Entry and study requirements

Academic entry requirements

Prerequisite subjects

Prior to receiving an offer, you must have completed:

• English (Units 3/4, C)
• Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4, C)
• Chemistry (Units 3/4, C).

For Dentistry and Veterinary Science, JCU recommends but does not require:

• Biology.

You may be able to complete your prerequisite subjects during, but independently to, your Year 12 studies. Bridging subjects previously offered under the JCU Certificate of Higher Education are no longer available. Please consider the options available to you through other educational providers.

Applicants who’ve already completed Year 12 can access the JCU Prep pathway program in September 2024 to help fulfil subject prerequisites. It cannot be used to meet ATAR requirements and is not available to students in Year 12.

If you’re not able to meet these subject prerequisites, we recommend you apply for a degree in Allied Health and Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences or Nursing. Tertiary studies in these areas could help you transition into your preferred degree, depending on your academic results and future availability of places.

ATAR – Australian Tertiary Admission Rank

Calculated by QTAC, your ATAR is the standard measure of your overall academic achievement in relation to other students. JCU does not have set ATAR thresholds for entry to Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science courses as selections are based on a combination of academic results and a written application or interview. Check the QTAC website for more information on ATARs.

ATAR or selection rank adjustment programs including the Regional Preference Scheme, Educational Access Scheme and Subject Adjustment Scheme are not available for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science applicants.

GPA – Grade Point Average

The minimum unweighted GPA score required for tertiary results to be assessed is 5.75 on a 7-point scale, however this is not a threshold or benchmark. Selection decisions are based on a combination of all academic results and a written application or interview.

Practical study requirements

Disease prevention

While not required for your application, accepted students must be immune to or vaccinated against particular diseases. This is essential for professional placements, where students may be engaged in situations that would allow transmission of disease. Some health facilities may have additional vaccination requirements for students to complete their placements.

For Dentistry and Medicine:

• Hepatitis B
• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Chickenpox (varicella)
• Whooping cough (pertussis).

For Veterinary Science:

• Q Fever.

If you’re unable to comply with these requirements, you may not be permitted to complete your degree.

Working with children

While not required for your application, accepted students must hold a Blue Card to work with children and young people, issued under the Queensland Government’s Working with Children Check.

Blue Cards are essential for professional placements, where students will be required to provide health and support services for children and young people. If you’re unable to comply with this requirement, you may not be able to complete your degree.

Inherent requirements

We recommend that all applicants understand the inherent requirements for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science, which can include certain physical and cognitive abilities, sustainable performance and communication skills. Students must demonstrate these during the learning experience to successfully complete their degree.

Work experience

While not required for your application, experience in your chosen field gained through paid employment or volunteering can give you real-world knowledge and help you pick up valuable time management skills.

Talk with working professionals about what their jobs involve. Do a short placement at a local clinic for insights into the type of work you may do in that field and decide whether it’s for you.