University of Wollongong in focus

University Name: University of Wollongong Australia (UOW)

Location: Wollongong & Shoalhaven Campuses, NSW

Founded: Graduate School of Medicine established in 2007

Degree: MBBS

Entry Pathway: GAMSAT® Exam

Enrollment Size: 84 places (72 domestic students & 12 International)

Website: http://www.uow.edu.au/index.html

 

The UOW Graduate School of Medicine is one of the youngest medical schools in Australia. Despite the University becoming independent in 1975, the MBBS program was not implemented for another 32 years with its first cohort ever beginning in 2007. It is a 4-year degree with an optional year for honours at its conclusion.

The course is divided into 4 phases that incorporate clinical skills, basic science, professional development and research skills into its curriculum. Each of these skills revolve around different clinical cases which help to guide the learning. They incorporate Case-Based Learning (CBL) activities early on in the degree to assist the students learning and later these are supplemented with related learning activities and modules in a student’s allocated hospital. Students are allocated approximately 25 hours a week in contact hours and an additional 20-30 hours in self-directed learning and teaching experiences. As the degree progresses, the face-to-face time begins to resemble the timetable of a full-time clinician in order to prepare students for internship.

To apply for UOW, you must have completed or be in your final year of a recognized bachelor degree and maintained an average on or above 5.0. Additionally you have to have completed GAMSAT® Exam and successfully achieved over 50 in each section and an overall raw score above 50 also. Unlike other postgraduate medicine degrees, you will also be required to complete a portfolio of your experiences and achievements. This gives you a chance to highlight your successes and commitment to serving those in rural and remote communities. When completing this, be sure to include everything you can think of that shows a time you have displayed qualities important for a doctor to have (even if you are unsure, include it anyway as an assessor may think it is important). Using a combination of the above criteria, those who have successfully met all 3 will be invited for an interview composed of 10 stations designed to assess personal qualities that would make you a desirable medical student. 

 

Final Points to consider:

• One of the cornerstones of UOW’s medicine program is integrating clinical practice and rural medicine. As you progress through the course, you will have opportunities to undertake rural placement at one of 9 rural campuses including Bowral, Nowra, Mudgee, Milton-Ulladulla, Ballina, Murwillumbah, Broken Hill and Griffith and Grafton

• The cohort will be divided amongst 2 campuses for the first 18 months; 56 at Wollongong and 28 at Shoalhaven. You will have the opportunity to put in your preferences for campus allocation however this does not guarantee your place at that campus.

• At least 3 places each year are reserved for Indigenous applicants who must prove their Indigenous or Torres Strait Islander Background
  
  Learn more about other medical schools and their admission requirements by reading our guide on Australian Graduate Medical Schools - Admission Requirements.