Whether you want to become a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist or pharmacist, Australia has a wide range of courses to suit your needs. Australia is one of the top destinations in the world for health and medicine study. The education provided by Australian universities is highly regarded and a graduate’s employment prospects are good. In addition to gaining qualifications, students can also work on campus or in their home country.
The first step is to enrol on an undergraduate programme. These courses are normally four to six years long and include theoretical and practical coursework. Students can choose to study medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmacy or nutrition. Many Australian universities offer clinical placements and internships in hospitals or health care facilities. This makes the cost of studying affordable.
After completing their undergraduate studies, students can take postgraduate courses in medicine. Typically, these programs are four years long and include practical studies in various specialties. Graduates can work in a clinical setting or in laboratory settings. There are also opportunities in public health and dietetics. There are also postgraduate pathways available to students with undergraduate degrees in other areas of study. These pathways include the Master of Medicine and the Doctor of Medicine (MD).
In Australia, a Doctor of Medicine is a postgraduate research training program. The Doctor of Medicine degree is awarded by a number of universities in Australia. These programs last four years and require students to pass an aptitude test. Some Australian universities offer a joint medical program, which combines the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine degree. After graduating, students can also undertake a Post-Study Work Stream Temporary Graduate visa, which allows students to work in Australia for two to four years after graduation.
Students who are looking to gain a health and medicine study in Australia are advised to check the country’s qualifications framework, which is administered by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). This agency is responsible for regulating universities and ensuring that all degree courses meet its standards.
Applicants should also take time to explore Australia’s rural and Aboriginal health concerns. They may also need to prove that they have the required language skills. Some universities may also require students to undergo a criminal history check. A check can also be made with the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition.
Most Australian universities require applicants to take the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMATH). This is a three-hour computer-based multiple choice test. Most universities also require students to submit an ATAR score. Applicants may also be required to submit a medical interview. A medicine interview helps the admissions committee to assess whether the applicant has the right skills, motivations and personality to succeed in a medical program.
Some universities offer special student cohorts, which aim to complete the course in two years instead of the standard three years. These cohorts are also suitable for high achieving school leavers. The first three years of MBBS are now available at JCU Cairns.
