Doctor of Medicine

Admission criteria

Selection is based on holistic consideration of merit, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances.

There are three entry streams available for applicants: General Entry Stream, Rural Training Stream and the Indigenous Entry Stream. Please note that course transfer applications from other Medical Schools are not generally accepted due to restrictions on the numbers of places in the course.

Academic requirements

To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet the following criteria based on the type of applicant you are:

Domestic General Stream applicants:

Domestic general stream applicants apply through GEMSAS and are selected for Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) on the basis of the following factors:

• a final GPA (weighted) of 5.0 or greater in an approved bachelor, honours, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or masters by coursework*. The GPA is calculated on the most recent three full-time-equivalent years (FTE) of study
• performance in the GAMSAT^
  A minimum score of 50 in each of the three sections of the Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admission Test (GAMSAT), and an overall score of 50 or greater
• applicable adjustments based on information provided in the GEMSAS application form. ##

Please note: As a minimum requirement, applicants must hold a completed bachelor degree (with a minimum weighted GPA of 5.0) or be in the final year of a bachelor degree (scheduled for completion by 31 December in the year of application) to be considered for selection.

General stream applicants are ranked for MMI offer based on: Equal weighting of GPA + GAMSAT score^ + any adjustment factors as specified in GEMSAS##.

Applicants are selected for MMI based on their ranked order. Following the MMI#, a final aggregate score is calculated as follows:

• final aggregate = equal weighting of GPA + GAMSAT + applicable adjustments (50%) + MMI interview score# (50%)

Applicants are ranked according to their final aggregate score and course offers will be made to applicants based on ranked order and the number of places available. Please note: a minimum 50% of all course places (RTS + general stream) will be offered to students meeting rural background criteria.

In 2023, our student intake had an average GPA of 6.62 and an average GAMSAT of 67.6.

Domestic Rural Training Stream (RTS) applicants:

Rural Training Stream (RTS) applicants apply through GEMSAS and will be assigned one of the following rurality tiers, based on the documentation provided to GEMSAS as part of the rurality assessment:

• tier 1: Deakin’s rural footprint, as defined by evidence of rural background in the geographic area and available at https://www.deakin.edu.au/medicine/study-opportunities/rural-training-stream^^
• tier 2: evidence of rural background in MM2-7 in in Rural Victoria
• tier 3: evidence of rural background in MM2-7 in other areas of Rural Australia

RTS applicants are selected for MMI on the basis of the following factors listed below:
1. The number of interview places available
2. Tier order (tier 1 > tier 2 > tier 3)
3. Ranked order within each tier based on the aggregate score applicable to their assigned tier (see below)

Following the MMI, RTS offers are made on the basis of:

1. the number of RTS places available
2. tier order (tier 1 > tier 2 > tier 3)
3. ranked order within each tier based on the aggregate score applicable to their assigned tier (50%) + MMI score (50%)

RTS Notes:

• acceptance into the RTS is a commitment to undertake training in a rural location for Years 1 & 2, and a rural location (not including Geelong) for Years 3 & 4 of the course. A student declaration confirming this commitment is required to confirm enrolment
• transfers from the RTS to the general stream are not possible and exit from the RTS would be a forfeit of the position within the course
• RTS applicants from any tier may apply separately for Deakin’s general entry stream. They must meet all admission requirements for the general stream including satisfactory completion of the GAMSAT

Requirements for Tier 1: Deakin’s rural footprint
Tier 1 applicants must provide required rurality assessment documentation to GEMSAS that demonstrates 5 years continuous or 10 years cumulative residence in the geographic area defined as Deakin’s rural footprint^^.
Selection of Tier 1 applicants for MMI will be based on ranking using an aggregate score comprising:

• academic performance in an approved bachelor, Honours, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters by coursework*. Minimum requirement if a final GPA (weighted) of 5.0 or greater. The GPA is calculated on the most recent three full-time-equivalent years (FTE) of study
• applicable adjustments to the GPA as specified in Schedule B## based on information provided in the GEMSAS application form
• written application score. RTS applicants are required to submit a written application demonstrating rural community connection and commitment, and evidence of preparedness for tertiary study. Written applications will be assessed by rural community and academic members or clinical practitioners

Tier 1 applicants are ranked for MMI offer within their tier based on: GPA + any adjustment factors as specified in Schedule B##(50%) + written application score (50%)
Applicants are selected for MMI based on their ranked order.

