md phd in australia

• Melbourne Medical School

MD-PhD Pathway

While the Melbourne MD already equips students with the necessary skills to commence a career as a clinician-researcher, the pathway allows those with a deep interest in research to explore this exciting opportunity early in their medical training to lay a parallel foundation for their academic career.

The Melbourne MD-PhD is not an accelerated pathway. The minimum duration of the MD-PhD pathway is seven years, comprised of four years MD and three years PhD. Students will find that the research training components of the MD will have synergies with the PhD which will, in turn, inform and enhance their MD experience.

Offering flexibility through a variety of entry points during the MD allows students to commence the MD-PhD pathway at the time most appropriate for them. A unique feature of the Melbourne MD-PhD approach is that each student's pathway is individually tailored in accordance with their needs, preferences, and life circumstances. Diagrams on the timelines page show possible ways of completing the MD-PhD pathway, with other modes also possible. The optimal pathway will vary according to the individual’s needs and the nature of their PhD research activity. However, common to all pathways is that students can only commence their PhD after the first year of the MD.

Eligibility

Md students wishing to enrol in a phd must have completed one of the following:.

• A four-year Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25 percent of one year of full-time study and have achieved a minimum weighted average of 80 percent (University of Melbourne) or equivalent.
• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25 percent of one year of full-time study and achieved a minimum weighted average of 80 percent (University of Melbourne) or equivalent.
• Successful completion of required MD research coursework from the first three years of the four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree (or equivalent).
• A qualification and professional experience considered to be equivalent.

Applicants must also have completed the following:

• At least the first year of the Melbourne MD.
• An MD-PhD pathway proposal to be completed with the support of the MD-PhD course advisor, and endorsed by a prospective PhD supervisor.

Current government visa requirement precludes overseas students from undertaking this pathway at present.

It is important to note that meeting the above listed requirements does not automatically guarantee selection as a PhD candidate. Each application and proposal will be assessed on its individual merits.

Each student will work with their clinical school, course adviser and RTA mentors to identify the right point at which to commence their doctoral research program, to integrate aspects of the two programs, and to ensure good progress in both research and clinical training while maintaining personal well-being.

To assist with application and entry to the program, students will be asked to:

• Have an early consultation with a course advisor to tailor their proposed MD-PhD program to their needs, in consultation with the Director of their clinical school.
• Provide a draft pathway proposal describing their intended program over the duration of the MD-PhD pathway.

Enquiries regarding pathway eligibility and the application process should be submitted to  [email protected].

The Melbourne MD-PhD is not an accelerated pathway. The minimum duration of the MD-PhD pathway is seven years, comprised of four years MD (which may include concurrent part-time enrolment in the PhD in the later years) plus three additional full-time years PhD. MD-PhD students will find however that the research training components of the MD will have synergies with the PhD which will, in turn, inform and enhance their MD experience.

Offering flexibility through a variety of entry points during the MD allows students to join the MD-PhD program at the time most appropriate for them. A unique feature of the Melbourne MD-PhD approach is that each student's pathway is individually tailored in accordance with their needs, preferences, and life circumstances.

Example pathway 1: MD-PhD pathway, with intercalation after MD1

This pathway is applicable for students who have completed an Honours degree or equivalent prior to commencement of the MD.

Example pathway 2: MD-PhD pathway with intercalation after MD2

Example pathway 3: MD-PhD as part of a whole career path

Integration into the MD

As part of the MD-PhD, if required, students will be exempt from enrolling in Discovery subjects in year 3 and 4 of their course, and can use this time to ensure timely completion of the PhD. This will allow for maximum flexibility and support toward successful completion of both the PhD and the MD.

Research Training Academy (RTA)

At the centre of the Melbourne MD-PhD is the Melbourne Medical School Research Training Academy (RTA), a ‘scholarly greenhouse’ that provides a supportive and facilitative community of practice for MD students undertaking joint degree pathways.

The RTA will offer MD joint degree students with access to a range of opportunities and resources including career guidance, mentorship and sponsorship to encourage a supportive environment during their studies.

The Research Training Academy (RTA) will be comprised of:

• Members - MD students undertaking a joint degree (for example: MD-PhD or MD-MPH).
• MACH-Track Fellows - Elite cohort of doctors selected to integrate PhD and research training with completion of their vocational training in accredited hospital specialties, or general practice.
• Alumni - Graduates of MD joint degree programs who are invited to act as junior supervisors and mentors to Members.
• Fellows - Senior clinician-researchers and supervisors, appointed by invitation, who will provide leadership and inspiration to Members and MACH Track-Fellows.

The RTA will provide students a greater understanding of the opportunities and challenges at different stages of their careers and to engage with like-minded clinician-researchers from many different research fields and clinical specialities.

Opportunities will be provided to develop key skills for 21st century researchers including training on:

• maximising research impact
• using social media and other new media
• entrepreneurship and leadership
• knowledge translation
• using emotional intelligence optimally as a clinician-scientist
• career planning
• development of teaching and supervision skills
• science communication

Access to extra learning resources, activities and mentoring will be available to all members of the RTA. However, individuals will determine the level of engagement which is most appropriate to their studies and needs. The right time to engage in these optional opportunities will differ for students, and guidance will be provided through the RTA to ensure students feel inspired and supported, rather than overwhelmed.

Watch the Research Training Academy kick-off event (from March 2024) to learn more about the initiative.

Watch the recording

Watch the MD-PhD information session (from April 2024) to learn more about the pathway and Research Training Academy.

For any questions or enquiries about MD-PhD, please contact:

Professor Christobel Saunders

Director of Research, Melbourne Medical School [email protected]

President, MD-PhD Student Society [email protected]

Although every student’s pathway is unique, while you are enroled in the PhD your MD studies will be suspended and then resumed once you return to clinical studies. Depending on your pathway you may be enrolled in a “holding” subject of the MD to allow you to maintain some clinical contact during your PhD.

You can start your PhD anytime after successful completion of the first year of the MD right through to the beginning of the fourth year provided you meet the PhD requirments. The right time for you will depend on many factors which you should discuss with your potential PhD supervisors and members of the MMS Research Training Academy and the Department of Medical Education.

