Charles Sturt University Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine)/Doctor of Medicine (MD) 2027 Entry

*Please note that as of 2027 Entry, the Charles Sturt and Western Sydney University Joint Medical Program no longer exists and have separated into two separate medical programs

The Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine)/Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Charles Sturt University is one of Australia's most exciting new undergraduate medical degrees — purpose-built to train the next generation of doctors for regional and rural Australia. Based at CSU's Orange campus in Central NSW, this independently accredited program welcomes its first intake in March 2027, marking a new chapter for medicine at one of Australia's most community-focused universities.

Whether you're a high school student planning your path into medicine, or a non-school leaver looking to make a career change, this guide covers everything you need to know about CSU Medicine — from course structure and entry requirements to key dates and the application process.

What Is the CSU Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine)/Doctor of Medicine (MD)?

The Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine)/Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a five-year undergraduate-entry medical degree offered solely by Charles Sturt University (CSU). The program is based at CSU's Orange campus in regional New South Wales and qualifies graduates to work as medical interns in both Australia and New Zealand.

The program replaces the former CSU/WSU Joint Program in Medicine (JPM), which was discontinued at the end of 2026. From the 2026 application cycle onward, CSU runs its own independently accredited medical program, with the first intake commencing in March 2027.

CSU is positioning itself firmly around training doctors for regional and rural Australia — a mission that is reflected in every aspect of the curriculum, the campus location, and how places are allocated.

CSU Course Structure

The CSU Medicine program is structured in two distinct phases:

Years 1 and 2 — Preclinical StudyStudents complete full-time on-campus study in Orange, NSW, building the core scientific and clinical knowledge that underpins medical practice.

Years 3 to 5 — Clinical TrainingStudents undertake clinical placements and community-based training across rural NSW and northern Victoria — regions where the need for dedicated, locally trained doctors is most acute.

Students who complete only the first three years may exit with a Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine). Those who continue and finish the full five years graduate with both the Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine) and the Doctor of Medicine (MD).

The program places strong emphasis on:

• Hands-on clinical experience from the early years
• Community and rural health training
• Personal and professional development
• Core scientific knowledge to support lifelong learning

This approach ensures that CSU graduates are not only medically competent, but deeply attuned to the realities of practising medicine outside major metropolitan centres.

CSU Admissions Criteria

CSU School Leaver General Admission

Entry into the CSU Medicine program for school leavers is based on ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) or its equivalent. The indicative thresholds are:

Please note: These scores are a guide only and are subject to change. Always check with UAC and CSU for the most current thresholds.

CSU Postgraduate General Admission

Non-school leavers are assessed on Grade Point Average (GPA) rather than ATAR, with minimum requirements varying by the level of prior study completed.

Key points to know:

• If you have completed or attempted more than one tertiary degree, the assessment will be based on the degree with the highest GPA, provided it meets the minimum study requirements.
• GPAs are calculated on a 7-point scale. If your GPA is on a 4-point scale, convert it by multiplying by 1.75.
• Both the rural and non-rural pathways are open to eligible non-school leavers.

Important: CSU does not offer lateral or advanced entry. If you have already completed a degree, you will start from Year 1 of the Bachelor of Clinical Science component and complete the full five years.

CSU Rural Admission

The CSU Medicine program is built around rural and regional Australia, and this is clearly reflected in how places are allocated. The Rural Entry Admissions Scheme (REAS) is available to applicants living in a qualifying rural area, with a lower ATAR threshold and a significantly larger share of interview offers.

Approximately 80% of interview offers go to rural applicants. If you qualify as rural, this pathway gives you a significant advantage — make sure your rural confirmation form is submitted with your UAC application.

CSU Entry Requirements: UCAT, GPA & ATAR

CSU's Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine)/Doctor of Medicine is open to Australian citizens and permanent residents only. There is no international student pathway at this stage.

To be considered, all applicants must:

1. Meet the academic threshold for their chosen pathway (ATAR, IB, or GPA equivalent)
2. Register for and sit the UCAT ANZ (University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand) in the same calendar year as their application
3. Attend a Multi-Station Mini Interview (MMI) if shortlisted

It is worth understanding exactly how each component shapes your application:

• ATAR functions as a threshold, not a ranking tool. Once you've cleared the academic minimum, your ATAR stops mattering.
• UCAT ANZ determines who gets an interview. The top-ranked UCAT applicants receive MMI invitations — making this the single most important variable you can actively prepare for.
• Final selection rank is 75% MMI performance and 25% UCAT ANZ score. Provided you've met the academic threshold, this combined rank determines your offer.

The practical takeaway: if your UCAT ANZ doesn't get you to the interview stage, nothing else in your application can compensate. And once you're at the interview, that's where offers are won or lost.

CSU General Admission Application Process

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the general admissions process for CSU Medicine:

1. Register for and sit the UCAT ANZ during the July–August testing window.
2. Apply through UAC, selecting the Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine)/Doctor of Medicine MD — Charles Sturt University (Orange campus) using its own dedicated UAC course code (separate from the former shared JPM code).
3. Meet the academic threshold — ATAR 95.5 for standard (non-rural) applicants, or equivalent GPA for non-school leavers.
4. If you are among the top-ranked UCAT ANZ applicants, you will be invited to a Multi-Station Mini Interview (MMI).
5. Interviews are held in November and may be conducted via Zoom where possible.

Note: Within the non-rural pathway, 80% of interview places go to NSW applicants and 20% to interstate applicants.

CSU Rural Entry Admissions Application Process

Applicants from rural and regional backgrounds follow a similar process, with a few additional steps:

1. Register for and sit the UCAT ANZ.
2. Apply through UAC, selecting the CSU Medicine program as one of your preferences.
3. Confirm your remoteness area to establish eligibility for the REAS pathway.
4. Complete and submit a rural confirmation form as part of your UAC application — this must be submitted at the time of applying, not afterward.
5. Meet the academic threshold — ATAR 91.5 for rural applicants.
6. If you are among the top-ranked UCAT ANZ applicants in the rural pool, you will be invited to a Multi-Station Mini Interview (MMI).
7. Interviews are held in November, conducted via Zoom where possible.

Selection is based on the same weighting: 75% MMI performance and 25% UCAT ANZ score.

Note: Within the rural pathway, 80% of interview places go to NSW applicants and 20% to interstate applicants.

CSU Key Dates for 2027 Entry

Planning ahead is essential for a successful CSU Medicine application. Here are the critical dates for the 2027 intake:

Please note: Key dates are subject to change. Always refer to the official CSU and UAC websites for the most current information.

Where To From Here?

The Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine)/Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Charles Sturt University represents a genuinely unique path into medicine — one that values rural community impact, hands-on clinical training, and a commitment to the health of regional Australia from day one. With 47 Commonwealth Supported Places available for the 2027 intake and a strong focus on rural applicants, this program is particularly well-suited to those who want to make a lasting difference beyond the city.

Ready to take the next step? Here's what you can do now:

• Practice your MMI interview skills using our Medical MMI Question Generator — get exposure to a wide range of interview questions and develop confident, structured responses.
• Get informed about other Australian medical universities for 2027 entry
• Enrol in one of our interview prep courses and get coached by Fraser's expert tutors who have helped hundreds of students secure offers at Australia's top medical schools.

The road to medicine is competitive, but with the right preparation, it is absolutely within reach. Good luck!

Disclaimer: All entry requirements, ATAR thresholds, and key dates listed in this article are indicative and subject to change. Always refer to the official Charles Sturt University and UAC websites for the most up-to-date information.