The University of Melbourne offers flexible pathways and study options to careers in veterinary science. Students can choose to:
a) undertake the University of Melbourne Bachelor of Science degree with a specialisation in Veterinary Bioscience
- Students can complete the University of Melbourne Bachelor of Science degree (3 years full-time) with an Animal Health and Disease major (Veterinary Bioscience specialisation)
- Selection into the Veterinary Bioscience specialisation will occur at the end of second year. Entry is quota-limited, and students will need to excel in first and second year science subjects to be eligible for selection.
- After completing the degree, students are guaranteed entry to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with 100 points credit (1 year of study), leaving 3 years of study in the DVM.
- It will take a school leaver six years to qualify as a veterinarian via the University of Melbourne pathway – the three-year Bachelor of Science (with Veterinary Bioscience specialisation), followed by the three-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. The final year of the DVM is largely clinically-based and lecture free.
- Students who are considering this pathway are strongly advised to complete VCE Units 3 & 4 Chemistry (or equivalent) as part of their Year 12 program.
- Guaranteed entry to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine via the Veterinary Bioscience specialisation will be available to a small number of school leavers. Australian students will need to achieve an ENTER (or equivalent) of 98.5 or above, and maintain a minimum average of H2B (70%) in first and second year Science subjects.
b) undertake the University of Melbourne Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Domestic Animal Science or Zoology, or one of the Life Sciences majors; OR a biological sciences degree at another institution
- Students wishing to study at the University of Melbourne and do not choose to complete the Veterinary Bioscience specialisation outlined above can choose a specialisation in Domestic Animal Science or Zoology, or one of the Life Sciences majors in the Bachelor of Science degree. These include Agricultural Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology, and Physiology. Students should seek advice from the Faculty of Veterinary Science before choosing a specialisation.
- Students at other institutions can choose to study a biological sciences degree. Examples of appropriate degrees include Bachelors degrees with majors in: Agriculture, Animal Science, Biochemistry, Biomedicine, Physiology or Zoology.
- Applicants will need at least one semester of study in each of cell biology and biochemistry.
- After completion, students will be eligible to apply for entry to the four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduate degree.
- Selection will be based on results in all third year and second year science subjects, weighted 75:25 towards third year results. Interviews may be conducted, and students may be asked to provide references or evidence to demonstrate their interest in a veterinary career.
Find out more about the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduate degree. If you have any queries about pathways to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduate degree, please contact Lauren Hull on 03 903 58109 or at: lauren.hull@unimelb.edu.au