Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine)
Overview
Designed for school leavers, CQUniversity's Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) offers a streamlined route into a career in medicine, with a total course duration of six years from commencement to graduation. This innovative course provides guaranteed entry into The University of Queensland's regionally based Doctor of Medicine (MD), as part of the Regional Medical Pathway, an Australian-first university and hospital partnership between CQU, UQ and the Central Queensland and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services. This arrangement is available to study in Rockhampton and Bundaberg.
The course is made up of two stages. You will complete the first two years with CQUniversity, followed by four years of the MD program with The University of Queensland. Your third year of study with CQU will also count as your first year with The University of Queensland. You will be awarded both degrees at the conclusion of six years of successful study.
This course also recognises that a strong understanding of regional, rural or remote life is valuable in regional medical practice, helping doctors connect with and respond to the health needs of those communities. As such, this program supports aspiring doctors with this background at every stage, from application through to interview and offer, including a tiered admissions process that favours applicants from Wide Bay, Central Queensland, regional, rural and remote areas of Australia.
Smaller class sizes mean more individual attention and hands-on experience, while close connections with local industry and clinicians give you a head start building the professional networks you'll rely on throughout your career. Studying in a regional setting also means training within the communities and health services you're likely to work in, gaining a genuine understanding of regional practice from day one.
Study Experience
Discover more about your pathway to medicine degree, offering practical experiences in regional communities and a dedicated provisional entry pathway to your career as a Doctor. Click 'Explore Study Experience' for more information.
- A Streamlined Pathway
- A Seamless Experience
- A Sense of Community
- The Medical Career Foundations
- Experienced Teaching Team
- Student Accommodation Options
Career Opportunities
This course is the first step toward a career as a doctor. As long as you pass each unit, you'll gain guaranteed entry into The University of Queensland's regionally based Doctor of Medicine Program. As part of the Regional Medical Pathway, successful completion of this course also offers opportunities to undertake ongoing training and work within the Central Queensland and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services as you progress toward ongoing specialist training and a career in medicine.
Structure & Availability
The course structure and available locations can change depending on when you want to study.
You can choose the intake that best suits you in the drop-down menu below. Visit the Academic Calendars webpage for key dates relevant to your chosen intake.
Available Locations
Your Course
You must complete 23 units (144 credits):
- 1The core structure (23 units)
Unit Details
The units you'll study are listed below. Click on a unit to learn more.
Course Planner
To help you plan your studies and see which unit comes first, if one unit should be completed before another and the term you will study each unit, check out our course planners.
Additional Information
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.
If you have prior experience or have studied previously, you may be eligible for credit or recognition of prior learning (RPL), which can help reduce your study load and the time it takes to complete your degree.
Learn more about credit and RPL, including application timelines and the overall process.
This course does not permit you to defer your offer and commence at a later date. If you are unable to commence in the term you receive an offer, you will be required to submit a new admission application or change your preference with the Tertiary Admission Centre to commence at a later date.
Requirements
To Be Eligible
General Admission Pathway
This course is open to Year 12 school leavers only. This means that for your application to be considered, you must graduate Year 12 in the year you apply. For example, to apply for the Term 1, 2027 intake, you must be a graduating Year 12 student in 2026.
You must also meet all entry requirements listed below.
Please note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission. Places within the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) are limited by quota.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Pathway
This pathway is ideal if you identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and is open to secondary school graduates and mature-age students. You must also meet the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Pathway eligibility criteria below.
Entry Requirements
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, Dr. Andrew Fenning, at a.fenning@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 CQU Entry Admission (PDF). Within these pathways, there is the option to apply for a Bonded Medical place.
Student and Course Profiles
View the student and course profiles for this course and learn about CQU's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2026 via our 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
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) and should be used as a guide only. Your actual fees may vary depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Check the Cost per Unit spreadsheet available on our Understanding Course Fees webpage.
Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Fee estimates for the following year are expected to be available in September each year.
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.
Important
If you are a new student and are offered a CSP, you must submit an eCAF (electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form) with the Australian Government to confirm your place, even if you are ineligible for or don’t intend to use a HECS-HELP Loan.
This is a Government requirement, and if you don’t submit before your commencing census date, your enrolment for the term will be cancelled.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
