Hello.

I am currently faced with the task of deciding which program I should enroll in whether it be the 2012 August intake of the International Medical University's MBBS Partner Medical School program or the 2012 February intake of the Sunway Monash University's MBBS program. Both programs seem to be very good to me. Hence why I am having a very difficult time deciding which university to enroll in. I also have an extremely short period of time to decide! Could anyone out there with an opinion on this matter comment regarding which university you would choose if you were in the same position as me and why you would choose the particular university? I am URGENTLY needing anyone with an informed opinion out there that is willing to help!!!

Please and thank you very much!!!

ConfusedK

Hi ConfusedK,

Do you have the money to fund your studies without taking much loan? PMS option can cost a lot more money than Monash Sunway option..

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Added on February 12, 2012, 10:05 amBtw if you plan to work in Australia after graduation, better to take IMU-PMS option.

This post has been edited by Syd G: Feb 12 2012, 10:05 AM

My relative has the same offers as you. But she has an overseas offer n it makes her decision easier for overseas. Didn't you make any Ucas appln or you wanted oz. if you are good, you are almost assured is pms but may not be your preferred choice. Monash do have a 3 months stint in oz n it would be half a year faster of you opt for it compared with Imu.

Hello Syd G.

I have done the math and calculated that I do have the necessary funds to pay for either of the programs. I do plan to work in Australia after I have completed my degree. The factor that I have been weighing out is the uncertainty of the IMU PMS program where you could be matched to any of the the partner universities regardless of your choice in order for IMU to meet it's quota of students to the places available. So, I do face the possibility of being matched with a university in the UK whose degree might not be recognised by the Australian Medical Council(AMC). Consequently, I would have to sit for another exam which will be a waste of time, money and effort. On the other hand, the Sunway Monash Univeristy program guarantees a degree that will be recognised by the AMC. What do you think about my concern? Do you have any other pros and cons to either of the programs? By the way, thank you so much for your reply. I do appreciate it a lot.

ConfusedK

NO guarantees for internship placements in Australia, after graduation. This should be a Caveat to all intending to do medicine in Australia. Please do not mislead.

Hello cckkpr.

I actually studied my Year 11 and 12 in Australia. Last year when I enquired about studying medicine in a select few universities in Australia as an international student that offers an undergraduate MBBS program, they only mentioned that I needed to sit for the International Students Admissions Test(ISAT) rather than the Undergraduate Medicine Admissions Test(UMAT). Later on when it was too late, I found out that I need to have taken the UMAT. Now, the only programs I could possibly apply for is to do a basic undergrad degree in biomedicine or science and then apply to do a postgrad in medicine. It would take approximately 7 years which is too long for me and is beyond what I can afford. I am strongly thinking of the aspect of being able to study overseas for a significant period of time. Although the IMU PMS program does offer me that, as I mentioned to Syd G I am worried about the uncertainty of the partner university that I'm am matched with. Do you have any other pros and cons regarding either university? Just so you know, thank you for your thoughts on this matter

ConfusedK

If you are going to practise in Malaysia ONLY, then go for Monash Msia -- because it costs less and more relevant local training. However do get prepared for facing the glut, and generally 'poor' prospect in Msian practice, among which includes 'very slim hope' post grad training from local public U's -- assuming your skin colour is the same as mine !

At your age, the three most important things are : options, options and options.

Go for Imu-Pms to ensure you HAVE options in Life.

Hello podrunner.

I do know that fact but I do feel slightly at ease that if I choose the Sunway Monash University MBBS program, I won't have to go through the AMC which will be an extra step in me attempting to train and work in Australia. Thank you for the information though. Do you have any other information or pros and cons regarding the two universities?

ConfusedK

Comparing both options and your desire to work at Australia, The Monash programme looks like a safer bet to me. But like what podrunner mentioned, there will be no guarantees of a place at the hospitals there. But at least you could skip the AMC part with Monash's degree.

UMAT? Do you have Australian PR?

Hello zeng.

I do not plan on practicing in Malaysia only. Preferably, I would not want to practice in Malaysia at all once I have graduated. I have been told about the poor prospects of working here but thank you for reminding me again. I do believe in the importance of having a lot of options but the uncertainty of the IMU PMS program does not make me feel very comfortable with the program. I am very unsure if I'm willing to take the risk of being so not in control of my future studies. Do you have any other suggestions about the things I should consider of both or either of the universities?

ConfusedK

Somebody 7 years your senior , who had completed medicine in Oz and but did NOT get internships in Oz, what more attempting to work in Oz??