You can take leave from the MD any time after successful completion of the first year to resume and complete your PhD and then return to complete the remaining years of your MD. You may find that after completing the first year of your MD that you may wish to make some modifications to your project to fit your medical career path.

If you have already enrolled in a PhD program and receive an offer for the MD program at the University of Melbourne, you cannot pursue both programs simultaneously. You have the following options:

• Take a leave of absence from your PhD program to complete the MD program. Your PhD scholarship, if applicable, will be paused during this period and will resume when you return to your PhD after completing MD1.
• Complete your PhD program first before commencing the MD program, depending on your preference and your supervisor's recommendation.

The decision to take a leave from either program should be made in consultation with your supervisor(s) and based on your academic goals and priorities.

Current government visa requirements for international students precludes overseas students from undertaking this pathway at present.

Staying connected with the MD cohort

Many PhD projects allow you to remain connected to clinical medicine while you undertake your research. You will be encouraged to maintain contact with your clinical cohort and engage in some MD clinical opportunities through elective activities. Enrolment in an MD holding subject may be required to undertake these activities so that you remain insured and indemnified.

It is inevitable that the group with whom you start the MD will continue to move through their course while you are spending time on your PhD studies. However you will remain a member of your clinical school so that you can participate in community, social and appropriate learning activities there. MD-PhD students are invited to attend the MD Student Conference and will be given opportunities to present their research, as well as enjoying educational sessions and social networking. In addition to connections with your MD cohort you will develop close connections with other MD-PhD students who are also members of the MMS Research Training Academy through your shared PhD journey. You will also develop new networks through association with senior clinician researchers.

Yes, you are able to undertake postdoctoral research in your chosen area during the MD. Through the MMS Research Training Academy you will have mentors nominated to assist both in the development of a postdoctoral pathway and to guide you during this.

The RTA is a virtual Academy for MD joint degree students. As a member you will be introduced to like-minded peers and mentors, and have the opportunity to be involved in educational events and research workshops. These will be hybrid events with as much face to face contact as possible. You will remain part of the Academy throughout your PhD candidature and then be invited to become part of the alumni community.

Entry to the Academy as a Member will be offered to you as you commence your PhD or other degree at UoM. You’ll earn Alumnus status when you complete both courses, and you will be encouraged to remain part of the RTA and provide guidance and advice to other members as junior supervisors and mentors. Senior leadership within the Academy is provided by the MACH-Track fellows, who are completing PhDs as part of their vocational training after completing their MD, and senior Fellows , who are carefully selected senior academic clinicians and researchers who will actively mentor, supervise and inspire their junior colleagues.

The RTA is a hub of intellectual curiosity and innovation that fosters a dynamic exchange of ideas. The RTA:

• Brings together individuals at all stages of the clinician scientist pathway from MD-PhD students to the prestigious MACH-Track Fellows and senior clinician scientists.
• Offers students a range of opportunities and resources including career guidance, mentorship and sponsorship, and skill development.
• Develops clinical research skills that supplement traditional research training provided through the PhD program.
• Provides support and guidance to ensure students thrive/focus on wellbeing.
• Facilitates clinician scientists in recruiting talented MD-PhD students into their research groups, enabling them to supervise, nurture, and support the next generation of clinician scientists.

Scholarship

To apply for a PhD program with a scholarship at the University of Melbourne, submit your online application for the PhD program by October 31 to be automatically considered for a scholarship in the following year's intake.

Note: For better chances of securing a scholarship and avoiding delays, it is recommended to apply before October or by the Round 3 scholarship application deadline in May of the previous year (if deferring to the next year).

Additional scholarship application deadlines may be advertised for specific scholarships, such as the MDHS Graduate Research Trust Scholarships.

Scholarship offers are subject to the cut-off scores approved by the Faculty's Graduate Research Scholarships and Scoring Committee (FGRSSC) or the Associate Dean (Graduate Research).

Early application is strongly advised to increase your chances of securing a scholarship and avoiding uncertainties related to the commencement of your PhD program.

Obtaining a PhD scholarship as an MD-PhD student is highly competitive. You will be competing against applicants pursuing only a PhD program. To increase your chances, it is beneficial to have prior research experience, such as an Honours or Master's degree (with a minimum H1 or equivalent), and peer-reviewed publications.

Support and help

Once you have a PhD supervisor, an MD-PhD course advisor will work with you to develop the study plan, which will need to be endorsed by your PhD supervisor.

MD-PhD course advisors can be contacted through the  RTA contacts (note: when a student is undertaking their PhD, a long leave of absence will be applied to their MD course).

Preparing for completion is a critical time for all PhD students and support from the RTA will be maximised.  With guidance from your PhD supervisory team, you will be assisted to submit your thesis, plan for publication of papers, and to prepare for re-entry to the MD with a re-introduction to clinical learning. The intent is to facilitate timely and successful PhD completion for all candidates, as well as a confident, assured return to the MD.

Having your medical degree and research doctorate (in addition to your prior degree/s) under your belt prepares you well for the next phase of your career. Your PhD supervisory team will guide you on decisions around starting your post-doctoral career, supported by mentors within the RTA. As an Alumnus of the Melbourne Medical School RTA, you remain connected to clinical colleagues in the  MACH-Track clinician-scientist pathway who are undertaking postdoctoral research alongside their vocational medical specialist training which will further expand your professional networks.

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Introducing Flinders University's MD and PhD program

This program is currently not available to international students. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information or continue to explore course options . 

South Australia's first MD-PhD program.

Fast facts 

Contact us 

FAQs 

How to apply 

Kickstart your career as a clinician scientist by integrating a PhD in your MD.

You can reap the rewards of medical research with this well-supported and structured pathway to become a clinical scientist and future leader., you will receive a high standard of clinical and formal medical training, as well as equip yourself with the tools needed to pursue a future in health and medical research..

Duration:  7 years

Delivery mode:  On-campus (MD component) Online

Availability: Full-time

Start dates: February 2024 (MD component) 2026 (PhD component)

Annual indicative fees (2024):

MD: $12,720 (Commonwealth supported) $84,500 (Full fee paying) PhD: domestic student tuition covered by RTP Fee Offset.

