Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine)

Rank thresholdATAR: 95 SR: 95
Duration3 years full-time
Location
Bundaberg and Rockhampton
Next start termTerm 1, 2025
Study modeOn Campus
Course codeCM17
First-year fee
$9,303 (Indicative) (CSP)
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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

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

IntakeLocations
Term 1, 2023Bundaberg, Rockhampton
Term 1, 2024Bundaberg, Rockhampton
Term 1, 2025Bundaberg, 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.

Many units in the course have compulsory residential schools to ensure students acquire the skills and knowledge fundamental to medical science. The residential schools will be offered at both Rockhampton and Bundaberg campuses.
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

To be eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements. 

1
Rank Threshold
ATAR 95.00 | SR 95.00
A rank threshold is the minimum competitive rank that applications will be considered for entry to this course.
2
Prerequisites
English (Units 3 and 4, C); Mathematical Methods (Units 3 and 4, C); one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Units 3 and 4, C)

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.

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.

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.

CQU Entry Admission (PDF)

Student and Course Profiles

View the student and course profiles for this course and learn about CQU's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2023 via our Institute Profile. 

Institute Profile

During your study

While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies. 

Fees & Scholarships

Indicative First-Year Fee

$9,303
Indicative first-year CSP place

The Indicative First-Year Fee is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one full-time academic year (eight units over two terms) for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). Your actual fees may vary, depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.

Commonwealth Supported Places

This course has Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available, and as a domestic student, you'll be offered a CSP, provided you meet CSP eligibility requirements. CSPs are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees.

HECS-HELP Loan

You may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan if you are offered a CSP. 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.

Part of your course costs will include Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). SSAF is charged in addition to your student contribution or tuition fees and is used to help enhance your study experience. There may also be other costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. Explore other study costs.

We believe a quality education can be for everyone – regardless of background, location, or life circumstances. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships and bursaries that can give you a helping hand with a range of expenses and enhance your employability.

Explore scholarships.

How to apply

How to apply

Select where you'd like to study and your preferred intake

You'll need to choose where you would like to study in the 'choose where you live' selector. This course is only available on campus, so not all states or territories will be listed.

Your application options

Follow these steps

1
Check you meet the course requirements
2
Get a Unique Student Identifier
4
Submit your QTAC application
Applications via QTAC for 2025 will open in August 2024.

Extra admission information

Prior to applying, take a look at important application dates and learn about our admission considerations, such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support. You should also check out the adjustment schemes that might be available to you and how to access them. You can also explore our offer information to learn more about what happens after you've submitted an application and how to respond to an offer to study with CQU. 

Start your application

When applying through a tertiary admissions centre (TAC) you can use the relevant TAC code below to search for a course or add it to your application preferences. 

Bonded Medical Places QTAC Codes

  • Rockhampton - Bonded Medical Program: 888004
  • Bundaberg - Bonded Medical Program: 888005

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Pathway QTAC Codes

  • Rockhampton - Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Admission Pathway: 888002
  • Bundaberg - Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Admission Pathway: 888003

General Admission Pathway QTAC Codes

  • Rockhampton: 888000
  • Bundaberg: 888001