Faculty Information and Assistance
Who Can Help? | Faculty Website | The Faculty | Goals of the Faculty | Application Procedures | Selection into the Medicine Program | International Students | Indigenous Students | Disadvantaged Students | Rural Students | Assumed Knowledge | Costs in Addition to Fees | Computing Requirements & Email | Attendance at, and Residence in, Hospitals | Intern Placement and Registration | Criminal Record Check | Working with Children | Blood-borne Viruses and Immunisation | Registration | Special Consideration | Student Photos & ID Badges | Working as a Doctor | Faculty Student Organisations
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This section of the Handbook is designed as a detailed source of information in all matters related to the Faculty of Medicine. If you require advice about enrolment, degree requirements, progression within Programs or with any other general Faculty matter, contact one of the following people located in the Medicine Education and Student Office (map reference G27), Faculty of Medicine:
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Undergraduate
Regina Bohler Manager, Student Administration
Faculty of Medicine
Tel: (02) 9385 2444
Email: r.bohler@unsw.edu.au
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General and Admission Enquiries
Office of the Dean Faculty of Medicine
Tel: (02) 9385 8765
Fax: (02) 9385 1874
Email:
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Elective term
Peter Herring Administrative Officer
Faculty of Medicine
Tel: (02) 9385 2452
Email: p.herring@unsw.edu.au
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Clerkships
Peter Herring
Administrative Officer
Email:p.herring@unsw.edu.au
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The Faculty of Medicine's website address is www.med.unsw.edu.au.
This website provides information about programs, courses, research interests, news and current events. The website also contains links to all the schools, units, centres and the affiliated research institutes of the Faculty, as well as staff, student and alumni information resources. The Faculty maintains many PC and Macintosh computer laboratories for student access, both on campus and in the Faculty's teaching hospitals. Students can access the web, email, MS Office and educational applications from these computers.
This website provides information about programs, courses, research interests, news and current events. The website also contains links to all the schools, units, centres and the affiliated research institutes of the Faculty, as well as staff, student and alumni information resources. The Faculty maintains many PC and Macintosh computer laboratories for student access, both on campus and in the Faculty's teaching hospitals. Students can access the web, email, MS Office and educational applications from these computers.
The Faculty of Medicine was established when the NSW Government accepted a proposal of the Murray Committee of Inquiry into the Future of Australian Universities and announced in December, 1957, that a second medical school in NSW would be established within the re-named University of New South Wales.
The Faculty's first students enrolled in 1961 and 25 of these graduated from the six-year program in 1966. A five-year undergraduate curriculum was introduced in 1974. Although this was a highly successful curriculum, a number of changes in both the hospital and health systems indicated the need for the Faculty to extend the program to a six-year curriculum in 1988. 2004 saw the beginning of a new six year Medicine program designed to suit the needs of 21st century graduates.
The Faculty of Medicine consists of all members of the academic staff, both full-time academics as well as conjoint and adjunct appointees from teaching hospitals, student representatives and other persons nominated by the Faculty. The Presiding Member is elected biennially from the professors and associate professors of the Faculty.
The Dean is the principle channel of communication between the Faculty and the University on administrative matters. The Dean and the Faculty are supported by a number of committees, some of which perform administrative tasks, while many assist in maintaining a constant review of the curriculum and the objectives of medical education.
The Faculty's first students enrolled in 1961 and 25 of these graduated from the six-year program in 1966. A five-year undergraduate curriculum was introduced in 1974. Although this was a highly successful curriculum, a number of changes in both the hospital and health systems indicated the need for the Faculty to extend the program to a six-year curriculum in 1988. 2004 saw the beginning of a new six year Medicine program designed to suit the needs of 21st century graduates.
The Faculty of Medicine consists of all members of the academic staff, both full-time academics as well as conjoint and adjunct appointees from teaching hospitals, student representatives and other persons nominated by the Faculty. The Presiding Member is elected biennially from the professors and associate professors of the Faculty.
