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University of New South Wales (UNSW)

  • 34% international / 66% domestic

Bachelor of Medical Science

  • Bachelor

Medical science is the foundation on which the practice of medicine is built. This Bachelor of Medical Science delves into how the human body functions and responds to disease and drug treatments.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor
Duration
3 - 3 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Fees
$8,500 per year / $173,500 total

About this course

Overview

Medical science is the foundation on which the practice of medicine is built. This Bachelor of Medical Science delves into how the human body functions and responds to disease and drug treatments. It incorporates facets of several scientific disciplines to provide you with an extensive understanding of the human body.

The Bachelor of Medical Science explores:

  • the structure and chemistry of the cells that make up living organisms (cell & molecular biology and biochemistry)
  • the structure and function of the human body (anatomy and physiology)
  • the general processes leading to disease (pathology)
  • the role of bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms in disease (microbiology)
  • drugs which are used to cure human diseases (pharmacology)
  • the way in which our form and function is inherited (genetics)
  • the processes of development from the fertilised ovum (embryology)
  • the natural defences of the body (immunology)
  • the structure and function of the brain (neuroscience).

The Bachelor of Medical Science provides the basis for a career in biomedical research and is also an appropriate first degree if you're planning to progress to graduate medical or paramedical degrees. After completing the course, you'll be able to delve into further study for deeper specialisations in biotechnology, public health, immunology and molecular biology.

Key features



University is about more than what you learn in the classroom. The Bachelor of Medical Science provides the optimal balance of theoretical and hands-on learning to prepare you for the workforce in any sector from public health to medical research.

  • Two UNSW faculties

    This degree is jointly offered by UNSW Science and UNSW Medicine & Health, combining the expertise of two industry-leading faculties.
  • Optional majors

    If you want to tailor your study to a particular area of interest, you can choose to complete a major or a double major.

  • Wide range of career opportunities

    This degree can lead to a career in a variety of fields including:

* medical research

* paramedical professions

* health policy

* medical laboratory science

* pathology and forensic science

* patents and intellectual property

* market research and product development

* pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

  • Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities

    At UNSW Science, we focus on delivering the optimal balance of theory and practical work to equip you with the skills and experience to fast-track your career. A Science Work Placement course gives you the opportunity to gain practical work experience through an internship. Previous work placement students have interned with IT companies, start-ups, government departments and large biomedical and biotechnology companies. Along with new professional skills and connections, you'll also gain course credit for your work placement.
  • Research internship course

    The SCIF2041 Research Internship
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    course gives you the opportunity to complete a short theoretical or experimental research project in a world-leading research team supervised by a member of the academic staff. Internships may also involve a placement outside of UNSW, in the form of externally funded research programs.
  • Honours project

    High-performing students may have the opportunity to enrol in an honours program after completing the Bachelor of Medical Science, which includes a specialised research project. Areas of specialisation include human pathology, biomedical science, medical pharmacology, molecular genetics and neurobiology.
Why study this degree at UNSW?

Learn with the best

When you enrol in the Bachelor of Medical Science, you'll learn from the best from Australia and beyond. Domestic and international students will learn from educators who are deeply involved and globally recognised in the science community.

UNSW Science and the Bachelor of Medical Science are at the forefront of many new scientific developments, teaching and innovation. We're responsive to the needs of industry, adaptive to change and take an innovative approach to teaching and learning. Our world-class laboratories, clinics and simulators give you the tools to discover new frontiers and make meaningful discoveries to benefit society. We're one of the top 50 universities in the world for anatomy and physiology and proud of it.*

Our collaborative learning environment

When you study the Bachelor of Medical Science, you'll have the opportunity to enrich your education with experiences beyond the classroom via hands-on experience. UNSW's School of Biomedical Sciences is the largest school within UNSW Medicine & Health and one of the largest at UNSW. It manages the UNSW Lifestyle Clinic

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, which delivers exercise-related healthcare services to the community and extensive research opportunities for students. The clinic brings together some of Australia's most innovative teams of healthcare professionals and researchers.

Leverage our industry connections

Reach your career goals with industry-relevant skills and training. Tap into our network of 400+ industry and research partners to start building your own professional connections. When you leverage your own potential by enrolling in the Bachelor of Medical Sciences you'll see your career opportunities flourish.

