Hey, current Monash Year 5D MBBS(Hons) student who also did the research BMedSc(Hons) degree
So the way the new 'direct entry' (ie. for Year 12 students) program works:
Year 1: Bachelor of Medical Science (Australian Qualifications Framework 7)
Year 2: Bachelor of Medical Science (AQF 7)
Year 3: Bachelor of Medical Science / MD (AQF 7/9) (first clinical year)
Year 4: MD (AQF 9)
Year 5: MD (AQF 9)
So all in all – still a 5 year degree, graduating with both BMedSc (note: not the same as the research “BMedSc(Hons) that still exists as an optional year) and MD qualifications. Is this “better” than the previous MBBS(Hons) scheme? By AQF: yes. In terms of practicality: not one bit. As above, it's mainly a cosmetic change to follow the trend started by UniMelb a few years back.
But because I'm here, I might as well detail what is being changed from the existing course. Basically, to qualify for MD and AQF 9 status, Monash is introducing online research teaching during Year 3 (alongside existing Year 3 content), and there is a 'scholarly intensive project' for one rotation in Year 5 to replace the current 'elective rotation'. I am unsure if the 'elective rotation' may replace the current 'specialty elective', but I suspect it might do that. So essentially: nothing is removed, only things are gained in this new course structure.
For interest, this is what the 'graduate entry' program looks like:
Year 1: Bachelor Biomedical Science (AQF 7)
Year 2: Bachelor Biomedical Science (AQF 7)
Year 3: Bachelor Biomedical Science (AQF 7)
Year A: Bachelor of Medical Science (AQF 7)
Year B: Bachelor of Medical Science / MD (AQF 7/9)
Year C: MD (AQF 9)
Year D: MD (AQF 9)
So those graduate with BBiomedSc, BMedSc and MD in 7 years.
I can’t give advice regarding what you should and should not say in the interview, because I’m involved in the process and have a contract, but I’d advise you to look closely at their website to see if that particular question is something that fits within their desired values graduates should have as to determine the likelihood of it being asked
Think about how much time you’ll have for any question, and that will guide you to the depth of your response.
My favourite thing about Monash is hard to pin down! I’d say three things stand out to me:
- I love the freedom I have to learn how I want and what I want. Despite having a highly structured course, there is a surprisingly large amount of room for students to explore their own areas of interest. Medicine, as with any discipline, has an endless amount of knowledge and I’ve really enjoyed dipping my toes into some of those depths. Monash heavily encourages research, especially the research year I did this year, and I’ve really grown to appreciate that.
- I love the cohort, despite being extremely strong academically (if ATARs and UMAT are anything to go by – and I believe they are to an extent), they’re also a very fun bunch that loves to party and have a good time in and out of the classroom. This is even more-so during pre-clin where Clayton becomes a mini-city in itself for everyone at Monash, simply because it’s just a tad too far (~30mins) from the CBD for weekday drinks and such. Monash cohorts have also traditionally been great believers in "inter-year" study groups (eg. Year 4C students volunteering to tutor Year 3B students weekly), and having been involved in tutoring a bunch of students (grew to nearly 60 this year!) it's an amazing opportunity and a great way to foster relationships between cohorts.
- I love the staff, never encountered a doctor or tutor who was “mean” or bullied me, everyone has been really friendly and supportive. The students reciprocate that, recently you may have come across this change.org campaign that *actually did something* for one of our tutors and their young family (The Minister of the Immigration and Border Protection : Please don’t send Banik family away from their home just because Arko has mild autism…); it’s really a great atmosphere.