The Dean is the principle channel of communication between the Faculty and the University on administrative matters. The Dean and the Faculty are supported by a number of committees, some of which perform administrative tasks, while many assist in maintaining a constant review of the curriculum and the objectives of medical education.
The primary mission of the Faculty is the pursuit of excellence in medical and biomedical education within a scholarly environment of research and discovery.
Details on application for entry into UNSW medicine programs for both local students and international students can be found on the Faculty's website at www.med.unsw.edu.au.
Selection into the Medicine Program
The Faculty of Medicine implemented new admissions criteria for entry into the UNSW medicine programs from 2003 for both local and international students. Students are selected on the basis of equal weighting for academic merit, results of the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) and performance at an interview. Some international applicants are exempt from sitting UMAT due to their place of residence. Further details of the selection process can be found on the Faculty's website at www.med.unsw.edu.au.
International applicants may only compete for entry as either fee-paying students or as holders of a scholarship awarded by the Australian Government. Enquiries regarding admission of international students should be directed either to UNSW International (tel: +61 2 9385 6996 email: internationaloffice@unsw.edu.au, website: www.international.unsw.edu.au) or the Admissions Officer, Faculty of Medicine, both at the University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia. Enquiries regarding Australian Government scholarships should be directed to the local Australian Diplomatic Mission or see www.ausaid.gov.au.
Admission of Indigenous Students
The Faculty may admit suitably qualified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. A pre-Medicine program, run for one month, is part of the preparation and selection processes for indigenous students applying for the Medicine program. Further information regarding the admission criteria may be obtained from the Faculty's Indigenous Health Unit on (02) 9385 3677.
Admission of Disadvantaged Students (ACCESS Scheme)
The Faculty may admit, within quota, a number of students whose education has been disadvantaged over a two-year period by circumstances beyond their control. Further information may be obtained from the Admissions Office on (02) 9385 3089.
The Faculty sets aside a minimum of 25% of the places in its Medicine program intake each year for students of rural origin who are able to demonstrate to the Faculty that they meet a number of selection criteria. The scheme is designed for high school, undergraduate and graduate students. It is expected that students who gain entry via the Rural Student Entry Scheme will be allocated to a rural hospital and undertake the majority of their final three years in rural hospitals. Further information may be obtained from the Faculty's Rural Health Unit on (02) 9385 3250 or the website www.rural.med.unsw.edu.au.
There are no prerequisites for entry into the new Medicine program. However there is assumed knowledge of English. Assumed knowledge is a level of achievement at the HSC (or equivalent) considered desirable for successful study in a program or first year course. Students who do not have the assumed level of knowledge are not prevented from enrolling, but may be placed at a considerable disadvantage. It is assumed that upon enrolment students have an adequate command of English language and communication skills.
In all UNSW medicine programs, there are costs in addition to fees. The following is an estimate, based on students' experience, of the expenditure which is likely to be incurred over the full length of the program. The amounts quoted are subject to some variation.
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$ approx.
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Textbooks
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1,850
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Two coats (1 laboratory, 1 hospital)*
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75
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Stethoscope
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90-300
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Ophthalmoscope
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190-250
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Laboratory Manuals
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200
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Miscellaneous (papers, pens, kits, diagnostic equipment and aids, etc.)
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400
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*One long white coat is required for use in practical classes and one short coat
for use in the hospitals.