PhD research areas: View here

Your pathway to becoming a clinician scientist

Interested in a career pursuing life-changing research as well as treating patients in a clinical setting, our intercalated md-phd program will allow you to take your medical career to the next level by pursuing a research doctorate within your doctor of medicine. the three-year (full-time) phd component is intercalated within the md program, providing you with a high standard of professional medical training alongside the opportunity to make a significant contribution to knowledge in your chosen field., you will begin the md for the first two years before pursuing the phd research component in years three, four and five. the final two years of your study will conclude the md component and allow you to become a hospital intern and qualify for medical registration. .

• Clinical scientist
• Medical specialist
• Health policy development
• General practitioner
• Hospital medical officer
• Academic and research institutions
• Hospital and clinical laboratories
• Government health departments and agencies
• Pathology services
• Health support services

Professional accreditation/recognition

The Flinders University medical program has been re-accredited by the Australian Medical Council until 31 March 2025. Graduates of the Medicine degree will be registered with the Medical Board of Australia and permitted to practise medicine in Australia.

"Combining research with medicine enables recognition of gaps in clinical care and provides insight into features of disease. This combination accelerates translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to clinical implementation, ultimately reducing the burden of disease."

Dr Suzanne Mashtoub GradCertEd(HighEd) ’18, MD ’22

Our intercalated MD-PhD program

Doctor of Medicine (MD)-PhD​ Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for a PhD

YEAR 1 (MD1) Enrol for the Research pathway of  MD Advanced Studies in semester 2​

YEAR 2 (MD2) Commence MD Advanced Studies research Midway through Year 2, discuss option to apply and enrol for a PhD with the MD Course Coordinator

YEARS 3, 4, 5 (PhD) Intermit the MD program and undertake  full-time PhD studies over the next 3 years

YEAR 6 (MD3) Commence MD Advanced Studies research

YEAR 7 (MD4) Complete Scholarship Outcomes (+CEA) and referee report to fulfil MD Advanced Studies Capstone requirements​ CEA = community engagement activity​

Graduate with an MD and PhD​​ *The research conducted within the MD Advanced Studies and PhD can be related. However, no work from the MD that will be submitted towards the MD Advanced Studies Capstone can be used towards the PhD, and vice versa.

Meet the team

A/Prof Savio Barreto

Prof Briony Forbes

Professor Karen Lower

Dr Michal Wozniak

"This new pathway to nurture the clinician scientists of the future will draw on the combined strengths of Flinders University’s successful MD program together with world-class research being conducted at the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute and will help bridge the current ‘translational research’ gap.”

Associate Professor Savio George Barreto, Professor Briony Forbes, Professor Karen Lower, Dr Michal Wozniak Academic Leads for MD-PhD program

Entry requirements

Applicants need to hold a Bachelor degree with either an integrated Honours year or a separate 1 year Honours and be admitted into the Doctor of Medicine.

Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Medicine

Applicants must be currently enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine

Check your eligibility for a PhD

Entry criteria vary between HDR courses so you must check admission requirements for your chosen degree.

Find a Supervisor - Clinical Translation

Outline your research project and seek a supervisor.

Find a Supervisor - Healthy Communities

Find a supervisor - molecular biosciences, frequently asked questions.

This program is available to the health and medical disciplines and the PhD in Clinical Translation and PhD in Healthy Communities . All our research supervisors are leaders in their field in both Australia and overseas, who draw on their extensive knowledge and networks to help you deliver valuable research outcomes. To find a supervisor, you'll first need to identify an  area of interest . Then, get in touch with a supervisor of your choice.

Yes, under the assumption that you complete your PhD in three years the MD-PhD program is seven years.

PhD applications open a year ahead of the intended year of PhD study.

The usual PhD scholarships and stipends are available to domestic students in this program. These vary between fields so it’s best to discuss with your supervisor. A range of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) scholarships are awarded on academic merit and research potential. For more information see Scholarships and Fees.

Unfortunately, this program is currently not available to international students. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information or continue to explore course options.  

Students undertaking the MD-PhD program undertake two years of the MD component before studying the PhD in years three, four and five. The final two years of the MD component are then completed following the research doctorate. 

You will be immersed in two cohorts, your PhD student peers and the MD students. You will have a wide local and international network at the end of the program. 

Yes, you will be awarded both degrees. 

No, not at all. Change to one degree, for example your MD, would not impact the other degree, for instance your PhD. These degrees are also assessed separately. Exit degrees and awards exist within the MD and Doctor of Philosophy at Flinders University. Further details are available here.  A transfer will impact the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and have implications for an international student's visa.

Enquire now

Have any questions about the MD-PhD program? Reach out to our academic leads by filling in the form below.

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Clinician Scientist Track: MD-PhD and MD-MPhil

The Clinician Scientist Track (CST) represents a program of study that allows eligible students to incorporate a Higher Degree by Research (HDR), either a PhD or an *MPhil integrated with the MD degree. The MD-PhD and the MD-MPhil are offered as an intercalated model; meaning you interrupt your MD degree to do full time PhD or MPhil research, then return to finish your MD and graduate with an MD-PhD or MD-MPhil. 

• Intercalated MD-PhD – requires three years out of the MD
• Intercalated MD-MPhil – requires one year out of the MD

Medical students must be approved to apply for the MPhil or PhD.  Please read carefully the eligibility criteria for the MD-PhD and MD-MPhil programs below.  If you feel you are eligible, contact the Director of MD Research to discuss eligibility.

* The MPhil Degree is equivalent to the Research Master’s Degree (MSc).

Meet our Clinician Scientist students

Please refer to the CST FAQs for more details

View UQ Ochsner FAQs

The entry point to either the Intercalated MD-PhD or the Intercalated MD-MPhil is after successful completion of MD Y2. Please see MD-HDR Timeframes below.

Intercalated MD-PhD

The Intercalated MD-PhD is completed over 7 years.  After completion of MD Year 2, approved students’ will interrupt the MD for three years to work full-time on research, then return to the MD full-time for Years 3 and 4.

Intercalated MD-MPhil

The Intercalated MD-MPhil is completed over 5 years.  After completion of MD Year 2, approved students’ will interrupt the MD for one year to work full-time on research, then return to the MD full-time for Years 3 and 4. 

