Doctor of Medicine (Joint Program)

Ready to get qualified to become a doctor? With our Doctor of Medicine you can study regionally and be at the cutting edge of the future of medicine in Australia. The continuing shortage of doctors in rural and remote areas is central to Australia’s rural health crisis. You can help address this regional shortage by studying our Joint Program in Medicine, in partnership with Western Sydney University. 

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) Joint Program in Medicine is a five-year undergraduate program offered jointly by Charles Sturt University and Western Sydney University.

Applicants can only receive one offer to the Joint Medical Program, to study at either Western Sydney University or Charles Sturt University. Your preference of campus will be considered but cannot be guaranteed. The campus offered will be subject to the availability of places and the preferences of other eligible applicants.

The course is structured around problem-based learning. The first two years of learning focus on the basic sciences (pharmacology, physiology, anatomy, population health and biochemistry), clinical skills and evidence-based medicine. An e-portfolio commences in the first year and runs through all five years of the course.

Clinical learning begins in the first weeks of this highly practical course. In your third, fourth and fifth years you’ll extend your professional skills through full-time clinical and community placements in a number of clinical schools throughout New South Wales and Victoria, covering the broad range of general, specialist medical and inter-professional training. This will include surgery, medicine, critical care, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, mental health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and medicine in context rotations.

Every student in the Doctor of Medicine program is required to undertake a research project. You will choose a project in the second part of Year 2 and complete the project over Years 3 and 4.

Medicine is a physically and mentally challenging profession in which practitioners are often required to put the interests of their patients above their own. You must be prepared to commit to a lifetime of service and continuous learning.

While medical education will provide candidates with the foundation of knowledge, attitude, skills and behaviours required to practise medicine, it is recognised that there are certain inherent requirements that are necessary to progress through the curriculum and ultimately receive the Doctor of Medicine (MD). Review the inherent requirement statements and think about whether you may experience challenges in meeting these requirements.

Areas of study

Clinical medical and surgical specialties, health in the community, hospital-based medicine, medical sciences, mental health, patient care, population health, research and medicine in context, women’s and children’s health.

Career opportunities

When you graduate, you'll be ready to make your mark in a wide range of careers, including medical practice, public health, medical education, research.

Most medical graduates undertake at least several years of postgraduate vocational training before starting independent practice in their chosen area.

Professional recognition

This course is professionally accredited by Australian Medical Council (AMC).

Please refer to the Charles Sturt Professional Accreditation resource for specific information and a link to the accreditation body. 

Internship: After graduation, you will begin your medical career as an intern, managed in New South Wales by the Health Education and Training Institute (HETI). After one year you'll be eligible for general registration to begin the next phase of your medical training. 

An internship of one year is a requirement of registration as a medical practitioner in Australia. Internships are organised by the Health Education and Training Institute for internship positions in NSW.

All students must ensure they meet the Medical Board of Australia English language skills for initial registration. For further details regarding English language proficiency refer to the Medical Board of Australia Registration Standards: English Language Skills.

Practical experience

In years 1 and 2, you will experience a range of short term and regular clinical placements. Most of your training from the third year of the course will be spent in clinical placements that cover the broad range of general, specialist and inter-professional training necessary to ensure you are prepared for your medical internship. 

The first two years of the medicine program are based at the Orange campus of Charles Sturt. You will be allocated to a Clinical School Campus in regional and rural NSW and Victoria for the duration of your clinical placements (Years 3 – 5) in the five-year Doctor of Medicine program. You will attend most of your clinical placements in the teaching sites associated with that Clinical School Campus. Depending on the campus, some students will be required to complete some of their clinical placements at other clinical sites.  

Patient contact and clinical learning begins in the first weeks and continues throughout the program. In Years 3, 4 and 5 you will rotate through clinical placements. You may be required to undertake these placements at locations away from your enrolment location and in NSW and VIC Health facilities. You will be subject to NSW and VIC Health policies and procedures.

Students at Charles Sturt University will be allocated to a Clinical School Campus in regional and rural NSW and Victoria for the duration of their clinical placements in the five-year Doctor of Medicine program. Students will undertake most of their clinical placements in the teaching sites associated with that Clinical School Campus. Depending on the campus, some students will be required to complete some of their clinical placements at other clinical sites.

You will be responsible for all travel and other expenses during placements that are away from your enrolment location.

At Charles Sturt University you’ll learn in our state-of-the-art facilities, including our brand new academic hub and clinical skills learning centre. You’ll be well prepared for your future in medicine when you get hands-on experience in our anatomy teaching laboratory, simulation hospital wards, interactive study pods and ultrasound room. Throughout the course, you’ll work closely with the local health district and community organisations.

It is important to note that transfers between Western Sydney University and Charles Sturt University programs are not allowed.

Fees and charges

The Australian Government subsidises the tuition fee for this course. The remaining balance is paid by the student. Visit the Charles Sturt University website for current fee information.