Bachelor of Medicine

Medicine is an intellectually rigorous program leading to a challenging and demanding professional life. Whether you choose to work in general practice or to specialise, medicine offers personal satisfaction on numerous levels.

Clinical exposure (dealing with patients, visiting hospital wards and outpatient clinics, and spending time with doctors in practice) begins in the first year and continues throughout the program.

From 2008 onwards the Bachelor of Medicine degree program will be offered jointly by the University of Newcastle and the University of New England. The curriculum for this program, based on the current University of Newcastle program, will be identical at both institutions.

The Bachelor of Medicine curriculum is centred on problem-based learning with clinical and basic sciences integrated throughout the program. Students enrolled in this program will be required to undertake a placement at a Clinical School location away from their University of enrolment, excluding the Year 3 Health Equity Selective placement. While undertaking these placements students are responsible for finding their own accommodation and for all travel, accommodation and related expenses.

This program provides initial training for a career in any aspect of medicine. Graduates undertake a one year internship in a teaching hospital. Following internship, most graduates continue to work in the NSW public hospital system for a variable period of time while undertaking specialist training, including those training in General Practice.

Australian Year 12 students

Apply for entry through UAC, register to sit the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admissions Test (UMAT), apply directly to the University of Newcastle/University of New England (either rural or standard) and attend an interview if required.

Entry is based on UAI or equivalent, results of UMAT and interview.

Non school leavers and previous Australian Year 12 students

Apply for entry through UAC, register to sit the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admissions Test (UMAT) , apply directly to the University of Newcastle/University of New England (either rural or standard) and attend an interview if required. Entry is based on:

• previous Year 12 studies or Higher education qualifications or overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications.
• Results of UMAT and interview.

No formal prerequisites

Any 2 Units of English

There are no credit transfer/articulation arrangements for entry to the Bachelor of Medicine Program at The University of Newcastle. Credit applications will be assessed on an individual basis.

Where a candidate's performance has reached a standard determined by the Pro Vice-Chancellor on the recommendation of the Program Convenor, the Degree may be conferred 'with Distinction'.

Laboratory skills and professional skills attachments are integrated throughout the 5 years of the Bachelor of Medicine curriculum.

After completing a one year internship, graduates can be registered for medical practice in Australia and New Zealand. The degree is also recognised in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland by the General Medical Council (UK), in Singapore by the Singapore Medical Council. Registration may be possible in other countries after passing an examination set by the registration bodies of those countries.

Places for International students within the program are filled via contractual agreements with specific overseas institutions. In addition, limited places are reserved for International students entering via the University of Newcastle International Foundation Program.

Under Academic Senate resolution (01:335) (28 November 2001), the Faculty accepts that it is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations for students with special needs, in liaison with the Student Support Unit, which offers practical assistance and advice to students with a disability or chronic illness. The Faculty will seek advice from the Student Support Unit as to what constitutes "reasonable accommodations" under Anti-Discrimination legislation.

The B Medicine program and future professional practice is both mentally and physically demanding. Prospective students should be aware that physical capabilities sufficient to perform all aspects of routine medical practices, such as physical examination, and routine medical and surgical procedures, are required to meet program requirements. The B Medicine curriculum is centred on problem-based learning with clinical and basic sciences integrated throughout the program.

Students in this program may also be required to spend a period of time in the University's Department of Rural Health based in Tamworth in rural NSW or in the Central Coast Clinical Unit based in Gosford. Whilst attending one of these centres, students are responsible for finding their own accommodation and for all travel, accommodation and related expenses. Applicants should be aware of this requirement when applying for entry to the B Medicine program.

The Bachelor of Medicine requires five years of full time study. Student enrol in six courses in Year 1, four courses in Years 2, 4 and 5, and 3 courses in Year 3.

Most courses/units within the Bachelor of Medicine - Joint Medical Program involve clinical placements and these placements vary in length. Applicants should be aware that students enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicine Joint Medical Program will be required to undertake placement at Clinical School locations away from their university of enrolment.

Students will be required to spend up to 4 semesters away from their university of enrolment (excluding the Year 3 Health Equity Selective placement). Student may elect to undertake placements of up to 2 years in an 'away' location. Students will be responsible for all costs associated with travel and accommodation for 'away' placements.

The Clinical Schools are:

• The School of Rural Medicine (New England)/The Rural Clinical School (Newcastle) consisting of hospitals at Tamworth, Armidale, Taree, Moree and primary care settings across the Upper Hunter and New England regions.

• The Greater Newcastle Clinical School consisting of John Hunter, Newcastle Mater, Belmont, Maitland and James Fletcher Hospitals, the Royal Newcastle Centre, and primary care settings in the Lower Hunter Region.

• The Central Coast Clinical School consisting of Gosford and Wyong Hospitals and primary care settings in the Central Coast region.

Students who fail both Semester 2 MEDI3015 and Semester 2 MEDI3016 courses in 2008 will need to enrol into MEDI3017 in Semester 1, 2009.

Students who fail either Semester 2 MEDI3015 or Semester 2 MEDI3016 courses in 2008, will need to enrol into MEDI3018 in Semester 2, 2009.

Students who fail Semester 2 MEDI3013 course in 2008, will need to enrol into MEDI3013 in Semester 1, 2009.

Students who fail Semester 2 MEDI3014 course in 2008, will need to enrol into MEDI3014 in Semester 1, 2009.

Students who fail either Semester 1 MEDI3013, MEDI3015 or MEDI3016 and either Semester 2 MEDI3013, MEDI3015 or MEDI3016 courses in 2008, will need to enroll into MEDI3017 in Semester 1, 2009.

In exceptional circumstances, if a student is disadvantaged by the transitional arrangements, enrolments outside of these arrangements may be approved by the Dean of Medicine - JMP.