International Students

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Section 11: International Students

Australia is a popular destination for international students pursuing medicine, but the process and requirements for international applicants differ in some key ways. This section will outline those differences and special considerations for international candidates (i.e., those who are not citizens or permanent residents of Australia/NZ). We’ll cover admissions tests, academic requirements, visa issues, and the realities of being an international med student in Australia.

Limited Spots: First and foremost, understand that the number of seats for international students in Australian medical schools is capped and relatively small. By government regulation, public universities allocate the majority of places to domestic students. International spots might range from ~5 to 25 per school per year (depending on the university size). Some schools do not take international students at all (for example, as of recent years, JCU’s MBBS did accept internationals, but a school like Curtin initially did not). Check each program: our Pathways Explorer lists which schools accept internationals. Typically, bigger metro universities (UNSW, Monash, Sydney, Melbourne, UQ, etc.) have international cohorts, whereas some smaller or newer programs have either a tiny number or none.

Academic Requirements: International applicants generally must meet equivalent academic standards:

• Undergraduate entry: You need the equivalent of a very high ATAR. For example, Monash requires international applicants to have an IB of at least 37-41 (depending on the cohort) or equivalent A-Level scores¹. They often express requirements in terms of IB or sometimes U.S. GPA/SAT for American students, etc. Many universities publish international entry academic cutoffs on their sites. English proficiency is critical – if your schooling was not in English, you’ll need to take IELTS/TOEFL (typically requiring IELTS 7.0+ overall with no band below 7, or even 7.5 for some).
• Graduate entry: If applying to an MD as an international, you’ll need a recognised bachelor’s degree with a strong GPA. Typically at least a credit or distinction average (GPA ~5.5/7 or higher). Some schools convert overseas GPAs to their scale.

Admissions Tests for International:

• UCAT ANZ vs ISAT: Most undergrad programs require some aptitude test for international applicants, but not always the UCAT. A number of universities instead require the ISAT (International Student Admissions Test) for international candidates². ISAT is a 3-hour online test (administered by ACER) which tests critical reasoning and quantitative reasoning, similar in spirit to UCAT but longer and perhaps more curriculum-based. For example, Monash University’s undergrad medicine requires international applicants to sit the ISAT (not UCAT)³. The University of Queensland’s provisional entry for internationals also used ISAT historically. On the other hand, UNSW and some others allow internationals to sit UCAT ANZ and consider those scores (UNSW does, I believe). Each uni is different:
  • Monash: ISAT³.
  • UNSW: UCAT ANZ (they treat internationals similarly in selection to domestics, aside from separate quotas).
  • Sydney (undergrad - none, because they have no undergrad entry; their MD for internationals requires MCAT or GAMSAT).
  • JCU: No UCAT/ISAT; they use their form and then interview.
  • Adelaide: They require international applicants to take UCAT ANZ as well (for dentistry they require ISAT; but medicine I recall was UCAT for both domestic and international).
  • Check a resource or the university international admission page: Medify suggests “some direct entry Australian schools require ISAT for international”⁴, listing which require which. According to that: Monash, Melbourne (for undergrad Biomed/MD pathway?), and a few others use ISAT for international undergrad; most use UCAT.
• GAMSAT/MCAT: For graduate-entry MD programs, many Aussie schools will accept MCAT scores from international applicants (especially North American applicants) as an alternative to GAMSAT. University of Sydney MD, for example, requires internationals to submit MCAT or GAMSAT. Melbourne MD accepts MCAT for internationals. Some schools (like UQ’s MD) might even prefer MCAT for North Americans (since GAMSAT centres may not be accessible everywhere overseas). If you’re an international grad applicant, check each target: you might need to register for GAMSAT or MCAT. If you have both, often either is accepted.
• Interviews: Most schools will interview international applicants (often via Zoom or in person if you're local). Some, like UQ, historically did not interview international MD applicants – they were selected by scores only – but policies change. Generally, be prepared for an interview similar to domestic, though sometimes a bit earlier (some schools will interview international candidates in an earlier round to issue offers so that visa processing can start).

Application Process for International Students:

• Instead of TACs or GEMSAS, internationals usually apply directly to each university or through the university’s international admissions portal. Some universities allow you to apply via a commonagent or platform, but there's no single unified system like UAC for internationals across all unis.
• Timeline: Many open applications earlier (some in January for the following year) and have earlier closing dates (mid-year). For instance, Monash international undergrad med applications often close in early September (similar to domestic through VTAC), but others like UNSW might close around the same time as UAC or slightly later.
• Offers for international students can be rolling or on a different schedule. Some schools issue conditional offers early (pending final scores).
• Agent vs Self-application: International students often have the option to apply via an authorised education agent in their country, who can help navigate the process, or to apply on their own through the uni website. Either is fine; just ensure you use one official agent if you go that route.
• Fees: Expect application fees per university (often about AUD $100 each).