Advice to Students on Computing Requirements and Email Policy
For details on computer recommendations and specifications see the IT Requirements for UNSW Students policy at: www.its.unsw.edu.au/policies/policies_home.html
All official email from the Faculty of Medicine will be sent to students' UNSW email accounts. It is expected that all UNSW students will either routinely check their UNSW email account or have their UNSW email account forwarded to another email address. Information about managing your UNSW email account can be obtained from: www.disconnect.unsw.edu.au
All official email from the Faculty of Medicine will be sent to students' UNSW email accounts. It is expected that all UNSW students will either routinely check their UNSW email account or have their UNSW email account forwarded to another email address. Information about managing your UNSW email account can be obtained from: www.disconnect.unsw.edu.au
Attendance at, and Residence in, Hospitals
From Year 1, students attend hospitals for clinical teaching. Students are allocated to a large teaching hospital known as their "home hospital" and, in addition, are required to undertake some terms in other hospitals. Current hospitals are in Sydney, Wollongong and rural areas. It is expected that students who gain entry via the Rural Student Entry Scheme will be allocated to a rural hospital and undertake at least 12 months of their clinical studies in rural hospitals. Other local students may have the option or be required to undertake at least 12 months of studies in rural hospitals. International students are not usually given this option of undertaking an extended placement in rural hospitals. However most students should expect at least 4 weeks in a rural rotation. The Faculty will always consider the personal preferences of students in their allocation to home hospitals and to other hospitals on rotation. However, the Faculty reserves the right to allocate students to hospitals that are not their first preference. Students considering applying for entry into a UNSW medicine program must take this into consideration and be willing to undertake their training in a range of hospital and health care facilities. The Faculty's policy on 'Allocation of Students to Clinical Locations' can be found on the website at www.med.unsw.edu.au.
Intern Placement and Registration
Each medical graduate seeking registration as a medical practitioner in NSW must complete a period as an intern in a hospital or institution approved by the NSW Medical Board. Before taking up an intern appointment, a graduate must obtain a certificate of conditional registration from the Medical Board.
Intern placement is the responsibility of the NSW Institute of Medical Education and Training (IMET). Information concerning intern placement and conditional registration is issued to each student by the Office of the Dean during the final year. Information may also be obtained from:
Internship: The Institute of Medical Education and Training, Gladesville Hospital Campus, Victoria Road, Gladesville NSW 2111, Tel: 9817 0551 or see www.imet.health.nsw.gov.au.
Registration: The Registrar, Medical Board of New South Wales, Gladesville Hospital Campus, off Punt Road, Gladesville, Tel: 9879 6799 or see www.nswmb.org.au.
Intern placement is the responsibility of the NSW Institute of Medical Education and Training (IMET). Information concerning intern placement and conditional registration is issued to each student by the Office of the Dean during the final year. Information may also be obtained from:
Internship: The Institute of Medical Education and Training, Gladesville Hospital Campus, Victoria Road, Gladesville NSW 2111, Tel: 9817 0551 or see www.imet.health.nsw.gov.au.
Registration: The Registrar, Medical Board of New South Wales, Gladesville Hospital Campus, off Punt Road, Gladesville, Tel: 9879 6799 or see www.nswmb.org.au.
The NSW Department of Health has a policy that all students undertaking clinical placements or who require access in any capacity to facilities operated by the Department (this includes all the public hospitals used by UNSW in its Medicine programs) must undergo a criminal record check prior to employment or placement in any capacity in the NSW Health System. The check is conducted by the NSW Police Service and is coordinated by the Department of Health and the University. Further details are available on the Faculty's website at www.med.unsw.edu.au.
Clinical placement in the NSW Health System is a substantial and essential element in all UNSW medicine programs. Students who fail to satisfy the requirements of this check at any point during their enrolment in a UNSW medicine program will be excluded from the program. Depending upon the circumstances at the time, students may be eligible to transfer to another program of the University.
Clinical placement in the NSW Health System is a substantial and essential element in all UNSW medicine programs. Students who fail to satisfy the requirements of this check at any point during their enrolment in a UNSW medicine program will be excluded from the program. Depending upon the circumstances at the time, students may be eligible to transfer to another program of the University.
Under the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998 and the Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998, students who as part of their enrolment are required to have direct contact with children must declare whether they are a 'prohibited person', that is whether they have been convicted of a serious sex offence. It is an offence for a 'prohibited person' to work with children.
