Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine)
| Rank threshold | ATAR: 95 SR: 95 |
| Duration | 3 years full-time |
| Location | Bundaberg and Rockhampton |
| Next start term | Term 1, 2024 |
| Study mode | On Campus |
| Course code | CM17 |
Overview
Designed for school leavers, CQUniversity's Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) is an ideal study option if you are seeking a rewarding career in medicine. This innovative course provides a provisional entry pathway into The University of Queensland's regionally based Doctor of Medicine program and will equip you with relevant skills and knowledge in science, biomedical science and health so that you are well prepared for further medical study and your medical career.
CQUniversity's Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) is an innovative new course that will provide a contextualised curriculum to prepare you for your future medical career. Upon successful completion of the course within three years and with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or more, you will gain direct entry into The University of Queensland's regionally based Doctor of Medicine Program. The University of Queensland’s Doctor of Medicine is a program of four years duration, full-time, delivered within the Central Queensland and Wide Bay regions. The two courses will entail 7 years of study, and this arrangement is only available to school leavers in their year of application and must be studied full-time, so you complete your studies within the designated timelines for each course.
The Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) has been made possible by the Regional Medical Program - an Australian first university and hospital partnership between CQU, UQ and the Central Queensland and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services.
Alternative Pathways to Doctor of Medicine
This course provides a provisional entry pathway, designed for school leavers, to UQ's regionally based Doctor of Medicine delivered in the Central Queensland or Wide Bay regions.
This course is only available to students who apply in their last year of high school studies. If you have finished high school recently but are not a graduating high school student in the year of application, you may like to consider other study options at CQUniversity, such as our Bachelor of Medical Science (Clinical Measurement) (CG93) or Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours) (CL10), to help prepare you to meet direct entry/postgraduate entry requirements for medical degrees offered by UQ and other institutions.
Already completed prior studies, such as a bachelor's degree? You may like to consider a direct entry or postgraduate pathway to a medical degree offered by other institutions.
Study experience
- Authentic Learning Experiences
- Clinical Placements
- Guaranteed Pathway
- Local Networks
- Experienced Teaching Team
Career Opportunities
On successful completion of the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) course within three years, and with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or more, you will gain direct entry into The University of Queensland's regionally based Doctor of Medicine Program. This course provides a provisional pathway for graduate entry into the UQ MD and facilitates the opportunity for students to study medicine in regional Queensland.
Structure & Availability
Course structure
The Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) has 23 compulsory units. In your first two years of study, you will complete sixteen units of study. In your final year of study, you will complete seven units of study, one of which is a double credit unit.
You will build knowledge of the structure and function of the human body and develop a conceptual understanding of what happens when diseases, infections and clinical disorders occur. In the first year, you will study the foundations of medical science in the subjects of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and biochemistry. In your second and third years, you will apply the knowledge of first-year subjects to medically focused subjects of cell biology, microbiology, immunology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medical imaging.
Capstone subjects will allow you to integrate your knowledge to gain an understanding of various medical imaging modalities and their application in clinical scenarios. Real-world and authentic learning experiences are embedded within the curriculum, allowing you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills. Community placements, clinical immersion experiences and work-integrated learning opportunities with health service providers in Central Queensland and Wide Bay are offered throughout the course to prepare you for your career in medicine.
Unit information
For information on the units you could study as part of this course, visit our Student Handbook and select the "Course Structure" tab.
Pathway to UQ's Doctor of Medicine
Upon successful completion of this course within three years, and with the required Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 or higher, you will gain direct entry to the regionally based UQ Doctor of Medicine (MD) program delivered in the Central Queensland and Wide Bay regions.
On-Campus Availability
| Intake | Locations |
|---|---|
| Term 1, 2024 | Bundaberg, Rockhampton |
On-campus locations
CQUniversity's new Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) is offered on campus at CQUniversity's Rockhampton and Bundaberg campuses and provides a limited number of places (20 places in Rockhampton and 20 places in Bundaberg) as a provisional entry pathway into The University of Queensland's regionally based Doctor of Medicine program.