Tuition Fees and Financial Considerations:

• International tuition for Australian med schools is high – generally in the range of AUD $70,000 to $80,000 per year⁵ for a 5-6 year undergrad or 4-year MD. Over the whole course, that can be around $300,000 to $450,000. Some universities require proof of ability to pay fees (especially if seeking a visa, you must demonstrate financial capacity).
• Scholarships for international med students are limited. A few universities offer partial scholarships or bursaries (like University of Melbourne has some scholarships that international med students are considered for automatically, which might cover a portion of fees; UNSW had a specific international med student award in the past). But you should not bank on these; assume self-funding unless you secure an external scholarship.
• Cost of living: Also factor in living expenses (rent, food, etc.), which can be around AUD $20,000-25,000 per year depending on city (cities like Sydney/Melbourne are pricier). The student visa typically allows limited work hours (up to 48 hours per fortnight currently), but medical study is intensive and leaves little time for part-time work, especially during certain years.

Visas:

• As an international student, you will need a Student Visa (subclass 500). After getting an offer, you’ll pay a deposit and get a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from the uni, which you use to apply for the visa. Requirements include financial capacity, health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover – OSHC, which you must purchase for the duration of your course), and meeting health and character criteria.
• Australia generally grants student visas for med students without much issue, but you will need to undergo a health examination (especially since medicine is long-term, TB test and maybe Hepatitis checks are common).
• OSHC: You must maintain OSHC insurance throughout your stay. Some universities arrange a default provider, or you can choose one. This covers basic medical treatments while you’re in Australia (not dental or extras unless you get add-ons).
• Post-study work: Many international med graduates aim to remain in Australia for internship and possibly residency. Currently, international grads from Australian med schools are eligible to stay under the Temporary Graduate Visa (485) for 2-3 years post-graduation, which can cover the internship year. Also, there’s a priority for international med grads to get a 407 training visa or even PR pathways if working in areas of need. However, keep in mind internship is not guaranteed for internationals – by policy, domestic grads get first preference for intern positions in public hospitals⁵. Many international grads do get internships (especially if they are flexible with location, e.g., willing to go to a rural hospital or smaller state), but it’s a risk to be mindful of. Some choose to return home or go elsewhere for internship if they can't secure one in Australia. Research the situation in the state you study in – some states historically offered all or most international grads an intern spot, while others had shortfalls. This landscape can change with workforce needs.

Differences in Selection:

• International applicants are often ranked separately from domestic. You’ll be competing only against other international applicants for the international slots.
• Cutoffs for internationals can be slightly lower or higher depending on demand. Some years, the UCAT or GAMSAT needed for an international interview is lower because there are fewer strong applicants in that pool; in other cases, for top schools, plenty of high-scoring international students apply, so it’s still very competitive.
• Some universities might be a bit more flexible academically if they really want to fill international seats (because of revenue). However, this is usually marginal – you still need a strong profile.
• Interviews for international students might sometimes be more oriented to seeing how you’d adapt to studying in Australia and your communication in English, etc. They also might ask your intentions (do you plan to practice in Australia or go home? – answer honestly but tactfully; they mainly want to know you’re committed to completing the course).

Cultural and Support Considerations:

• Moving countries for medicine is a big step. Australian universities generally provide orientation and ongoing support for international students (academic support, English language help if needed, counselling, clubs to socialise, etc.). Take advantage of these.
• If English is not your first language, practice medical and conversational English as much as possible – being comfortable in English will help in both interviews and later clinical placements.
• You may experience culture shock or homesickness; most unis have an international student office where you can find resources or community. Also, connect with existing international med students (there might be a student society for international medics).
• Keep in mind the long-term: if your plan is to eventually seek residency in Australia, know that it’s a challenging but not impossible path. Many international grads do get postgraduate training positions, especially if they are open to those rural or underserviced areas (which aligns with workforce distribution policies).

International Pathway Example: To illustrate, suppose you’re a student from Singapore aiming for undergrad medicine in Australia. You would:

1. Ace your A-levels or IB (score must be top-tier).
2. Take ISAT or UCAT ANZ as required by target schools by the deadlines (ISAT can be taken in multiple windows throughout the year⁴).
3. Apply directly to universities around June-August 2024 for 2025 entry, providing academic transcripts, ISAT/UCAT results, personal statements if needed, and proof of English proficiency.
4. Perhaps attend an interview via video conference around September/October.
5. Receive an offer by late Oct or Nov if successful. Pay deposit, get CoE, apply for student visa (ensuring you have OSHC and funding).
6. Arrive in Australia Jan/Feb 2025 for orientation and classes.

Bottom Line for International Applicants: You need excellent academics and test scores, just like domestic students, plus the ability to finance the education and navigate immigration. It’s a significant investment. But Australian medical schools provide a world-class education and a medical degree that is internationally recognised. Many international alumni have successful careers either in Australia (those who stay and obtain residency) or back in their home countries.

Before applying, it's wise to also consider medical schools in your home country or other countries, comparing cost, and likelihood of admission, so you make the best decision. If you commit to Australia, engage fully – seek out mentors, integrate with domestic students, and make the most of the clinical experiences.

Finally, always refer to the official international admissions pages of each university for up-to-date requirements, as these can differ from the domestic info and sometimes change year to year (for instance, a uni might switch from ISAT to UCAT or vice versa, or change how they weigh MCAT vs GAMSAT). This guide gives a general orientation, but double-check specifics.