Bachelor of Medical Science
at The Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory.
A biomedical degree covering anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology and pathology. A common feeder programme for graduate medicine and other clinical postgraduate pathways.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the The Australian National University Bachelor of Medical Science. We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official UAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
The ANU Bachelor of Health Science (the Medical Science equivalent at ANU) is a three-year biomedical degree from the ANU College of Health and Medicine, structured on the Plan model: 48-unit major plus minor plus electives. Year one builds the biomedical core: Human Biology, Foundations of Biology (cells and molecules), Chemistry 1 (introductory and organic), Quantitative Skills in Health Sciences and Indigenous Health. Year two layers Human Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Infection, and Population Health and Epidemiology. Year three runs Pathology and Pharmacology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Medical Genetics, Public Health and a research-led third-year project. Research is a distinctive ANU strength - undergraduate students get supervised research projects in the John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR), the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH) and ANU College of Health and Medicine labs. Tutorial sizes are smaller than at GO8 peers (15 to 25) and lab classes are research-grade.
Example first-year subjects
- Human Biology
- Foundations of Biology (Cells, Molecules and Genetics)
- Chemistry 1
- Quantitative Skills in Health Sciences
- Population Health
- Indigenous Health
How you will be assessed
- Laboratory reports and practical assessments
- Mid-semester tests and final exams in biomedical core units
- Group case-based learning tasks in tutorial format
- Short literature reviews (1500 to 2500 words) in research methods units
- Oral presentations of laboratory or research findings
- Final-year research project with written thesis and oral defence
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as medical-laboratory scientists, clinical-trial coordinators and research assistants in hospital pathology departments.
- Common destinations include diagnostic-laboratory roles at Australian Clinical Labs and Sonic Healthcare, and research roles at the Garvan, WEHI and QIMR Berghofer.
- Many alumni progress into graduate medicine, dentistry and physiotherapy or into research Honours and PhD study.
Typical first jobs
- Research assistant at the John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR)
- Research assistant at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH)
- Diagnostic laboratory scientist at Capital Pathology and Sonic Healthcare Canberra
- Clinical trial coordinator at Canberra Hospital research office
- Public health officer at the ACT Health Directorate
- Graduate at the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA, Symonston)
Graduate starting salary
$60,000 - $72,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Honours (fourth year, 18,000 to 20,000 word thesis under a JCSMR or NCEPH supervisor) is the canonical pathway into PhD work. ANU is famous for undergraduate research culture, with high progression into the MPhil and PhD. The Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) - Science (PhB Science) is the four-year research-intensive variant. ANU runs a guaranteed-progression pathway from this degree into the four-year Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (ANU MChD) for top-performing graduates who meet GAMSAT and interview requirements. Other graduate pivots include the Doctor of Dental Medicine (interstate), Master of Physiotherapy (interstate), Master of Public Health (NCEPH at ANU is one of the strongest schools nationally) and the Master of Health Economics (Crawford).
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students with strong Year 12 Biology and Chemistry foundations
- Those drawn to laboratory and research-school culture
- People targeting graduate medicine (the ANU MChD or interstate) or dentistry
- Students considering Honours in immunology, pathology, microbiology or population health
- Those willing to invest weekend study time in lab reports and content-heavy units
It is probably not for you if
- Students uncomfortable with laboratory dissection, microscopy and wet-lab work
- Those who avoid heavy content load and exam-based assessment
- Anyone unable to commit to long-term postgraduate study for clinical careers
Related courses at ANU
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the The Australian National University handbook and on UAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/anu/bachelor-of-medical-science.