How to get into Monash Medicine in 2027

Written by Icon | Feb 6, 2025, 7:37:51 AM

Excerpt

As application cycles kickstart, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the different components that you have to deal with, especially for universities located overseas. Not to worry though, as Icon Education is here to guide you with unpacking the steps needed in your application to study medicine in the land down under.

What does Monash Medicine look for?

The five-year Direct Entry Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme at Monash University is popular amongst Medicine hopefuls, and accredited by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC). It is a highly competitive programme, with approximately 234 domestic Australian students and approximately 90 international students accepted each year.

Applicants who have successfully received an offer usually have academic profiles that look like the following:

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)	97.50 points total.
Victorian Certificate of Education	35 in English (EAL)/ 30 in English other than EAL, 30 in Chemistry.
International Baccalaureate	5 in English SL/ 4 in English HL/ 6 in English B SL/ 5 in English B HL. 5 in Chemistry SL/ 4 in Chemistry HL.
GCE A Level in other countries	B in O Level English Language/ B in AS Level English General Paper/ D for A Level English General Paper, D for Chemistry. 15 points total, with the best-scoring 3 A-Level subjects completed within 2 years. For GCE A-Levels taken in other countries, the best three A-Level subjects completed within two years are scored as follows: A= 5, A = 5, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2 and E = 1, with a maximum one-point bonus for an A grade.
Singapore GCE A-Levels	B in GCE O-Level English, or the relevant Singapore A-Level English requirement; D in H2 Chemistry or Merit in H3 Chemistry. 15 points total. For Singapore A-Levels, the best three H2 subjects taken in one sitting are scored as follows: A = 5, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2 and E = 1, with a maximum one-point bonus for an H3 Distinction.
Monash University Foundation Year	75% for English and 75% for Chemistry.

If your primary language of instruction is not English, you are required to take a recognised English language test, which could be either one of the following:

IELTS	Overall score of minimally 7.0, with no individual band score falling below 6.5.
TOEFL iBT	Overall score of minimally 94, with scores that do not fall below 19 in the Reading component, 20 in the Listening component, 20 in the Speaking component and 24 in the Writing component.
Pearson Test of English (Academic)	Overall score of minimally 65, with no individual band score falling below 58.

International Student Admissions Test (ISAT)

The ISAT is an admissions test that helps the university to rank, and then select potential students amongst an already highly qualified pool of international applicants. It specifically assesses applicants' abilities in the Critical Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections, both of which are highly valued in future doctors.

Applicants must achieve a minimum overall ISAT score of 170, with a minimum score of 165 in both the Critical Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections. However, for 2027 entry, Monash published an overall ISAT cut-off of 178 for interview selection. The minimum eligibility requirement and the interview-selection cut-off serve different purposes and should not be confused. Take a free diagnostic test.

Multi Mini Interview (MMI)

If applicants are successfully shortlisted, they will be invited to participate in the MMI. This consists of four interview stations, with the questions specifically curated to holistically assess their fit with the programme. The range of questions focuses on aspects such as your motivation to study medicine, your ability to advocate and collaborate with others, your critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills, as well as your levels of resilience and empathy. Do take note that if applicants fail the MMI, they would not be allowed to attend it again even if they reapply for Monash medicine.

Tips to enhance your application

Given the high levels of competition and comprehensive screening process, these are some aspects that you should pay careful attention to in order for your application to best reflect your suitability for the programme:

1. Early preparation is key to acing your application. Many applicants tend to mistakenly underestimate the amount of practice they require for the ISAT, which might result in undesirable scores. It is therefore important to give yourself sufficient time and space to familarise yourself with the testing format and question types, and reach out for help if need be. For applicants who intend to retake the ISAT, do take note of the 3 testing cycles for 2027 and ensure that you meet the mandatory elapsed time of 12 months from your previous test.

2. While it is not compulsory to participate in internships or job shadowing experiences in the medical field before your application, it is highly recommended that you partake in them or find alternative avenues where you can learn more about what the world of medicine entails. These serve to build up a repository of experiences that will help you to gain a clearer understanding of your alignment with a career in medicine, as well as highlight certain aspects that you may find yourself interested in exploring on a deeper level.

3. Although personal statements are not a required component in the Monash application, do make it a habit to record your experiences, and specifically explain what you have learnt from them. Having a clear picture of what contributed towards your motivation to pursue medicine, as well as being able to substantiate your experiences would be vital during the interview stage.

We hope that you feel more confident with embarking on your application for Monash medicine. Have further questions about Monash Medicine, the ISAT or preparing for your medical school application? Speak with the Icon Education team for personalized guidance and admissions support.