Fast Facts
Location
Commencing
- Townsville: February
- Cairns: February
Fees
$13,241.00+
$35,298.00^
+estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee for a full-time study load
^estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
Currently displaying fees for 2025, which are indicative only of the upcoming year's.
Duration
6 years full-time
Entry Requirements
English (3/4,C), Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C), Chemistry (Units 3/4,C)
QTAC Codes
- 317012
- 327012
Course detail
Lay the foundation for a diverse medical career within small classes that offer personalised support. Engage in hands-on learning through the guidance of passionate, experienced lecturers as you develop knowledge and skills across key areas of medicine and surgery.
Preparing you for a dynamic medical career
Study a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery full-time at our Townsville or Cairns campuses, where you’ll find opportunities to expand your professional network through JCU’s connections with local hospitals, health services and providers.
In your first year, you will be introduced to integrated medical studies. Examine normal functions of the human body from a molecular and cellular level and consider how systems and society can influence health.
In your second year, you will explore human anatomy, physiology and common pathophysiologies. Develop associated clinical skills while focusing on challenges common to rural, remote and tropical contexts.
In your third year, you will extend your knowledge of clinical healthcare through further study of both physiological and social impacts on health. Consider specifically areas including immunology and preventive medicine.
In your fourth year, you will focus on honing your clinical pathology knowledge, working specifically to examine and collect information from patients. Build expertise in interpreting this data to draw conclusions and plan for patient care.
In your fifth year, you will expand upon your previous studies as you integrate your medical knowledge with the awareness, attitudes and skills required to perform in clinical healthcare environments. Complete six rotations in clinical healthcare settings, each lasting six weeks.
In your sixth year, you will consolidate your learning and form an in-depth understanding of the examination, investigation and patient management skills required for medical practice. Undertake 30 weeks of embedded clinical placement as a trainee intern in a hospital within our training region, to consolidate work-ready clinical skills. You will also complete a 10-week clinical elective, where you will further explore the personal and professional roles of medical practitioners.
Real-world learning opportunities from Year One
Embrace hands-on learning through JCU’s innovative on-campus facilities from the beginning of your course at both the Cairns and Townsville campuses. The Anatomy and Pathology facilities feature humidity-controlled anatomy laboratories and North Queensland’s largest and only anatomical cadaver, prosection, pathology and skeletal teaching collection.
Practice assessment and diagnostic techniques by working through simulated medical scenarios with volunteer patients. Learn how you can help Close the Gap by developing expertise and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Across your six-year degree, you’ll complete over 4,000 hours of clinical training. Share our passion for promoting rural health in the Tropics by completing a placement in a remote community. You may also choose to develop a global perspective by seizing the opportunity to gain practical experience overseas.
Upon completing the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, you will emerge with key capabilities required for a career in medicine and will be well prepared to work in a range of settings and communities from the outback to the city. JCU’s initiative can support you in discovering plenty of career and training opportunities from intern to fellow in northern Queensland.
View the Handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects, as well as pre-placement requirements.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery.
Honours
The Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Honours) degree is available for high-achieving students. It consists of extra study and the development of a personal research project and thesis.
An Honours degree is usually essential for entry to research higher degrees.
Please refer to the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Honours) Handbook for eligibility information. Complete an application through our .
JCU Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery graduates are exceptionally-skilled doctors who are employed in a range of medical settings.
Graduates pursue careers in private practice, public health, the defence force, academia, and education.
Depending on your specialisation and further study, you could find employment in a range of specialities including, but not limited to General Practitioner, anaesthetist, dermatologist, obstetrician, oncologist, paediatrician, psychiatrist, radiologist, surgeon, academic, or medical educator.
You will be equipped with the skills to work in a range of diverse settings from regional, rural, remote, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and beyond.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery are eligible to register to work a one-year internship in Australia or New Zealand. Completion of your internship can lead you to further training in a chosen specialisation.
Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for registration with the .
Entry score threshold
These are the lowest adjusted scores we made an offer to in Semester 1, 2024. Entry scores are based on the most recent Semester 1 intake and are updated in June each year. Meeting the threshold doesn't guarantee admission.
ATAR/Selection Rank: Special entry requirements
Entry score range
This table shows the range of entry scores for recent secondary students offered a place in the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery for Semester 1, 2024. The table includes offers deferred to Semester 1, 2024 which may have been assessed using the entry score threshold of an earlier year.