Following the MMI, a final Tier 1 aggregate score is calculated as follows: Final aggregate = GPA + applicable adjustments (25%) + RTS written application (25%) + MMI interview score3 (50%)

Applicants are ranked according to their final aggregate score and course offers will be made to applicants based on ranked order and the number of places available.

Requirements for Tier 2 (Rural background MM2-7 in Rural Victoria) and Tier 3 (rural background in MM2-7 in other areas of Rural Australia
Tier 2 and 3 applicants must provide required rurality assessment documentation to GEMSAS that demonstrates 5 years continuous or 10 years cumulative residence in their chosen rurality tier. Selection for MMI will be based on ranking using an aggregate score comprising:

• academic performance in an approved bachelor, Honours, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters by coursework*. Minimum requirement if a final GPA (weighted) of 5.0 or greater. The GPA is calculated on the most recent three full-time-equivalent years (FTE) of study
• applicable adjustments to the GPA as specified in Schedule B## based on information provided in the GEMSAS application form
  - Performance in the GAMSAT^. A minimum score of 50 in each of the three sections of the GAMSAT, and an overall score of 50 or greater
• written application score. RTS applicants are required to submit a written application demonstrating rural community connection and commitment, and evidence of preparedness for tertiary study. Written applications will be assessed by rural community and academic members or clinical practitioners

Tier 2 and 3 applicants are raked for MMI offer within their tier based on: (equal weighting of GPA + GAMSAT + adjustments if applicable (50%)) + written application score (50%)

Following the MMI, a final tier 2 or 3 aggregate score is calculated as follows: Final aggregate = equal weighting of GPA + GAMSAT + adjustments (25%) + RTS written application (25%) + MMI score# (50%).

Applicants are ranked according to their final aggregate score and course offers will be made to applicants based on ranked order and the number of places available.

For more information go to Deakin’s School of Medicine Rural Training Stream (RTS) webpage.

Adjustment (bonus) information

Applicants may be eligible for the following adjustments (bonuses) which will count towards your aggregate score for interview consideration. For detailed information on the adjustments (bonuses) please refer to the Admissions Guide on the GEMSAS website.

Rural/Regional residency

Applicants who meet defined rural and regional residency criteria have additional points added to the combined grade point average (GPA) and Graduate Australian Medical School Admission Test (GAMSAT) score. To qualify for an adjustment for rural/regional residency, applicants must have lived for at least 10 years cumulatively or any 5 years consecutively after birth in a place classified by the Modified Monash (MM) category as level 2-7 or Geelong MM1. Residence in:

• MM2 or Geelong MM1: an adjustment of 4% of the combined GPA and GAMSAT score
• MM3-7: an adjustment of 8% of the combined GPA and GAMSAT score

Please note that applicants with a rural background are also eligible to apply for entry through the dedicated Rural Training Stream (RTS).

Further information on Rural Training Stream course structure and eligibility criteria can be found here.

Prior Clinical Experience

Applicants who have completed one year (12 months) of full-time clinical practice (minimum of 36 hours per week for one year consecutively or minimum of 1872 hours cumulatively) as an AHPRA registered health professional, or in speech pathology or dietetics, may have a 4% adjustment (bonus) added to the combined GPA and GAMSAT or GPA score.

Applicants with international clinical practice and registration that aligns with the professions listed on the AHPRA website including speech pathology and dietetics, may also be eligible to receive this adjustment (bonus).

Applicants who claim the Work Experience adjustment (below) are not eligible to apply for this adjustment.

Work Experience

Applicants who have worked full-time (minimum of 36 hours per week for 2 years consecutively or 3744 hours cumulatively over a 4 year period) may have a 2% adjustment (bonus) added to the combined GPA and GAMSAT or GPA score.

Applicants who claim the Prior Clinical Experience adjustment (above) are not eligible to apply for this adjustment (bonus).