View MD-HDR timeframes (PDF, 246.5 KB)

View specific timelines for Ochsner students

Eligibility and selection criteria

All UQ medical students are welcome to consider the Clinician Scientist Track as an option to their MD degree.

Student eligibility into the Intercalated MD-PhD or Intercalated MD-MPhil is determined by criteria set out by the Faculty of Medicine and the UQ Graduate School.

Please read the Graduate School's eligibility requirements for entry into the MPhil or the PhD . It is the student’s responsibility to:

• understand all the eligibility requirements for enrolling in and undertaking the PhD or MPhil degree at UQ.
• understand the Faculty of Medicine Progress Review process.  See HDR Student Support page . 

What is a PhD at UQ:  DOCTOR OF Philosophy

What is a mphil at uq:  master of philosophy.

The Faculty of Medicine’s selection criteria for the Intercalated MD-PhD or Intercalated MD-MPhil are the following:

• ensure you are progressing satisfactorily in the MD degree. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor their performance in all areas of medical program.
• understand the timeframes for the Clinician Scientist Tract (CST) and all details of what is required to complete an Intercalated MD-PhD or MD-MPhil (on this web page)identify a research project and a potential principal supervisor, and
• obtain permission to enrol in the Intercalated MD-PhD or MD-MPhil through an interview with the Medical School’s Director of MD Student Research.

*If your academic performance falls below satisfactory:

• a meeting with the Director of MD Student Research will be held to discuss reasons that may be responsible i.e., personal, or academic, and offer advice accordingly, 
• the discussion also clarifies that the student needs to refocus entirely on their MD requirements and show improvement by the subsequent semester,
• if academic performance does not improve, the student may be required to interrupt the PhD or MPhil until MD academic progression improves. 

Please remember, interested students must first obtain permission from the Medical School to apply for the PhD or the MPhil. See 'First Steps to the CST' below.

First Steps to the CST - before you can apply

• Ensure you understand all of the information provided on this webpage i.e., FAQs, Timeframes, Eligibility and selection criteria and links to  The Graduate School  regarding what a PhD or MPhil degree entails.
• Ensure you are eligible to apply for a PhD or MPhil according to the rules set out by  The Graduate School , and that you understand the Progress Review (PR) requirements ( see Faculty of Medicine HDR Support )
• Ensure you are progressing satisfactorilu in all academic areas of the MD Program and are confident you can maintain satisfactory progress through to MD graduation.
• BEFORE the 1 st May of MD Year 2  contact the Director of MD Student Research, Professor Di Eley [ [email protected] ] with an informal expression of interest in the CST, including your CV, your proposed Principal Supervisor and project.
• NOTE: An expression of interest does not commit you to the CST but the earlier you discuss your interest the better.

Pathways to the Clinician Scientist Track

There are two pathways to undertake an MD-PhD or MD-MPhil.

Pathway 1:  For current MD students - Intercalated Option

Current MD students may begin the Intercalated PhD or Intercalated MPhil after completion of MD Year 2, as described above.

Pathway 2:  For future MD students – MD Defer Option

Students who have a current offer to enrol in the UQ MD program, may wish to consider deferring the start to the MD in order to begin or complete a current or proposed PhD or MPhil. 

Categories of students who may consider Pathway 2 are;

1. Provisional entry undergraduates who are in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree or Honours.

2. Graduate entry (via GAMSAT) students, who are currently working with a research group or supervisor with the intention to pursue a HDR.

3. Current UQ PhD students who are progressing satisfactorily and in their final stages of their research may defer the MD to allow completion of a UQ PhD or MPhil.

Preference will be given to students who are already working in the area of research related to their proposed UQ PhD or MPhil, and have already established a research relationship with their proposed supervisor. 

Future MD students interested in Pathway 2 and believe they qualify, should contact the Director of MD Student Research  [email protected] to discuss.

*IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING ELIGIBILITY FOR AUSTUDY : Austudy applicants who have previously completed a Doctorate level (i.e. Doctor of Philosophy/PhD) course in Australia, or a qualification of the same standing from an overseas institution, are not eligible for Austudy.  This may be a consideration for students who defer the MD to progress their PhD because it is more likely that they will finish the their PhD before they graduate their MD and may lose Austudy when their PhD is conferred. Students are advised to contact Centrelink to confirm their individual situation. It may possible to delay your Higher Degree conferral to avoid this. Please contact the Director MD Student Research for advice at  [email protected] .

Faculty of Medicine HDR support

Once enrolled in the HDR, all information for MD-PhD and MD-MPhil students about managing your candidature is here:  MD-HDR student support page

Facts & figures

Our rankings

• Top 20 university globally (QS World University Rankings 2024)
• 4th globally for sports-related subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
• 13th globally for anatomy and physiology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
• 13th globally for nursing (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
• 16th globally for pharmacy and pharmacology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
• 25th globally for medicine (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)

Postgraduate research

A higher degree by research (HDR) in medicine and health will open up a new world of ideas and possibilities, deepen your insights, and develop your capacities for practical application in your current career or position you to carve out a new one.

Our research into creating healthier futures spans the following key areas:

So whether you're an aspiring academic or researcher, seeking a competitive edge in your career or wanting to explore your passion, we encourage you to explore our offerings.

Why study your PhD with us?

Our  Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine and Health)  (PhD) is our premier research award and the highest qualification on the Australian Qualifications Framework. Join a world-class community of researchers and see your research make an impact.

This will require you to prepare a substantial piece of work that represents a contribution to a particular field of knowledge, giving you a good understanding of research methodology.

This postgraduate research degree is also uniquely embedded with a coursework component designed to provide our HDR students with the opportunity to create a truly distinct research pathway.

As an HDR student, you'll be able to  select from over 270+ HDR units of study from across the University of Sydney  to help you complete your thesis.

