The University of Sydney

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Graduate

Details

University Location Sydney, New South Wales
City Population 6 million
Student Population 73,000
Int'l Student Population 10,600
Main Campus Camperdown / Darlington
Program Campus Camperdown & Camden
Program Duration 4 years
Estimated Annual Tuition $74,500 AUD (2024 fees; subject to increase)
Semester Intake February
Next Available Intake 2025
Application Deadline TBA*
International Places approx 35 (140 total)

Overview

The Sydney School of Veterinary Science is the #1 vet school in Australia (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Veterinary Science), and its faculty is recognized internationally as a leading provider of education and a key contributor to the world’s best practice in the care and welfare of animals.

Your studies will take place in the One Health framework, ensuring you understand the linkages between veterinary health, human medicine, and the environment at local, national and global levels. The program culminates in a capstone experience year where you will get hands-on experience as an intern in veterinary clinics of all varieties and in a wide range of locations, including rotations in the university teaching hospitals at Sydney and Camden.

Veterinary Teaching Hospitals
Sydney has three vet teaching hospitals: the Sydney Teaching Hospital, the Camden Teaching Hospital, and the Avian, Reptile & Exotic Pet Hospital. Veterinary teaching hospitals provide world-class clinical services and have the latest technology for the care of companion animals, wildlife, livestock and horses, while the faculty’s teachers and teaching programs have achieved acclaim for their quality and effectiveness.

Program

This four-year graduate entry course is open to applicants with a completed bachelor’s degree who want to study to become registered veterinary practitioners. Teaching is research-driven to ensure you will learn from the latest developments and advances in evidence-based practice, veterinary science research, animal behaviour and welfare science and veterinary public health. You will benefit from clinical exposure, clinical skills training and animal handling commencing in the first semester and continuing throughout the course.

Clinical case examples are used throughout the program to demonstrate the relevance of each topic in understanding the complexities of animal diseases including their diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

During the first 3 years, you’ll participate in a mixture of small group, case-based tutorials, laboratory and practical classes. Clinical skills and animal handling training commence during the first semester of the DVM curriculum and continue throughout the first three years.

To consolidate this training, and acquire an appreciation of the working of animal enterprises, students also undertake animal husbandry (farm) placements during university vacations. Clinical contact commences during first semester of the DVM and continues throughout the course, culminating in the final-year capstone experience.

During Year 4, you’ll complete a series of rotations as veterinary student interns in Sydney’s veterinary teaching hospitals and with the university’s partners in veterinary education off-campus.

Campuses & Practical Placements
During Years 1 and 2 of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, students must travel to the university farms in Camden on a weekly basis. Camden is about 60 km southwest of Sydney and the location of all large-animal teaching facilities. Public transport to this site from the nearest railway station is infrequent and students requiring transport are encouraged to join a carpool on a shared cost basis.

During Year 3, all teaching and practical classes will be based in Camden, and students are advised to either keep the same travelling arrangements as in previous years or to make on-campus living arrangements.

During Year 4, you’ll experience 42 weeks of intramural placements at both the University of Sydney Veterinary Hospital based in Camperdown as well as the University of Sydney Veterinary Hospital based at Camden. You’ll also have extramural placements at a partner site.

  • 22 weeks at university teaching hospitals
  • 20 weeks at approved external partner practices and non-clinical placements (e.g., government/industry)

Admission Requirements

1. Completed bachelor’s degree 
You must have a completed undergraduate degree in any discipline.

You must have completed prerequisite units of study (one semester each) in general chemistry (physical and inorganic), biology, and biochemistry. A competitive GPA typically starts at approximately 3.7/4.0+ (approximately 80%+) cumulative in the most recent bachelor degree, although this does not guarantee entry.

As places are limited and there is a strict quota for this program, entry is highly competitive. Students who have achieved the minimum GPA (and other admission requirements) are then ranked on academic performance. The higher your GPA, the better your chances of receiving an offer.

2. Animal handling experience
You must have completed a minimum of 28 days (4 weeks) of relevant work and animal-handling experience, including animal production industries such as sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, horses and poultry; veterinary clinical practice; or other relevant animal industry experience including government bodies, charities, and research organization.

3. Situational judgement test
Sydney DVM applicants must complete an online situational judgement test (SJT) via Casper. The University of Sydney 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 Sydney before you will be able to write the Casper test.

Admission Timeline

*Applications for the 2024 intake closed September 15, 2023. For information about the 2025 intake and to apply, please contact OzTREKK. Please note you are encouraged to apply as early as possible as this program can fill quickly.