Direct entry (school-leaver)

Charles Sturt University — BClinSci(Med)/MD

Orange, NSW5 yearsBClinSci(Med) / MD

Direct answerEntry 2027

Charles Sturt University's Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine) and Doctor of Medicine is a five-year direct entry pathway where you'll come out the other side with two degrees. With a heavy focus on rural and regional medicine, the majority of spots are reserved for students from rural backgrounds.

Official figures from the Charles Sturt medicine admissions page · 16 June 2026. Competitive ATAR and UCAT bands are student-reported. Draft pending final verification.

Course details

Charles Sturt University's medical program is delivered through their School of Rural Medicine in Orange. As one of Australia's only rural-first pathways, students can expect more hands-on clinical training than their city-based counterparts.

Degree awardedBachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine) and Doctor of Medicine

Duration5 years, full-time

DeliveryOn-campus, full-time

FundingCommonwealth Supported; some places are Bonded Medical Program places

Eligibility Criteria

A minimum ATAR of 95.5 for non-rural applicants and 91.5 for rural applicants is required to apply for this medical program. Note that this is the minimum to apply and does not guarante an interview.

ATAR

Below the rural minimum (around 91.5) — not considered for this pathway.

Rural applicants only — eligible rural applicants are considered from about 91.5, below the 95.5 standard minimum.

Considered — meeting the minimum gets you assessed, but does not guarantee an offer.

Competitive band — where successful offers actually land (around ~97–98.5).

Rural gate
Eligible rural applicants apply from a lower minimum ATAR (around 91.5).Verified — official university source

Standard gate
The standard minimum ATAR (around 95.5) — the floor for non-rural applicants.Verified — official university source

Where offers land
Successful offers cluster around ~97–98.5 — the realistic competitive mark.Applicant-reported estimate, not an official cut-off

80859095100

UCAT

Rural-mission cohort
Rural-mission cohort applicants are typically competitive around the ~47th–50th pct UCAT percentile.Applicant-reported estimate · 2026, not an official cut-off

5060708090100

Intakeplaces / year

4747 places
Total domestic places offered each year, before any quota split.Verified — official university sourcedomestic places per year

17Non-Quota · 17
the non-rural pool — total places minus the rural reservation; includes a small (~5-place) reservation for Charles Sturt students, the rest open on meritVerified — official university source

30Rural Quota · 30
about 30 of 47 places are reserved for rural-background applicants under the Rural Entry Admissions Scheme (rural rank 91.5 vs 95.5 standard)Verified — official university source

Citizenship

Australian citizen or permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen

Pre-Requisite

Set by Charles Sturt — confirm current subject prerequisites and assumed knowledge on the official admissions page.

Charles Sturt has a heavy preference towards NSW and rural applicants, with 80% of total spots reserved for rural and NSW students. At least 6 spots are reserved for Charles Sturt students.

Selection Process

Students looking to apply for Charles Sturt's medical program must pass an ATAR gate, perform strongly in the UCAT, then complete an interview to receive an offer.

Gate

A minimum ATAR of 95.5 for non-rural and 91.5 for rural students is required to apply.

Meeting the gate does not guarantee an interview.

Plan your application

UCAT key dates & costBooking windows, the testing window, deadlines and fees for the cycle.→Where can I apply? — the medical-school matcherMatch your ATAR, UCAT and circumstances against every consortium university at once.→

Charles Sturt medicine FAQ

Does the medicine program at Charles Sturt require the UCAT?+

Yes, the UCAT is used to determine interviews and also contributes a portion of the final offer.

What ATAR do I need for medicine at Charles Sturt?+

A minimum ATAR of 95.5 for non-rural applicants and 91.5 for rural applicants is required to apply. This does not guarantee an interview since students are ranked against each other.

Why is the competitive UCAT so much lower here than at other schools?+

As a rural-mission school, the large majority of interviews go to rural-background applicants, so the competitive UCAT mark for medicine sits well below metropolitan schools — student-reported around the 47th–50th percentile.

Is the dentistry course the same as medicine?+

No. Charles Sturt's dentistry course is a separate, much higher pathway (a dental offer near ATAR 99.75 / UCAT ~94th percentile). Don't use dental figures to gauge the medicine cohort.

Can interstate students apply to Charles Sturt Medicine?+

Yes, but it is extremely competitive. Interstate applicants are competing for just 20% of spots since the remainder is reserved for NSW students.

What is the Charles Sturt student quota?+

At least 6 spots are resered for Charles Sturt students.

Is there an Indigenous entry pathway?+

Yes. Charles Sturt offers an entry pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.

How is the final offer decided at Charles Sturt?+

Final offers are made based on your UCAT and interview performance.