Furthermore, by undertaking your  Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine and Health)  with us, you'll also: 

• boost your qualifications and stand out from the crowd with no fees for domestic students*,
• be studying at one of Australia’s top ranked universities for medicine, anatomy and physiology, pharmacy and pharmacology, nursing, and sports-related subjects,
• grow professionally and academically through a  paid 3-6 month internship  with an industry partner as you complete your degree.
• benefit from access to our  world-leading research centres and institutes  and state-of the art  research facilities ,
• be part of a stimulating research community environment that will equip you with the skills and confidence to engage in research globally, and
• develop highly transferable skills in communication, leadership, management and commercialisation, preparing you to pursue an academic career or move into industry, government, business or entrepreneurship.

We also offer a  Master of Philosophy (Medicine and Health) , the second-highest qualification on the Australian Qualifications Framework and can be a pathway to study at a PhD level.

* Fees are covered by the government Research Training Program fee off-set. Please note that fees apply for international students - refer to the relevant course page on Sydney Courses for details.

How to apply

Applying for our  Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine and Health)  research degree is a multi-step process.

You can read how to undertake this process in  our step-by-step guide . 

Scholarships

We encourage you to explore the vast range of postgraduate research scholarships available to all eligible domestic and international students.

Scholarships range from allowance stipends including our  Executive Dean stipend scholarship , tuition fee scholarships, conference funds and equity support grants.

Postgraduate research (domestic students)

Postgraduate research (international students), support for our research students.

One of our strategic priorities is to invest in the resources and capabilities of our researchers to help shape health outcomes that make a difference to our communities.

As a  Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine and Health)  student you will have the following support available:

• dedicated research support staff within the faculty to help you with your requirements,
• student support and language program  for international students,
• access to a  range of workshops  and  HDR training modules  to help give you the opportunity to learn new skills that will compliment your research, and
• career advice and support  to help you explore your career options once you complete your higher degree research degree.  

Find a research project and supervisor

Associate dean (research education).

• 1800 SYD UNI ( 1800 793 864 )
• or +61 2 8627 1444

Student Centre, Level 3 Jane Foss Russell Building, Darlington Campus

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

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Doctor of Medicine

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Mount Gravatt

4 years full-time

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Indicative fee.

$13,000.00* per year ( more ) * 2025 indicative annual CSP fee

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Commencing in.

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About this program

This degree will help you take your first step on the road to becoming a doctor. Through a combination of Team-based learning, small group practical and clinical skills sessions, plus extensive clinical placements and considerable online resources, you will develop the skills, knowledge and attributes necessary to succeed as an intern. As a graduate, you will be caring and competent and have a fundamental understanding of the science of medicine.

You will develop communication skills and learn about the art and science of medicine in its wider social and ethical context. You will take part in extensive clinical placements in healthcare facilities ranging from rural settings through to the Gold Coast University Hospital and the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service. You will also develop an understanding of the importance of lifelong learning and learn how to be resourceful in seeking information and adapting to new technologies.

The Doctor of Medicine is an AQF Level 9 Masters Extended degree.

MD / PhD pathway

This pathway will allow a small number of MD students (5 to 10 students) to complete the first two years of the program before commencing two years of full time PhD work in clinical research related to a range of fields such as neuropsychiatry, pathology, neurology, primary health care, health economics, cardiology, indigenous health, medical education and medical ethics. The program will incorporate clinical/bedside teaching plus reintegration to the MD component while they are doing the PhD research project. Candidates would then recommence the normal MD program to complete Medicine 3 and Medicine 4 of the MD whilst completing the PhD part-time. Students will be eligible for PhD scholarships.

Attendance information

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is offered full-time, on-campus at the Gold Coast campus and the Sunshine Coast Health Institute during Phase 1, and in community and clinical placements in a variety of locations during Phases 2 and 3.

As a full-time student, you will need to be available to attend between 0700 and 1800 on Monday to Friday (Years 1 and 2) and during the clinical years (Years 3 and 4). Your attendance may be required after hours and on weekends and including public holidays.

In this program, you must maintain a full-time study load. You will be required to comply with the Doctor of Medicine Attendance policy (contact the School of Medicine and Dentistry for details).

This program starts in January and ends in December (requiring attendance between 40-43 weeks in the year).

The School of Medicine and Dentistry delivers electronic assessment via ExamSoft's Examplify application. Students enrolled in this program are required to have access to a portable computer device (laptop or tablet) that can be taken on campus to complete examination and assessment activities. This device must meet the minimum system requirements for Examplify .

The School has a small number of loan devices that may be available to students who do not have access to a personal device. Students must apply for access to loan devices in the lead up to an examination or assessment. Please note the School cannot guarantee a loan device will be available for every applicant.

The MD is offered full time, on-campus at Gold Coast campus and the PhD component is offered full-time for the first two years of study and part-time during the completion of years 3 and 4 of the MD .

Readmission: A student who has discontinued enrolment in the MD program and who is not on an approved leave of absence is required to seek approval for readmission to the program from the Dean of Medicine or nominee.

Student Income Support

To be classed as a full-time student, you are required to enrol in a minimum number of credit points each standard study period. The minimum credit points for full-time enrolment in this program is 30 credit points.

Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 are deemed standard study periods. As Trimester 3 is a non-standard study period, continuing students moving from one year to the next will not be required to study during this trimester to be eligible for student income support.

Domestic students who commence in Trimester 3 may be eligible for student income support from the onset of study provided they are enrolled full-time in this study period.

Please refer to the Australian Government website for more details.

Taking a leave of absence from this program is permitted, subject to conditions outlined in the Enrolment Procedure and receiving approval from the Program Director or their nominee.

Work-integrated learning

Work-integrated learning activities (professional placements) integrate theoretical learning with its application in the workplace. The inclusion of work-integrated learning activities in the degree program demonstrates Griffith's commitment to preparing its graduates for success in their working life.

In this program you will spend time in the work/professional environment undertaking unpaid placements at various locations. This will increase from an average of one to 20 hours per week, over a maximum of 42 weeks in Years 1 and 2; to an average of 30 hours per week over a maximum of 43 weeks per year, in Years 3 and 4 (2844 hours). Placements may be at a community organisation, general practice or hospital each week of your degree and may be outside of the Brisbane metropolitan/Gold Coast area including northern New South Wales and (by negotiation) interstate or overseas.

Additional work-integrated learning opportunities are available through the clinical research facilities for students undertaking the PhD component.

