Program Overview

Clinician Researcher Track: MD-PhD and MD-MPhil

The Clinician Researcher Track represents a program of study that allows eligible students to incorporate a Higher Degree by Research (HDR), either a PhD or an MPhil, integrated with the MD degree. The MD-PhD and the MD-MPhil are offered as an intercalated model; meaning you interrupt your MD degree to do full-time PhD or MPhil research, then return to finish your MD and graduate with an MD-PhD or MD-MPhil.

Program Structure

• Intercalated MD-PhD – requires three years out of the MD
• Intercalated MD-MPhil – requires one year out of the MD

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Medical students must be approved to apply for the MPhil or PhD. The eligibility criteria for the MD-PhD and MD-MPhil programs include:

• Ensuring satisfactory progress in the MD degree
• Understanding the timeframes for the Clinician Researcher Track and all details of what is required to complete an Intercalated MD-PhD or MD-MPhil
• Identifying a research project and a potential principal supervisor
• Obtaining permission to enrol in the Intercalated MD-PhD or MD-MPhil through an interview with the Medical School’s Director of MD Student Research

Timeframes

• The entry point to either the Intercalated MD-PhD or the Intercalated MD-MPhil is after successful completion of MD Year 2.
• The Intercalated MD-PhD is completed over 7 years, with three years dedicated to full-time research.
• The Intercalated MD-MPhil is completed over 5 years, with one year dedicated to full-time research.

Pathways to the Clinician Researcher Track

There are two pathways to undertake an MD-PhD or MD-MPhil:

1. Pathway 1: For current MD students - Intercalated Option: Current MD students may begin the Intercalated PhD or Intercalated MPhil after completion of MD Year 2.
2. Pathway 2: For future MD students - MD Defer Option: Students who have a current offer to enrol in the UQ MD program may wish to consider deferring the start to the MD in order to begin or complete a current or proposed PhD or MPhil.

Important Considerations

• Austudy applicants who have previously completed a Doctorate level course in Australia, or a qualification of the same standing from an overseas institution, are not eligible for Austudy.
• Students are advised to contact Centrelink to confirm their individual situation regarding Austudy eligibility.

Faculty HDR Support

Once enrolled in the HDR, all information for MD-PhD and MD-MPhil students about managing their candidature is available through the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences HDR Support page.