Financial Disadvantage

Applicants who can demonstrate financial disadvantage which may have impacted on academic performance during their recent study may qualify for an adjustment. The following benefits are recognised as providing eligibility for the adjustment:

• centrelink income support payments and allowances: ABSTUDY, AUSTUDY, Parenting Payment, Youth Allowance, Newstart Allowance Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, JobSeeker, JobKeeper, Farm Household Allowance
• Department of Veteran’s Affairs income payments and Veteran’s Children Education Scheme (VCES)
• other Australian Federal or State Government income payments of similar amounts may be considered
• StudyLink benefits (exclusive of StudyLink loans) apply for applicants from New Zealand

Applicants who are able to demonstrate that they have been in receipt of an approved Centrelink/StudyLink benefit for at least 12 months during their recent study, may have a 2% adjustment (bonus) added to the combined GPA and GAMSAT or GPA scores.

Deakin Graduate

Applicants who at the time of application meet the following requirements may have a 4% adjustment added to their combined GPA and GAMSAT or GPA score:

• have completed and graduated with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree by coursework from Deakin University with a minimum of two thirds of their course requirements completed at Deakin University
• will be completing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree with Deakin University in the year of application and have completed a minimum of two thirds of their course requirement at Deakin University

Note: Recognition for Prior Learning granted for study at another institution may impact on the two years’ full-time equivalent (FTE) completion requirement.

Interview Process

Eligible applicants are invited to attend a Multi-Mini Interview (MMI) which consists of up to 6 five minute stations addressing a range of key areas, that may include:

• Communication Skills
• Commitment to Rural and Regional Practice
• Evidence-based Practice
• Self-directed learning
• Teamwork
• Motivation for a Career in Medicine
• A commitment to social justice
• Professionalism
• Effective Use of Resources
• Health promotion

Interviews are conducted in September. Further information will be provided on the selection update page.

Indigenous Entry Stream applicants
Indigenous Entry Stream (IES) applicants apply directly to the School of Medicine through the IES and must demonstrate eligibility to apply as an Indigenous Australian. An aggregate score is then allocated and applicants are ranked according to:

• academic performance in an approved bachelor, Honours, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters by coursework*. A final GPA (weighted) of 5.0 or greater. The GPA is calculated on the most recent three full-time- equivalent years (FTE) of study
• information provided in the IES application form
• performance in an interview*~

Offers will be made to applicants based on rank order and the number of places available under the IES.

For more information go to Deakin’s Indigenous Entry Stream webpage.

Notes:
*Degree must have been awarded within 10 years of the projected commencement date of the Doctor of Medicine. Applicants whose degree was completed outside this 10 year period may be considered if they have completed the equivalent of one half year of approved tertiary study (0.5 FTE) at Australian Qualifications Framework level 8 or higher at an institution recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework (or equivalent overseas institution determined by Deakin) and completed by 31 July in the year of application. It must also be completed within the 10 years of commencement date of the course. Note – this requirement is not applicable for RTS Tier 1 students
^ GAMSAT or MCAT score must be obtained within four years preceding the year of application.
# A minimum overall score of 50% at MMI. Eligible applicants scoring less than 2 on any station will undergo review.
##There is no cap on the number of additional points that can be awarded to eligible applicants.
~Score based on performance at the interview in which applicants must achieve a minimum overall score of 50%
^^ The Deakin University rural footprint is all locations in the Western Victorian Primary Health Network area that are classified as MM3-MM6 (Large Rural Towns, Medium Rural Towns, Small Rural Towns, Remote Communities). It will also include MM2 (Regional Centres) locations surrounding and including Ballarat, given Ballarat is the location of one of Deakin’s rural clinical schools. All other MM1 and MM2 locations within the Western Victorian Primary Health Network area and the MM3 and MM4 location on the Bellarine Peninsula are excluded from the Deakin University rural footprint (Tier1).

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following: 

• bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
• IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no band score less than 7.0) in each component of test
• other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Non-academic requirements

Guidelines for applicants and students with a disability

Deakin University and the School of Medicine seeks to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, including those with a disability.  The School encourages potential applicants who have a disability or ongoing health condition to reach out for a confidential and constructive discussion regarding the requirements of the course and the potential for reasonable accommodations.  The Medical Deans of Australia and New Zealand have provided guidelines for medical students and applicants with a disability.

Admissions information

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