JCU Cairns
| Without adjustments | With adjustments* | |
|---|---|---|
Highest | 99.95 | 99.95 |
Median | 97.95 | 97.95 |
Lowest | 87.70 | 87.70 |
JCU Townsville
| Without adjustments | With adjustments* | |
|---|---|---|
Highest | 99.95 | 99.95 |
Median | 97.60 | 97.60 |
Lowest | 87.60 | 87.60 |
Notes:
<5 – indicates less than 5 OP/ATAR-based offers made.
* Refer to Adjustment Factors
Find out more about who you might study with by viewing this course’s student profile.
Handbook year | Information valid for students commencing in 2025 |
Course code | 72010 |
Course type | Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7) |
Professional accreditation status | This course is accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC). Students enrolled in this degree will be registered with the Medical Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for the duration of their program of study or until they are no longer enrolled. Graduates will be eligible to apply for professional registration with the Medical Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). |
| Owner | Academy |
College | Medicine and Dentistry |
Award Requirements
Admission Requirements
Course pre-requisites | English (Units 3/4,C), Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C), Chemistry (Units 3/4,C) |
Minimum English language proficiency requirements | Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 3b – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. Students also need to take note that in accordance with the National Registration Board’s requirement, they must hold a valid IELTS (academic module) minimum score of 7.0 in all components within 2 years prior to applying for registration |
Additional selection requirements | The written application form (and other information published by JCU or otherwise made available to students when applying), may specify additional criteria to be considered in ranking applicants in order of merit if the number of applications exceeds a quota or other limit on the places made available for the course. Information provided by applicants during the application process and any other information obtained by JCU in the application process may be used by JCU to rank applicants in order of merit by reference to those additional criteria. |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure. |
Post admission | This course may have specific admission requirements such as immunisation, a Suitability to Work with Children Card, a federal police check and/or other conditions that students must comply with. Students must complete all professional experience placement requirements by the prescribed deadlines and maintain currency of these requirements in order to stay admitted in the course. You will find your course requirements here: |
Academic Requirements for Course Completion
Credit points | 144 credit points as per course structure |
Course learning outcomes | On successful completion of the course, the graduate will be able to:
|
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements | Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please visit: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. |
Reasonable adjustments | All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure. |
Course Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
Level 1
Teaching Period 1:
:12 Introduction to Integrated Medical Studies Part 1 of 2
Teaching Period 2:
:12 Introduction to Integrated Medical Studies Part 2 of 2
Level 2
Teaching Period 1:
:12 Integrated Human System Pathophysiology Part 1 of 2
Teaching Period 2:
:12 Integrated Human System Pathophysiology Part 2 of 2
Level 3
Teaching Period 1:
:09 Introduction to Clinical Healthcare Part1 of 2
PLUS
:03 Selective Study or select 3 credit points of subjects chosen in consultation with the course coordinator.
(Other tertiary offerings may be considered under exceptional circumstances at the Dean’s discretion. This subject provides an opportunity for students to extend themselves into an area of study where they previously have little or no background.)
