MD - PhD pathway

Information for Monash Medical Students considering a PhD

Are you interested in becoming a Clinician-Scientist?

An approved pathway exists for current Monash medical students who have intermitted for BMedSc(Hons), to continue their research studies in a PhD; this is called the MD - PhD pathway. To undertake this pathway, students intermit their medical degree for 3-4 years (BMedSc(Hons) + PhD).

This pathway is not available for medical graduates or medical students from other Universities.

Information for Monash Medical Students considering a PhD

The MD – PhD pathway is only available to medical students currently enrolled in the Monash BMedSc/MD degree (it is not available for medical graduates or medical students from other Universities).
It is an accelerated PhD pathway designed to enhance the clinician-scientist trajectory for exceptional BMedSc(Hons) students.
If you are already considering this option prior to commencing your BMedSc(Hons) degree, please arrange a meeting with the Director of Medical Student Research by contacting Med-bmedsc-hons@monash.edu before selecting your BMedSc(Hons) Supervisor and Project.
Students seeking to apply must complete a 'Permission to apply for the MD-PhD pathway' application. See application process below.
Note that acceptance into the MD-PhD pathway will be conditional upon the student; a) being awarded an H1 (80+) for their BMedSc(Hons) degree, b) applying for a Scholarship and c) being accepted into the PhD degree. Note that results will not be available to students prior to the deadline for PhD applications. Please also note that PhD scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis across the entire University and are not guaranteed.
The PhD must be commenced the semester following the BMedSc(Hons) completion.
Students may build upon work undertaken in their BMedSc(Hons) thesis for the PhD, providing that the resulting thesis or dissertation meets AQF level 10 criteria.
The aim is for students to be enrolled in the PhD for 2 or 3 years full-time, after completing BMedSc(Hons), returning to the MD degree following submission of the PhD thesis. NB. The Monash Graduate Research Office only allows students to be concurrently enrolled in the PhD and another degree (ie MD) in the most exceptional circumstances, so it is critical that projects are designed to enable PhD submission prior to re-enrolment in BMedSc/MD.
Overall candidature is not officially shortened, however, milestones are 'accelerated' as per the Graduate Research Progress Management Procedure.

Milestone	MD-PhD Pathway
Confirmation	No later than 6 months
Progress Review	12-18 Months (but no less than 9 months after Confirmation)
Final Review	No later than 6 months prior to the enrolment end date

Stage 1: Submit a 'Permission to apply for the MD-PhD pathway' application.
1. Notify the Director of Medical Student Research of your intention to apply, prior to the deadline for BMedSc(Hons) thesis submission.
2. Send your completed application to your Head of Department with a cc to their Executive Assistant, by midday on October 15th AT THE LATEST.
3. Send your completed & signed application to your Head of School with a cc to their Executive Assistant, by midday on October 17th AT THE LATEST.
4. Send the signed and completed application to med-bmedsc-hons@monash.edu By midday on 20th October AT THE LATEST
The stage 1 selection process will require the student and supervisor to submit an application that outlines the PhD proposal and realistic proposed time-frame that convinces the panel that the project is likely to be achievable within the accelerated time-frame of the MD/PhD pathway. A MNHS Panel will consider all Stage 1 'Permission to apply' applications. Student's whose Stage 1 application are supported by the Panel, will be permitted to intermit BMedSc/MD to undertake a PhD.
Stage 2: Students whose "Permission to apply" submissions are supported by the MNHS panel, then submit a PhD and Scholarship application via the normal University online application form.
- Due by 31st October (Domestic Applicants)
International Monash BMedSc/MD Applicants
International applicants currently enrolled at Monash in the BMedSc/MD should contact the Director of Medical Student Research. International applicant deadlines occur earlier than domestic application deadlines.
- The BMedSc/MD degree must be completed within 10 years from commencement including all periods of intermission (ie. including the time taken to complete the BMedSc(Hons) and the MD-PhD degrees). However, exceptions can be applied for if there are very compelling or compassionate reasons.
- Course codes and fees are the same for regular BMedSc/MD, BMedSc(Hons) and PhD.
- Please note that PhD students are not likely to be eligible for Centrelink support when they return to BMedSc/MD. Students are advised to contact the Director of Medical Student Research for further advice.
- Students who do not follow the MD-PhD pathway can still choose to complete a PhD at a later stage in their medical career, as long as they meet the PhD entry requirements (the abbreviated time-lines will not apply).
- If you are not a current Monash BMedSc/MD student, consider our other PhD options

David Healy Award for MD-PhD

Awarded to the graduating MD-PhD-pathway student with the most important publication(s) to arise from their PhD.

2025 winner - Yvette Christina Raymond

This award is in honour of Professor David Healy who was a Consultant Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, IVF Specialist and Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from 1994 until his passing in 2012. Professor Healy was a visionary clinical leader and an important opinion leader in women’s health, campaigning for women’s reproductive rights. In 1992, Professor Healy and his colleagues formed the Jean Hailes Foundation.

- 2014: Karinna Lee
- 2018: Nathan Timothy Kuk
- 2019: Zoe Rebecca Church Marks
- 2021: Roshan John Selvaratnam
- 2022: Gemma Louise D'Adamo
- 2023: Rana Rafat Kaisar Sawires

In the media

Some of our MD-PhD student achievements and discoveries

PRS-PSANZ Mont Liggins Early Career Award - Emily Whalen
Bringing treatments for lupus into the 21st century - Iolanda Miceli
Monash University Visualise Your Thesis competition success - Yvette Raymond
2022 Asia-Pacific 3MT Finalist- Rana Sawires

Monash Medical School

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

MD - PhD pathway

Information for Monash Medical Students considering a PhD

International Monash BMedSc/MD Applicants

David Healy Award for MD-PhD

2025 winner - Yvette Christina Raymond

In the media