My career opportunities

You will be prepared for multiple careers, including in specialist clinical practice, primary care medicine, rural medical practice, medical administration, medical research and medical education.

Graduates of this program will normally be eligible for limited registration and will receive full registration by Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) upon successful completion of a subsequent one-year internship in the Australian hospital system.

After completing at least one further year of residency in the Australian hospital system, graduates will usually be eligible to start postgraduate specialty training in the clinical environment.

Completion of MD / PhD pathway will prepare graduates for a research career in clinical medicine, as well as postgraduate training and University teaching positions.

Program accreditation

The graduate entry medical program at Griffith University is accredited by the Australian Medical Council .

Professional recognition

The Medical Board of Australia will recognise graduates of this award from the end of 2014.

Professional Practice requirements

There are placements associated with this program and before undertaking professional experience placements, all students in this program are required to have completed the following by the end of their first trimester of study:

• Vaccinations and Health Tests
• Licenses and Certificates
• Online Training
• Health Placement Requirements

Students should refer to the checklist of professional practice requirements for their Health discipline on the Health Placement Support Hub for full details of the requirements regarding professional placement to ensure that they meet eligibility for placement.

Additional fee information

Note: Fee-paying postgraduate places for Domestic students are not available in this program.

Commonwealth supported students

• The fee is indicative of an annual full-time load (80 credit points) in a program categorized to one of the Australian Government's three broad discipline areas (student contribution bands). A student's actual annual fee may vary in accordance with his or her choice of majors and electives. The Australian Government sets student contribution amounts on an annual basis.
• Find out more...

This postgraduate program has Commonwealth Supported Places . If you are eligible, the Australian Government will contribute to the cost of this program but you will also be required to make a contribution.

Quotas are applied for admission to the Commonwealth Supported Places. Where demand exceeds the number of available places, not all eligible applicants who meet minimum program entry requirements may be offered a place. Assessment for admission is based on meritorious performance .

This program has been approved by the Australian Government for student income support (for example, Youth Allowance and Austudy). Students should contact Centrelink for more information about their eligibility for student income support payments.

Program level

Griffith college, course level, subject area, discipline area, degree type.

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Entry criteria

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• a citizen of Australia or New Zealand,
• an Australian permanent resident, or
• a holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa.

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• intending to study on a student visa,
• not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand,
• not an Australian permanent resident, or
• a temporary resident (visa status) of Australia.

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Doctor of Philosophy

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an internationally recognised graduate research program that will enable you to become an independent researcher. 

With the guidance of an advisory team, you'll undertake a research project, produce an 80,000-word thesis and complete an oral examination.

A PhD takes 3 to 4 years full-time. Under guidance, you'll develop advanced research skills and knowledge in your chosen field.

The thesis is a substantial document that makes an original contribution to your field of research. Your thesis may involve an alternate format .

You'll need a strong academic background and you may need to submit a research proposal and other documents to support your application. About 1,000 PhD candidates join UQ each year researching a wide range of topics.

Research at UQ

UQ is one of Australia’s top research-intensive universities. Our research makes an impact on the world's cultural, environmental, economic and social challenges.

Learn more about UQ's research

Program highlights

• Be inspired and challenged to explore new ideas and develop greater understanding of complex questions with leading researchers.
• Access premier resources including one of Australia’s largest libraries, with more than 2 million physical resources and 116,800+ journal subscriptions.
• Foster and improve your skills through the Career Development Framework, created with industry.
• Learn from researchers whose work addresses national and global cultural, environmental, economic and social challenges.

41 in the world

CWTS Leiden Ranking 2024

63 in the world

Academic Ranking of World Universities 2024

Supervision

You have to find and contact a thesis supervisor before you apply

This supervisor will support, guide and mentor you through your research, and can introduce you to professional networks that will start your career.

Find a supervisor

3-Minute Thesis

The showcase event for research candidates is the 3-Minute Thesis (3MT). 

3MT is held each spring.

Learn more about the 3MT

Career development

UQ offers a range of development opportunities via the Career Development Framework (CDF) to help you develop portable skills for any career or industry.

Learn more about the CDF

Studying at UQ gave me the flexibility to expand my knowledge across different areas of science outside of my chosen specialty. Keeping my scientific and translational skills broad has allowed me to adapt to different environments and opportunities throughout my career.

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Entry requirements

Gpa equivalent.

Select where you studied and your qualification to see the GPA you need to be considered for this program.

Meeting the GPA requirement doesn’t guarantee admission.

Academic entry requirements

You have to prove you are prepared for PhD study. You do this by showing you:

• have completed some research experience
• have completed an approved university degree  and
• can meet the English language requirements.

Approved degrees

An approved degree needs to be:

• in an area relevant to your proposed PhD project and
• completed no more than 10 years ago.

You need one of the following approved degrees to apply for a PhD:

• Master of Philosophy (or another research master’s degree); or
• Bachelor’s degree from an approved university with at least honours class IIA or equivalent; or
• Coursework master’s degree with an overall grade point average of 5.65 on the 7-point UQ scale which includes relevant research experience, approved by the dean; or
• Postgraduate degree (at least one year full-time or equivalent) with an overall grade point average of 5 on the 7-point UQ scale, together with demonstrated research experience equivalent to honours class IIA will be considered on a case-by-case basis; or
• Bachelor’s degree plus at least 2 years of relevant research experience , including research publications.

Research experience

You'll meet the requirements for admission into a PhD in terms of 'research preparedness' if you can provide evidence that you've planned and executed project work and/or a body of research with some independence.

To demonstrate this, we'll ask you to provide one of the following:

• with completed courses that aim to develop research skills (minimum value of #1 unit e.g. 50 per cent of a #2 unit course), and/or
• the completion of a supervised research project that includes an individually graded written report with a combined minimum course volume equal to #4 units at UQ.
• Scholarly papers involving a substantial contribution as an author, appearing in recognised academic journals or in volumes published by recognised academic publishers.
• Research or technical reports prepared for industry, government or business, which adhere to the broad conventions of academic publishing (i.e. contain an up-to-date review of relevant literature, a description of relevant research methods and an evaluation of results, etc.) and which identify you as a significant contributor.
• A portfolio of published creative work together with published critical discussion of some or all of that work, or of a comparable body of work by others, and which demonstrates your development of a scholarly approach to creative work as research investigation.
• Demonstrable industry or work experience where you can demonstrate that you have planned and executed a project, working with a high level of independence.

