How to study veterinary science
The new Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is a graduate entry program offered by the Melbourne School of Veterinary Science. It replaces the Bachelor of Veterinary Science as the degree for those wishing to qualify as a veterinarian.
The graduate program is open to students who have completed a science degree with the necessary prerequisite subjects. The degree will take 4 years full-time to complete or 3 years for students that have completed a Bachelor of Science degree with the Veterinary Bioscience specialisation at the University of Melbourne. The program will be delivered at the Parkville and Werribee campuses.
- Watch the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine video clip (includes interviews with students, academic staff, industry and alumni)
- View the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine course outline.
Entry pathways to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
From 2011, students can enter the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine as graduates following completion of an undergraduate science degree, or through the Veterinary Bioscience specialisation of the Bachelor of Science.
Through the Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne
School leavers can enter the Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Melbourne (minimum ATAR for 2011 is 85.00), and apply for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the end of second year, after completing prerequisite first and second year subjects. Successful applicants will receive a conditional offer, subject to completion of the Veterinary Bioscience specialisation of the Animal Health and Disease major in their third year. Entry to the specialisation will be quota limited and students will need to excel in their first and second year studies to be eligible. Students who successfully complete all subjects in the Veterinary Bioscience specialisation will have guaranteed entry into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program with 100 points credit (one year of study), leaving three years of study in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Through the guaranteed entry pathway
High achieving school leavers will be guaranteed entry to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine via the Veterinary Bioscience specialisation. School leavers will need to:
- achieve an ENTER (or equivalent) of 98.5 or above;
- commence a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne following completion of schooling;
- complete first and second year with appropriate prerequisites and maintain a minimum average of H2 (70%) in both first and second year Science subjects.
Through an undergraduate science degree
Students can complete a science degree at the University of Melbourne or another institution, before entering the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine as a graduate. Prerequisites for entry as a graduate are at least one semester of study in both cellular/general biology and biochemistry. Students who follow this pathway will apply for entry to the four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program which includes animal health foundation studies in the first year of the program.
Examples of degrees and majors that are appropriate for graduate entry to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine include: Agriculture, Biochemistry, Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Dentistry, Domestic Animal Science, Genetics, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Physiology or Zoology. A range of other science-based degrees may also be appropriate.
View the diagram that shows the pathways into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Animal Disease Biotechnology
At the completion of second year studies, students can apply for entry to the Animal Disease Biotechnology specialisation, from which students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science (Animal Health and Disease major) and have skills in the areas of animal health and disease surveillance.
Prospective students are advised to familiarise themselves with the Faculty of Veterinary Science's Core Participation Requirements for BSc (Animal Health and Disease Major) Animal Disease Biotechnology Specialisation.