Rural Clinical SchoolPre-Medicine Program

Nigel Beetson, 5th Year Indigenous UNSW Medicine Student

“UNSW has the largest number of Indigenous medical students in Aus-tralia.

“If there are any Indigenous youth who want to study Medicine, UNSW is a great place because they’ll give you a lot of support – not only from the academic staff, but also among your cohort.”

The PMP is an alternative pathwayfor Indigenous Australians to enterUNSW’s Medicine program. It isopen to all Australian Aboriginalsand/or Torres Strait Islanders whoare interested in studying Medicine.

What is the Pre-Medicine Program (PMP)?

Want to learn more about this program? Please visit http://www.nuragili.unsw.edu.au/pre-programs-0 or http://rcs.med.unsw.edu.au/indigenous-entry-medicine

There are an estimated 180 doctors in Australia who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, with another 260 in training. To provide the Indigenous population with access to an Indigenous medical practitioner, at a similar level of availability as non-Indigenous doc-tors to the non-Indigenous population, would require around 1,000 doctors.

The Indigenous Entry into Medicine Scheme at UNSW helps redress this imbalance, offering students an al-ternative pathway into the Medicine program. The scheme is competitive: students who best meet the se-lection criteria are considered for Indigenous Entry. The scheme is designed for high school students, current undergraduate and postgraduate students, and mature age students.

Invitations to an interview are based on the application criteria that follows. Some of those interviewed will be invited to participate in the Pre-Medicine Program (PMP), a bridging program that assesses a person’s readiness to study Medicine. At the conclusion of the PMP, the final selection for Indigenous Entry will be made.

Overview

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander• Evidence of Academic Capability - This may be assessed by looking at:

� Secondary education records � Tertiary academic results � Examples of educational attainment � Other evidence of the applicant’s ability to suc-

ceed in studying Medicine at UNSW• Sound communication and interpersonal skills• Commitment to and knowledge of community con-

cerns relating to Indigenous Health issues

Candidates are selected for an interview based on:

• Demonstrable motivation to practice Medicine• Academic capability, including, the capacity to

achieve within the UNSW Medical Program• Demonstrable ability to relate to Indigenous Health

issues

Who can apply?

How are applicants selected?

Candidates who satisfy the following criteria are encouragedto apply for the Pre-Medicine Program.

Candidates who are successful at the interview must complete a four-week residential Pre-Medicine Pro-gram (PMP) to be considered for acceptance into Medi-cine at UNSW. The PMP is held in Sydney at UNSW from November to December 2014. Participants must per-form at a level deemed satisfactory by the Faculty of Medicine. Final selection for Indigenous Entry is made after the completion of the PMP.

Pre-Medicine Program (PMP)

For more information visit http://www.nura-gili.unsw.edu.au/pre-programs-0 or http://rcs.med.unsw.edu.au/indigenous-entry-medicine. All applications must be received by 30 September, 2014.

“UNSW has more Indigenous students enrolled in its Medicine program than any other Australian university.”Dr Lesley ForsterAssociate Dean (Rural Health) & Head, Rural Clinical School, UNSW