Excellence through Equity Pathway
Excellence through Equity Pathway to Medicine
Equity of access to and participation in higher education is a core value of the University of Newcastle, with a mission to provide education for students from a variety of backgrounds.
The University of Newcastle is committed to enabling and supporting medical practitioners dedicated to the highest quality practice embedded in a commitment to equity.
The Excellence through Equity (EtE) Pathway to Medicine opens opportunities for people who bring many diverse experiences, including having navigated sustained educational disadvantage and social inequalities, who wish to study the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (Joint Medical Program). Through the pathway, up to six places will be available to Enabling (i.e. Open Foundation) students who meet the EtE Selection Criteria.
This initiative is currently in pilot stage.
Eligibility
All applicants for the Excellence Through Equity Pathway to Medicine must be able to:
- Demonstrate sustained socioeconomic disadvantage including financial hardship, and at least two of the following equity indicators:
- Regional, rural, remote or isolated area
- Carer responsibilities
- A non-English speaking background or English language difficulty
- Refugee status
- Sole parent responsibilities
- Personal illness or disability
- Experience of domestic and family violence and/or significant form of trauma
- Out-of-home care experience
- School type/environment
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- A childhood history of disadvantaged (parental/carer/family) circumstances
- Suffered discrimination in educational history
- Minority ethnic background
- Provide a Personal Statement, which is a short reflective piece to highlight each applicant’s interest in, enthusiasm for and understanding of Medicine. It will also be an opportunity for applicants to set out challenges they have faced that have affected their education and perhaps enhanced or enriched their understanding of and/or passion for Medicine
Current Enabling Students
Up to 6 places will be set aside for admission into the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (Joint Medical Program) for current students in an Enabling program (i.e. Open Foundation).
In addition to the eligibility criteria above, current enabling students must also:
- Meet the required ATAR equivalent based on the average mark received in their enabling courses
Past Enabling Students
Past Enabling students will not have places set aside for them, but can benefit from a lower UCAT ANZ threshold if they are able to satisfy the eligibility criteria above in addition to:
- Have completed their Enabling Program in the last five years
- Have completed a minimum of one year full-time equivalent (80 units) tertiary study
- Meet the standard minimum academic criteria
How to Apply
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.