The University of Melbourne

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Graduate

Details

University Location Melbourne, Victoria
City Population 5.3 million
Student Population 54,000
Int'l Student Population 23,760
Main Campus Parkville (Melbourne)
Program Campus Parkville (Years 1 & 2); Werribee (Years 3 & 4)
Program Duration 4 years
Estimated Annual Tuition $80,448 AUD (2024 fees; subject to increase)
Semester Intake February/March
Next Available Intake 2024
Application Deadline Varying rounds*
International Places 50 (135 total)

Overview

The University of Melbourne is the #2 vet school in Australia (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Veterinary Science). It is a world-recognized leader in veterinary research, particularly animal disease, animal welfare, veterinary public health, specialist referral services like neurology and radiology, equine sports medicine and emergency and critical care.

As a Melbourne veterinary student, you will study at Australasia’s most modern veterinary teaching hospital in Werribee, and brand-new teaching spaces in Parkville, Melbourne. This world-class building provides an active and flexible learning environment that has been designed specifically to suit the biosciences. Housing purpose-built wet and dry teaching labs, and various formal and informal learning spaces, the building allows for several classes to run simultaneously within the same area.

As a veterinary medicine student, you will be able to build social and industry networks at events organized by student special interest groups that focus on small pets, animal welfare, exotics and wildlife, horses, student welfare, emergency and critical care, bovines, and marine animals.

Program

The Melbourne DVM curriculum has been developed around five learning domains, which infuse every subject and are based around the attributes of a veterinary scientist:

1. The scientific basis of clinical practice
2. Ethics and animal welfare
3. Biosecurity and population health
4. Clinical skills
5. Personal and professional development

Melbourne Tracks program
The Tracks program prepares you best for your chosen career path. You can build professional networks in a particular area of clinical interest and gain complementary industry-ready skills and knowledge. Choose from four tracks:

  • Small animal track (pets like cats and dogs, plus exotics like rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs)
  • Production animal track (livestock and mixed rural practice)
  • Equine track (horses)
  • Government, industry and conservation health track (wildlife health, population health, policy, research and industry)

Melbourne DVM students gain the skills to communicate and empathize with pet owners in a professional setting, first in mock consultations and clinical skills classes, then with real clients.

External Placements
Throughout your veterinary degree, you will have access to practical and clinical training in Melbourne’s world-class U-Vet animal hospital and via external placements. The Melbourne veterinary hospital includes a general practice, referral practice, equine centre and a 24-hour small-animal emergency and critical care service. Its facilities include state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging capabilities and on-site diagnostic pathology laboratories as well as a new clinical skills centre.

Classes for the first two years of the DVM are held primarily at Parkville campus—generally with one day per week at Werribee campus.

Third year classes are held at the Werribee campus, and the fourth year of the DVM is a lecture-free program involving small group classes held at the Werribee campus. Fourth-year students will be fully immersed in the veterinary profession, working with animals and owners under expert supervision in the University of Melbourne’s veterinary hospital and external placements.

You will gain at least 40 weeks’ experience at a broad range of clinical settings and gain the medical and surgical experience to be confident in your ability as a veterinarian from the day you graduate.

In addition, students in third and fourth years are required to attend clinical and practical placements at a range of different locations. There are opportunities to undertake these placements in rural and regional areas, interstate and overseas.

Pre-Vet Club

Thinking of becoming a vet? Join Melbourne DVM’s Pre-Vet Club mailing list.

 

Admission Requirements

1. Completed bachelor’s degree
You must have a completed undergraduate science degree (minimum three-year degree) and have completed prerequisite subjects: one semester of study in each of cell biology or general biology, and one of biochemistry.

Acceptable degrees from Canadian universities include science degrees with majors in agriculture, animal science, biochemistry, biomedicine, physiology or zoology.

Selection for the Melbourne DVM will be based a weighted average mark of the final 2 years, and all subjects will be considered. An average of 3.3/4.0 (approximately 77%) and above in these subjects is considered competitive, although does not guarantee entry.

2. Demonstrate interest in veterinary field
Melbourne is looking for students who can demonstrate an interest and commitment to animal health, production and welfare and in pursuing a career in the veterinary science profession and any experience working with animals and/or other fields relevant to veterinary science.

3. Situational judgement test
Melbourne DVM applicants must complete an online Situational Judgement Test (SJT) via Casper (a method of assessment used by Atlus Suite). Melbourne recognizes that skills and attributes such as resilience, critical thinking, and communication are essential for veterinarians, but are not always reflected in academic performance alone. The situational judgement test will be used to select and identify applicants who are best suited to the rigours of veterinary science and the profession. Please note we will need to submit your application to Melbourne before you will be able to write the Casper test.

Casper dates and times

The University of Melbourne may conduct interviews with referees in order to clarify aspects of a candidate’s experience in the field or interest in a veterinary career.

Admission Timeline

*While applications are typically assessed in rounds, you are encouraged to apply an early round as this program can fill quickly.

Round 1: May 12, 2023 for offers on May 31, 2023
Round 2: July 14, 2023 for offers on July 31, 2023
Round 3: September 15, 2023 for offers on September 29, 2023
Round 4: October 13, 2023 for offers on October 31, 2023
Round 5: December 1, 2023 for offers on December 20, 2023 (if required)**

**If applying for Round 5, there is a risk of not receiving a student visa in time for class commencement.

1/4

“I really like the instructors, they are all super supportive”

The facilities and labs on campus are brand new and have so many resources to really solidify learning. The clubs you can join really do their best to organize events/dances/trivia night and it feels like your own little community.  The program is currently getting back on their feet this year.... I understand covid played a massive role in this and the university is using student feedback for upcoming years. I really like the instructors, they are all super supportive and you ... Read More

Peyton M
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Melbourne, 2022

“…the instructors and fellow classmates are very approachable”

Likes: facilities on campus, the environment, diversity, staff. I enjoy the course material and how involved the instructors are. The teaching methods could be more consistent. This whole experience can be very exciting, overwhelming, and stressful. But the instructors and fellow classmates are very approachable especially since you will get a staff mentor. While it can be isolating to be an international student, the school provides services that we can reach out to but also within the program, they are here to support you.

Stephanie L
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Melbourne, 2022

“They have lots of support systems available”

Facilities are great, program itself is great and educational. They have lots of support systems available for students. Class sizes and course material is good, a lot of material and stressful however that is to be expected with a DVM program. There is a level of disorganization with scheduling and classes sometimes.

Morgan P
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Melbourne, 2022

“I love how passionate and caring the professors are.”

I love how passionate and caring the professors are. They create an environment that fosters learning while trying to remove the competitive atmosphere among the students.

Peter S.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Melbourne, 2018