Surgery

The Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at the University of New South Wales is a comprehensive undergraduate program designed to prepare students for a career in medicine with a focus on surgical practice. This program provides a rigorous curriculum that integrates foundational medical sciences, clinical skills, and practical experience to equip students with the knowledge and competencies necessary for effective surgical care. Throughout the course, students explore a broad range of topics including anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and microbiology, all tailored towards understanding human health and disease, particularly conditions requiring surgical intervention.

The program emphasizes hands-on learning through clinical placements in hospitals and healthcare facilities, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings under the supervision of experienced clinicians. Students are exposed to diverse surgical specialties, including general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, orthopedic surgery, and neurosurgery, fostering comprehensive understanding and guiding career interests. The curriculum also incorporates modern medical technologies and innovative surgical techniques, ensuring graduates are well-versed with current best practices and emerging advancements in surgical medicine.

Furthermore, the program encourages development of essential skills such as effective communication, teamwork, ethical decision-making, and patient-centered care. UNSW’s collaborative teaching approach combines lectures, problem-based learning, simulation exercises, and clinical rotations to enhance learning outcomes. The program is aimed at students who are committed to pursuing a challenging but rewarding career in surgery, with a strong emphasis on research, continuous professional development, and lifelong learning. Graduates of this program are well-prepared to enter surgical training programs, contribute to healthcare teams, and deliver high-quality surgical care across diverse medical settings. With a curriculum aligned to national and international standards, the UNSW Bachelor of Surgery prepares students thoroughly for the complexities and responsibilities of modern surgical practice.

Location

The candidate may undertake the research as an internal student ie. at a campus, teaching hospital, or other research facility with which the University is associated, or as an external student not in attendance at the University except for periods as may be prescribed by the Committee.

The approved applicant may undertake their enrolment with a part-time or full-time load at the University, at one of its teaching hospitals or a research facility with which the University is associated; the Committee may permit a candidate to spend a period in the field, within another institution or elsewhere away from the University if it is satisfied that this is necessary to the research program and provided that the work can be supervised in a manner satisfactory to the Committee.

If the candidate's research work is based externally, there must be a minimum acceptable level of supervision that will be determined by the Committee. Normally an external candidate within another organisation or institution will have a co-supervisor at that institution.

Candidature

A candidate shall be required to undertake an original investigation on a topic approved by the Committee and may also be required to undergo such examination and perform such other work as may be prescribed by the Committee. The work shall be carried out under the direction of a supervisor appointed by the Committee from the academic staff of the University.

A candidate shall be enrolled for a minimum of 144 units of credit (uoc) and up to a maximum of 192uoc. A full-time load during one Session is worth 24uoc and a part-time load is worth 12uoc.

Thesis

On completing the program of study a candidate shall submit a thesis embodying the results of the investigation. The Registrar shall be notified in writing with an eight-week notice of intention to submit the thesis.

The thesis shall comply with the following requirements:

1. it must be an original and significant contribution to knowledge of the subject;
2. the greater proportion of the work described must have been completed subsequent to enrolment for the degree;
3. it must be written in English;
4. it must reach a satisfactory standard of expression and presentation;
5. it must consist of an account of the candidate's own research but in special cases work done conjointly with other persons may be accepted provided the Committee is satisfied about the extent of the candidate's part in the joint research.

If any work or material which has previously been submitted for a university degree or other similar award, a candidate may not submit that as the main content of the thesis but may submit any work otherwise previously published, whether or not it is related to the thesis.

The thesis shall contain a certificate signed by the candidate indicating specifically the extent to which the work embodied in the thesis is directly attributable to the candidate's own research and the extent to which the thesis has benefited from collaboration with persons other than the supervisor.

Four copies of the thesis shall be presented in a form which complies with the requirements of the University for the preparation and submission of higher degree theses.

It shall be understood that the University retains the four copies of the thesis submitted for examination and is free to allow the thesis to be consulted or borrowed. Subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act, 1968, the University may issue the thesis, in whole or in part, in photostat or microfilm or other copying medium.

