Veterinary Medicine

Would you like to study veterinary medicine? OzTREKK can help you achieve your dream at an AVMA-accredited, world-class veterinary school in Australia. Find out how you can study veterinary medicine at an Australian university—then practice in Canada.

Studying Veterinary Medicine in Australia

Animal lover? Veterinary medicine is by far one of the most popular and rewarding career options for you! One of the greatest benefits of a career in veterinary medicine is the chance to promote the health and welfare of animals. Your career will be varied and interesting, and provide the opportunity for professional independence.

OzTREKK represents three Australian universities that feature professional veterinary degrees. You can become a veterinarian by completing one of the following degrees:

  • Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Melbourne’s and Sydney’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs are offered only to students who have already obtained an undergraduate science degree.

UQ’s Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) and Sydney’s Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs are suitable for students who wish enter into a professional veterinary program directly from high school or with college or university studies.

Here’s what you’ll find on this page:

Australian Vet School Admissions Requirements

Graduate-entry Veterinary Degrees

University Competitive GPA Prerequisites Notes
University of Melbourne 77%+ in 300- & 400-level science courses Uni-level cell or general biology & biochemistry Undergrad science degree (with at least two-thirds of program science study); animal health & welfare personal statement (no set number of hours); SJT (Casper)
University of Sydney 85%+ in most recently completed bachelor’s degree Uni-level general biology, biochemistry, general chemistry (physical & inorganic), organic chemistry 28 days + of relevant work & animal-handling experience; SJT (Casper)

 

Undergraduate-entry Veterinary Degrees

University Competitive GPA Prerequisites Notes
University of Queensland 88% top 5 or 6 high school courses; or 75% from university studies Grade 12 chemistry, calculus (pre-calculus will not suffice), English, & either physics or biology SJT (CASPer)
University of Sydney 86% (high school)
ON: 86% (top 6 courses incl. Eng)
BC: “A” average (all Gr 12 except Grad Transitions)
Assumed knowledge: chemistry, mathematics, physics. Biology recommended. 5 days of hands-on experience at veterinary establishment recommended; SJT (Casper). Not open to those with any post-secondary study.

How to Apply to Australian Veterinary Schools

The process of applying to study veterinary medicine in Australia can feel both simple and confusing at the same time. That’s why we’re here. Our goal is to have the best prepared students ready for a first-class education experience in Australia and New Zealand—and we take that to heart.

When you’re considering vet school in Australia, you may have questions about

  • your eligibility;
  • the application;
  • how (and where) to submit your documents; and
  • what we do with your application.

We’ve got you covered. Head on over to our how to apply to veterinary school in Australia page where you’ll find info about what to expect!

Practicing Veterinary Medicine in Canada

The University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland, and the University of Sydney (both its DVM and bachelor-level programs) hold full American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accreditation, which means graduates are considered in the same category as graduates from North American veterinary schools when undertaking licensing examinations in North America. Graduates are eligible to sit the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination along with graduates from accredited veterinary colleges in the United States and Canada. AVMA accreditation is well recognized as the international benchmark for quality in veterinary education.

Both the graduate-entry (DVM) and the undergraduate entry (bachelor-level) veterinary medicine programs are AVMA accredited. The name of the program does not necessarily affect its accreditation status. The program is not required to be listed as a “Doctor” program in order to be accredited in North America; it is the content and quality of the program that determines its eligibility, not simply the name.

For information about returning to Canada after completing an Australian veterinary program, please visit our Practicing Veterinary Medicine in Canada page.

1/11

“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 have liked some courses where I have hands on work”

I have liked some courses where I have hands on work with animals at farms and I also visit the zoo, however some first year courses feel somewhat repetitive from high school. Campus is great and program is great, first year is quite simple and there is some review which feels repetitive.

university of sydney black and white logo Ignacio T
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Sydney, 2022

“It is hands on right away”

I love the closeness of the student body.... It is hands on right away.

Kennedy J
Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
The University of Queensland, 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

“[I love] the amount of handling I get to do with animals”

[The amount of work] is as expected. [I love] the amount of handling I get to do with animals. The courses and practical aspects of the program is great. Just expect to be working with a lot of animals and be prepared to get your hands dirty! There's a lot of studying that is involved with the program but also a lot of hands on! It's quite a heavy load, but very rewarding when you get through a semester.

Jessica T
Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
The University of Queensland, 2017

“The teachers are all professionals in the industry”

I love the quality of my program. The teachers are all professionals in the industry, we have a fully functioning dairy, piggery, poultry and equine unit on campus so all the resources we need to become the best vets are at our fingertips.

Lia B
Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
The University of Queensland, 2017

“UQ provides students with a lot of practicals and clinical experience”

UQ provides students with a lot of practicals and clinical experience during the degree. Which allows us to interact with animals we perhaps never have before. For example, students from cities likely don't know how to properly handle and provide adequate husbandry for cows or sheep. This degree and UQ specifically is one of the only in Australia that has all of their teaching animals on 1 campus. Other unis require you to move to a different location during your final 2 years ... Read More

Reiko Y
Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
The University of Queensland, 2015

“I chose The University of Queensland because of their excellent standing”

I chose The University of Queensland because of their excellent standing. At the Gatton campus, there are dedicated facilities on hand besides UQ Veterinary School’s small animal and equine hospitals.  The program so far has been more challenging than I expected. The hours are long and you have to give a 100% commitment. That being said, there is a great camaraderie and support from your course mates who are in every single class with you, and their high motivation pushes me to keep striving.

Nur S
Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
The University of Queensland, 2014

“I like how much the professors at the vet school want us to succeed.”

The weather, the people and I am really loving my program. I like how much the professors at the vet school want us to succeed. I dislike not having a car and being on a fairly rural campus. But there are lots of events on campus to fill up your week. Friends always offer to take me into town, so I don't feel that isolated. 10 out of 10!

Julia C
Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
The University of Queensland, 2014