Student visas

International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Doctor of Philosophy are eligible to apply for an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

This program has two CRICOS codes:

• 0100213 – Architecture, creative arts, education, health, information technology, management and commerce, mathematical sciences, social and cultural studies
• 0100214 – Agriculture and environmental studies, dentistry, engineering, human movement, medical studies, natural and physical sciences, pharmacy, psychology, veterinary science

Discuss your proposed project with us to determine which CRICOS code is most relevant for your visa application.

There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.

Learn more about student visas

Additional entry requirements

Many departments will have additional entry requirements and may request documents to support your application, such as a research proposal. You should discuss these additional requirements with your potential thesis supervisor.

Additional application information

Minimum English language proficiency requirements apply, please refer to the English proficiency policy .

English language requirements

There are a few ways you can meet our English language requirements. If you sit a test, the following scores are needed for PhD admission:

Read our English language requirements

Scholarships

There are several types of PhD scholarship:

• tuition fee scholarship : this covers the fees charged by UQ for PhD study
• living stipend scholarship: this is a   fortnightly payment (or stipend) to support your daily expenses
• top-up scholarship: may be provided by external organisations, supervisors, or philanthropic donations. When awarded, they provide an additional payment on top of a living stipend scholarship. They cannot be held without a living stipend scholarship.

Each year, we award more than 600 scholarships to attract and support the highest quality higher degree by research applicants.

View all postgraduate research scholarships

University scholarships

UQ scholarships include:

• Graduate School Scholarships
• Graduate School Tuition Fees Scholarship
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarships
• Earmarked Scholarships
• The Graduate School Scholarship

Other scholarships

Throughout the year we advertise a range of other research scholarships, including top-up scholarships, travel grants and external scholarships, including:

• Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship

How to apply for a scholarship

You can apply for many scholarships using the same form as your PhD application. External scholarships might have different ways to apply. 

Our Scholarships website explains how to apply for each scholarship. If you are applying for a non-UQ scholarship, outcome dates may vary.

Fees and costs

Tuition fees.

Your fees will vary according to your academic field, study load and whether you study internally or remotely.

Learn more about postgraduate research fees

Research costs

The department you enrol with will meet all necessary costs for your project, including:

• resource and facility costs: at UQ, which may include other organisations in Australia or overseas
• travel costs: to complete fieldwork, collect data, or to visit libraries or other repositories
• coursework costs: for courses studied outside the department
• relevant training: in particular methodologies or techniques.

How to apply

Before you apply, 1. check your eligibility.

Check your eligibility by reviewing the entry requirements for UQ's Higher Degrees by Research. If applying for a scholarship, check the scholarship's eligibility and important dates.

2. Approach a potential supervisor or find a project

You'll either need to find:

• a supervisor in your field who will support your proposed project.  Find a supervisor .
• a project you can join that suits your interests.  See available projects .

If you're choosing a supervisor, you'll need to find one with relevant expertise and get agreement to support your PhD and project.

Many departments will require additional information to make a decision around your motivation, understanding, commitment, and financial support required.

They may request documents to support your application, such as a research proposal. You should discuss these additional requirements with your potential thesis supervisor.

3. Gather your documents

You will need to compile the necessary documents. We will accept scanned copies of original documents, but you will have to keep all original documents for the duration of your studies.

Upload all documents as PDFs and name your files like this: LASTNAME_firstname_document-name.pdf

If any of your documents is in a language other than English, you will need to send both the original document and an official translation.

Send the following documents with your application:

An academic CV assists us to determine your readiness to commence a higher degree by research. For the purposes of this application, your academic CV should be current (i.e. no more than 6 months old) and include information under the following headings:

Personal details

• your full name
• your contact details (phone number, email address, city and country of residence)
• nationality
• languages spoken and proficiency level for each
• your ORCID ID or other research output identifier (such as Google Scholar) if you have one (see the ORCID ID and research identifiers information provided by UQ Library).

As the purpose of this academic CV is to determine your academic suitability for a higher degree by research program at UQ and your competitiveness against other applicants, we only require information that is of direct relevance to our decision-making processes. With this in mind, please do not include the following in your academic CV:

• photographs/head shot
• marital status
• driver’s license
• date of birth/age
• hobbies and interests.

Educational qualifications and academic awards

List each of your formal educational qualifications in reverse chronological order (i.e. with the most recent formal educational qualification listed first). For each qualification, include:

• the commencing and end dates (month and year) for the qualification
• the full title of the qualification (e.g. Bachelor of Arts instead of B.A.)
• the institution attended and the enrolling school/administrative unit
• the city and country where the institution is located
• your Grade Point Average (GPA) for the overall qualification
• any academic achievement awards (e.g. Dean’s awards, subject prizes, University medals, thesis prizes etc.) received for the qualification
• if a research thesis was part of the qualification, include the title and word length of your dissertation.

As part of your application, please submit academic transcripts and degree certificates for each educational qualification you list.

Please do not include:

• high school qualifications
• the individual subjects/courses undertaken throughout your qualifications or the grades awarded for these
• training courses/professional development activities not resulting in a formal qualification.

Professional affiliations and memberships

List any professional/disciplinary associations or committees that you a member of and include:

• the commencing and end date (in years) for the affiliation/membership
• the name of the professional association or committee
• your membership type (e.g. student member, affiliate member, full member etc.) or role (e.g. committee member, secretary, president etc.).

Employment history

List each of your previous employment roles in reverse chronological order (i.e. with the most recent/current employment listed first) and include:

• the commencing and end dates (month and year) for the employment
• the title of each position
• the name of the employing organisation, the city, and country where you were based
• your main duties or accountabilities in that role, providing detailed information on any research-related activities
• any achievements during that role that are relevant to your proposed field of research .

