Which Universities and Courses Require UCAT?
7 months ago by Rob
UCAT stands for University Clinical Aptitude Test. UCAT is required for entry into most medicine and dentistry courses across Australia and New Zealand. If you wish to apply for such courses in 2024, you will need to sit UCAT in 2023.
UCAT will take place across the months of July and August in 2023. UCAT results are valid for one year only and cannot be carried over from one year to the next. This blog outlines and classifies the universities and courses requiring UCAT.
Undergraduate courses requiring students to sit UCAT
If you wish to apply for any of the courses below for direct entry from year 12 into medicine or dentistry in 2024, you will need to sit UCAT 2023.
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University |
Course or Programme |
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Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH) |
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Bachelor of Dental Science Doctor of Medicine (MD) (See Western Sydney University for the Joint Program in Medicine) |
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Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery |
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Bachelor of Clinical Sciences, Doctor of Medicine |
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Bachelor of Dental Health Science |
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Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD) |
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Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (Joint Medical Program) |
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Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine (BMed/MD) |
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Doctor of Medicine (provisional entry) Bachelor of Dental Science |
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Bachelor of Medical Science (Regional Medical Pathway provisional entry to UQ) |
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| University of Southern Queensland | Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (provisional entry to UQ MD, Darling Downs-South West Medical Pathway) |
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Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (previously Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery) |
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Doctor of Medicine (MD) - direct pathway Dental Medicine - direct pathway |
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Doctor of Medicine (MD): Western Sydney University and Charles Sturt University will be delivering a Doctor of Medicine (MD) course together |
Graduate and Non-Standard Entry Courses requiring UCAT
Some universities also require students to sit UCAT if they are non-standard applicants (i.e., candidates in the process of studying a degree) or graduates (i.e., those who have already completed a degree). Other universities require graduates to sit GAMSAT.
This table outlines graduate and non-standard entry courses requiring UCAT:
| University | Course or programme |
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Bachelor of Dental Science / Master of Dentistry (UCAT required if applicant has higher education study) |
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Entry into Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine can be based on UCAT plus at least one year of full-time tertiary study at a university. The academic requirement differs depending on the level of study and whether it has been completed. |
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Entry into the Doctor of Medicine requires UCAT plus an ATAR or equivalent of at least 95.5 (93.5 for applicants from Western Sydney and rural students) for those with an incomplete degree. For those who have commenced or finished a university degree, the GPA requirements vary depending on GWS status, the type of degree and how much of the degree you have completed. |
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There are two application categories for entry into the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery:
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Entry into the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Dental Surgery:
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Undergraduate Medical & Dental Courses NOT requiring UCAT
A minority of universities offer entry into medicine and dentistry directly from year 12 without UCAT. This table outlines them:
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University |
Course or programme |
|---|---|
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Bachelor of Medical Studies (BMedSt) Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program Note: Bond is a private university. Entry is based on ATAR, the Bond Psychometric Test, and an interview |
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Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) & Bachelor of Dental Surgery Entry is based on ATAR, a written application, and an interview (favours those from rural or remote backgrounds) |
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Bachelor of Dental Science / Master of Dentistry Oral Health Science UCAT is not required for Year 12 students; entry is based on ATAR |
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Doctor of Medicine (‘Guaranteed’ Entry Pathway = 3 years Bachelor’s degree + 4 years Doctor of Medicine) Entry is based on an ATAR of 99.9+, completing a degree with a weighted average mark of 75%, plus interview. |
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Doctor of Medicine / Doctor of Dental Medicine (‘Guaranteed Entry Pathway’ = 3 years Bachelor’s degree + 4 years Doctor of Medicine/Dental Medicine) Entry is based on an ATAR of 99.95 (slightly lower for pathways applicants), a written assessment plus interview and completing a degree with an annual average mark of at least 65.0 in each year of study. |
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Provisional entry into the Griffith Doctor of Medicine program (School leavers) Entry based on ATAR of 99.85+ Completion of the Bachelor of Medical Science program with a GPA of at least 5.0 will see graduates gain entry into the Doctor of Medicine. Completion of a bachelor or other key degree with a GPA of at least 5.0 and GAMSAT (graduate entry) |
As you can see, UCAT is required for the vast majority of undergraduate medical and dental courses across Australia and New Zealand. Some universities also require UCAT for entry into graduate and non-standard entry pathways. A minority of universities do not require UCAT for entry, and these often have unusual requirements (e.g., rural focus for James Cook, high ATAR requirements for Melbourne/Sydney, significant fees for Bond university).
Therefore, if you are aiming to study medicine or dentistry in Australia, you should sit UCAT!
