Doctor of Medicine / Master of Biomedical Engineering Pathway

The Melbourne Medical School and Department of Biomedical Engineering are excited to introduce a new intercalated Doctor of Medicine (MD)/ Master of Biomedical Engineering (MBiomEng) program.

The MD/MBiomEng program provides a unique opportunity for eligible, highly motivated students who have completed a Biomedical Engineering Systems major prior to commencing the MD, to undertake an accelerated pathway to a career as medically-trained Biomedical Engineer.

By dedicating their Discovery choices to Engineering subjects, these students will be able to graduate with a Doctor of Medicine and a Master of Biomedical Engineering in 5 years.

Interested students without the prerequisite Engineering Systems major in their undergraduate degree may also be considered but will be required to complete an additional year of study in the Master of Biomedical Engineering and will take six years to complete both degrees.

Applicants who:

meet the mathematics and science prerequisite entry requirements for the Master of Biomedical Engineering (e.g. by completing the university’s Biomedical Engineering Systems major); AND
who are successful in competitive entry to the Doctor of Medicine course

may apply for the combined MD- MC-BioMEng program, attaining both degrees and professional recognition by the Medical Board of Australia and Engineers Australia in five - six years rather than seven.

Successful Doctor of Medicine applicants who have completed the Biomedical Engineering Systems major during their undergraduate studies will be provided information in their MD course offer, on how to apply for the MD/MBiomEng pathway.

Successful applicants will then be notified and guided to enrol in the appropriate Engineering subject as their Year 1 Discovery selective to ensure that they meet the requirements of both the MD and the Master of Biomedical Engineering.

Following successful completion of Year 1, students in the pathway will take a break from their medical studies for one year and undertake a dedicated 12 months enrolment in the Master of Biomedical Engineering. Upon return to the MD students will re-commence and enter Year 2 of the MD course and be enrolled in the appropriate Discovery selectives in Year 2 - 4 that will allow them to complete both courses in the accelerated time.

For further information about the Doctor of Medicine / Master of Biomedical Engineering pathway please contact md-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au.

Application and Enrolment

Will I be enrolled in the MD or Master of Biomedical Engineering or both?

While you are enroled in the Master of Biomedical Engineering your MD studies will be suspended and then resumed once you return to clinical studies. You may be enrolled in a “holding” subject of the MD to allow you to maintain some clinical contact during your Bioengineering studies.
When do I commence my Master of Biomedical Engineering?

MD students who receive an offer to undertake the Master of Biomedical Engineering will commence the Master of Biomedical Engineering after successful completion of the first year of the MD.
Do MD students receive preferential entry into the Master of Biomedical Engineering?

MD students applying for the intercalated pathway do not receive preferential entry into the Master of Biomedical Engineering and will be competing alongside all other applicants for a place in the Master of Biomedical Engineering.

Important things to consider

Will undertaking this pathway affect my student support payments?

For some students, undertaking this pathway and deviating from the MD, could affect your student support payments through Centrelink. If you are a support payment recipient, you are strongly advised to check with Centrelink and be aware of the implications on payments before proceeding with the pathway.