UQ’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) program will also be offered in the Central Queensland and Wide Bay regions.
Campus and course transfers
Internal transfers to campuses (regional or metropolitan) are not permitted during either CQUniversity's Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) or UQ's Doctor of Medicine program.
Internal transfers (change of course applications), from any other course offered by CQUniversity into the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine), are not permitted.
Majors and minors are not applicable to this course.
Immersive Learning Experiences 2 - BMSC13024
Observational placements with Hospital and Health Services and community health care providers.
Immersive Learning Experiences 1 - BMSC11013
Observational placements with Hospital and Health Services and community health care providers.
Requirements
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Rank Threshold |
A rank threshold is the minimum competitive rank that applications will be considered for entry to this course. The rank threshold for this course is: Please note entry to courses is competitive with limited placed available. Meeting the minimum entry score listed above does not guarantee a place in this course.
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Assistance schemes
When applying for CM17 Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine), you may be eligible to receive up to 5 ATAR/rank adjustments across CQUniversity's Subject Incentive Scheme and Rural Access Scheme. View CQUni's Admission Consideration page to find out more detail on each scheme, check your eligibility and how to apply for adjustment factors. These assistance schemes are exclusively available for students applying to study in the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine).
Lowest Ranks
The lowest selection rank refers to the lowest rank to which an offer was made for an intake or term and includes adjustment factors applied to an applicant's ATAR such as the Regional Adjustment Scheme. An ATAR with adjustment factors applied is referred to as a selection rank.
The lowest selection ranks (includes adjustment factors) for Term 1, 2023 for the following locations are as follows:
Bundaberg: 96.10
Bundaberg - Bonded: 96.80
Rockhampton: 95.45
Rockhampton - Bonded: 96.70
Please note entry to courses is competitive and the lowest score (ATAR or selection rank) will vary from year to year and campus to campus and is provided as a historical guide of past performance.
Student profile
If you would like to read about the student profile for applicants with recent secondary education this course view our Course and Entry Score Profile for Term 1 2023.
Institute profile
To find out about CQUniversity's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2023 view our Institute Profile.
Recommended study
Nil
Prerequisites
Entry Requirements
To be eligible to apply for entry to this course, you must be graduating high school, at your first attempt, in the year of application. For example, you must graduate high school in 2023 to be eligible to apply for entry in Term 1, 2024.
Inherent knowledge
Students must comply with and meet the Inherent Requirements for the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine). The Inherent Requirements for Studying Medicine in Australia and New Zealand specify the requirements of pre-registration medical training rather than medical practice and set out what a medical student is expected to demonstrate and how a student will be assessed at entry and during the medical course.
Admission pathways
This course provides a general admission pathway and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander admission pathway. You can view a detailed summary of each admission pathway, including the process to be selected for an interview and selection for an offer of a place in the course, in the CQUni Entry Admission (PDF). Within these pathways, there is the option to apply for a Bonded Medical place.
Bonded Medical Places
You have the option to apply for a Bonded Medical place under the Bonded Medical Program (BMP), a Government initiative to provide more Australian-trained doctors in areas of workforce shortage, particularly in regional, rural and remote Australia. Accepting a Bonded Medical place means you are committing to working in priority regional areas for three years, which can be accumulated over a period of 18 years. This commitment is referred to as a Return of Service Obligation (RoSO). Many of the regions that you will study and train in across the Rural Medical Program footprint are classified as priority regions under the Bonded Medical Program, meaning if you continue to work in the regions of Central Queensland, you will be accumulating time as part of your RoSO. Use the interactive map available in the Workforce Calculator to identify the regions currently classified as priority areas (look for Distribution Priority Areas (DPAs), Districts of Workforce Shortage (DWS) and Modified Monas Model (MMM)). If you accept a Bonded Medical place, upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) and entry into UQ's MD program, you will register as studying in a Bonded Medical place through the Government's website known as BRoSS. This is the system you will use in your career to record your service in priority areas. Bonded Medical places are available via the General Admission pathway only. Further information is available from the Department of Health.