Clinical placement in Paediatrics is an essential element in all UNSW medicine programs. Any student who is a 'Prohibited Person' at any point during their enrolment in a UNSW medicine program will be excluded from the program. Depending upon the circumstances at the time, students may be eligible to transfer to another program of the University.
Clinical placement in Paediatrics is an essential element in all UNSW medicine programs. Any student who is a 'Prohibited Person' at any point during their enrolment in a UNSW medicine program will be excluded from the program. Depending upon the circumstances at the time, students may be eligible to transfer to another program of the University.
Students with Blood-borne Viruses and Immunisation for Students
In order to be enrolled in any UNSW medicine programs, students must agree to comply with the Faculty's Immunisation and Blood-borne Viruses Policy, which aims to minimise the risk of medical students contracting or spreading an infectious disease or blood-borne virus, such as HIV, and Hepatitis B or C. Students must also be registered with the NSW Medical Board. Registrants with the Board (including student registrants) who undertake, or could reasonably be expected to undertake, exposure-prone procedures have a professional responsibility to take appropriate steps to know their infective status in relation to blood-borne viruses. All students in all UNSW medicine programs could ordinarily be expected to undertake exposure-prone procedures and all students in the programs must know their infective status. A registrant (student) who is aware he or she has a blood-borne virus infection must not undertake exposure-prone procedures.
Any infective student who knowingly undertakes an exposure-prone procedure or any student who in any other way endangers the health of patients will be reported to the Medical Board's Impaired Practitioner Program. This may result in registration being withdrawn, which will result in expulsion from UNSW Medicine and the Medicine programs. Such a student would also be subject to the University's Student Misconduct procedures and may further be liable to criminal prosecution if a blood-borne virus is knowingly transmitted.
The Immunisation and Blood-borne Viruses Policy of the Faculty of Medicine is found on the website at www.med.unsw.edu.au. Students are required to sign a statement indicating that they have read and agree to comply with this policy at the time of enrolment.
Any infective student who knowingly undertakes an exposure-prone procedure or any student who in any other way endangers the health of patients will be reported to the Medical Board's Impaired Practitioner Program. This may result in registration being withdrawn, which will result in expulsion from UNSW Medicine and the Medicine programs. Such a student would also be subject to the University's Student Misconduct procedures and may further be liable to criminal prosecution if a blood-borne virus is knowingly transmitted.
The Immunisation and Blood-borne Viruses Policy of the Faculty of Medicine is found on the website at www.med.unsw.edu.au. Students are required to sign a statement indicating that they have read and agree to comply with this policy at the time of enrolment.
Registration with the NSW Medical Board
Under the Medical Practice Act, all medical students in NSW must be registered with the Board as a prerequisite to undertaking a course of medical study. Applications for registration are completed on initial enrolment and upgraded annually. Further details are available on the Board's website at www.nswmb.org.au.
In order to ensure that students experiencing difficulties which may in turn affect the successful completion of their course assessment are seen and assisted by the Student Affairs Coordinator, a set of guidelines has been established to provide the framework within which the process and operation of a preliminary consideration regime will operate.
These guidelines are publicised in relevant student literature including the Handbook, ensuring that all students in the MBBS program are aware of the availability of assistance and of the details of the process.
Please note: This process does not prevent or discourage a student from discussing their circumstances with the Course Coordinator. Further, these guidelines are intended to be preliminary to the operation of the UNSW Special Consideration Policy. Students may at any time prefer to rely on the provisions of that policy.
These guidelines are publicised in relevant student literature including the Handbook, ensuring that all students in the MBBS program are aware of the availability of assistance and of the details of the process.
Please note: This process does not prevent or discourage a student from discussing their circumstances with the Course Coordinator. Further, these guidelines are intended to be preliminary to the operation of the UNSW Special Consideration Policy. Students may at any time prefer to rely on the provisions of that policy.
