Bachelor of Medical Science
at University of Tasmania, Tasmania.
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 University of Tasmania 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 | VTAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | VTAC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | VTAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official VTAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
The UTAS Bachelor of Medical Research (offered as Bachelor of Medical Science under earlier course codes) is delivered by the Tasmanian School of Medicine and the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at Hobart. Year one covers Human Life Sciences, Cell Biology, Chemistry for Life Sciences, Human Anatomy and Physiology and Introduction to Health Research Methods. Year two layers biochemistry and molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, pathology and pharmacology with significant time in the wet laboratory. Year three brings advanced units in human disease, cancer biology, neuroscience, infectious disease and clinical research methods, plus an embedded research project unit. Honours is the standard fourth year. The Menzies Institute is one of Australia's leading medical research centres with significant work in MS, dementia, cardiovascular health and population health. Students often align their year-three research projects to Menzies laboratories. Expect 18 to 22 contact hours a week including labs.
Example first-year subjects
- Human Life Sciences 1
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry for Life Sciences
- Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
- Quantitative Methods for Health Research
- Foundations of Medical Research
How you will be assessed
- Closed-book final exams (50 to 60 per cent weight in bioscience units)
- Laboratory reports and prac write-ups
- Practical skills assessments (microscopy, dissection, lab techniques)
- Literature reviews and research proposals
- Group case-study presentations
- Honours-track research project and thesis
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
- Medical laboratory scientist at Royal Hobart Hospital pathology
- Research assistant at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research
- Clinical trials coordinator at the Royal Hobart Hospital
- Diagnostic scientist at Australian Clinical Labs or Sonic Healthcare
- Health policy analyst at Tasmanian Department of Health
- Science communicator at TMAG or science outreach roles
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 (a supervised fourth year, around 25,000 word thesis) is the standard pipeline into research masters or PhD via the Menzies Institute or Tasmanian School of Medicine. Graduates also pathway into graduate-entry Doctor of Medicine programmes interstate (Melbourne MD, Sydney MD, Notre Dame MD, USyd MD), Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) pathways via direct entry, Doctor of Physiotherapy, Doctor of Dental Surgery and Master of Public Health programmes. Many alumni move into clinical trials, biotech, science communication or teaching after completing the Master of Teaching (Secondary).
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- You loved Year 12 biology and chemistry and want a science-heavy degree
- You are aiming for graduate medicine, dentistry or research
- You can manage hands-on lab work and detailed prac write-ups
- You are comfortable with mathematics, statistics and biostatistics
- You enjoy the detail of physiology and pathology
It is probably not for you if
- You dislike laboratory work or closed-book exams
- You want direct clinical patient contact from year one
- You prefer a broad humanities or social science degree
- You cannot commit to long lab sessions and pre-lab quizzes
Related courses at UTAS
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the University of Tasmania handbook and on VTAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/utas/bachelor-of-medical-science.