The University of New South Wales

Undergraduate Medicine at UNSW

UNSW undergraduate medicine entry requirements combine academic results, UCAT ANZ and interview performance. This is a direct-entry medical degree, not a provisional place dependent on completing a separate undergraduate degree first.

1. Academic requirements and prerequisite subjects

For general school-leaver entry, the minimum ATAR or equivalent is 96.00 without EAS adjustments. This is an eligibility threshold, not an ATAR that guarantees an interview or admission.

There are no formal school subject prerequisites. UNSW recommends English, for which there is assumed knowledge, and Chemistry. Students with an IB Diploma or another recognised qualification should check its current assessment and equivalence with UNSW and UAC.

Applicants who have started university may still be eligible. Once you have completed at least 0.75 full-time equivalent study in a single degree in the application year, general entry requires both an eligible secondary result and a GPA of at least 5.5 on a seven-point scale. Different rules apply to completed degree holders and rural applicants; check the relevant category before applying.

2. UCAT ANZ and interview shortlisting

Standard domestic applicants need UCAT ANZ at or above the 50th percentile. UNSW does not consider the Situational Judgement mark. For 2027 entry, the relevant result is UCAT ANZ 2026.

General and Gateway interview invitations depend on the combined ranking of academic results and UCAT ANZ. UNSW states that results are not averaged and that a strong result in one area does not compensate for a weak result in the other. The minimum percentile should not be advertised as a competitive interview cut-off.

3. Medical interview format and assessed qualities

UNSW uses a structured panel interview, not an MMI circuit. Two interviewers are drawn from academic staff, medical practitioners and community representatives. General and Gateway interviews take place face-to-face at Kensington; rural interviews take place at designated rural clinical campuses.

The published admissions guide describes a broad discussion of relevant topics and confirms that interviewers receive your Medicine Application Form. It does not provide a detailed public scoring rubric or confirm an interview duration on the current page, so no specific timing or criterion weightings are asserted here.

Useful preparation includes discussing your motivation for medicine, reflecting on experiences, explaining your reasoning and responding naturally to follow-up questions. These are preparation areas, rather than a claimed list of UNSW scoring criteria.

Final selection and application steps

UNSW ranks applicants within their pathway using academic rank, UCAT ANZ overall score and interview score. It does not publish percentage weightings or disclose the ranking algorithm. Do not assume an equal one-third formula.

1. Identify your eligible entry pathway and meet its academic and testing requirements.
2. Apply through UAC and complete the Medicine Application Form and any pathway-specific evidence.
3. Monitor your email for an interview invitation and follow the appointment instructions.

Check all application, preference, document, testing and course-offer deadlines through the official admissions information. Only interview-related dates are reproduced below.

UNSW has announced a curriculum redesign affecting incoming cohorts. The published qualification and six-year duration remain unchanged; review the university’s program information for the structure applying to your cohort.

UNSW Medicine Interview Dates for 2027 Entry

The following dates are listed in UNSW’s current domestic admissions schedule. An invitation depends on eligibility and competitive selection; the dates do not mean that every applicant will receive an interview.

Dates can change. Follow your invitation for the time, venue and attendance requirements. UNSW generally does not permit rescheduling once an interview is booked; contact admissions promptly if illness or circumstances outside your control affect attendance.

Verify appointments and all application requirements through UNSW’s official domestic medicine admissions guide.

UNSW Medicine Access and Special Entry Pathways

Gateway Entry Scheme

Gateway medicine is for eligible domestic students completing Australian Year 12 for the first time in the application year who attend a Gateway school and/or live in an eligible low-socioeconomic area. Applicants must not have attempted post-secondary study.

Apply through UAC’s main application portal, rather than the separate Gateway portal. Meeting the lower academic threshold does not guarantee an interview or offer.

Rural Entry Admission Pathway

REAP requires Australian rural residence in an eligible MM2–MM7 area for five consecutive or ten cumulative years between ages five and eighteen. UNSW currently specifies the Modified Monash Model 2023 classification. Rural residence outside Australia does not qualify.

Rural interviews are conducted face-to-face at the closest designated rural clinical campus: Albury, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie or Wagga Wagga. Academic results are assessed later in the selection process. Confirm your eligibility, evidence and campus commitments directly with the rural admissions team.

Indigenous Entry Scheme

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants can apply through a dedicated pathway without UCAT ANZ. Selection considers evidence of academic capability, communication and interpersonal skills, and commitment to and knowledge of Indigenous health.

The pathway includes the three-week residential Pre-Medicine & Health Program through Nura Gili. Confirm the assessment process and any interview arrangements directly with UNSW; separate interview dates are not confirmed here.

Lateral Entry Scheme

Lateral entry is a separate internal pathway for eligible domestic UNSW Bachelor of Medical Science students. It is not direct entry from Year 12. Selection considers core-course WAM, UCAT ANZ and interview performance, with a minimum UCAT result at the 50th percentile.

Eligible students apply during their second year and must meet the required core-course completion rules. Use the university’s current lateral entry instructions, rather than the former Medicine Application Portal process.

Educational disadvantage and bonded places

EAS and other approved special consideration arrangements do not remove the published minimum selection requirements. Check the rules for your category before relying on an adjustment.

Some domestic places carry Bonded Medical Program obligations to work in eligible workforce-shortage areas after graduation. Eligibility and allocation differ by citizenship and pathway, so review the conditions before accepting a place.

International UNSW Medicine Entry Requirements

International school-leaver applicants require academic results equivalent to an ATAR of at least 96.00, an accepted admissions test and an interview if selected. Qualification equivalences and English-language requirements must be checked directly with UNSW.

• Accepted tests: UCAT ANZ at the 50th percentile or above, or ISAT with a minimum score of 165.
• Decide which test UNSW should assess before submitting it; later submission of the alternative test is not considered.
• Applicants sitting Australian or New Zealand Year 12, or the IB Diploma, apply through UAC. Other applicants generally use the UNSW Applicant Portal.
• Direct applicants upload the Medicine Personal Statement and test confirmation documentation required by UNSW.

International interviews are structured two-person panel interviews on Zoom. UNSW describes monthly interviews from June to January; it does not publish a single appointment date or universal invitation release date for all international applicants.

Academic results and UCAT ANZ or ISAT inform interview shortlisting. Final selection also includes interview performance. Check your qualification, documentation and interview arrangements through UNSW’s official international medicine admissions guide.

Preparing for the UNSW Medical Interview

Practise a thoughtful conversation with a panel, including follow-up questions about your experiences and reasons for studying medicine. Aim to explain your thinking clearly and use your own examples rather than memorising scripted answers.

NIE offers individual coaching and practice interviews with feedback on communication and response structure.

For current test guidance and participating courses, visit the official UCAT ANZ university information.

UNSW Medicine Entry: Frequently Asked Questions