A. Students with a temporary or reversible medical problem or social situation which has impaired their capacity to prepare for or sit for an assessment. Students should approach the Student Affairs Coordinator to explain their situation as soon as possible.
- The Student Affairs Coordinator may require a medical certificate or other documentation to support the claim.
- The Student Affairs Coordinator will advise the student whether s/he will support their application for special consideration to the Assessment Review Group should it need to be considered.
- If special consideration is granted and the student chooses to sit the assessment, the assessment would be marked in the usual way.
- It the student passes the assessment, then the matter will be taken no further.
- If the student fails the assessment, the Student Affairs Coordinator will attend the relevant Assessment Review Group meeting and present the case for special consideration.
- If the Assessment Review Group supports the Student Affairs Coordinator's view that special consideration should be granted, the student will be allowed to re-sit the assessment without penalty, that is as though the next assessment was the first time that the student had attempted the assessment.
- No upward grading of a mark will occur - if a student passes the assessment at which s/he was eligible for special consideration the mark received will stand and will not be up-graded.
- Note that for special consideration to be granted in this category, there needs to be a belief that the problem leading to the granting of special consideration will have resolved significantly by the time of further assessment.
B. Where a problem occurs during an assessment.
- Where this occurs, the Student Affairs Coordinator should be notified at the earliest possible time and within 48 hours of the assessment, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
- If the opinion of the Student Affairs Coordinator is that the student was moderately or significantly impaired during the assessment, the Student Affairs Coordinator will represent this opinion at the meeting of the Assessment Review Group.
- If the student was able to complete a significant proportion of the examination prior to the acute event occurring, it may be possible to base the student mark on the proportion of the examination completed prior to the problem.
- In other situations the total mark obtained by the student may be the only mark that it is possible to derive.
- If the student obtains a passing performance, then that could be regarded as the student's mark.
- If the student failed that assessment s/he would be allowed to re-sit a subsequent assessment as though this were their first attempt.
Student Photographs and Identification Badges
In Year 1 of all UNSW medicine programs, each student is required to be photographed during the first session. These photographs are required for School and Faculty purposes. Hospitals also photograph students to produce identification badges, which must be worn in the hospitals.
Special Note on Working as a Doctor
Working as a doctor is both physically and emotionally demanding. A doctor is exposed to stress and disease. If intending applicants have any concerns about these issues or if they are aware of any reason (such as a chronic illness, a disability or a criminal conviction) or any impairment that might make it difficult to gain medical student registration with the NSW Medical Board or to practise as a doctor after graduating from UNSW, they are urged to speak about these important matters in confidence with one of our independent Faculty advisers. To arrange this, telephone the Faculty's Student Affairs Coordinator on (02) 9385 3547.
The University of NSW Medical Society (Medsoc)
The University of New South Wales Medical Society (Medsoc) is the representative body of the medical students of the University. Further information can be found on the website at: www.medsoc.org.au
Rural Allied Health & Medical Society (RAHMS)
The Rural Allied Health and Medical Society (RAHMS) is a club for allied health and medical students at UNSW from rural, urban and international backgrounds with an interest in rural, indigenous and international health issues. For further information, contact the Rural Health Unit on (02) 9385 3250 or visit their website on http://rural.med.unsw.edu.au/rhu.nsf/website/clubs.RAHMS.
The University of New South Wales Medical Society (Medsoc) is the representative body of the medical students of the University. Further information can be found on the website at: www.medsoc.org.au
Rural Allied Health & Medical Society (RAHMS)
The Rural Allied Health and Medical Society (RAHMS) is a club for allied health and medical students at UNSW from rural, urban and international backgrounds with an interest in rural, indigenous and international health issues. For further information, contact the Rural Health Unit on (02) 9385 3250 or visit their website on http://rural.med.unsw.edu.au/rhu.nsf/website/clubs.RAHMS.
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