CM17 - Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine)

Overview

Compulsory Residential School

Some units in this course require you to attend a compulsory Residential School or Work Integrated Learning. Please see Course Features in the Getting Started tab for further information.

Course Overview

CQUniversity's Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) is an innovative course that will provide you a contextualised curriculum to prepare you for your future medical studies. Upon successful completion of the course with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or more, you will gain direct entry into The University of Queensland's regionally-delivered Doctor of Medicine Program. You will build knowledge in the structure and function of the human body and develop a conceptual understanding of what happens when diseases, infections and clinical disorders occur. In the first year, you will study the foundations of medical science in the units of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology.. In the second and third years you will apply the knowledge of first year units to medically focused units of cell biology, immunology, pathophysiology, pharmacology and medical imaging. Capstone units will allow you to integrate your knowledge to gain an understanding of various medical imaging modalities and their application in clinical scenarios. Real-world and authentic learning experiences are embedded within the curriculum, allowing you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills. Clinical immersion experiences and placements with community and Hospital and Health Service providers in Central Queensland and Wide Bay are offered throughout the course to prepare you for your career in Medicine. This course is part of the Regional Medical Pathway and is available for study at the Rockhampton and Bundaberg campuses only.

Career Information

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) course with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or more, you will gain direct entry into the University of Queensland's regionally delivered Doctor of Medicine Program. This course provides a provisional pathway for graduate entry into the UQ MD and facilitates the opportunity for students to study medicine in regional Queensland.

Course Details
Duration 3 years full-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 144
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Undergraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) BBMedSc(Pathway to Medicine)
AQF Level Level 7: Bachelor Degree
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2025
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $10,763
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $29,164.5
Indicative Year - 2024
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $9,303
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $25,465.5
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $19,680
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $38,220
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $8,629
Indicative Year - 2022
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $8,338

Admission Codes

Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 1 - 2026

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2025

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2024

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2023

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2022

Bundaberg
Rockhampton
Show All

International Availability

Term 1 - 2026

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2025

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2024

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2023

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2022

Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Show All
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
Rank Threshold SR 95 | ATAR 95
Entry Requirements

To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must demonstrate:

You will need to sit the UCAT ANZ before you apply for this course. The overall UCAT ANZ score is used to determine a ranked interview list. The minimum UCAT ANZ score the University requires will vary each year, determined by the performance of all applicants competing for a place in the Pathway to Medicine course. Therefore, the UCAT cut-off score cannot be determined in advance.

Entry is competitive with limited places available. Shortlisted applicants must attend multiple mini interviews.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission.

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Pathway:

An alternative admission pathway is available for students who identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. Find out more about CQUni’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Pathway (CM17).

 

English Language Proficiency Requirements:

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of a secondary qualification (Year 11 or 12, or equivalent), completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or the United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 7.0 with a minimum 7.0 in each subset; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language internet based test (TOEFL iBT) - Requires 94 or better overall and minimum score of 24 for listening and reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking; or
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 65 with no communication score less than 65; or
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between the final examination date and the date of commencement of the study and must appear on a single result certificate.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Assumed Knowledge

Nil

Fees and Charges
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards CL13 - Diploma of Health Science
Accreditation
  • Not applicable

Residential School Requirements

Compulsory Residential School Many units in the course have compulsory residential schools to ensure students acquire the skills and knowledge fundamental to medical science. The residential schools will be offered at both Rockhampton and Bundaberg campuses.
Click here to view all Residential Schools

Practicum/Work Placement

BMSC13024 - Observational placements with Hospital and Health Services and community health care providers.
BMSC11013 - Observational placements with Hospital and Health Services and community health care providers.

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2024 114
2023 65
2022 32
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.

If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.

General Information

The Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) course provides a provisional entry pathway to The University of Queensland's (UQ’s) regionally based Doctor of Medicine program. 

The Inherent Requirements for Studying Medicine in Australia and New Zealand has been developed by Medical Deans for use in professional entry level medical training with the aim of providing the greatest access for students with a disability while ensuring safe clinical training. The inherent requirements have been categorised under the four domains of the course learning outcomes for medical programs produced by the Australian Medical Council. The document specifies the requirements of pre-registration medical training rather than medical practice and sets out what a medical student is expected to demonstrate and how a student will be assessed at entry and during the medical course.

