Introducing: Monash MD 2017 entry

[Orson]

Will MBBS remain?

The way things are going...I doubt it. The MBBS is Monash's baby, there is no way they are going to destroy that in order to 'get with the times'...I have a feeling this was just their reciprocation to UoM's MD play a few years back. Now Monash will be known as a med school with options, unlike UoM which cut their undergrad program a while back.

However, it depends on what Monash want; money or reputation. If they scrap MBBS and focus on MD, they can increase places, and thus make more money as students spend a little while longer in university, however, scrapping MBBS would just make everyone think they are trying to play copycat with UoM.

I'm probably wrong with some stuff here...what do you guys think?

[Splash-Tackle-Flail]

Will this mean anything for 2016 first year students? (e.g. they're not going to make us do an extra year or something?)

[pi]

Will this mean anything for 2016 first year students? (e.g. they're not going to make us do an extra year or something?)

Nope. Shouldn't effect you at all. If anything, they'll do anything to pass you so you don't get mixed with the MDs (as happened for the last MBBS graduating class in UoM - virtually impossible to fail!)

The way things are going...I doubt it. The MBBS is Monash's baby, there is no way they are going to destroy that in order to 'get with the times'...I have a feeling this was just their reciprocation to UoM's MD play a few years back. Now Monash will be known as a med school with options, unlike UoM which cut their undergrad program a while back.

However, it depends on what Monash want; money or reputation. If they scrap MBBS and focus on MD, they can increase places, and thus make more money as students spend a little while longer in university, however, scrapping MBBS would just make everyone think they are trying to play copycat with UoM.

I'm probably wrong with some stuff here...what do you guys think?

There will be no MBBS at Monash (eventually). Undergrad course is still 5 years, just getting a cheeky rebranding.

[Splash-Tackle-Flail]

Nope. Shouldn't effect you at all. If anything, they'll do anything to pass you so you don't get mixed with the MDs (as happened for the last MBBS graduating class in UoM - virtually impossible to fail!)

Sweet.

Out of curiosity, does this mean for the new curriculum, they all get BMedSci then?

[Orson]

There will be no MBBS at Monash (eventually). Undergrad course is still 5 years, just getting a cheeky rebranding.

Wouldn't the MD pathway be like 3 years minimum undergrad + 5 year MD?

[pi]

Sweet.

Out of curiosity, does this mean for the new curriculum, they all get BMedSci then?

BMedSci, but not BMedSci(Hons). The nomenclature is confusing at best atm.

Wouldn't the MD pathway be like 3 years minimum undergrad + 5 year MD?

Nope.

2.5 year BMedSci + 3 (one semester overlap?) MD is undergrad-entry. 5 years total.
3 year bachelors + 4 year MD is graduate-entry. 7 years total.

Or that's my take on it.

[Studentxzc]

Don't really know if this helps, but UNSW recently changed from MBBS to MD ( 2 years ago if I remember correctly). Everyone was given the option to graduate with MD, even though we entered under the MBBS system.

Ultimately, we graduate with BMed/MD. (Bachelor of medical studies and Doctor of Medicine). If you get into honours ( which is the top 30 of cohort) you graduate with BMed/Bsc(Med)Hons/MD following a more intensive research year.

Basically what I'm trying to say is not everyone gets honours but we all get the option to choose if we want to graduate with MBBS or MD (: - if you entered before 2014. As depending on your country MBBS maybe be preferred over MD still etc etc.

[pi]

I think that might happen at Monash too, contrary to what I said before. It's likely that the class of 2020 (or 2019 if graduate-entry) will be moved to the MD. But I don't think they'll do what UNSW did and move everyone across.

[Splash-Tackle-Flail]

I think that might happen at Monash too, contrary to what I said before. It's likely that the class of 2020 (or 2019 if graduate-entry) will be moved to the MD. But I don't think they'll do what UNSW did and move everyone across.

Any idea when we'll be able to get a confirmation on this?? Also, if it doesn't mean anything (like equal accreditation), why would they change it to MD?

[Studentxzc]

Any idea when we'll be able to get a confirmation on this?? Also, if it doesn't mean anything (like equal accreditation), why would they change it to MD?

