Australia is the sixth-largest country and the smallest continent in the world. It is famous among international students and professionals looking to expand their medical careers as Australia offers world-class training and education. Located in its major cities are several medical institutions that are in the top 50 QS World University Rankings in Medicine.
The Australian Medical Council regulates medical education in Australia to ensure its best quality and widespread recognition. In this article, we will look at some of the best medical schools in Australia.
Top Medical Schools in Australia
1. University of Melbourne
Melbourne Medical School, founded in 1856, is the first school to teach medicine in Australia. In 1989, it became part of the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences. Over the past years, the institution has received numerous national funding, which has helped ensure it offers first-class education and research, making the University of Melbourne the best medical school in Australia.
The school has 12 focus areas and offers eight undergraduate programs and a four-year Doctor of Medicine Program. According to the institution, the graduate medical degree is designed for academically excellent students who have completed their undergraduate studies and are committed to professional training, passionate about health, biosciences, and caring for people.
Before admission, the candidates will have to undergo a multi-mini interview where they will be asked to choose the clinical schools where they will spend the remaining three years of their medical education. The school has many entry pathways from the standard to high-achieving to priority groups for local and international students.
2. University of Sydney
The University of Sydney‘s Faculty of Medicine and Health is the first medical school in Australia founded in 1856, but it only started operating in 1883. The University of Sydney offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Medicine. The undergraduate medical program can be taken directly after high school and is limited to 30 domestic and international slots. It takes seven years to complete and grants the students with either a Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine or Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine.
3. Monash University
Monash University is a Victorian university established in 1958. At present, this top medical school in Australia offers undergraduate and graduate entries in its medical program as well as other scholarship programs they can apply for. The degrees have specialist courses where students can choose their area of study from day one. Students will also have access to leading health facilities, including Monash Medical Centre, Alfred Health, Monash Health, Eastern Health, and Peninsula Health. Monash University offers one of the best medical programs in Melbourne and belongs in the top 1% of medical schools in the world.
4. University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales is recognized for its high-class medical education and its excellent research efforts. The university received the award as the first position in Research Impact in Australia. It is also part of the few medical schools in Australia that offer both undergraduate and graduate entry in their Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. Since its founding in 1960, the university has opened many rural campuses in Sydney and offers the best rural medical program in the area.
5. University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, founded in 1909, is home to one of the best medical schools in Australia. The university’s Faculty of Medicine includes two research-intensive schools, three clinical medical schools, and five hospital-based institutes and centers. Although they only offer a postgraduate entry in their Doctor of Medicine program, they provide undergraduate pathways to prepare for their MD program.
With its large medical faculty and one-of-a-kind medical education that offers a Rural and Remote Medicine placement, it had ranked as the top 2 medical institutions in Australia for public health.
6. Australian National University
Australian National University in Canberra started as part of the University of Sydney. It was formerly a training ground for students from the University of NSW and the University of Queensland. The University of Sydney hoped to get placed at Woden Valley Hospital. Over the years, the institution established many clinical laboratories that the Ministry of Health decided to separate from the University of Sydney, giving birth to the Australian National University (ANU) in 2002.
The medical program offered at ANU follows the University of Sydney’s curriculum. This top medical school in Australia offers Bachelor, Master P.hD., and MPhil courses. Until 2014, when the Australian Medical Council increased the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) of ANU to Level 9. The increase in AQF qualified ANU to offer a Doctor of Medicine and Surgery as well. Now, the school ranks high among the medical schools in Australia and internationally.
7. University of Adelaide
One of the first degrees the University of Adelaide offered in its foundation in 1874 was in medicine. Undergraduate and postgraduate programs are offered at this institution and students will have their hands-on training in leading hospitals in South Australia, including Adelaide Hospital, Lyell McEwin Hospital, Modbury Hospital, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and other regional facilities.
Being the largest medical school at the University of Adelaide, Adelaide Medical School offers numerous learning opportunities for translational medicine and research.
8. University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia Medical School has been developing medical students to be excellent medical providers who can provide better health outcomes in the present and future through its Doctor of Medicine program. Its medical education revolves around the key roles a physician has summarized in their 6 PLACES program, namely, an advocate, clinician, educator, leader, professional, and scholar. It offers many opportunities to pursue their areas of interest through electives, scholarly activities, and research.
9. University of Newcastle
Established in 1978, the University of Newcastle’s School of Medicine and Public Health is the first to offer problem-based learning in Australia. Aside from its undergraduate courses, the institution is a pioneer of a five-year Joint Medical Program that includes both a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Doctor of Medicine delivered in partnership with the University of New England. This makes it one of the few universities that provide undergraduate entry to a medical degree program that leads to internships.
Its students gain clinical experience from the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), which pioneered the integration of multi-campus university and hospital-based research. The school boasts a hundred percent employment for its medical graduates within four months.
10. Deakin University
With only 45 years since its inception, Deakin University made its way on this list due to its far-reaching industry links and purpose-built medical facilities. The university’s focus is on rural and regional health and partnered with the Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases and, National Centre for Farmer Health to ensure that its graduates get employed immediately in rural healthcare facilities.
Aside from its cutting-edge facilities, Deakin University is one of the best medical schools in Australia because it is also recognized by the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) for its world-class studies in medical and health sciences.
The institution offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
11. Queensland University of Technology
The Queensland University of Technology is another renowned name that offers a world-class medicine and clinical sciences program to students. Its mission is to provide innovative research facilities and faculty to address real local and global health issues.
The research programs offer solutions for students to collaborate on projects across disciplines and institutions. Furthermore, this program helps students engage in the drive to get the best out of the available facilities. The various schools and research centers help the students choose the ideal program. Some of these include the School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, School of Nursing, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Centre of Immunology and Infection Control, etc.
