The University of Western Australia

Bachelor of Biomedicine (Specialised), Doctor of Dental Medicine

Undergraduate
Apply To This Program

Details

University Location Perth, Western Australia
City Population 2.1 million
Student Population 24,500
Int'l Student Population 4,500
Main Campus Crawley
Program Campus Nedlands
Program Duration 3 + 3 years
Estimated Annual Tuition $46,200 AUD (2024 fees; subject to increase)
Semester Intake February
Next Available Intake 2025
Application Deadline June 27, 2024*
Apply To This Program

Overview

Located in Perth, the University of Western Australia is a research-intensive university and one of the internationally recognized Australian Group of Eight. Voted as one of the world’s most liveable cities, Perth is also Australia’s sunniest capital city, and the Mediterranean climate of warm, dry summers is ideal for sports and outdoor activities.

UWA Bachelor of Biomedicine (Specialised) students have access to a range of world-class facilities that enhance your learning and give you hands-on experience before you enter the workplace:

  • UWA Health Campus
  • Biomedical Sciences Teaching Laboratories
  • Biomedical Sciences E-Learning Suites

As a biomedical science student, you’ll be taught by world-class researchers in cutting-edge laboratories and tutorial rooms at UWA’s main campus and at the Queen Elizabeth II hospital campus.

Program

The Bachelor of Biomedicine is a practical degree providing essential pre-clinical knowledge across a broad arena of health and medical disciplines, designed to articulate with UWA’s accredited health professional degrees, including the Doctor of Dental Medicine (3 years).

This extended major is only available to students who are offered an Assured Pathway to the Doctor of Dental Medicine. It draws on all biomedical scientific disciplines to understand and manage human disease and illness. It contains foundational learning about the roles of a dentist and introduces the student to pre-clinical dental training. If successful in completing this extended major, you’ll be eligible for credit towards the Doctor of Dental Medicine and a shorter 6-year pathway.

Integrated Dental Sciences Major
This major involves detailed study of the head and neck sciences along with dental and oral anatomy and physiology. You’ll undertake simulation work in the dental school’s Simulation and Operative Technique Laboratories. You’ll learn and practice dental procedures on various models of teeth and mouths with some exercises being performed in “phantom heads” on dental simulators.

This pre-clinical training is essential to develop your hand skills. It will also help you become competent in the various dental procedures before your progress to the clinical years of the Doctor of Dental Medicine, where you’ll be treating patients in the clinics of the Oral Health Centre of WA and at various external placement clinics.

As an Integrated Dental Sciences major, you’ll learn to

  • demonstrate sound knowledge in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, hematology, microbiology, anatomical pathology, and pharmacology;
  • apply clinically relevant aspects of biomedical science and the principles of clinical reasoning to core dental and oral conditions;
  • apply medical- and dental-history taking and oral examination, along with an understanding of the patient’s perspective and quality patient-centred care; and
  • undertake clinical dental procedures in a simulation environment.

These disciplines will be integrated within level 3 units, where science, clinical and professional content will be presented longitudinally and built around the core clinical conditions and presentations. Communication and research skills for the health professional will be presented throughout the major. The major will include studies on aspects of Australian society and culture, including Aboriginal health and migrant and refugee health. Students will also commence pre-clinical training to be a dentist.

Admission Requirements

The direct pathway is only available to

  • current Grade 12 students; or
  • applicants who have completed Grade 12 (or equivalent) no more than 1 year previously and have not since undertaken any post-secondary studies.

Entry into the Assured Pathway is competitive. Applicants are ranked according to their academic performance, admissions test, and interview scores, with the highest-ranking applicants being offered a place.

1. High school diploma
A minimum of 94% overall average. Averages and calculations depend upon province (see below). Entry to this program doesn’t require specific prerequisites; however, chemistry, biology or human biology, math, and physics are recommended. If you haven’t completed these courses at Year 12, you will need to include these units in your first year of study at UWA.

  • ON – Top 5 Grade 12 subjects
  • QC – Assessment is based on all subjects’ results presented in each transcript
  • All other provinces – Top 6 Grade 12 subjects

2. Admissions test
International applicants must sit the International Student Admissions Test (ISAT) and meet the minimum score of the 25th percentile or higher in each section of the test. ISATs are valid for the preceding 3 calendar years.

3. Interview
Interviews will be held in mid-August for students who meet both the minimum educational score and ISAT. After the interview, final course offers are ranked according to GPA equivalent, interview score, and ISAT overall score, weighted 30%/50%/20%.

Progression into Doctor of Dental Medicine
Successful applicants who gain a place in the Assured Pathway will commence UWA undergraduate studies and progress to their postgraduate degree without the need to sit a graduate admissions test or undergo further interviews. The International Assured Pathway place in the postgraduate DMD is conditional on

  • successful completion of a UWA bachelor’s degree with a minimum faculty grade point average (FGPA) of 5.5; and
  • retention of international student status.

Admission Timeline

*While the application deadline for the 2025 intake is June 27, 2024, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Online Interviews: Expected July 22 – August 4, 2024
Last ISAT Sit Date: Test window 2 (April 29 – May 8, 2024)