Academic eligibility
The first stage in the Joint Medical Program's selection process is to determine your academic eligibility. This is based on your high school qualifications or previous university study.
Your academic eligibility will be considered provisional until the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) receives all available results. Academic eligibility is assessed prior to the offer rounds, once all available results have been received by UAC. You won't be told the outcome of your application until the official UAC offer rounds.
Entry based on previous high school qualifications
Your Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) is based on your high school performance and is used to assess academic eligibility for those who haven't completed a full year of tertiary studies or part-time equivalent. A limited ATAR is not recognised for entry to the degree.
The minimum ATAR required by applicants who completed the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or equivalent.
The minimum ATAR required by applicants who completed the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or equivalent at a high school in a rural/remote location, as determined by the Joint Medical Program - Rural Bonus Scheme. This doesn't apply to applicants whose home address is in a rural or remote location, but who completed year 12 in a non-rural/remote location.
Applicants who completed year 12 examination in a previous year and who are eligible to be considered in this category must have achieved the requirements outlined above. More information about the ATAR can be found on the UAC website.
Entry based on previous university experience
Your previous university study will be used to assess your academic eligibility if you will have completed at least one year full-time in a single program of study (full academic load, excluding credit) or its part-time equivalent at a recognised higher education institution in Australia or overseas by the end of 2024. In this case, you will not be considered based on your Year 12 results.
Recognised courses/units/awards include:
- Higher Doctorate
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Masters by research
- Masters by coursework
- Graduate Diploma
- Bachelor degree (including Honours)
- Associate degree
Your eligibility will be assessed based on your most recent program of study; you must have satisfied a minimum academic requirement to be eligible. This requirement differs depending on the level of study undertaken and whether or not it is completed. You will not be eligible for admission based on TAFE qualifications or graduate certificate level qualifications.
This table gives an indication of academic 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 |
| 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 |
Documentary evidence
Please read the UAC instruction concerning provision of documentary evidence of tertiary studies. You don't need to provide copies of your academic transcripts to the University of Newcastle/University of New England.
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.