When applying for the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Medicine Pathway) at UniSQ, it is important to view all admission considerations that may be applicable to you. This includes selection principles in relation to different adjustment schemes, information for First Nations applicants, as well as requirements and tips for the Multiple Mini-Interviews (MMIs).
Other admission considerations
All applicants will need to meet the entry requirements of the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medicine Pathway), such as ATAR or equivalent, subject pre-requisites and English language requirements. Entry is competitive with limited places available. Therefore, meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission. Shortlisted applicants must meet inherent requirements and attend a multiple mini-interview.
To be considered for a place in the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medicine Pathway) as a First Nations applicant, you will need to submit:
- a copy of your most recently graded report card
- your resume
- a personal statement outlining the reasons for wanting to study medicine and any future medical career plans
- written evidence of your First Nations heritage as outlined by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), e.g. a written reference from a Community Elder, your local Community-Controlled Organisation or your mob’s Land Council.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a semi-structured interview with a panel convened by UniSQ’s School of Health and Medical Sciences and led by a First Nations academic nominated by the Provost; and then be invited to progress to the next stage of the selection process and participate in the MMIs.
If you have questions about the requested documentation or shortlisting process, please contact us.
Applicants (other than First Nations applicants) may be eligible to receive ATAR/rank adjustments for successfully completing specific Year 12 subjects or university-level study while at school.
- Two (2) ATAR/rank adjustments for achieving a grade of C or higher in Units 3 and 4 of an approved language other than English subject (or an equivalent subject from another approved senior program);
- Two (2) ATAR/rank adjustments for achieving a grade of C or higher in Units 3 and 4 of Queensland Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent);
- One (1) ATAR/rank adjustment point for successfully completing a UniSQ BIO-coded Head Start course.
Note that a maximum of five (5) adjustment points can be applied to an applicant’s ATAR.
Applicants (other than First Nations applicants) may be eligible to receive ATAR/rank adjustments for residing in a rural area in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.
- Two (2) ATAR/rank adjustments and access to QTAC's Rural Access Scheme for applicants who live in areas classified MM 2 to MM 7 under the MMM classifications (PDF 255KB) for at least 10 years. Cumulatively or any five (5) years consecutively in rural Australia since birth. Documentation must be provided.
- For applicants who receive the two (2) ATAR/rank adjustment points as per (1) and who reside in Darling Downs, South West Queensland, or regions agreed in writing with UniSQ (MM2 to MM7) will receive a further one (1) ATAR/rank adjustment point applied to their ATAR.
- Three (3) ATAR/rank adjustments for applicants who live in the Darling Downs, South West Queensland or agreed regions (see map and note MM 1 exclusions, PDF 255KB), and have completed Years 11 and 12 in these areas.
Rural Australia means a remoteness area in categories MM 2 to MM 7, in accordance with the Australian Statistical Geography Standard - Modified Monash Model (MMM classification, 2022).
To identify as a resident of rural Australia, applicants must submit an application and supporting documentation to demonstrate residence of at least 10 years cumulatively or any 5 years consecutively in rural Australia since birth.
Please note that a maximum of five (5) adjustment points can be applied to an applicant’s ATAR.
Multiple mini-interviews (MMIs) are an integral part of the UniSQ selection process to identify candidates who are suitable to enter the Darling Downs South West Medical Pathway and eventually be a medical doctor in a rural, remote or regional setting. They are designed to assess your verbal communication skills, values and personal qualities such as kindness, compassion, adaptability and integrity. MMIs are widely recognised as an industry best practice method for selecting applicants based on values-based attributes for medicine and allied health degrees.
MMI admission requirements
Invitation to an MMI will be based on the ranking of the aggregate score from the first four sections of the University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand (UCAT ANZ) and a tiered approach whereby all eligible candidates from Tier 1 are offered places before moving to eligible candidates from other successive Tiers (2 – 4).
- The UCAT ANZ Section 5 score will be used as a secondary differentiator to differentiate between applicants with the same UCAT ANZ aggregate score.
- The UCAT ANZ Section 1 score will be used as a tertiary differentiator to differentiate between applicants with the same Section 5 score.
- Tier 1: Applicants who have resided in the Darling Downs, South West QLD or agreed regions (MM 2 to MM 7) for at least five consecutive, or ten cumulative, years; or applicants who have completed Grades 11 and 12 in the Darling Downs, South West QLD or agreed regions (MM 2 to MM 7)
- Tier 2: Applicants who have resided in any regional, rural or remote areas in Queensland (MM 2 to MM 7) for at least five consecutive, or ten cumulative, years.
- Tier 3: Applicants who have resided in regional, rural or remote areas in Australia outside of Queensland (MM 2 to MM 7) for at least five consecutive, or ten cumulative, years.
- Tier 4: Remaining applicants.
Please note: Offers for MMI interviews for applicants in the First Nations Pathway will be made following a successful semi-structured interview (SSI) with a First Nations representative.
Selection process
- Applicants need a minimum adjusted ATAR of 95, or equivalent.
- Applicants will be required to obtain a minimum MMI score as set by UniSQ’s Head of School and Dean, School of Health and Medical Sciences, and the University of Queensland's Executive Dean, Faculty of Medicine.
- Offers for a place in the program are based on rank score (25% UCAT, 25% ATAR and 50% MMI) and a tiered approach whereby all eligible candidates from Tier 1 are offered places before moving to eligible candidates from other successive tiers (2 to 4).
- The MMI score will be used as a secondary differentiator to differentiate between applicants with the same ‘final score’.
Please note: Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission. Places within the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Medicine Pathway) are limited by quota.
What happens during MMIs?
The interviews will be conducted via video conferencing. MMIs are broken down into eight (8) stations (mini-interviews) lasting around 10 minutes each. At each station, you will be presented with a scenario by an interviewer and you have two minutes to consider your response in silence. You will then have seven (7) minutes to provide your verbal response to each scenario. There will be eight (8) different interviewers, each presenting a different scenario. Your responses to the eight (8) scenarios will be scored by your interviewers and contribute to an overall assessment score and admission ranking.
The expected duration of your interview, including the pre-interview checks, will be two (2) hours. This time includes checking your audio-visual connectivity and identity verification. These interviews will be conducted under exam-like conditions.