Curtin University

What you'll study

The MBBS is a comprehensive medical programme that moves from foundational biomedical science into progressive clinical training. Early years focus on anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, cell biology, and the principles of pathology and pharmacology alongside professional skills such as clinical communication, medical ethics and evidence-based practice. Core subjects typically include clinical skills and examination, diagnostic reasoning, pharmacotherapeutics, public and population health, medical law and ethics, Indigenous health and social determinants of health.

Later years centre on clinical attachments with supervised rotations across major disciplines: general medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, emergency medicine, and primary care. Students undertake longitudinal clinical placements in metropolitan and regional settings, emergency and elective surgery exposure, and structured general practice placements. The course also integrates simulation-based learning, interprofessional education with other health disciplines, and opportunities for research projects or honours pathways in clinical or biomedical topics.

Entry requirements

Admission to the MBBS is competitive and based on a combination of academic achievement, aptitude testing and interview. Typical requirements include completion of senior secondary school or an equivalent qualification with strong results in relevant science subjects; international applicants must meet equivalent qualifications. Applicants are also required to sit a recognised medical aptitude test and participate in an interview or selection process designed to assess communication, ethical reasoning and suitability for medical practice.

Other requirements commonly include meeting university English language standards, providing a criminal background check and health clearances for clinical placements, and satisfying any additional regional or scholarship-specific criteria. Specific score thresholds and qualifying pathways (including recognized alternative entry routes) are published by Curtin University and may vary; applicants should consult the university’s admissions pages for exact, current entry standards.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MBBS are eligible to apply for internship and registration to practise medicine in Australia, after which career pathways include training as a resident doctor and entry into specialist training programs (such as general practice, surgery, internal medicine, paediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynaecology). Other common career directions include emergency medicine, rural and remote medicine, public health, medical research, medical education, health administration and policy roles.

The programme’s clinical placement network and community links support employment across metropolitan hospitals, regional health services and primary care settings. Graduates may also pursue postgraduate research degrees (MD/PhD or research masters) or combine medical training with public health, global health or health management qualifications.

Why study at Curtin University

• Integrated clinical exposure: The MBBS emphasises early and sustained patient contact with clinical placements across metropolitan and regional health services, preparing students for real-world clinical practice.
• Simulation and skills training: Modern simulation facilities and clinical skills laboratories provide hands-on practice in a safe learning environment before students take on patient care.
• Focus on Indigenous and rural health: The curriculum includes specific training in Indigenous health and offers regional and rural placement opportunities to prepare graduates for diverse practice settings.
• Interprofessional education and research links: Students learn alongside other health profession cohorts and can access research supervision and projects across Curtin’s health and biomedical research strengths.
• Accredited medical qualification: The MBBS is designed to meet national accreditation standards for medical education, enabling graduates to progress to internship and vocational training.