Ethical Behaviour
Behavioural Stability
Legal Compliance
Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)
Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)
Sensory Abilities (Visual, Auditory, Tactile)
Relational Skills
Reflective Skills
Sustainable Performance
Strength and Mobility (Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills)
Interpersonal Engagement
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities
Compulsory Requirements
Health Requirements

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and as such are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks and are outlined in the health, security and other compulsory requirements sections. Mandatory checks are determined by industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date prior to a WIL placement and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course. 

Mandatory health requirements include immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) to the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening. Additional vaccinations and screening are subject to the site or state health authority. 

COVID-19 Vaccination Advice

Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students.    

Security Requirements

Mandatory security requirements may include an Australian Federal Police clearance, working with children check, and NDIS worker screening clearance.

Other Compulsory Requirements

Other mandatory requirements may include a First Aid and CPR certificate, student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, fitness to participate in WIL student declaration, jurisdictional and site-specific compulsory requirements, and other training modules. This course is offered in a face-to-face delivery model at our Rockhampton and Bundaberg Campus locations as part of the Regional Medical Pathway. It is a requirement for students to relocate to one of these campus locations for the duration of their study.

Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Apply knowledge of the fundamental sciences to key clinical concepts underpinning medicine
  • 2. Analyse health patterns of regional, rural and remote communities
  • 3. Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in diverse contexts applicable to healthcare professionals
  • 4. Interact professionally and ethically with health care professionals and patients
  • 5. Model effective teamwork skills when working collaboratively in inter-professional environments
  • 6. Apply skills in research design, application and interpretation.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5 6
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas
4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas
6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters
KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure
Number of units: 23 Total credit points: 144

The Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) offered at Rockhampton and Bundaberg campuses will provide students an entry pathway to the  regionally delivered UQ Doctor of Medicine (MD) program as part of the Regional Medical Pathway.

The Pathway to Medicine course has overlap with the existing courses: CG93 Bachelor of Medical Science (Clinical Measurement specialisation) and CL10 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours).  As such, it is expected that there will be a significant increased interest in the existing CG93 and CL10 courses.

Students who complete either the CG93 or CL10 course can apply for graduate entry into the UQ MD program, or any other postgraduate medicine course across Australia, after completion of the required entry exam. 

A similar increased interest is also expected to extend to a range of other health professional courses offered by CQUniversity, with students' long term intent of applying for entry into postgraduate medicine.

The Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) has 23 compulsory units.

There are sixteen units of study in the first two years of the undergraduate degree course. The final year of study has seven units of study, one of these units is a double credit unit.

Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
BMSC11007 Medical Anatomy and Physiology 1
BMSC11003 Professional Practice in Medical Sciences
CHEM11043 Atoms, Molecules and Matter
MBIO19012 Microbiology
BMSC11005 Foundations of Biochemistry
BMSC11008 Medical Anatomy and Physiology 2
BMSC11013 Immersive Learning Experiences 1
ESSC11002 Measurement and Evaluation in Health Science
BMSC12006 Cardiorespiratory Physiology and Measurement
BMSC12007 Neurological Physiology & Measurement
BMSC12010 Clinical Biochemistry
BMSC12012 Molecular Cell Biology
BMSC12003 Haematology and Transfusion Science
BMSC12015 Cell and Tissue Biology
BMSC11012 Foundations of Immunology
BMSC12017 Clinical Pathophysiology
BMSC13024 Immersive Learning Experiences 2
BMSC13023 Applied Immunology
ALLH13011 Rural and Remote Practice for Health Professionals
BMSC13010 Pharmacology
BMSC13013 Research Project
BMSC13022 Relational Anatomy and Medical Imaging
BMSC13021 Clinical Diagnostic Microbiology
More Details

Observational Placements

Prior to placement, each student must satisfy specific pre-clinical health, safety, and security requirements and must disclose any condition that may put themselves, or the public, at significant risk whilst on placement. As placement availability is limited in each area, students may be placed at locations that are not of their choosing. Students must prepare financially and personally for placements and are responsible for any associated costs.