Admission criteria

To be considered for entry into this course, you must:

• Have completed a bachelor degree (AQF7) in a cognate (relevant) discipline with a weighted average mark (WAM) of 65%, or equivalent.
  
  Cognate (relevant) disciplines include (but are not limited to): A major in anatomy, biochemistry and molecular biology, biotechnology, cell and developmental biology, chemistry, data science, genetics, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, psychology.

The University of Melbourne is committed to maintaining a transparent admissions policy by clearly communicating all entry scores to prospective students. Entry requirements to the University of Melbourne are regularly reviewed to ensure they align with the University's Selection and Admissions Policy. The entry requirements published for this course will apply from the start year 2027 intake onwards.

Where degree levels are referenced, levels align with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Applications are assessed against these standards.

Where our admission criteria includes a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and/or specific subject criteria, these are based on University of Melbourne grades and subjects. If you've studied elsewhere, we'll assess your relevant prior studies and equivalent grades. Your final WAM may be adjusted depending on your previous institution's accreditation, subject grading, and pass marks.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

About selection

As part of your application, you must also:

• Provide proposed research supervisor’s name, title and endorsement, confirming their support for research

Missing information or documents may result in your application being deemed ineligible.

When assessing (and where relevant, ranking) applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• Prior academic performance
• Relevance of previous study
• Availability of appropriate supervision, subject to academic staff capacity

The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission Policy.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Additional information

Quotas may be applied to the degree as a whole, or to individual disciplines, and preference may be given to applicants with evidence of appropriate preparation or potential to undertake research.

Finding a supervisor

All students in the Master of Biomedical Science need to find a supervisor for their individual research project. This can be done prior to submitting an application or during the application process.

Entry is subject to the capacity of a participating department to provide adequate supervision for a research project appropriate to the interests and preparation of the individual student, and to the agreement of an academic staff member to supervise the project.

You can look for projects and supervisors by using the following resources:

• MC-BMEDSC Project Database (Sonia)

• Project booklets published by departments

• Your lecturers if you are a current University of Melbourne undergraduate student

• Find an Expert

• Affiliated medical research institutes' websites:

  • Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
  • Burnet Institute
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute
  • Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
  • Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
  • St Vincent's Institute
  • The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
  • Walter & Eliza Hall Institute

Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM)

We encourage domestic students to explore eligibility for Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM). GAM offers an opportunity for admission to this course even if your tertiary marks are below the standard entry requirements. GAM applicants may also be considered for financial bursaries and Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) where available.

GAM categories include coming from a rural area, being an Indigenous Australian, experiencing financial hardship or personal difficulties, having refugee status, or living with a disability or medical condition. In assessing applications, we look to balance opportunity and your capacity to succeed.

Advanced Standing

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).

For additional, in-depth details on entry requirements and admissions for this course, refer to the University Handbook.