Why Doctor of Medicine?
Complete your medical journey and join one of the world’s most trusted and rewarding professions as a medical practitioner.
Building on the foundation established in our Bachelor of Medical Studies, the Doctor of Medicine prepares you for a fascinating, lifelong career dedicated to improving health and wellbeing.
In these final three years of our six-year integrated medical program, you’ll enhance your clinical skills through diverse placements in primary care, hospitals and outreach clinics. Experience rotations in general medicine, rural medicine, surgery, mental health, paediatrics, obstetrics, geriatrics and more. Learn culturally sensitive care by working with First Nations communities.
Develop your research and scholarship skills with major projects guided by world-class Adelaide University researchers.
Graduate with the confidence and capability to have a lasting impact on your patients’ lives.
Overview
Adelaide University’s medical program is an integrated six-year full-time program that prepares you to become a knowledgeable, empathetic and highly skilled medical practitioner. The program begins with the three-year Bachelor of Medical Studies, followed by the three-year Doctor of Medicine. To enter the masters-level Doctor of Medicine, you must first successfully complete the Bachelor of Medical Studies at Adelaide University.
The Doctor of Medicine focuses on developing advanced clinical and research skills. You’ll experience diverse placements in primary care, hospitals and outreach clinics. You’ll have opportunities to broaden your horizons through rural, interstate and overseas placements. Gain hands-on experience through rotations in medicine, emergency medicine, surgery and psychiatry. In your final year, you can specialise in an area of interest with a professional placement.
World-class research and scholarship are integral to the program. In sixth year, you’ll complete a major project in an area of choice.
Study in the heart of Adelaide’s biomedical precinct, benefiting from state-of-the-art facilities and advanced health simulation technology. With a medical degree from Adelaide University, you’ll be a well-prepared and highly regarded graduate medical practitioner with a world of potential ahead of you.
Key features
Build high-level clinical skills with diverse placements, including a full-year rural placement option. - Study in advanced facilities with leading health simulation technology.
- Learn in the heart of Adelaide’s biomedical precinct.
- Engage with real-world scenarios and global perspectives.
- Develop extensive research and scholarship skills with expert-guided projects.
- Benefit from over 135 years of world-class health education and research.
What you'll learn
The Bachelor of Medical Studies and Doctor of Medicine is a comprehensive, integrated program designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and attributes required to practise safely and effectively as a medical practitioner. Across the six years of the program, there’s a focus on scenario-based learning, evidence-based decision-making, and professional practice.
You’ll study in Adelaide BioMed City, the heart of South Australia’s education, research and clinical care precinct. Located next to the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and the Royal Adelaide Hospital, this hub connects you to an ecosystem of health professionals dedicated to creating better outcomes for individuals and communities.
Refine your skills in our world-leading simulation facilities, the only facilities in Australasia accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare for excellence in learning and teaching. Learn from practising clinicians who are leaders in their field – ensuring you receive the highest quality education.
While clinical experiences are also embedded in the early years of the program, it’s these final three years where you’ll really dive into clinical placements and rotations. Supervised placements occur across a variety of settings, including primary care, rural and community-based clinics, outreach, allied health, research institutes, and both regional and tertiary hospitals.
These clinical placements are designed to prepare you for wherever your future career takes you. You’ll become an integral member of the healthcare team while building skills in history-taking, physical examination, advanced communication, clinical diagnostic reasoning, patient consultation and management.
In fourth year, you’ll begin full-time clinical placements, focusing on general medicine and surgery, mental health, musculoskeletal issues, cancer and palliative care.
In fifth year, you can either choose to continue with full-time clinical placements in Adelaide or undertake an extended rural placement at one of our six rural clinical sites. In either setting, you’ll explore child health, obstetrics and gynaecology, general practice, geriatrics and anaesthesia. You’ll also have opportunities to work with First Nations or disadvantaged communities.
In your final year, you’ll undertake pre-internship, selective professional, and research and scholarship placements. You can select a preferred medical discipline to explore in greater depth and you’ll have the opportunity to study locally, interstate, or overseas.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 144 units for Core Courses
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 96 units from Core courses, and
- Either:
- 48 units from Selective courses - metro, or
- 48 units from Selective courses - rural
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Medicine, Cancer and Palliative Care and Psychiatry
|
Course code
MEDI4001
|
Units
24
|
|
|
Course name
Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine
|
Course code
MEDI4002
|
Units
24
|
|
|
Course name
Preparation for Practice
|
Course code
MEDI6001
|
Units
18
|
|
|
Course name
Transition to Medical Practice
|
Course code
MEDI6002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Placement
|
Course code
MEDI6003
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Research Enquiry Project
|
Course code
MEDI6004
|
Units
12
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Women’s and Children’s Health
|
Course code
MEDI5001
|
Units
24
|
|
|
Course name
The Healthcare Continuum
|
Course code
MEDI5002
|
Units
24
|
|
|
Course name
Exchange Studies for Medicine Students
|
Course code
MDST5009
|
Units
24
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Women’s and Children’s Health (Rural) Part 1
|
Course code
MEDI5003
|
Units
0
|
|
|
Course name
Women’s and Children’s Health (Rural) Part 2
|
Course code
MEDI5004
|
Units
24
|
|
|
Course name
The Healthcare Continuum (Rural) Part 1
|
Course code
MEDI5005
|
Units
0
|
|
|
Course name
The Healthcare Continuum (Rural) Part 2
|
Course code
MEDI5006
|
Units
24
|
Notes
Selective courses - metro - MDST5009 is only for students approved for Exchange studies
Career outcomes
As an Adelaide University medical graduate, you’ll have the knowledge, skills and insight to:
- Formulate and implement patients’ health management plans in collaboration with other health professionals, patients, carers and communities.
- Promote and optimise individuals’ and populations’ health and welfare.
- Deliver safe, effective, collaborative and evidence-based healthcare.
With the Bachelor of Medical Studies and Doctor of Medicine degrees you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Medical Board of Australia to work as an intern.
You’ll have the confidence and expertise to enhance health and wellbeing anywhere in the world. You might join a thriving metropolitan general practitioner (GP) clinic and become a trusted family medical practitioner. You might support a busy regional hospital, working as part of a consulting team. Perhaps you’ll work in Indigenous communities, helping to address health disparities and help close the health gap.
Beyond clinical practice, you’ll gain expertise in practice management, entrepreneurship and working with industry. Our well-rounded education ensures you’ll be ready to make a meaningful impact – wherever you choose to practise.
Industry trends
Medicine is an in-demand profession with excellent job prospects. Globally, there is a strong demand for skilled medical practitioners. In their 2023 Global Monitoring Report, the World Health Organization predicted the global health workforce shortage will reach 10 million by 2030. In Australia, there is a national skills shortage of general practitioners in every state (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024).
There are also significant opportunities in health and medical research. New discoveries, advances in artificial intelligence, gene therapy and personalised medicine are revolutionising health and care. Adelaide University is well positioned to be at the forefront of this education and research courtesy of our rich history of world-class teaching in health and our flagship facility in the heart of the Adelaide BioMed City precinct.
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC). Graduates are eligible for provisional registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to undertake a compulsory internship year of residence and, upon successful completion, will be eligible for general medical registration in Australia.
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