*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024

Program Code
3991
CRICOS Code
030459E
Campus
Kensington
UAC Code
429700
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
144
Indicative Enrolments
506
Want to see more from UNSW Science?
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Entry requirements

Entry requirements
2023 Lowest Selection Rank 1
88
2023 A levels 2
15
2023 IB Diploma 3
33
2023 Lowest ATAR 4
77.15
    1. The 2023 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2023.
    2. The 2023 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subject. Entry scores are calculated from the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. At most one Applied A Level subject may be included in the best four subjects used to calculate the aggregate.
    3. The 2023 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2023. It is to be used as a guide only.
    4. The 2023 Lowest ATAR is the lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors were applied) to which an offer was made. Where <5 is listed, this indicates that less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made and so the score has not been published. N/A indicates no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
  • At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.

    To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.

    We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.

    See more
Assumed knowledge

Chemistry, Mathematics Advanced

Adjustment Factors


We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.

HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.

Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.

Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.

Admission pathways


Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our future student advisors to discuss your path to UNSW.

Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools. It significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides you with an early conditional offer to UNSW.

Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study.

English language requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you're completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • English language tests and university English courses
  • Prior study in the medium of English
  • Other qualifications

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

International direct entry
I studied in:
Qualifications Direct entry requirement
International ATAR
83
UNSW Foundation Studies GPA
7.4
Great Britain General Certificate of Education (GCE A levels)
10

All applicants must present a minimum of two Advanced Level (A2) subjects. Entry Scores are calculated from the best two, three, or four A2 Level subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2 and E=1.

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
30

Results based on scores required for entry into UNSW in 2019 and are only applicable if the Diploma has been completed. Students currently attempting the IB can apply directly to UNSW or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). For more details, visit www.uac.edu.au

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) (after 2016)
1190

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) based on the total of evidence-based reading and writing and mathematical test scores. Must be provided in conjunction with evidence of successful completion of senior secondary studies.

We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.

Please contact us for direct entry requirements.

Admission pathways


If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence.

English language requirements


You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • English language tests and university English courses
  • Prior study in the medium of English
  • Other qualifications

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Select from the options below *
Which applies to you? *

Study locations

Kensington

Career pathways

Future careers

Turn your career aspirations into reality with tertiary studies that value employability alongside academic success. Through practical training, internships and research, the Bachelor of Medical Science will provide you with strong foundations for a successful and rewarding career. Whether you're interested in a medical research specialisation or other health sciences proficiencies, UNSW offers flexible pathways into postgraduate medical studies or paramedical studies.

This degree allows you to work in a variety of fields, including:

  • medical research
  • pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries
  • market research and product development
  • forensic science
  • public health policy
  • paramedical professions
  • medical laboratory science
  • pathology and forensic science
  • patents and intellectual property.

You'll be able to work towards creating a rewarding career from day one. According to AFRA, UNSW produces the most employable students. And since healthcare is Australia's largest and fastest-growing industry, currently employing over 1.7 million people - there are great job prospects.

Due to the ageing population, the public health sector will continue to grow, seeing another 250,000 new jobs added by 2023. Now is the time to enrol in the Bachelor of Medical Science and solidify your place in the future of healthcare and medicine in Australia.

Our alumni

"With the Bachelor of Medical Science at UNSW, I was able to take concepts that I learnt on a micro level from my biological science courses and apply it on a macro level in the medicine courses. This skill helps me in my role as a Senior Quality Engineer because I am able to quickly see how "a piece fits into a puzzle", or in my case, how a part/process fits into a bigger system. This mental agility means I am able to efficiently solve problems and come up with pragmatic solutions to keep the company operating smoothly."

Tiffany Chen

Senior Quality Engineer, Nanosonics

"I've always been interested in how the body works, both normally and in disease. Having the opportunity to take part in medical research throughout my undergraduate degree has been a highlight."

Peter Zarzour

UNSW Medical Science Alumnus

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Engineering courses at University of New South Wales (UNSW).
73.8%
Overall satisfaction
80.9%
Skill scale
44.1%
Teaching scale
87.7%
Employed full-time
$68k
Average salary