Frequently Asked Questions
A. Definitions
Graduate/Postgraduate - Completed bachelor degree (domestic or international students).
Undergraduate - Year 12 equivalent or incomplete tertiary studies (domestic or international).
Domestic - Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian Humanitarian Visa holders and New Zealand citizens.
B. Undergraduate Applicants
B1. In the case of low marks, is any consideration given for special circumstances, such as illness in Year 12?
No. If your Year 12 results are not high enough to meet the standard entry requirements, you may want to consider enrolling in a relevant undergraduate program, such as Bond’s Bachelor of Biomedical Science and completing 12 subjects. Your assessment for the MBBS Program will include your university GPA and results only. You will still be required to sit the UMAT.
B2. What special considerations regarding selection does Bond take into consideration?
Applications from academically qualified handicapped students will receive sympathetic consideration and every endeavour will be made to include them in the program. However, ultimately the Admissions Committee will need to be assured that these students will be able to achieve the educational objectives of the course and contribute successfully to the medical workforce upon graduation.
Students who may be HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis B or C positive should be aware that there are likely to be some restrictions placed upon what they are able to do as medical students and eventually, as medical practitioners. Although such students will not be excluded from the program on the basis of their HIV or Hepatitis status, applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their situation with the Chair of the Admissions Committee, so that any special arrangements can be made if necessary. Such discussions will be treated confidentially.
B3. What is the equivalent in other Australian states and territories to Queensland’s Maths B?
International Baccalaureate: Mathematics (SL and HL) or Further Mathematics (SL)
WA: Applicable Maths
NSW: 2U Maths
ACT: Maths (T Major)
SA/NT: Maths Studies 1
TAS: Maths
VIC: Mathematical Methods
NZ: Mathematics with Calculus
B4. What is the equivalent in other Australian states and territories to Queensland’s OP (Year 12 Overall Position)?
NSW and ACT– Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR)
VIC and TAS – ATAR
NT, SA and WA – ATAR
B5. What Year 12 score is the minimum cut-off?
You will need to be in the top 10% of the state to be considered for an interview; the final cut-off, however, will depend on the applicant pool. Demand for places is extremely high so students only achieving the minimum result are unlikely to be invited for an interview.
B6. I am an international student currently studying at an Australian high school. How do I apply?
The Bond MBBS Program is only open to Australian Citizens, Australian permanent residents and holders of an Australian Humanitarian visa. Applications are also open to New Zealand Citizens but not to New Zealand permanent residents. Bond University may accept applications from applicants on behalf of Foreign Governments to which it has entered into specific arrangements.
B7. I am an Australian non-degree holder. How do I apply?
All Australian non-degree holders must apply through QTAC.
B8. I am an undergraduate domestic applicant. What documents should I include with my application?
1. UMAT results
2. Results for four terms of Chemistry, English and Maths B (or equivalent)
3. Your final Year 12 (or equivalent) grades and certificate of completion
4. Tertiary entrance scores (if applicable)
5. Transcripts from any incomplete tertiary studies
B9. If I have started but not completed undergraduate degree program, how will I be assessed?
Students who have partially completed a tertiary qualification need to apply as an undergraduate applicant. This means you will need to sit the UMAT and apply through QTAC. Your application will be assessed on the basis of your UMAT score, a combination of Year 12 and tertiary results, and a structured interview. You will need to apply as an undergraduate applicant.
B10. Are you able to discuss my application with anyone else, including my family?
No. As you are the applicant, we are bound by privacy regulations to only provide information about your application directly to you.
C. Undergraduate Medicine Admission Test (UMAT)
C1. What is the UMAT?
The Undergraduate Medicine Admission Test (UMAT) is developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on behalf of the UMAT Consortium universities. The test is used specifically to assist with the selection of students into the medicine, dentistry and health science degree programs at undergraduate level.
C2. As a domestic undergraduate student, can I still apply to Bond University if I didn’t sit the UMAT test?
No. The UMAT is required for all domestic undergraduate applicants.
C3. If I am an Australian citizen living and studying overseas, do I have to complete the UMAT exam?
Yes, all undergraduate applicants must sit for and provide UMAT results.
D. Postgraduate Applicants.
D1. I did not complete Year 12 but I want to apply for Medicine. What do I need to do?
You will need to complete a Certificate IV or Year 12 equivalent studies at TAFE or another certified tertiary provider. English, Maths B and Chemistry must be completed and a UMAT is required.
D2. If I already have an undergraduate degree, do I still need a UMAT or GAMSAT result to apply at Bond University?
No.
D3. What GPA do I need to qualify for admission into the medicine program?
You will need a GPA of at least 6 for your eligibility to be considered for an interview; the final cut-off, however, will depend on the applicant pool. Demand for places is extremely high so students only achieving the minimum result are unlikely to be invited for an interview.
D4. What documents should I include with my application as a postgraduate applicant?