The partners of the Queensland University of Technology in its medicine programs include Metro North Health, Children’s Health Queensland, Metro South Health, etc. The various health clinics associated with the Queensland University of Technology help the students get reliable experience for their practice. Simulation centers, labs, and other facilities ensure that no aspect of learning is left untouched.
12. La Trobe University
La Trobe University is another prominent name whose Health and Medical Sciences program has garnered global acclaim. The mentioned university’s clinical, pre-clinical, and health subjects have been ranked amongst the top 200 globally. The leading research programs in medical and health sciences place it among the top-rated on both national and global levels.
As one of the leading Australian medical schools, the employability ratio of its students is tremendous. According to available statistics, 89.9% of its graduates in health and medical sciences find employment in the first four months of graduation. Some of the available programs include Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Exercise Science, Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours), Bachelor of Nutrition Science, and graduate courses.
Some of the potential employers for La Trobe University’s graduates include Peninsula Health, John Holland, AFT Pharmaceuticals, and Government Departments. La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine is one of the renowned names for medical students in Australia. It is associated with Olivia-Newton John Cancer Centre. Thus, the students can consider La Trobe University for their medical and health programs and get the best learning experience.
13. Flinders University
Flinders University has a rich tradition of preparing medicine graduates to serve society. According to the official website of the university, it is ranked number 1 in Australia for medical programs. Learner engagement, learning sources, overall educational experience, student support, and teaching quality are comparable to any outstanding university across the globe. The syllabus planning team has ensured that it is innovative, covers modern problems, and uses of latest available technologies to ensure productive learning.
This university is located close to Flinders Medical Centre at Bedford Park, which provides easy access to students and professionals. In addition to that, it offers on-campus accommodation to medical students making it a unique choice.
It offers a Doctor of Medicine program to interested students, which gives the students not only theoretical knowledge but a hands-on experience in the field. In addition to other facilities, students can also avail of scholarships to pursue their studies. Students can also avail of post-graduate and higher degree research programs thus, there is an opportunity for undergraduate, postgraduate, and research applicants.
14. Curtin University
Another prominent Australian higher education school is Curtin University. It offers a wide range of programs related to medicine and health and its main program is a bachelor program named B-MBBS which covers both surgery and medicine. ATAR required for admission in Curtin University’s medicine program is 95, while the duration of the course is five years. In addition to theory, there is compulsory fieldwork which helps the students get needed field experience.
Students can later pursue biomedical sciences or clinical sciences, depending on their tendency. The program is recognized by the Australian Medical Council. Thus, the students can pursue it without fear of degree recognition problems. Students need to appear in the UCAT ANZ test to be eligible for admission. The results for the current year can be used for admission purposes. The fee for Australian and NZ students, along with Commonwealth students, is $9,200 per annum, which is in an affordable range.
Curtin Medical School has been ranked number one in Australia based on median salary, learner engagement, and teaching quality. There are other medicine/biomedical programs available to students. Students can apply to the campus of their choice to get their applications processed.
15. Western Sydney University
Western Sydney University‘s medicine program is an internationally recognized program where a student can pursue a medical degree. The program focuses on patient safety and professional practice, thus preparing the students to change the lives of people across the globe. The programs available at Western Sydney University include a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Bachelor of Advanced Science on the undergrad level.
Along with these, graduate programs are also available. A new program of MD program was launched in 2021 with the collaboration of WSU and Charles Sturt University. The MD program is a full-fledged five-year program.
Clinical testing sites and simulated patient programs provide a vital learning experience to the students. Students complete their medical placements in nearby hospitals and health services. The learning experience creates graduates who have a record employment ratio in Australia and other parts of the world.
Western Sydney University boasts a wide pool of alumni from across the globe. Furthermore, this department ensures that innovations are introduced with time so that the students can keep themselves abreast of new developments. Students can make use of the world-class facilities in Campbelltown and Orange.
FAQs: Studying Medicine in Australia
Can International Students Enroll in Medical Schools in Australia?
Yes, many medical schools in Australia accept international students like the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, Monash University, the University of New South Wales, and the University of Queensland. Each university in Australia offers different medical programs; some offer it as an undergraduate degree, some as a post-degree, and some as both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
What is the Medical Curriculum Like in Medical Schools in Australia?
Medical education in Australia lasts four (postgraduate) to six (undergraduate) years. Regardless of the program type, both programs have two phases: pre-clinical and clinical. For example, here is the postgraduate medical program at the University of Melbourne:
The Doctor of Medicine program at the University of Melbourne lasts for four years. It consists of one year of case-based learning in foundations and principles of clinical practice, two years in clinical training with a capstone semester to practice medical skills, and a 14-week research project or electives in the latter year. After the program, the students should take a 47-week internship in a hospital. The students are afterward awarded a general medical registration through the Medical Board of Australia, which needs renewal each year.
Medical graduates need to undergo prevocational training and become Resident Medical Officers to be eligible for Specialty programs. Some students, especially the international ones, opt to join the Junior Doctor Training Program Private Hospital Stream, which allows foreign nationals to work in Australia temporarily for 2-4 years with a Post-Study Work Stream Temporary Graduate visa.
Australia is a dream destination for medical students because of its world-class education and facilities. Thus, the students can choose their dream profession by applying to an Australian university of their choice. In addition to that, there are scholarships available so students can take benefit of these opportunities.
We hope that this article on the best medical schools in Australia was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Study in Australia and Available Programs for International Students pages for more information like this!
About the Author: Hyun Lee
