UQ’s New Doctor of Medicine Pathway
4 hours ago by Chris
The University of Queensland is introducing a new undergraduate medicine pathway beginning in 2027 — the Bachelor of Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine. If you are planning to apply for medicine in 2026 for 2027 entry, here is what you need to know.
What Is UQ's New Medicine Pathway?
The Bachelor of Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine is a vertical dual degree program that combines both qualifications into a single, continuous course of study structured across six years:
- Years 1-2: A pre-medicine component (Bachelor of Medical Science) covering biomedical sciences, public health, science, humanities, and computer science and information technology
- Years 3-6: The UQ Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Both degrees are awarded upon completion of the six-year program.
This differs from UQ's existing provisional entry pathway, where students must first complete a minimum of three years in another bachelor's degree at UQ before becoming eligible for the four-year MD. That existing route can take seven or more years in total to complete. The new pathway consolidates this into six years of purpose-built study, with the pre-medicine component specifically aligned to the MD curriculum from the outset.
Why Has UQ Introduced This New Pathway Now?
With the new 5 year medical program at QUT, UQ is facing competition for the highest ability students. Without this new program many medical aspirants will have placed QUT as their first preference, rather than UQ, due to the shorter duration. This is because students tend to prefer shorter medical programs.
The University of Western Australia (UWA) did the same when Curtin introduced their 5 year degree: UWA was forced to reduce their ‘guaranteed pathway’ from 7 to 6 years.
It is also worth noting that James Cook University has offered a 6-year undergraduate medical program for some time, further incentivising UQ to act.
How Does This Compare to UQ's Other Medicine Pathways?
UQ offers three pathways into the Doctor of Medicine. Understanding how they differ can help you determine which is the right fit for your circumstances.
The Bachelor of Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine (Direct Entry) is the new pathway commencing in 2027 and the shortest route to the MD available at UQ. It requires a high ATAR and UCAT ANZ, is currently available in greater Brisbane, and takes a minimum of six years to complete. Approximately 20 domestic places will be allocated to this pathway for the 2027 intake.
The Provisional Entry pathway is also available for Year 12 students and similarly leads to the UQ MD. However, rather than a fixed pre-medicine program, students first complete a separate undergraduate degree of their choosing at UQ (typically an allied health or science-related program) before transitioning into the MD. This typically requires a minimum of seven years to complete depending on the degree chosen.
The Graduate Entry pathway is open to students who have already completed, or are in the final year of, an undergraduate degree at UQ or another institution, within the past ten years. It can be studied across multiple UQ locations. Like provisional entry, it requires a minimum of at least seven years total study dependent on your undergraduate degree.
It is expected that the direct entry pathway will be more competitive than the provisional entry pathway.
Across all three pathways, UQ offers approximately 280 places per year for domestic students, with a further approximately 95 places available for international students.
Entry Requirements
UQ’s Bachelor of Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine is designed for high-achieving students with a clear commitment to a career in medicine. To be considered for this program, applicants must meet the following entry requirements:
- Adjusted ATAR of 95 or above (or equivalent)
- Year 12 English (or equivalent)
- Mathematical Methods Units 3 & 4, grade C or above (or equivalent)
- UCAT ANZ, sat in the same calendar year as application
Selection is competitive and based on a combination of ATAR, UCAT ANZ score, and performance at a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). UCAT ANZ scores are used to rank applicants and determine who receives an invitation to interview.
Applications will open mid-2026, with the first cohort commencing in 2027.
Should I Apply for This Pathway?
In short, yes. If you have the academic results and a genuine interest in medicine, this pathway is well worth considering. It is generally recommended that aspiring medical students apply to as many eligible pathways as possible to maximise their chances of gaining entry. This program is no exception.
Given its streamlined structure and reduced time to graduation, UQ's new Bachelor of Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine is expected to attract significant interest and will likely be among the more competitive undergraduate medicine options available in Queensland.
How Difficult Will it Be to Gain Entry Via This Pathway?
UQ's Provisional Entry pathway, which has been in place for several years, recorded a UCAT aggregate of 2290 (or 89th percentile) for the lowest interviewed and lowest offered non-rural applicant in 2025.
The lowest offered adjusted ATAR was 98.60 for non-rural applicants and 97.25 for rural applicants. It is important to note these figures relate to the provisional entry pathway and should not be taken as a direct prediction for direct entry cut-offs, but they do provide a useful indication of the competitive standard that applicants for UQ’s MD are likely to face.
As you can see, a strong ATAR is important, but with many applicants likely to meet the academic threshold, UCAT ANZ performance will be a key differentiator in determining who progresses to interview. For any student intending to apply to medicine for the 2027 intake, dedicated UCAT preparation will be essential.
