With increasing demand for pre hospital care university places and problems of unsatisfactory student progression and retention, a rural university embarked on a study to identify predictors of first year PHC students. A preliminary study (1998-2001) identified six potential indicators of academic performance in 135 on-campus, PHC students. The study found that a UAI 50, previous health related experience, post secondary educational qualifications, background, student entry type & gender were all found to be significant predictors of academic performance in selective chorts. A follow up study (2002-2005) which examined 351 first year PHC students had similar findings. However, urban students outperformed rural students. Mature entry students achieved higher GPAs than traditional entry students in semester 1 and the year overall. A new cohort of students, Double Degree students (PHC / Nursing) were also examined. The study found that double degrees were more likely to pass all required subjects in the year than single degree students. Single degree & double degree students achieved almost identical whole of year GPA scores.