Other research experience

List any voluntary, unpaid, or extra-curricular research-related projects or experiences you have undertaken (e.g. summer research projects, internships etc.) and include:

• the commencing and end dates (month and year) of the experience
• the name of the organisation, the city, and country where you were based

Research outputs

In reverse chronological order (i.e. the most recent output first) list your research outputs,  including for example research published or accepted for publication, research reports, and research by creative practice.

If needed, use sub-headings to separate refereed journal articles, published conference proceedings, edited book chapters, books, creative works, industry reports, invited papers, patents, media commentary, conference presentations and posters, invited talks etc. If applicable, use additional sub-headings to indicate if outputs are published , accepted for publication (but not yet in print), or (submitted but) under review .

Do not include any outputs/publications that are ‘in preparation’ .

For all research outputs, include:

• the output/publication reference using an official bibliographical style (such as Turabian/Chicago, APA, Harvard), including listing all authors in the order that they appear in the work with your name in bold
• the Digital Object Identifier (DOI), PubMed Identifier (PMID), International Standard Book Number (ISBN) or URL where applicable
• the standing of the journal or conference and the impact of the work (e.g. impact factors, citations and other metrics indicators)
• relevant indicators of national or international significance
• rejection rates for the outlet etc.
• how much of the original research you were responsible for (i.e. what was your role in the conception and design of the project and how involved were you in the analysis and interpretation of the research data on which the publication is based?)
• the extent to which you authored the paper.

Research grants and relevant awards

Include only those research grants and relevant awards that you have received at the time of making your application (i.e. do not list grants or awards that you applied for and did not receive or are awaiting a decision on). For each research grant/award, include:

• the name of the granting/awarding body and the country in which they are based
• the name of the grant/award
• the year(s) in which the grant was active or the year in which the award was made
• the amount of the research grant/award
• if relevant (e.g. for research grants), the title of your application.

Applicants from creative and professional-based disciplines may also include non-research grants and awards related to their creative or professional practice.

Research achievements relative to opportunity (optional)

In recognition of the diverse personal and professional pathways that applicants have experienced, you are invited to provide information ( maximum 200 words ) to contextualise your research outputs and achievements, relative to the opportunities that you have had to participate in research-related activities.

This section of the CV is optional and should only be included if you believe there are factors relevant to your research achievements that you would like the selection panels to know. Examples of factors include (but are not limited to):

• study/career disruptions due to illness, caregiving, natural disasters etc.
• non-linear academic or career progression, or a change in career direction
• reduced ability to take up research-related opportunities (e.g. attend conferences) due to caregiving responsibilities.

Academic referees

Please provide us with two referees who can comment on your academic work. For each referee, include their:

• honorific and name
• employing organisation and the city and country where they are located
• contact details, including office address, telephone, fax and email (preferably an institutional, rather than private, email address)
• an indication of the capacity in which you know this person (e.g. were they a lecturer or thesis supervisor, an employer, how long you’ve known them etc.). 

If possible, please include at least one:

• senior person (preferably your supervisor or the head of your organisational unit) closely associated with your current work, and
• person who is not a member of your proposed advisory panel/supervisory team.

Formatting and document specifications

We recommend that you use the below formatting settings to improve the readability of your CV:

• margins of at least 1.5 centimetres
• single line spacing
• no smaller than 12 point Times New Roman font (or equivalent)
• left justify text (not full justify)
• include your name and page number on each page
• be consistent in your formatting and spelling throughout
• limit the use of bold, underline, italics, and multiple font types.

Please proofread your CV carefully before uploading it to your application.

Save as a PDF and name your file: LASTNAME_firstname_CV.pdf

There is no page limit to your academic CV – it can be as long as required to include the information requested here.

Please include in your CV all the headings listed above – if you do not have any content to add for a particular heading please list ‘None to date’ under that heading .

An academic CV for employment purposes within Australia would not include the information requested here outlining your three most significant publications or your research achievements relative to opportunity. It would, however, include information about professional and service activities undertaken and may include a summary of your relevant research/teaching interest areas and skill sets – this information is not required in the CV you submit here for application to an HDR program.

This should show all study you have undertaken since secondary school, whether complete or incomplete, including the institution grading scale. The grading scale is often found on the final page or the reverse page; be sure to include all pages.

An academic transcript can also be called an:

• academic record
• diploma supplement
• statement of learning
• record of achievement.

A degree certificate is a legal document, imprinted with a university seal. It should state the name of your qualification and areas of study.

Include all degree certificates (testamurs) for post-secondary study with your application. If you studied in China, you must provide a:

• award certificate and
• graduate statement/certificate.

All applicants have to prove they can meet English language requirements . Any test scores have to be valid at your proposed commencement date.

Include a copy of the information page (with your photo) in your passport. This will verify your identity and ensure we can make offers correctly.

Include the contact details of two referees who will support your application. These referees will need to provide insight into your research experience.

We will contact your referees for a report, but you will need to enter their details into the application form.

Other documentation, originals or certified copies, may be required depending on your individual circumstances, for example:

• evidence of change of name
• proof of citizenship, if you are not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand by birth
• evidence of your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status
• previous research program information .

If you don't provide us with all documents it will take us longer to process your application. Your start date might then be delayed, or you might miss an admission or scholarship deadline. 

4. Apply online

Once you have prepared your application and contacted a potential supervisor, use the online application form to apply. Your application can only be assessed once your referees have responded to us, and all outstanding documents and school/institute endorsements have been received.

Important dates

The academic year for research students is divided into 4 research quarters (RQ).

If your project or scholarship doesn't have specific application dates, refer to the application dates in this table.

Make sure you check  scholarship round application deadlines  and outcome dates before applying.

You must first receive an offer before you can apply for an Australian student visa. To allow enough time for your visa to be processed, apply at least 6 months before your preferred start date .

If you're already onshore and have a student visa, you may be able to commence earlier.

The agreed start date will be included in your Confirmation of Enrolment and Offer Date.

Find out more about research quarter dates .

The academic year for research students is divided into four research quarters (RQ). You can start a PhD in any quarter, as long as the Census Date hasn't passed.

Candidates applying for a UQ scholarship may need to apply earlier. Make sure you check scholarship round application deadlines and outcome dates before applying.

The agreed start date will be included on your offer of admission.

Find out more about research quarter dates

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

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