1. Academic transcripts
2. GPA and any other supporting documentation requested by QTAC.
D5. If my undergraduate degree GPA is not high enough, what can I do to improve my chances if I apply for the Bond MBBS Program next year?
You should enrol in a Graduate Diploma or Masters and complete at least 8 subjects in coursework . You will then be assessed solely on your GPA for this program. Please refer to entry requirements for more information.
D6. If I have completed 1 year (8 subjects) at another university to upgrade my OP score, will you take my GPA into account and disregard my OP or will you look at both and take the highest score?*
You may still apply as an undergraduate applicant via QTAC. You will then be assessed on a combination of your year 12 results and GPA from your tertiary studies. Please refer to entry requirements for more information.
D7. If I have a degree and postgraduate qualifications, which GPA will you use?
If you have completed eight subjects or more of your postgraduate degree, only your GPA for this program will be used to assess your application. Please refer to the entry requirements for further clarification.
D8. I need to complete a bridging program prior to applying for the Bond MBBS Program. Which tertiary institution’s bridging program is approved by the Bond MBBS Program?
If you have not completed Chemistry or Maths B, or did so over 9 years ago, you will need to complete a Bridging Course. This can be done at any tertiary institution or through UNILEARN. The results of this course must be available by the application deadline.
D9. How do I find/work out my GPA?
The CGPA (Cumulative GPA) is calculated on your completed Bachelor transcript. For basic GPA (4pt or 7pt) or WAM (Weighted Average Mean - %) each subject is registered along with the corresponding credit point value as follows.
The grades are weighted according to the applicant’s unit distribution over the grading scale and the GPA calculated:
E. International Applicants
The Bond MBBS Program is only open to Australian Citizens, Australian permanent residents and holders of an Australian Humanitarian visa. Applications are also open to New Zealand Citizens but not to New Zealand permanent residents. Bond University may accept applications from applicants on behalf of Foreign Governments to which it has entered into specific arrangements.
F. Interview
F1. When will I know if I have been short-listed for an interview?
Once all applications have been received and assessed, the Faculty will determine which applicants will be invited to interview. Successful applicants will be contacted by phone by Bond University, usually in early to mid February. Applicants must provide a contactable phone number on their QTAC application for Bond University to use. Applicants who have not received a phone call from us by March should check their QTAC application status.
F2. What is the selection interview?
All short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview (the selection interview) in person on campus at Bond University. The interview will examine an applicant’s skills in the following areas:
- Knowledge and Critical Thinking
- Leadership, Initiative and Teamwork
- Communication Skills
- Responsibility
The interview is not science-based and applicants cannot prepare for it, it is aligned to Bond's Graduate Attributes.
G. Scholarships
G1. Can I apply for a scholarship to study medicine at Bond University?
Bond University does not offer any scholarships for the Bond MBBS Program, however Bond MBBS Program students can apply for a Queensland Health Rural Health, John Flynn and RAMUS Scholarships. Students may also be eligible for approximately $118,000 of assistance through FEE-HELP (www.goingtouni.gov.au).
H. Miscellaneous
H1. Do you have information sessions about the program?
Yes. We hold Information Evenings in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Auckland. Please check the HSM events page for upcoming dates for a city near you. Registration is essential.
H2. Can I defer my Bond MBBS Program place?
No. Student numbers are strictly limited and applicant places must be accepted in the year for which they are offered. Successful applicants who find they cannot accept the offered place are welcome to re-apply at any future time.
H3. If I have started a medicine program at another university, can I transfer and complete my degree at Bond?
Bond University’s MBBS Program is an integrated program and, as such, no credits or exemptions are given for previous studies, even if they are in another medical program.
H4. If I am currently enrolled in a degree elsewhere when I begin my course at Bond, can I continue both?
The MBBS program is an intensive course and as such does not allow for time to continue your studies or exams elsewhere. Bond will not permit time off in order to study/sit exams at another facility.
H5. Will you provide me with updates on my application progress?
The School of Medicine will not enter into any discussions regarding individual applications whilst the admissions process is still be undertaken. The QTAC system will be updated regularly with regards to interview invitations and offers. Please see the Important Dates section of this website.
H6. If I do not receive an interview or offer, am I able to find out why?
The School of Medicine does not phone unsuccessful applicants as the QTAC system is kept up to date. All applicants who are successful in being invited for an interview will be contacted by the faculty, by phone.
H7: How will I be advised if I receive an offer for Bond University?
If you attend an interview and are successful in being offered a place, Bond will phone you. If you are unsuccessful at that point, QTAC will be notified and an email will be sent to your address from Bond.
H8. Apart from tuition, what other costs will I incur to begin the degree?
Bond will provide accepted students with the details of textbooks and stethoscope purchases prior to Orientation. Accommodation costs are also extra to the tuition fees.
H9. If I am successful in attaining a place in the MBBS program, do I have to attend Orientation?
Yes, there are mandatory sessions during the Orientation as well as being required to obtain student ID card and email access during that period.
* Currently under review.
