Medical Studies / Bonded Medical Program

The Bachelor of Medical Studies provides foundational knowledge and skills needed to excel in health care. You'll learn from outstanding clinicians in state-of-the-art facilities and develop a deep understanding of how our health care system works. You'll also gain a valuable 'consumer' perspective, helping you understand how patients interact with health services and providers.

During your studies you'll explore scenario-based problems, focussing on individual, community, Indigenous and global health issues. You'll also gain valuable exposure to real-world clinical practice and develop safe and effective clinical skills in cutting-edge simulation facilities.

This degree is the first three years of the Adelaide University's six-year integrated medicine program, and upon successful completion you'll gain direct entry into the Doctor of Medicine. Together, these degrees will qualify you to practise as an intern anywhere in Australia and throughout most of the world.

What you'll learn

The Bachelor of Medical Studies and Doctor of Medicine is a six-year integrated program which is aligned with the Australian Medical Council accreditation standards.

The Bachelor of Medical Studies is the first three years of program. It provides the foundations of medical science and practice with an emphasis on integrated learning, building clinical skills and understanding the role of a medical practitioner. A major emphasis is placed on professionalism, communication skills and clinical reasoning, as well as the practice of evidence-based and preventative medicine. Small-group Scenario-Based Learning (SBL) is a key part of learning in the early years. Lectures in medical disciplines such as pathology, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology support learning for clinical cases that are commonly encountered.

In your first year, you'll learn the fundamental knowledge of biomedical science and how the health care system works. You'll also begin to have patient contact with the opportunity to experience the health care system from the 'consumer' perspective. Scenario-based learning will introduce you to underlying mechanisms and concepts from real-world perspectives.

In your second year, you'll continue to learn about clinical problems through clinically based scenarios that explore the science of medicine. You'll develop clinical skills in diagnosis and management and learn more about public health and professional aspects of becoming a medical practitioner.

In your third year, you'll undertake your first clinical placements and learn research skills and methodology by completing a research proposal and critical appraisal. Develop the skills to make evidence-based decisions to guide clinical practice towards treatment modalities and therapies that improve patient outcomes. Alongside this, you'll have increased clinical exposure with experiences in primary and hospital care settings.