The Flinders Bachelor of Clinical Sciences and Doctor of Medicine (BCS/MD) enables school leavers to complete a medical degree in six years. First year Sri Lankan medicine student Harindu Kirihene is hoping to start making a positive difference in people’s health and wellbeing as soon as he can.

“I’m currently a first-year student of the BCS/MD course which provides a basic background of topics that would facilitate learning medicine in the MD portion of my course. For my first semester, I had topics ranging from basic biology and chemistry to foundations in human physiology and skills for medical research,” he explains.

What excites Harindu most is the chance to make a difference. “Whether it is through direct clinical exposure or through the opportunity to contribute to medical research.”

Even though Harindu is early in his studies, he’s already taken a keen interest in medical research.

“This is particularly because each lecturer has years of experience and publications under their belt – which makes the content they provide all the more exciting.”

Although Harindu won’t undertake placements until later in his course, he’s already had the opportunity to get some hands-on experience in undergraduate biology and chemistry laboratories.

“These labs provided me with the exposure to understand how theory in lectures actually translates to laboratory investigations.”

Adelaide lifestyle

Harindu was initially attracted to Adelaide because he has family living here – but it didn’t take him long to come to love it.

“Upon arriving here I’ve come to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere in the city and the opportunity to go on walks in the fantastic parks and gardens found in the city,” he says.

Adelaide has been rated the 3rd most liveable city in the world*, and also Australia’s most liveable city, ensuring Harindu can maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle.

Discover 5 reasons why Adelaide is the best student city – here.

Practical, experience based education opportunities

Flinders BCS/MD students are partially based within the Flinders Medical Centre, providing authentic, patient-centred clinical experiences from early on in their studies.

For Harindu, this means plenty of opportunities to observe the medical practice they’re learning about in class.

“In addition to having a long-standing medical program, the medical school itself is attached to the Flinders Medical Centre which provides ample opportunity for medical students to observe what they learn in practice.” Harindu stresses that this was a key factor in his choosing the Flinders medical program.

Discover more about studying Medicine at Flinders – here.

An incredible on-campus experience

Like all Flinders students, Harindu gets to study in a beautiful and dynamic environment.

“I love the Bedford campus, ranging from the mini-lake in front of the Student Hub to the abundance of open spaces to walk around in the campus,” Harindu says. “The integration of nature into the surrounding areas of the campus facility makes the location an amazing place to relax, study and explore.”

Graduate future-ready and step into your career

Flinders has a strong profile in medicine both nationally and internationally, and continues to be at the forefront of innovation in teaching and research. Harindu is confident for his future career ambitions, knowing that Flinders graduates are number one in Australia in Medicine for full-time employment*.

“I aim to become a sufficiently skilled medical graduate with enough experience to work, as well as learn, continuously in the Australian healthcare system.” Where will he be in five years’ time?

“My hope is that by the next 5 years, where I’ll be in my final year in the MD program, I would have gained sufficient exposure to numerous clinical scenarios through my placements in the MD program.”

Advice for prospective international students

Harindu’s advice for international students considering studying at Flinders University is?

“If you’re someone who wants to obtain a highly-recognised degree with numerous opportunities for personal and career development in a large open campus with a picturesque ecosystem, then you’d find Flinders as the perfect fit!”

Interested in studying at Flinders University? If you are currently offshore, you can start your degree online now – and join us on-campus later. We’ll do everything were can to get our continuing students on-campus as soon as the borders open – you’ll be our priority.

*Adelaide is the world’s 3rd most liveable city (The Economist Intelligence Unit Global Liveability Index 2021) Also Australia’s most liveable city
*No. 1 in Australia in Medicine for full-time employment (The Good Universities Guide 2021 (postgraduate)