Teaching Period 2:
:12 Introduction to Clinical Healthcare Part 2 of 2
Level 4
Teaching Period 1:
:03 Integrated Pathology and Clinical Medicine Part 1 of 3
:09 Integrated Pathology and Clinical Medicine Part 2 of 3
Teaching Period 2:
:12 Integrated Pathology and Clinical Medicine Part 3 of 3
Level 5
Teaching Period 1:
:06 Integrated Clinical Practice Part 1 of 3
:09 Integrated Clinical Practice Part 2 of 3
Teaching Period 2:
:09 Integrated Clinical Practice Part 3 of 3
Level 6
Teaching Period 1:
:06 Advanced Clinical Medicine Part 1 of 3
:09 Advanced Clinical Medicine Part 2 of 3
Teaching Period 2:
:09 Advanced Clinical Medicine Part 3 of 3
Location
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
JCU Townsville | Students offered a place at JCU Townsville will remain at JCU Townsville for the first 3 years of the program. The locations for the clinical years are JCU Cairns, JCU Mackay and JCU Townsville and some students will need to relocate to JCU Cairns or JCU Mackay for Years 4-6. |
JCU Cairns | Students offered a place at JCU Cairns from the first year of the program will be able to remain at JCU Cairns for the duration of their studies. A transfer to JCU Townsville or JCU Mackay for the clinical years of Year 4-6 will be considered by application. |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 6 years full-time, not available part-time |
Maximum time to complete | 10 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 3 years |
Progression
Course progression requisites | Must successfully complete all subjects in each year level before attempting the next level. |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure. |
Special assessment requirements | At the discretion of the College Dean, students may be required to undertake a prescribed English language test to ensure that they have an acceptable level of English language proficiency, including at least at the level required to be admitted to the course, to safely participate in professional experience placements. Refer to Review of a Student’s Suitability to Continue a Course Involving Placement policy. |
Professional accreditation requirements | Nil |
Supplementary exam for final subject | Not applicable |
Credit
Eligibility | Students may apply for credit transfer for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure. |
Maximum allowed | 72 credit points |
Currency | Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course. |
Expiry | Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 20 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed the course of study prescribed for the degree. |
Other restrictions | Credit or Recognition of Prior Learning cannot be granted for selective study or alternative subject choice. It is intended as an opportunity for students to extend themselves into an area of study where they previously have little or no background; or acquire additional depth in an area of previous knowledge in relation to their current MBBS course. In circumstances where suitably qualified students are undertaking concurrent study in a relevant postgraduate course, consideration may be given to credit for selective study at the discretion of the Dean of College. |
Award Details
Award title | BACHELOR OF MEDICINE, BACHELOR OF SURGERY |
Approved abbreviation | MBBS |
Inclusion of majors on testamur | Not applicable - this course does not have majors |
Exit with lesser award | Students who have completed 24 credit points of their course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Diploma of Tertiary Studies. Students who have completed 48 credit points of their professional course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Associate Degree of Health Sciences. Students who have completed 72 credit points of their professional course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Life Sciences |
Course articulation | Not applicable |
Special awards | Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure |
Honours
Honours availability | Embedded honours available |
Eligibility | At the end of year 4 the Dean of College will invite applications from students who must have maintained a GPA of 5.0 for Years 2-4. A quota may be imposed on the number of students accepted for entry to the honours course depending on the availability of supervisors. |
Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $AUD13,241.00
Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD35,298.00
A Student Services and Amenities fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.
A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.
JCU Prep is an available pathway into this course. Successful completion of this flexible program can enable you to meet subject prerequisites for this degree. Introductory academic subjects are also available to prepare you for tertiary study.
Contact our friendly JCU 69ÂÜÀò Team to find out more.
Important: The application process and deadlines for Medicine are different to other JCU courses. Some applicants may be invited to attend an online panel interview.
To apply you need to submit applications via the and the for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery.
Before applying ensure you have:
- Checked the table of important dates for those relevant to Medicine applications.
- Followed the steps outlined in the process to prepare and apply for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science courses at JCU.
- Understood that written statements and letters of support are no longer part of the Medicine application process.
Real stories
-
Student
Violet James
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
As a student aiming to become a patient-centred doctor, I was drawn to JCU because of their emphasis on rural and tropical health. I come from a rural town myself, so, being able to give back to smaller communities one day is something I am looking forward to.
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International student – Canada
Aneesha Ghosh
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
I was always interested in rural medicine and I have been keen on studying tropical medicine and JCU offered both. The programme was a perfect fit for me. When I looked at JCU Medicine’s placement program I was impressed as it gives us ample opportunities to gain hands-on experience and prepares us well for the future.
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Alumni
Dr Ari Isman
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
I think if you want to study medicine in Australia you have to look at all your options and JCU is really highly regarded. Speaking to my colleagues, not just in the regional setting but down south in Sydney, everyone regards medical students that have graduated from JCU as being very well prepared for work life.
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Lecturer
Associate Professor Peter Johnson
Head of Medical Education
Our JCU course actually has one of the highest number of placement hours of any course in Australia. We pride ourselves on being able to produce graduates who are extremely work ready and hit the ground running.
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Employer
Dr Renee Cremen
Medical Superintendent for Babinda Multi-Purpose Health Service
JCU students are ready to step through the doors of a rural facility like Babinda, which is a multipurpose health service, and become one of the team. The confidence they have and the ability to apply their skills and knowledge is very evident.