A MBBS is only a level 7 in the Australian Qualification Framework while a MD is a level 9.

http://www.aqf.edu.au/aqf/in-detail/aqf-levels/

Probably a more accurate reflection on the standard. Older doctors aren't too happy though! As MD means something different to them

[pi]

Any idea when we'll be able to get a confirmation on this?? Also, if it doesn't mean anything (like equal accreditation), why would they change it to MD?

A MBBS is only a level 7 in the Australian Qualification Framework while a MD is a level 9.

http://www.aqf.edu.au/aqf/in-detail/aqf-levels/

Probably a more accurate reflection on the standard. Older doctors aren't too happy though! As MD means something different to them

Above link is correct, but interpretation is off slightly. Monash MBBS(Hons) is a level 8. Regardless, in reality, hospitals know (and this is in writing via an AMSA policy) that there is no practical difference regarding MBBS(Hons) vs MD (each being 'primary medical qualifications'), and thus, there is no preferential treatment either way in regards to awarding internships.

The change is probably because:
1) Monash can boost accreditation in 5 years so why not (eat your heart out 7 year UoM MD!!)
2) To follow what's trending
3) There's no doubt some monetary gain somewhere for someone

Personally, given having a level 9 is nothing more than a feel-good compared to a level 8, it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I like having the MBBS, it represents more tradition and in a country of mainstream MDs, it's like getting a shiny Pokemon

[MelonBar]

Dunno how legit this is but there's talk of deakin going bmbs -> MD as well

[pi]

Dunno how legit this is but there's talk of deakin going bmbs -> MD as well

Wouldn't be surprised. Might as well get to "level 9" even if practically it means nothing

[Studentxzc]

Above link is correct, but interpretation is off slightly. Monash MBBS(Hons) is a level 8. Regardless, in reality, hospitals know (and this is in writing via an AMSA policy) that there is no practical difference regarding MBBS(Hons) vs MD (each being 'primary medical qualifications'), and thus, there is no preferential treatment either way in regards to awarding internships.

The change is probably because:
1) Monash can boost accreditation in 5 years so why not (eat your heart out 7 year UoM MD!!)
2) To follow what's trending
3) There's no doubt some monetary gain somewhere for someone

Personally, given having a level 9 is nothing more than a feel-good compared to a level 8, it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I like having the MBBS, it represents more tradition and in a country of mainstream MDs, it's like getting a shiny Pokemon

MBBS alone is level 7, MBBS (Hons) as you said is level 8, MD is level 9.
Some universities only offer MBBS without Hons. My bad for not referring to MBBS (Hons) for Monash.

In Australia there's no difference between MBBS and MD. But according to doctors in hospital, there is a difference when you apply overseas for jobs or for further education overseas (As the standard of qualification is different)- which is why they advised most of us to switch over to MD when there was a choice.

Also Universities are looked at when applying overseas for jobs. Overall UoM/UoS has a longer history compared to Monash or UNSW. UoM is also ranked higher compared to Monash for Medicine. Again, in Australia it really doesn't matter. But overseas they do take into consideration the University we graduated in. (I have family members in the Selection Boards for USA and Singapore (: )

[pi]

I think you'll find that when people tend to work overseas, which is most commonly during their Fellowship (ie. after passing all their registrar exams and training requirements), the medical school they went to doesn't really mean anything. I guess if for some reason you wanted to leave Australia earlier than that, something which would be irrelevant to 99% of domestic graduates, then it might matter

Rankings aren't a reflection on the quality of primary medical degrees, but are rather determined by research the Faculty pumps out. It's not surprising the oldest medical schools have the higher rankings... they've been around for longer, it would be very odd to expect anything else. My understanding, is that again for Fellowships, it's largely a moot point. What you've done, which hospitals you have worked in, and who you've met along the way play the big roles in getting these overseas Fellowship stints. Granted, I don't have any family in the area and am just drawing conclusions on a few convos with consultants I've had along my own journey.

UoM and USyd do try and emphasise these things. And I really think they're over-emphasised to the point of exaggeration. Ultimately, and like any uni, they want the best students; and if the lure of "but hey guys it helps for some select overseas countries who have MDs implemented in them" convinces a small percentage, then good job on marketing for them!

So I guess it's fair to say, that for purposes of the vast majority of domestic students, it has absolutely no implications whatsoever!