Inclusive Medical Education Guidelines
Central Queensland University fosters a culture of inclusivity and the provision of equivalent opportunities to access education in the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine). Enabling effective inclusion requires a collaborative effort by you and the University. We ask that you read the Medical Deans Inclusive Medical Education Guidelines and report identified likely barriers to participation by emailing the Head of Course, Associate Professor Sonia Saluja, at s.saluja@cqu.edu.au.
MMI Selection Requirements
Invitation to an MMI will be based on the ranking of the applicants’ aggregate score from the first four sections of the University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand (UCAT ANZ).
- The UCAT ANZ section five score will be used as a secondary differentiator to differentiate between applicants with the same aggregate score from the first four sections; and
- The UCAT ANZ section one score will be used as a further differentiator to differentiate between applicants with the same section five score.
Selection process
To the extent possible, an equal number of applicants (other than Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants) will be selected to participate in the MMI from the following areas:
- Central Queensland and Wide Bay;
- Other regional or remote areas (MM2 – MM7); and
- Metropolitan areas (MM1) and any other applicants who wish to be considered.
Entry Requirements (General Admission)
To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must demonstrate:
- English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent; Mathematical Methods (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent; and One of Biology, Chemistry, Physics (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent; and
- A competitive University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand (UCAT ANZ) aggregate score; and
- A multiple mini interview (MMI).
You will need to sit the UCAT ANZ before you apply for this course. The overall UCAT ANZ score is used to determine a ranked interview list. The minimum UCAT ANZ score the University requires will vary each year, determined by the performance of all applicants competing for a place in the Pathway to Medicine course. Therefore, the UCAT cut-off score cannot be determined in advance.
Entry is competitive with limited places available. Shortlisted applicants must attend multiple mini interviews.
Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Pathway:
An alternative admission pathway is available for students who identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. Find out more about CQUni’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Pathway (CM17).
English Language Proficiency Requirements:
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.
Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of a secondary qualification (Year 11 or 12, or equivalent), completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or the United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.
If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
- An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 7.0 with a minimum 7.0 in each subset; or
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet based test (TOEFL iBT) - Requires 94 or better overall and minimum score of 24 for listening and reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking; or
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 65 with no communication score less than 65; or
- An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between the final examination date and the date of commencement of the study and must appear on a single result certificate.
Each student will be assessed individually.
The course includes work placement. Students must satisfy specific pre-placement health and safety checks prior to each placement and must disclose any condition that may put themselves or the public at significant risk whilst on placement. During placement, students may be working in pathology laboratories, hospitals, clinics, or research laboratories. Students are required to ensure that all immunisations as per requirements of the placement provider are completed before they proceed on work placement.
The course includes work placement. Students must satisfy specific pre-clinical safety and security requirements prior to each placement, including a clear criminal record check, valid Blue Card, and must disclose any condition that may put themselves or the public, at significant risk whilst on placement. Students are required to meet all mandatory requirements to attend work placements. Students who have a criminal history check disclosure prior to commencing the course or recorded in the duration of the course are required to have their fitness for placement assessed on a case by case basis by the University or in conjunction with the placement provider or State Health Department (as appropriate). Where a student has a criminal history check prior to enrolment in the course, the student may be required to apply for clearance through the applicable State Health Department to determine fitness for placement prior to enrolment in the course.
A student may be declared ineligible for placement based on the nature of the criminal history disclosure, the inability to perform required tasks, or if the student may be determined a risk to clients, staff or other stakeholders. A student may be determined ineligible for placement if the placement site is unable to work with the constraints of any conditions or work modifications placement upon the placement provider by the State Health Department or assessment unit within a private organisation. If conditions imposed upon the placement are too restrictive for placement sites within the current offer round, the student may be determined as not fit for placement and is at risk of the University terminating their enrolment in the course.
