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Doctor of Veterinary Science

Find the best Doctor of Veterinary Science

Doctorate (PhD)

Perth
This comprehensive research program provides an advanced level of postgraduate study in veterinary science with a high degree of specialisation in a selected area.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements

Select which option best describes your path to university :

Means of admission Minimum academic requirement Minimum English requirement
University study

4 units successfully completed at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA). Entry will also be based on a personal statement and evidence of animal related experience.


Successful completion of at least 2 years.
University study
Minimum academic requirement

4 units successfully completed at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA). Entry will also be based on a personal statement and evidence of animal related experience.


Minimum English requirement

Successful completion of at least 2 years.
Means of admission Minimum academic requirement Minimum English requirement
Overseas Year 12
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)
CPS 85 or higher.
75% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS).
Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)
94

Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent):

  • English ATAR
  • Literature ATAR
  • English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR

Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.

Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).

Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
Overall Position (OP) of 2 or lower.

Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following:

  • English
  • English Extension (Literature)
  • English for ESL Learners.

Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)

Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).


Extenuating circumstances

Extenuating circumstances will not be granted for direct entry into the Veterinary Science program. If you have extenuating circumstances please apply for a pathway course in Animal Health or Animal Science.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

Total score of 38 or higher.

Higher level (HL): 7 or better.

Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)

Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).


GCE A Levels

Aggregate of 15 points from:
  • A maximum of the best three A-level subjects; OR
  • A combination of A-level and AS-level subjects

At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation

AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be included

A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1)

AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5)

A Levels:
C in English Language or English Literature or Knowledge and Inquiry.
AS Level:
B in English Language or English Literature or Knowledge and Inquiry.

Overseas Year 12
Minimum academic requirement
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Minimum English requirement
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)
Minimum academic requirement
CPS 85 or higher.
Minimum English requirement
75% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS).
Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)
Minimum academic requirement
94
Minimum English requirement

Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent):

  • English ATAR
  • Literature ATAR
  • English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR

Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.

Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).

Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
Minimum academic requirement
Overall Position (OP) of 2 or lower.
Minimum English requirement

Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following:

  • English
  • English Extension (Literature)
  • English for ESL Learners.

Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)

Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).


Extenuating circumstances
Minimum academic requirement

Extenuating circumstances will not be granted for direct entry into the Veterinary Science program. If you have extenuating circumstances please apply for a pathway course in Animal Health or Animal Science.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Minimum academic requirement

Total score of 38 or higher.

Minimum English requirement

Higher level (HL): 7 or better.

Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)

Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).


GCE A Levels
Minimum academic requirement

Aggregate of 15 points from:

  • A maximum of the best three A-level subjects; OR
  • A combination of A-level and AS-level subjects

At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation

AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be included

A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1)

AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5)

Minimum English requirement

A Levels:
C in English Language or English Literature or Knowledge and Inquiry.
AS Level:
B in English Language or English Literature or Knowledge and Inquiry.

Means of admission Minimum academic requirement Minimum English requirement
AQF Certificate Level
No direct entry.
No direct entry.
AQF Certificate Level
Minimum academic requirement
No direct entry.
Minimum English requirement
No direct entry.
Means of admission Minimum academic requirement Minimum English requirement
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
No direct entry.

Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only).

Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).

Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).

Mature Age Pathway (MAP)
No direct entry - consider Animal Science pathway.
No direct entry.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Minimum academic requirement
No direct entry.
Minimum English requirement

Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only).

Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).

Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).

Mature Age Pathway (MAP)
Minimum academic requirement
No direct entry - consider Animal Science pathway.
Minimum English requirement
No direct entry.
To be eligible for admission as a candidate for a Doctor of Veterinary Medical Science, an applicant must have: *Bachelor Degree in Veterinary Science with at least a 2A Honours normally in the same discipline (AQF level 8); ora Bachelor Degree in Veterinary Science (AQF level 7) and satisfy the Dean of Graduate Research with evidence of substantive and significant scholarly or professional attainments including satisfactory research preparation the equivalent of AQF level 8 or 9.
English Requirements

You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.

Advanced Standing

Not applicable to research courses.

This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.

Advanced Standing

Not applicable to research courses.

This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.

