_{South Australia's first MD-PhD program.}

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Kickstart your career as a clinician scientist by integrating a PhD in your MD.

You can reap the rewards of medical research with this well-supported and structured pathway to become a clinical scientist and future leader.

You will receive a high standard of clinical and formal medical training, as well as equip yourself with the tools needed to pursue a future in health and medical research.

Fast Facts

Duration:
7 years

Delivery mode:
On-campus (MD component)
Online

Availability:
Full-time

Start dates:
February 2024 (MD component)
2026 (PhD component)

Annual indicative fees (2024):

MD: $12,720 (Commonwealth supported)
$84,500 (Full fee paying)
PhD: domestic student tuition covered by RTP Fee Offset.

PhD research areas:
View here

_{Your pathway to becoming a clinician scientist}

Interested in a career pursuing life-changing research as well as treating patients in a clinical setting?

Our intercalated MD-PhD program will allow you to take your medical career to the next level by pursuing a Research Doctorate within your Doctor of Medicine. The three-year (full-time) PhD component is intercalated within the MD program, providing you with a high standard of professional medical training alongside the opportunity to make a significant contribution to knowledge in your chosen field.

You will begin the MD for the first two years before pursuing the PhD research component in years three, four and five. The final two years of your study will conclude the MD component and allow you to become a hospital intern and qualify for medical registration.

Potential occupations

Clinical scientist
Medical specialist
Health policy development
General practitioner
Hospital medical officer

Potential employers

Academic and research institutions
Hospital and clinical laboratories
Government health departments and agencies
Pathology services
Health support services
Government
Industry

Professional accreditation/recognition

The Flinders University medical program has been re-accredited by the Australian Medical Council until 31 March 2025. Graduates of the Medicine degree will be registered with the Medical Board of Australia and permitted to practise medicine in Australia.

"Combining research with medicine enables recognition of gaps in clinical care and provides insight into features of disease. This combination accelerates translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to clinical implementation, ultimately reducing the burden of disease."

Dr Suzanne Mashtoub
GradCertEd(HighEd) ’18, MD ’22

Our intercalated MD-PhD program

Doctor of Medicine (MD)-PhD

Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for a PhD

YEAR 1 (MD1)
Enrol for the Research pathway of
MD Advanced Studies in semester 2

YEAR 2 (MD2)
Commence MD Advanced Studies research

Midway through Year 2, discuss option to apply and enrol
for a PhD with the MD Course Coordinator

YEARS 3, 4, 5 (PhD)
Intermit the MD program and undertake
full-time PhD studies over the next 3 years

YEAR 6 (MD3)
Commence MD Advanced Studies research

YEAR 7 (MD4)
Complete Scholarship Outcomes (+CEA) and referee report to fulfil MD Advanced Studies Capstone requirements
CEA = community engagement activity

Graduate with an MD and PhD
*The research conducted within the MD Advanced Studies and PhD can be related. However, no work from the MD that will be submitted towards the MD Advanced Studies Capstone can be used towards the PhD, and vice versa.

Meet the team

A/Prof Savio Barreto

Prof Briony Forbes

Professor Karen Lower

Dr Michal Wozniak

"This new pathway to nurture the clinician scientists of the future will draw on the combined strengths of Flinders University’s successful MD program together with world-class research being conducted at the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute and will help bridge the current ‘translational research’ gap.”

Associate Professor Savio George Barreto, Professor Briony Forbes, Professor Karen Lower, Dr Michal Wozniak
Academic Leads for MD-PhD program

Entry requirements

Applicants need to hold a Bachelor degree with either an integrated Honours year or a separate 1 year Honours and be admitted into the Doctor of Medicine.

Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Medicine

Applicants must be currently enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine

Check

Check your eligibility for a PhD

Entry criteria vary between HDR courses so you must check admission requirements for your chosen degree.

Find

Find a Supervisor - Clinical Translation

Outline your research project and seek a supervisor.

Find

Find a Supervisor - Healthy Communities

Outline your research project and seek a supervisor.

Find

Find a Supervisor - Molecular Biosciences

Outline your research project and seek a supervisor.

Find

Frequently asked questions

Who will be my PhD supervisor?

This program is available to the health and medical disciplines and the PhD in Clinical Translation and PhD in Healthy Communities. All our research supervisors are leaders in their field in both Australia and overseas, who draw on their extensive knowledge and networks to help you deliver valuable research outcomes. To find a supervisor, you'll first need to identify an area of interest. Then, get in touch with a supervisor of your choice.

Is this a seven-year program?

Yes, under the assumption that you complete your PhD in three years the MD-PhD program is seven years.

When do PhD applications open?

PhD applications open a year ahead of the intended year of PhD study.

Will I receive a scholarship or stipend during my PhD research?

The usual PhD scholarships and stipends are available to domestic students in this program. These vary between fields so it’s best to discuss with your supervisor. A range of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) scholarships are awarded on academic merit and research potential. For more information see Scholarships and Fees.

Is the MD-PhD available to international students?

Unfortunately, this program is currently not available to international students. Please contact us at HDRsupport.CMPH@flinders.edu.au for more information or continue to explore course options.

Will I study for my MD while pursuing my PhD research?

Students undertaking the MD-PhD program undertake two years of the MD component before studying the PhD in years three, four and five. The final two years of the MD component are then completed following the research doctorate.

What will my student cohort be?

You will be immersed in two cohorts, your PhD student peers and the MD students. You will have a wide local and international network at the end of the program.

Will my PhD and MD both be awarded?

Yes, you will be awarded both degrees.

What if I decide to pause or discontinue my MD? Will this impact my PhD?

No, not at all. Change to one degree, for example your MD, would not impact the other degree, for instance your PhD. These degrees are also assessed separately. Exit degrees and awards exist within the MD and Doctor of Philosophy at Flinders University. Further details are available here. A transfer will impact the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and have implications for an international student's visa.

Enquire now

Have any questions about the MD-PhD program? Reach out to our academic leads by filling in the form below.

_{South Australia's first MD-PhD program.}

Kickstart your career as a clinician scientist by integrating a PhD in your MD.

You can reap the rewards of medical research with this well-supported and structured pathway to become a clinical scientist and future leader.

You will receive a high standard of clinical and formal medical training, as well as equip yourself with the tools needed to pursue a future in health and medical research.

Fast Facts

_{Your pathway to becoming a clinician scientist}

Interested in a career pursuing life-changing research as well as treating patients in a clinical setting?

You will begin the MD for the first two years before pursuing the PhD research component in years three, four and five. The final two years of your study will conclude the MD component and allow you to become a hospital intern and qualify for medical registration.

Our intercalated MD-PhD program

Meet the team

Entry requirements