Deakin vs UNSW

Deakin uses GAMSAT. UNSW uses UCAT-ANZ. The test mismatch means you may need to prep two assessments simultaneously, or you can pick the school whose admission test you're stronger in. GAMSAT is graduate-only and sat in March/September; UCAT-ANZ is undergraduate-leaning and sat in July; some schools (notably Bond and JCU) run their own selection model with no national test.

Deakin — Minimum 50 in each section + 50 overall. Aggregated average accepted GAMSAT (Fraser's): 66 (2024), 62 (2023), 68.4 (2022), 66.9 (2021). General-stream interview shortlist: GPA + GAMSAT + adjustments equally weighted. UNSW — does not publish a GAMSAT cut-off (may not use GAMSAT; check the admission-test question above). GAMSAT results are valid for four years with ACER, but some graduate MD programs accept only the most recent two cycles — verify before relying on an older sitting.

Deakin — does not publish a UCAT-ANZ cut-off (may not use UCAT-ANZ; check the admission-test question above). UNSW — No official minimum; competitive 2024-cycle cut-off ~3060 total on old /3600 scale (~90th percentile) for non-rural local applicants. UCAT-ANZ feeds the pre-interview composite alongside ATAR. UCAT-ANZ cut-offs are cohort-dependent, so the headline number from one cycle is not guaranteed for the next — use it as a planning anchor, not a guarantee.

Deakin — ATAR data not published in the structured AU requirements; see free-text admission requirements on the school page. UNSW — Minimum eligibility ATAR 96.00; competitive interview shortlist ~99.55; median offer-holder >99.60. Rural pathway minimum ~91.05. Selection rank typically includes Educational Access Scheme bonuses, rural-origin uplift, and (where applicable) Indigenous-pathway adjustments — your raw ATAR is rarely the final figure used.

Deakin — Minimum 5.0/7.0 weighted. GEMSAS weighting (Final-2 × 1 + Final-1 × 2 + Final × 3) / 6. Aggregated average accepted GPA: 6.67 (2024), 6.6 (2023), 6.76 (2022), 6.74 (2021). UNSW — GPA not published in the structured AU requirements. Many AU graduate MD programs treat the GPA as a hurdle (above the floor, all candidates are weighted equally on GAMSAT and interview) rather than as a sliding-scale rank — confirm each school's specific model.

Deakin uses: Multi-Mini Interview (~8 stations). UNSW uses: Multi-Mini Interview (~10 stations). Different formats reward different skill sets. Plan separate prep streams for each. Interview windows: September-October (Deakin); November-December (UNSW).

Deakin — 2027 intake: up to 100 CSP + 45 BMP + 15 International + 30 RTS (reserved subset of domestic) ≈ 160 total. Indigenous Entry Stream up to 5% domestic; rural-background minimum 25% over and above RTS. UNSW — ~189 domestic offers (mix of CSP + ~28.5% BMP) + ~40-60 international ≈ ~230-250 total annual cohort (Fraser's aggregate). CSP (Commonwealth Supported Place) is the lowest student contribution; BMP (Bonded Medical Program) adds a 1-year return-of-service obligation in a Modified Monash Model 2-7 area after Fellowship; Full-fee places carry no bond but the highest tuition.

Deakin — Indigenous Entry Stream up to 5% of domestic places (~7 places). Requires "Confirmation of Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander Descent" by 30 June 2026 for 2027 intake. Applicants may use GEMSAS or apply directly. UNSW — UNSW Indigenous Pre-Programs and direct Indigenous entry pathway available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants; MD-specific quota not publicly disclosed. Both schools accept ATSI applicants through the standard pathway as well; the dedicated pathway typically offers adjusted academic thresholds plus wrap-around academic support.

Deakin — Rural Training Stream (RTS) three-tier system: Tier 1 (Deakin's rural footprint, specific MM2-7 LGAs in Western VIC) — NO GAMSAT required + 10-year currency waived. Tier 2 (MM2-7 Rural Victoria) and Tier 3 (MM2-7 other Rural Australia) require GAMSAT and currency. Adjustment bonuses: Prior Clinical Experience +4%; Work Experience +2%; Deakin Study +4%; Rural/Regional MM1 or Geelong +4%; MM3-7 +8%; Financial Disadvantage +2%. UNSW — Rural Entry Scheme drops ATAR threshold to ~91.05 and reduces UCAT requirement. BMP allocation mandated at 28.5% of CSP under the Stronger Rural Health Strategy. The federal BMP allocates ~28.5% of CSP places nationally; individual schools sit above or below that benchmark depending on their workforce remit.

Deakin typically releases medicine offers November-December. UNSW releases medicine offers January. AU MD offers run through GEMSAS (graduate consortium) or direct school portals; if one is earlier than the other you may need to defer a decision while waiting for the second.

Deakin runs a PBL curriculum. UNSW runs a Integrated curriculum. The teaching philosophies differ — pick the style that matches how you learn best. Deakin specifics: 4-year graduate MD with problem-based learning. Years 1-2 foundations and clinical skills at Waurn Ponds. Year 3 Rural Community Clinical School — students embed in a regional/rural Victorian communit UNSW specifics: 6-year integrated MD. Phase 1 (years 1-2): foundations and scientific basis. Phase 2 (years 3-4): clinical practice with rotations. Phase 3 (years 5-6): pre-internship with research and electives. Ind

Yes — AU medical applicants typically lodge preferences across multiple schools via GEMSAS (graduate) or direct-undergraduate portals + state TACs (UAC for NSW, VTAC for VIC, QTAC for QLD, etc.). The two schools' selection mechanics differ enough that listing both is a legitimate diversification strategy. A common mistake is over-indexing on schools with the same test-and-interview profile; Deakin and UNSW differ in their selection mechanics, so prepping both adds genuine optionality.