Monash Msia is not considered Oz uni ; it is a foreign uni as far as Oz Immigration is concerned.

So Imu Pms is 'easier' path than Manoah Msis.

Which unis did you apply to? Not ALL unis offering MBBS require you to do UMAT. For international students, ONLY UNSW require you to do UMAT. The others will accept ISAT for undergraduate courses. Did you apply to Monash Clayton, UWS, and UTas? How were you advised to have missed out on applying to the aforementioned unis? Uni Adelaide only require that you sit for their uni' PQA.

Try calling up UTas on Tuesday (public holiday in Tas tmrw) and ask if they will consider you this year. I know someone who has given up a place there. What was your ISAT and ATAR, by the way.

This post has been edited by podrunner: Feb 12 2012, 12:47 PM

Confusedk - do take note that :

Singapore Medical Council recognises UNSW;Monash Clayton;U Tas and U Ade.

U Western Sydney and Monash Msia is NOT recognised by smc.

Hello Syd G again.

I do not have an Australian PR. However, I was told that I needed to have sat for the UMAT and done extremely well in it in order to be considered. Whether or not the information I received initially or after that regarding the UMAT is accurate or not, it's too late to apply for an undergraduate medical program in Australia itself. One of my other concerns include the time at which each other the courses commences. The IMU PMS program starts in August which is a little too long for me to wait as my mind rebels in stagnation while the Sunway Monash University program starts very soon in February. Do you think this is a valid concern of mine which makes me favour Monash slightly more although I'm so eager to continue studying overseas again?

ConfusedK

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Added on February 12, 2012, 12:59 pmHello podrunner again.

The thing is that because I was told about having to sit for the UMAT, I did not apply to any of the universities that offer undergrad medicine as I thought it was too late. By the way, what is a PQA? I will let mum know about this. Thank you for the information. My ISAT overall score of 170 and my ATAR is a 99.

ConfusedK

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Added on February 12, 2012, 1:01 pmHello zeng again.

Thank you for the information. I didn't know that. Any other concerns you think I should take note of?

ConfusedK

This post has been edited by ConfusedK: Feb 12 2012, 01:01 PM

I understand your predicament. UNLESS you specifically told your adviser that you wanted to only apply to UNSW undergrad, then yes, UMAT is compulsory. You could have applied to the rest, via UAC, VTAC and to UTas direct. PQA is U Adelaide's own assessment, something like the ISAT. Please PM me if you need further information. We just went thru the whole process, my son did VCE in Melbourne last year.

there are a lot of wrong information here given....

1. monash sunway mbbs is NOT the same as the original one from melbourne, and is view different by several authorities, including gmc and smc.....

2. while monash sunway mbbs is recognised by amc, that does NOT mean you can work in oz.....

3. housemanship placement is decided by individual states (probably will become centralised in future) and with current shortages, internationals will face probability of no placements.....

4. the right to work in oz is decided by diac.....ie being eligible to apply for one of the several visas available....being an off-shore student means some categories of visas are NOT available.....

5. there is a 'competent authority' pathway for uk graduates to obtain registration and work in oz....this does not involve housemanship, so sidestep the housemanship bottleneck......and in the initial stages of applications, does not need a firm job offer in oz....whether this pathway will remain open in 5-6 years time is debatable.....there may no longer be shortage of doctors in oz by then.....

Hello podrunner again.

Thank you for understanding. I did not go through an adviser. Mum and I personally called the universities that offer undergrad medicine in Australia. We were given conflicting information which resulted in an unfortunate circumstance. I will consider to do so once I have talked with mum. Once again, thank you for all your help so far. If you have any other concerns or opinions about the IMU PMS program or the Sunway Monash University program, please comment further as I will take note.

ConfusedK

May I know where you did yr 11 and yr 12? I understand all schools in Aus have career guidance counselors.

Hello limeuu.

Thank you for a lot of useful information. I did not think about my future this far. The first and second point I did already know. However, as I mentioned before it is a slight comfort for mum especially to know that if I choose the Sunway Monash Univeristy program, at least my degree will be recognised. Regarding working there as for something that will definetely occur, mum and I both know that it is not a certertainty due to the ever changing diac laws. Point 3 and 4 is useful for mum and I to consider as we weren't looking too far into the future. Point 5 is a great plus point for me to slightly favour the IMU PMS program more as there are more UK partner universities in the program. Thank you again for all your help so far. Do you have any other pros and cons about either of the universities?

ConfusedK

This post has been edited by ConfusedK: Feb 12 2012, 01:26 PM