Newcastle (NSW), Australia
Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (Joint Medical Program)
The Joint Medical Program (JMP) considers personal qualities to be just as important and influential to the learning and practice of medicine as academic ability. This is reflected in admission and selection processes.
Selection is based on performance in UCAT, the Multiple Skills Assessment MSA (MMI Interview), and the online Personal Qualities Assessment (PQA). A minimum academic requirement is also required.
If you have or expecting to receive an interview offer for University of Newcastle Joint Medical program, then you should consider attending a Medical Interview training session. Register and secure your spot now as MedEntry only accepts a small number of students per session.
ATAR of 94.3 and 91.4
Entry Based on University Study
Entry into this course can be done based on at least one year of full-time tertiary study at a university. The academic requirement differs depending on the level of study and whether or not it has been completed.
Indicative requirements
Level of study | Completed studies | Incomplete studies |
Associate Degree | Close to credit average |
Close to credit average |
Bachelor Degree | Better than pass average |
Close to credit average |
Bachelor Degree (Honours) ungraded |
Better than pass average |
Close to credit average |
Bachelor Degree (Honours) graded |
Awarded | n/a |
Bachelor Degree (Honours) end-on |
Awarded | n/a |
Graduate Diploma | Credit average | n/a |
Masters by coursework | Pass average | Credit average |
Masters by research | Awarded | n/a |
Doctor of Philosophy | Awarded | n/a |
Higher Doctorate | Awarded | n/a |
Subject prerequisites
There are no subject prerequisites for admission to this degree. However, if your previous educational qualifications are undertaken in a language other than English, you may be required to provide proof of your English proficiency as prescribed by the University of Newcastle's policy. This should be provided as part of your UAC application.
Assessment of personal qualities
UCAT ANZ
UCAT ANZ must be sat on the year of application. The aggregate score for the reasoning subtests wil be used for ranking invitations to JMP Assessment and the final ranking. The situational judgement test will not be used as a part of the 2024 JMP admissions process.
Joint Medical Program Assessment
If you are selected for the JMP applicant assessment then you will be required to attend a Multiple Skills Assessment interview and sit a Personal Qualities Assessment at either the University of Newcastle in Newcastle or the University of New England in Armadale.
MSA (MMI) Interview
The MSA is essentially MMI style interview, which is made up of eight, eight-minute rotating stations. At each station, applicant will discuss various scenarios and undertake activities with the assessor.
University of Newcastle Interview (MMI) Assessment Criteria
- Capacity to thrive within the Joint Medical Program learning environment.
- Ability to make everyday and important decisions affecting yourself and others, often without certainty about the outcome.
- Interpersonal and communication skills.
- Degree of personal desire and driving force to be a doctor.
University of Newcastle Medicine Interview Dates
University of Newcastle/University of New England medical interviews will be held from November 20th 2023 to 8 December 2023.
University of Newcastle/University of New England medical interviews for interstate / non-rural applicants will be held mid January 2024.
At MedEntry we highly encourage students to prepare for this MMI style interview. See more information on our Medical Interview Training sessions.
Completion of Personal Qualities Assessment (PQA)
Candidates will also be required to complete an online assessment of personal qualities known a the PQA on the same day as their allocated Interview session. The PQA is an online test designed to assess a range of personal qualities that are considered to be important for the study and practise of medicine.
Email MedEntry to discuss the preparation strategies for the styles and structure of the interview questions at the University of Newcastle.
University of Newcastle medicine interview questions and interview dates can be viewed on the Newcastle Joint Medical Program Page.
Biomedical Science Pathway
Applicants who have completed the University of Newcastle Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree within two the last two years may be invited to attend the MSA/PQA based their UCAT score.
Applicants will need to sit the UCAT ANZ test in the year of their application and score at, or above, the lower UCAT ANZ cut-off score used for rural applicants in order to progress to MSA interview.
There is no cap on the number of applicants who will progress to MSA interview and PQA under this scheme. But it only applies for entry to the JMP at the University of Newcastle.
Applicants who have completed, or are about to complete, a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at another University in Australia or NZ are not eligible for this scheme, but can still apply for entry to the JMP via the standard application process.