The University of Newcastle & University of New England: UCAT and Course Entry Information (2021 Update)

In this article, we’re going to give you an overview of the joint medical program run by the University of Newcastle and the University of New England and the UCAT and other entry requirements

In this article on the University of Newcastle and University of New England,

• Overview of University of Newcastle and University of New England
• University rankings
• The University of Newcastle and University of New England courses requiring UCAT
  • Bachelor of Medicine/ Doctor of Medicine
• Clinical placement information
  • Clinical schools

An Overview of the University of Newcastle and University of New England

The University of Newcastle is located in an urban city and was established in 1965, with an enrolment of over 45,000.

The University of New England is located in Armidale, a large rural town, and was established in 1938, with an enrollment of over 22,500.

Collectively, both universities do a Joint Medical Program in partnership with the Central Coast Local Health District and the Hunter New England Local Health District. This program has run for 10 Years.

There is on-campus and off-campus accommodation available at both Armidale (University of New England) and Newcastle (University of Newcastle).

Regardless of what campus you choose to go to, both universities provide a great university experience through their various events and societies.

Rankings

As this is a Joint Medical program, specific rankings for the program do not exist.

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Medical Courses Offered at the University of Newcastle and University of New England

The Universities collectively offer a Joint Medical Program for undergraduate students. The following outlines the course offered, its specifics, and entry requirements such as ATAR and UCAT score:

Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine

(Joint Medical Program)

ATAR:

• The minimum ATAR required for students applying at the end of high-school from an urban school is 94.30.
• The minimum ATAR required for students who completed their studies in a rural town is 91.40.

Prerequisites:

There are no subject prerequisites required for the Joint Medical Program.

Entry Requirements:

• The JMP program consists of an assessment of personal qualities to measure suitability from a range of criteria that is not purely academic. This is done through: UCAT, multiple skills assessment, and personal qualities assessment.

Application process:

• Students will need to sit the UCAT.
• There is an online application form that students will need to complete and submit to the University directly.
• You will also need to apply through UAC and if selected for an interview, attend the interview to see if you meet the selection criteria.
• The invitation for an interview will be based upon your marks in sections 1- 4 of UCAT.

Interview Criteria and structure:

• Criteria: The assessment will test your capability to succeed within the JMP learning environment, making non-biased decisions without knowing their outcome, interpersonal skills, and your motivation to undertake this program.
• Structure: The interview is structured as a Multiple Skills Assessment and involves applicants rotating around 8 stations to complete a range of activities and discussions. After doing the stations, you will do an online test to see your personal qualities.

Other options to entry:

• If you do not receive entry at the completion of high school, you are able to apply whilst studying a degree. Entry through this pathway requires students to complete a minimum of one full-time year in a single degree. Through this pathway, your university marks will be substituted for your ATAR.
• 30% of the students admitted to this program will be from rural backgrounds. If you have lived in a rural area, you are able to apply through the Rural and Remote Admissions Scheme.
• 17 places are set aside for Indigenous students through the Miroma Bunbilla Program.

Degree facts:

• 170 offers into the program are made each year.
• The degree includes a large amount of practical experience, with clinical skills starting from the first year.
•  28.5% of the places are Bonded Medical Places.

Clinical placement information

During Phase 1, students will be introduced to the clinical environment with clinical placements in the hospital, nursing homes and general practice to practice history taking and clinical examinations.

Phase 2 is one year in duration and consists of clinical placements in medicine and surgery in hospital and general practice/community-based care. Case-based learning replaces the problem-based learning tutorial from Phase 1 and builds on the foundational knowledge of Phase 1 with clinical cases being the trigger to guide the learning.

Stage two of the program is predominantly clinical placements. There are two streams: a Rural Stream and an Urban Stream. Students must indicate preferences for which stream they wish to follow during Year 3 of the Bachelor of Medical Science, and a ballot will be used if there are any unfilled clinical placements. Students who select, or are balloted to, the Rural Stream will be required to spend one year in a rural school and one year in an urban school. Students who select, or are balloted to, the Urban Stream will spend all or most of Phase 3 in urban schools and some may have individual rotations in rural schools.

Clinical schools

There are six JMP Clinical Schools:

Urban

• Hunter Clinical School including John Hunter, Calvary Mater, Belmont and Hunter Valley hospitals
• Central Coast Clinical School based around Gosford and Wyong Hospitals
• Maitland Clinical School based around Maitland Hospital and Hunter Valley hospitals

Rural

• Manning Clinical School based around Taree Rural Referral Hospital
• Peel Clinical School based around Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital
• Tablelands Clinical School based around Armidale Rural Referral Hospital