Fees & Scholarships
2023 Indicative Fees
| Fee Type | Fees |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee | $8,629 |
2024 Indicative Fees
| Fee Type | Fees |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee | $9,303 |
| Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee | $25,465.50 |
Indicative first-year fee
The fees listed are indicative only and based on enrolling in a full-time study load for one academic year (generally, this is eight units over two terms). Your fees may vary depending on the units you select and the number you study per term. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.
Commonwealth support and government assistance loans
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees if you meet eligibility requirements. If offered a CSP, you may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan. HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists you in paying your student contributions. Provided you meet the HECS-HELP eligibility criteria, you may use HECS-HELP to defer part or all of your student contribution fees. Learn more about paying for university.
Other study costs
Part of your course costs includes Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). There may also be additional costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. Explore other study costs.
At CQUniversity, we believe higher education should be for everyone. No matter your situation, we know that everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, and we are proud to offer a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and stipends.
Our scholarships could help you pay for things like relocation, living on campus, laptops and technology, childcare, study and living expenses, travel and more.
How to apply
| State | Admission Code |
|---|---|
| Queensland | Rockhampton: 888004; Rockhampton: 888002; Bundaberg: 888003; Bundaberg: 888005; Rockhampton: 888000; Bundaberg: 888001 |
How to apply
This course provides a general admission pathway and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander admission pathway. You can view a detailed summary of each admission pathway in the CQU Entry Admission (PDF). Both admission pathways require you to submit your application via QTAC.
Bonded Medical Places
To apply for a Bonded Medical place, you will need to submit your application via QTAC following the same steps as the General Admission pathway and use the QTAC code specifically for the Bonded Medical Program. Applications for Term 1 2024 closed on Friday, 29 September 2023.
Bonded Medical Program QTAC codes
Rockhampton - Bonded Medical Program: 888004
Bundaberg - Bonded Medical Program: 888005
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander admission pathway QTAC Codes
Rockhampton: 888002
Bundaberg: 888003
General Admission
Admission into the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) involves the following three elements:
- The measure of your Grade 12 academic attainment (ATAR)
- A competitive University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand (UCAT ANZ) aggregate score (first four sections)
- Participation in Multiple Mini Interviews
There are a few steps to follow to complete your application for this course - to help you get started, we've listed the key details below:
Where to start with your application
Step 1 - UCAT ANZ
- 1 March 2023 - 17 May 2023: Register for your UCAT ANZ. You will need to sit the UCAT ANZ in your final year of high school and before you apply for this course, so make sure you register for your UCAT ANZ during this period. Late bookings may be accepted until 31 May 2023.
- 3 July to 11 August 2023: You will sit your UCAT ANZ during this period.
- Early September 2023: Results are delivered to universities
You can view UCAT ANZ 2023 confirmed dates and fees online.
Step 2 - QTAC Application
- Submit your application via the Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC). Applications for Term 1 2024 closed on Friday, 29 September 2023.
- Read more about how to order your preferences for this course.
Step 3 - Multiple Mini Interview
- Applicants will be shortlisted to participate in multiple mini interviews (MMI) based on UCAT ANZ results.
What to expect at an MMI
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in the MMI. MMIs are designed to assess your non-academic qualities and provide you with opportunities to demonstrate skills and qualities such as verbal communication, adaptability, and empathy.
The MMIs involve a circuit of interview stations. At each interview station, shortlisted applicants will respond to a scenario with a number of questions.
Applicants will move from one station to the next, with short breaks between each station. While there will be multiple applicants attending the MMIs, each applicant is interviewed on a one-on-one basis at each station.
MMIs will take place online. For more information about MMIs, watch our how to prepare for an MMI video.
Where can you find out more?
- UCAT ANZ: To find out more about the UCAT ANZ, including eligibility, dates and fees, test format and more, visit the UCAT ANZ website.
- QTAC key dates
- You can also watch our video about applying to study the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine).
- You can also visit our Admission Consideration page for additional information, such as indigenous support, policies and adjustment schemes relevant to this course.
