Program Overview

Medical Physics Pathways

Medical physicists are closely involved in the commissioning, calibration, safe operation and maintenance of medical systems that help diagnose and treat thousands of people every year.

How to Apply

The application process to this course is different for the assured and graduate entry pathways, and for international and domestic applicants.

Domestic Pathways

• Domestic Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via TISC. Refer to TISC Online for current course codes and application deadlines.
• Domestic Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via GEMSAS, which open and close in accordance with the GEMSAS timeline. All domestic applicants must submit a valid GAMSAT score by the application closing date.

International Pathways

• International Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.
• International Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.

Pathway Details

Medical Physics employs physical concepts for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disease. It is a truly diverse field that utilises the knowledge gained in other areas of physics and applies it to heal people and it is now a highly recognisable and valued area of medicine. Its disciplines are vital components of many aspects of healthcare such as medical imaging, radiotherapy for cancer patients, cardiology, othopedics and other specialties, as well as medical research in general.

You can pursue a Master of Physics (Medical Physics) at UWA after completing a bachelor's degree with a major in Physics. While the standard timeframe for completion of this degree is two years (full time), if you have previously completed an undergraduate degree in a related area, it may be possible to complete it within 1.5 years. The Master of Physics (Medical Physics) course is intended to give students with physics and engineering backgrounds the relevant knowledge and problem solving skills suitable for entry into The Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM) Training, Education and Accreditation Program (TEAP) in radiation oncology, radiology and nuclear medicine. A series of coursework units will provide students with relevant background knowledge in topics such as human biology, radiation physics and dosimetry, radiobiology and radiation protection, radiotherapy physics and medical imaging (eg CT, MRI).

Medical Physics Facilities

Much of the practical coursework in the Master of Physics (Medical Physics) takes place on site at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, with state-of-the-art equipment.

• Radiation Oncology SCGH
  • 5 x clinical linear accelerators
  • 1 x Cyberknife robotic accelerator
  • Brachytherapy afterloaders
  • CT
  • Dosimetry equipment
• Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
  • Clinical PET, SPECT, CT, 3T MRI
  • 18 MeV cyclotron
  • MR-guided surgery

Standard Entry for High School Leavers

• Minimum ATAR: 75.00
• This pathway is also available through the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours). Students taking this pathway require an ATAR of 98.00.
• TISC Codes:
  • UWART (Arts)
  • UWBMD (Biomedical Science)
  • UWCOM (Commerce)
  • UWSCI (Science)
  • UWBPH (Philosophy [Honours])
• Qualifications:
  • BA + MPhys
  • BBiomedSc + MPhys
  • BCom + MPhys
  • BSc + MPhys
  • BPhil (Hons) + MPhys
• Duration: Three-year bachelor's degree plus a two-year master's degree
• Limited places: Yes. Admission is awarded on a competitive basis to the top ranked students for the year’s intake.

Course Accreditation

The Master of Physics (53560) specialisation in Medical Physics is accredited by the Australasian College of Physical Scientists & Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM).

Pathways for Mature-Age Students

If you will be aged 20 years or older on 1 March (for Semester 1 entry) or 1 August (for Semester 2 entry) you qualify for our mature-age-entry pathways.

Student Story

Joshua Hiatt

After finishing my undergraduate Physics degree, I chose the Master of Physics (Medical Physics) because I was attracted to the application of science in helping people in a direct and meaningful way. It also appealed to my longstanding interests in biology and radiation.

I found the theoretical side of things to be highly challenging and engaging, with excellent teaching. My favourite aspect of the course was the practical element. I had lectures as well as the opportunity to attend observer placements in several different hospitals and clinics around Perth, often seeing the machines we had just learned about in theory.

The medical physics community is very friendly and welcoming. The research component of the course is also a rewarding experience, tackling a real-world problem as you learn skills in research development and presentation.

The UWA Medical Physics course is the only industry accredited postgraduate course in WA and it prepared me with the skills and knowledge to obtain a competitive position in a clinical program.