1. Candidates with an Honours degree (at least class 2 division 1) in a relevant discipline, or with an MBBS from an Australian or New Zealand university, are in general considered eligible for admission to a PhD program, or
2. Candidates with Honours below class 2 division 1, or who have not been awarded an Honours degree, need to demonstrate appropriate research experience and are in general considered eligible for admission to a PhD program if able to provide evidence of first authorship on at least one refereed paper in a journal of sufficient standing. However, first authorship on a publication is not an absolute prerequisite and the eligibility of all such candidates is determined on a case-by-case basis, or
3. Candidates with an MBBS or other medical degree from another country are in the first instance considered to be eligible to enrol for a research Masters program, with later upgrade to a PhD if appropriate. Direct enrolment for a PhD may be approved on the basis of strong support from the proposed supervisor and the relevant Head of School, or
4. Candidates with a Bachelor's degree (not an Honours degree) and relevant experience, but no first author publications in refereed journals of sufficient standing, may be eligible to enrol in a research Masters program on the basis of support from the proposed supervisor and the relevant Head of School, with later upgrade to a PhD if appropriate. Uncommonly, direct enrolment for a PhD may be approved on the basis of strong support from the proposed supervisor and the relevant Head of School.
5. IELTS Academic version only 6.5 overall (min. 6.0 in each subtest)
6. TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) 90 overall (min.23 in writing, 22 in reading, listening and speaking)
7. TOEFL Paper-based Test  (PBT) 577 overall (min. 5.0 in TWE)
8. Electronic transcripts*: Applicants need to provide a scanned or electronic copy of transcripts for all tertiary degrees completed or attempted, including current degrees. For those students undertaking a research degree which does not have specific scores, an enrolment summary will be required to show which semesters the applicant was enrolled. All pages of one transcript, including the original language copy, should be provided in one document.
9. Grading systems*: These are explanations of what specific scores/grades mean at a specific University/Institution. These must be provided for each University the applicant has attended.
10. Curriculum Vitae (CV)*: This must include details of previous research, such as a summary of all research outputs and experience, including publications, conference presentations, etc. Work samples such as abstracts may be attached as appendices to the CV.
11. Research Proposal*: Please see Step 2
12. Supervisor Contact*: Please see Step 2
13. Testamurs: These are certificates of completion for prior degrees. If you are currently studying, the testamur for this degree can be submitted at a later date. Your application can be provisionally assessed without these. All pages of one testamur, including the original language copy, should be provided in one document.
14. Current/Final semester results: This is only required for any students still undertaking a tertiary degree. These are not required until you have completed all requirements of your current degree, including any thesis components. Once you have completed, you will need to submit your final transcript and any examiners reports (if applicable).

The University of New South Wales offers numerous funding options and financial assistance programs for students enrolled in its Surgery postgraduate programs. These options include Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP), which significantly reduce the tuition fees for eligible Australian and New Zealand students. Students may also apply for scholarships specifically targeted at graduate students in medical fields, including research grants, merit-based scholarships, and specialty awards recognizing excellence in surgical studies and research. Additionally, UNSW provides access to federal and state governmentloan programs such as HECS-HELP, which allows domestic students to defer their tuition expenses until they are financially able to repay, thereby easing the immediate financial burden. International students pursuing surgery qualifications at UNSW can explore private loans, scholarships, and sponsorship opportunities, which are often advertised on the university’s official website. Many students also benefit from tuition fee waivers and financial aid packages offered through partnerships with healthcare organizations and surgical research institutes affiliated with UNSW. Further financial support may be available through specific research grants awarded by medical councils or through industry sponsorships aimed at fostering advances in surgical techniques and research. The university also provides comprehensive financial guidance and counseling services to help students navigate their options and plan their finances effectively throughout their studies. Overall, UNSW strives to make surgical postgraduate education accessible by offering a variety of funding opportunities, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder talented students from advancing their careers in surgery.

The University of New South Wales offers comprehensive education and training in the field of Surgery through its specialized programs. The program is designed to prepare students for a career in surgical practice, emphasizing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Students enrolled in the Surgery program at UNSW benefit from a curriculum that covers a wide range of topics, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, and surgical techniques. The program incorporates advanced clinical training, providing students with extensive hands-on experience in various surgical procedures and patient management. Facilities at UNSW include state-of-the-art laboratories and simulation centers, enabling students to engage in realistic surgical simulations that enhance their technical proficiency and decision-making abilities. The faculty comprises experienced surgeons and healthcare professionals committed to mentoring students and fostering innovative research in surgical sciences. UNSW's Surgery program encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating insights from biomedical engineering, anesthesia, and rehabilitation to develop well-rounded surgical practitioners ready to meet contemporary healthcare demands. The program also offers opportunities for research, allowing students to contribute to advancements in minimally invasive surgery, surgical robotics, and other emerging fields. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to pursue careers in clinical practice, academic research, or healthcare leadership roles, with many continuing their training through fellowships or postgraduate studies. The university's connections with hospitals and healthcare networks ensure that students have access to diverse clinical rotations aligned with their educational goals. Overall, UNSW’s Surgery program aims to cultivate competent, innovative, and compassionate surgeons who can significantly impact patient care and surgical science.