ILP - Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between an ILP and a BSc (Med) Hons?
The ILP is 24 Units of Credit (UoC); the BSc (Med) Hons is 48 UoC. Therefore undertaking a BSc (Med) Hons normally adds a semester to the time for which you will be enrolled – your combined MBBS and BSc (Med) Hons will be 6.5 years in length. The BSc (Med) Hons can only be undertaken after Year 3 i.e. if you wish to enrol for a BSc (Med) Hons instead of an ILP, you can only do so in Year 4. The work involved in an Honours project is substantially more than an ILP and the expected outcomes more advanced. In addition, there will be additional HECS fees. The Honours program is reserved for students who have excelled in their studies over years 1-3, demonstrated by a minimum average of 70 for Phase 1 Medicine courses.
The BSc (Med) Hons is designed for an enrolment over one full academic year whereas the ILP is the equivalent of 24 weeks full time (or 32 weeks when undertaken concurrently with 12 UoC extra-Faculty elective courses). Students cannot enrol in any other courses while enrolled in the BSc (Med) Hons Program.
2. I am interested in applying to do the BSc (Med) Hons Program in 2010. Who is eligible to apply?
Students who wish to apply for the BSc (Med) Hons Program must have completed at least 3 years of MB BS degree requirements by the end of 2009 and obtained an average of 70 in their Phase 1 Medicine studies. Please note however that this information may change in the future.
3. What are the requirements for consideration to the BSc (Med) Hons program for entry in 2010?
This information is current at the time of updating this information however it may change in the future.
Students need to have:
- completed at least 3 years of MB BS degree requirements by the end of 2009
- obtained a minimum credit average in their Medicine studies
- acceptance by a supervisor
- approval by the BSc (Med) Hons Committee to undertake the proposed topic with the proposed supervisor
For more information on the BSc (Med) Hons Program, please see the BSc (Med) Hons website.
4. Can I start an ILP and upgrade to the Honours Program?
As a rule, the Faculty will not allow ILP's to be upgraded to a Bsc (Med) Hon program once the ILP has commenced.
5. Can I do an ILP jointly with other students?
No, the ILP is designed to be undertaken as an independent area of research. Some ILPs may be similar or part of a bigger project, but each ILP is undertaken and assessed independently.
6. Can I take an ILP at a location other than a UNSW campus or a UNSW teaching hospital?
The ILP is designed to be undertaken at a UNSW campus, a UNSW teaching hospital, or a UNSW affiliated research institute or centre. An application for a negotiated ILP at any other location in Australia must include a co-supervisor who is both a member of academic staff and employed by the Faculty of Medicine at the University of New South Wales. In addition, the supervisor must be known to the co-supervisor. These applications will be considered by the ILP Committee on a case by case basis. Overseas ILPs will not be considered.
7. I am interested in applying to the BSc (Med) Hons Program. Can I still complete my Medicine studies in 6 years?
The combined MB BS/ BSc (Med) Hons program is designed to take a minimum of six and a half years to complete. The extra six months allows for completion of the 12 units of extra-Faculty elective courses. The Faculty discourages students from overloading in earlier years to complete the extra-Faculty elective courses prior to commencing the BSc (Med) Hons Program. Students will need to apply to the Faculty for approval to take more than the standard load (usually 24 Units of Credit).
8. If I complete my Medicine studies mid year, when do I graduate and when can I start my internship?
The main graduation ceremony takes place in December. However, students who complete their studies in mid-year can attend another graduation, usually in October. In the past, students who have completed their studies in mid-year have been able to commence their internship mid-year, that is prior to their official graduation.
9. If I undertake coursework in 2009, when do I sit my Phase 2 integrated clinical assessment?
The integrated clinical assessment will be scheduled twice a year, at the end of Summer Teaching Period and at the end of Teaching Period 4. Students would ordinarily sit the integrated phase 2 clinical examination immediately after they have completed their four clinical courses.
10. If I negotiate an ILP for 2009, will I be exempt from the Phase 2 allocation process?
A student who submits a negotiated ILP for 2009, which is approved by the ILP Committee, will be allocated to that ILP in 2009 and to course work in 2010. A student who submits a negotiated ILP for 2008 by 29 September 2006, which is approved by the ILP Committee, will be allocated to course work in 2007
The application form for a negotiated ILP for 2009 must be submitted by the supervisor (date: TBA). The supervisor’s application form is available from the website at the address below:
Note that the overall allocation by the Faculty will need to take into account the requirement that one half of the cohort undertakes an ILP in 2010.