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The University of Adelaide

Important: For detailed and the most current admission guides, please visit the respective university’s website.

Entry Requirements — The University of Adelaide: Medicine, Dentistry & Oral Health (Year 12 School Leavers)

Note: From 2026, The University of Adelaide and UniSA are combining to form Adelaide University. Admission and application guides for 2026 starts are published under Adelaide University. Always check the most recent guides before applying.

MEDICINE

  • UCAT: Yes (used to determine interview eligibility)
  • Interview: Yes (online; one interview covers Medicine/Dentistry/Oral Health if all are preferenced)
  • Academic: Yes (ATAR / IB / tertiary GPA threshold + specified prerequisite subject requirement)
 
 
Degree

Bachelor of Medical Studies and Doctor of Medicine (BMedSt/MD)

Direct school-leaver pathway into a 6-year medical program (2 years BMedSt + 4 years MD).
Campus North Terrace (clinical training across SA; rural placements compulsory).
Duration 6 years full-time (no mid-year entry).
Start Semester 1 (February).
Entry requirements

Prerequisite subjects (meet one set):

  • SACE Stage 2: one of Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematical Methods.
  • IB: one subject (SL 4 / HL 3) from the above learning areas (or interstate/overseas equivalent).
  • Adelaide tertiary examples: Human Anatomy & Physiology 1A/1B; Foundations of Chemistry 1A/1B.

Academic minimums (school leavers): meet the published ATAR / IB minimum for the intake year (UA publishes these annually in the admissions guide).

UCAT ANZ: required in the application year. Interview eligibility is ranked using UCAT sections 1–3 (equal weight); SJT (section 5) used only to separate ties near the lower boundary.

Interview: one online interview round (late Nov). If you have preferenced Medicine, Dentistry and/or Oral Health, a single interview covers all.
Key Dates – Typical Cycle (Medicine)
Event When / Details
UCAT ANZ Register Mar–May; test Jul–Aug (confirm annually).
SATAC application Opens Aug; closes 30 September for Medicine (timelines published annually)
Interview eligibility outcome Late October (via Admissions@Adelaide)
Interviews Late November (online)
Number of places & SATAC codes

~132 domestic places p.a. (strict quotas)

 ~28.5% of domestic places are offered as bonded places (BMP)
Important Information (Medicine)

DENTISTRY

  • UCAT: Yes (used to determine interview eligibility)
  • Interview: Yes (online; BDS uses same interview round)
  • Academic: Yes (ATAR / IB / GPA + two science prerequisites)
 
 
Degree

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
Campus Adelaide Health & Medical Sciences facilities (city precinct).
Duration 5 years full-time.
Start Semester 1 (February).
Entry requirements

Prerequisite subjects (two sciences):

  • Choose one from: Chemistry, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Physics.
  • And one from: Biology, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Physics.
  • IB/interstate equivalents accepted; Adelaide tertiary examples include Human Anatomy & Physiology 1A/1B; Foundations of Chemistry 1A/1B.

Academic minimums: meet the annual ATAR / IB threshold as published in the admissions guide.

UCAT ANZ: required (sections 1–3 equally weighted for interview eligibility; SJT used only to separate ties near the lower boundary).

Interview: one online round (late November).
Key Dates – Typical Cycle (Dentistry)
Event When / Details
UCAT ANZ Register Mar–May; test Jul–Aug (confirm annually).
SATAC application Opens August; closes 30 September for BDS.
Interview eligibility outcome Late October (via Admissions@Adelaide).
Interviews Late November (online).
Important Information (Dentistry)

ORAL HEALTH

  • UCAT: Yes (used to determine interview eligibility)
  • Interview: Yes (online; BOH uses same interview round)
  • Academic: Yes (Selection Rank / IB / GPA + a maths/science prerequisite)
 
 
Degree

Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH)

Focuses on oral health therapy, hygiene and prevention; professional registration on graduation.
Campus Adelaide Health & Medical Sciences facilities (city precinct).
Duration 3 years full-time.
Start Semester 1 (February).
Entry requirements

Prerequisite subjects:

  • SACE Stage 2: one 20-credit subject from the mathematics or science learning areas.
  • IB: one subject from mathematics or science learning areas (or interstate/overseas equivalent).
  • Adelaide tertiary examples include Human Anatomy & Physiology 1A/1B; Foundations of Chemistry 1A/1B.

Academic minimums: meet the annual Selection Rank / IB threshold as published in the admissions guide.

UCAT ANZ: required (sections 1–3 equally weighted for interview eligibility; SJT used only to separate ties near the lower boundary).

Interview: one online round (late Nov).
Key Dates – Typical Cycle (Oral Health)
Event When / Details
UCAT ANZ Register Mar–May; test Jul–Aug (confirm annually).
SATAC application Opens August; closes 30 September for BOH.
Interview eligibility outcome Late October (via Admissions@Adelaide).
Interviews Late November (online).
Important Information (Oral Health)

ALTERNATIVE & SPECIAL ENTRY PATHWAYS

Rural Background Entry Dedicated quota for rural applicants; Adelaide Medicine commits that ~25% of the intake is from a rural background. See rural entry guidance and scholarships.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Pathway Separate application/support via Wirltu Yarlu; includes a pathway interview process and tailored assessment/support.
Higher Education Pathway (Medicine) Places reserved for eligible University of Adelaide higher-education applicants (minimum GPA; UCAT & interview still apply).
VET/TAFE Lateral Entry (BOH) Applicants with an eligible Diploma/Advanced Diploma in Oral Health (e.g., TAFE SA) may be considered for lateral entry (BOH Year 2). UCAT may not be required for this specific pathway (see BOH guide for criteria).
STAT (BDS/BOH) Special Tertiary Admissions Test route may apply for BDS/BOH (top decile STAT score + prerequisites; UCAT & interview rules still apply as specified).
Bonded Medical Program (Medicine) ~28.5% of new domestic medical places are BMP (bonded) — obligations apply post-graduation; separate SATAC code for BMP.
Finding current Selection Ranks Minimum Selection Rank / IB cut-offs are published annually in the admissions guides and Degree Finder — always confirm the latest figures before applying.

Disclaimer: The National Institute of Education's primary mission is to provide information, advice, and educational and training services to assist clients on their journey into Australian and New Zealand universities. We regularly review the admission processes for medical, dental and health careers courses; however, universities reserve the right to change their admission criteria without notice. For detailed and the most current admission guides, please visit the respective university’s website.

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