 Hughes studied medicine at the University of Melbourne between 1938 and 1943.In the course of his undergraduate studies, he was awarded the Dwight's Prize in Anatomy and Physiology (1940), the Walter and Eliza Hall Exhibition in Pathology (1941), the Keith Levi Memorial Scholarship for Medicine (1943) and was placed first in his final year class list in obstetrics and gynaecology (1943).He represented Melbourne University in Australian rules football and was awarded an Australian Blue for football in 1938.