Undergraduate vs Postgraduate Medicine in Australia

What’s the difference—and which is right for you?

What’s the Difference?

Feature	Undergraduate Medicine	Postgraduate Medicine
Entry Point	Right after Year 12 or during a gap year	After completing a bachelors degree
Degree Earned	Bachelor of Medical Science/Doctor of Medicine (BMed/MD) or Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)	Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Duration	5-6 years	4 years (plus 3 years of undergraduate study)
Entry Requirements	ATAR, UCAT, Interview	GPA, GAMSAT, Interview
Age of Entry	17-19 typically	21+ typically
Cost	Longer program = higher total cost	Often higher per year, but shorter duration
Class Demographic	School leavers, younger cohort	Diverse backgrounds, more mature students
Pathway Flexibility	Locked in early	Offers more time to explore other interests

Pros and Cons

Undergraduate Medicine

Pros:

• No need to sit the GAMSAT
• Clear and direct pathway from high school
• Start clinical training earlier
• Graduate younger (and start earning sooner)

Cons:

• Highly competitive from Year 12
• Very intense for young students
• Limited flexibility if interests change
• Pressure of UCAT performance in final school year

Postgraduate Medicine

Pros:

• Time to mature and explore academic interests
• Life experience can benefit communication and resilience
• Broader academic foundation
• Entry not dependent on Year 12 performance

Cons:

• Requires sitting the GAMSAT (challenging and time-consuming)
• More years in study = more HECS debt
• Entry just as competitive, if not more
• Must complete and perform well in an undergraduate degree first

Universities Offering Undergraduate Medicine in Australia

(As of 2025. Always check each university’s website for the most up-to-date info.)

1. University of New South Wales (UNSW)
2. University of Adelaide
3. James Cook University (JCU)
4. Bond University (private, full-fee only)
5. Curtin University
6. University of Newcastle / University of New England (Joint Medical Program)
7. Western Sydney University / Charles Sturt University (Joint Program)
8. University of Tasmania
9. Monash University

Universities Offering Postgraduate Medicine in Australia

(All require GAMSAT or equivalent and an undergraduate degree)

1. Australian National University (ANU)
2. University of Melbourne
3. University of Sydney
4. University of Queensland
5. Flinders University
6. Deakin University
7. University of Western Australia (UWA) (also has an undergrad entry pathway)
8. University of Notre Dame (Fremantle and Sydney)
9. Griffith University
10. Macquarie University
11. University of Wollongong
12. University of Melbourne – La Trobe Rural Pathway
13. Monash University (streamlined for Monash Undergraduate students only)

So Which Should You Choose?

It depends on:

• Your current stage (Year 12 vs uni student)
• Your confidence in pursuing medicine early
• Your financial and emotional readiness
• Your academic strengths (UCAT vs GAMSAT)

There’s no one right answer—just the right one for you.