5.5	>= 50 (overall and in each section)	Y	Y	Y	Y1
Optometry UMelb	No min.	No min.	N	Y	Y	N
Pharmacy USyd	>= 5.0	>= 55 overall and 50 in each section	N	N	N	N

1. A PhD is automatically awarded a GPA of 7. Completion of a Master’s by Research results in a bonus of 0.2 added to the GPA from an applicant’s bachelor degree.

 

As you can see above, there are many other graduate entry programs that use the GAMSAT®. If you’re unsure what your GAMSAT® score means for your medical school application, check out our Definitive Guide to GAMSAT Results. For information about the admission requirements of different graduate medical schools around Australia, visit our comprehensive guide on Australian Graduate Medical Schools - Admission Requirements.