Progress to fees and scholarships
Duration
3 years full-time
Domestic Tuition Fees
$111,664 total
International Tuition Fees
$111,664 total

Doctorate (PhD)

Parkville
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Veterinary Science helps you demonstrate academic leadership, increasing independence, creativity and innovation in your research work.
Duration
4 years full-time, 8 years part-time
Study Mode
In person
Graduate Satisfaction
78.20%

Doctorate (PhD)

Wagga Wagga
Establish yourself as an expert in the management, care and welfare of animals.
Intake Months
Mar, Jul
Study Mode
In person

Doctorate (PhD)

Camperdown/Darlington, Camden
Study to become a registered veterinary practitioner with the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). This degree will turn you into a career-ready vet with the skills to work in managing animal health and disease in Australia and around the world.
Entry Requirements

 

Admission to this course is based on the following criteria:

  1. Grade Point Average (GPA) from a completed Bachelor's degree, minimum credit average required*
  2. Successful completion of prerequisite units (see below)
  3. submit the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Admission Statement (pdf, 340KB)
  4. a minimum of 28 days of relevant work experience and animal handling experience within the last three years, using the prescribed form
  5. Completion of a Situational Judgement Test by no later than COB 16 September 2022. More information about this test can be found below.

*These are the minimum admission requirements for the DVM. As entry to this course is highly competitive, students who meet the minimum requirements are then ranked according to academic performance, admission statement and situational judgement test results.

For more information read the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Admission Guide (pdf, 370KB)

Intake Months
Feb
Duration
4 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Tuition Fees
$59,000 total
Graduate Satisfaction
75.00%

Doctorate (PhD)

Parkville
The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) is based on the latest global thinking in veterinary science practice, teaching and learning.
Intake Months
Mar
Duration
4 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Tuition Fees
$255,987 total
Graduate Satisfaction
78.20%

Doctorate (PhD)

Roseworthy, Roseworthy Campus
PLEASE NOTE: The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine does not offer direct entry.
Intake Months
Feb
Duration
3 years full-time
International Tuition Fees
$73,500 per year / $220,500 total
Graduate Satisfaction
73.70%

Doctor of Veterinary Science overview

Both the Doctor of Philosophy (Veterinary Science) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) are the paramount qualifications for this field. Students can therefore expect to gain the highest level of knowledge available. These programs can take three to four years of full time study to complete, or up to eight years if part time.

PhD (Veterinary Science)

This program is for aspiring academics, providing the chance to complete an 80,000 word thesis in a topic of choice and make meaningful contributions to the field. The University of Melbourne offers these programs to students wishing to gain world class research and communication skills, with the added advantage of applying them to a meaningful cause.

DVM

The University of Adelaide and similar institutions offer these qualifications to aspiring veterinary surgeons and general practitioners, as it provides the necessary accreditation. Units in DVM professional skills, general pathology, anaesthesia, systems pathology and more make it a highly practical course. Students should note that these doctorates cannot be taken part time.

Employment options

Employment options are dictated best by choice of doctorate.

PhD employment

Careers in either research or teaching are ideal for these graduates. Institutions like James Cook or Murdoch always need articulate and well-read scholars to improve their institutions and the education of their students.

DVM employment

Employment as a veterinary surgeon is the most logical choice. Graduates are advised to register with the Australian Veterinary Association to gain insights into career and networking opportunities and advice.

To learn more about employment opportunities for these programs, click here.

Scholarships and funding

There are many funding opportunities specific to veterinary science. Some of these include:

Students are advised to browse the full range of veterinary science scholarships here, as they are unusually numerous compared to most other disciplines.

Prerequisites and selection process

Both PhDs and DVMs are extremely competitive, usually requiring the following minimum criteria for entry:

  • A four year honours degree in veterinary sciences
  • A distinction GPA (75%) attained in prior coursework
  • Evidence of research ability (graduate diplomas or master degrees are excellent proof of this)
  • Proof that knowledge of veterinary science is current. This can be anything from recent work experience in the field to recent completion of study

Applicants who don’t meet one or more of these requirements are advised to consider beginning with a graduate certificate and entering these programs through postgraduate study.