Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

The University of Melbourne’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree gives you the experience and flexibility to succeed in your choice of veterinary career: as a small or large animal veterinarian, an animal welfare supervisor in the agricultural industries, an equine health professional, a government veterinarian monitoring wildlife health or a zoo veterinarian.
The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is a graduate degree, meaning that students must complete a suitable science-based Bachelors degree before they can study this course.
After developing a strong core of veterinary science knowledge, you will be able to follow your own area of interest and gain a wealth of professional experience via our Tracks program. You can take clinical or research placements anywhere in Australia or overseas, and even prepare yourself for leadership or industry roles with a concurrent diploma.
You will benefit from the experience and research expertise of our world-class academics, and an innovative, evidence-based curriculum. Training throughout the degree will help you to develop strong communication and teamwork skills, and a final lecture-free year of clinical experience supports our students to become confident, professional, resilient and compassionate veterinarians.

Most of Australia's approximately 8,100 veterinarians work in private practices. Veterinary practices are typically small businesses, with many consisting of only one or two full-time veterinarians. Specialisation is an increasing trend, with some practices limiting their work to certain types of animals e.g. horse or small animals. Half of Australia's veterinarians work in a capital city; a further 16 per cent in another major city or large country city. Just over one-third work in rural areas. State Governments employ 10 per cent of the nation's veterinarians. The Federal Government employs about 4 per cent. Other veterinarians are employed in research or marketing by companies making or selling veterinary medicines, in intensive animal production businesses and by universities. Zoos also employ their own veterinarians as do an increasing number of animal welfare organisations. Australian vets contribute on a regular basis to international programs on animal production, disease control and environmental management.

International students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne may be eligible for selection into this major when they have obtained a DVM Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 75%, based on their results in first year level and second year level science subjects.

International students who complete the Trinity College Foundation Studies program with a score of at least 87, and obtain entry to the Bachelor of Science immediately after finishing their Trinity College program

International applicants who are eligible for selection will be made an offer into the DVM where they have obtained results across subjects at any one of the following thresholds:

a 3.2 GPA or higher (4 point scale)
a 4.0 GPA or higher (5 point scale)
a 5.6 GPA or higher (7 point scale)
an average of 75% or higher (where marks on a university transcript are returned as % marks)
first class honours (applicants from the United Kingdom).

English language requirements:

IELTS (academic English Only): 7.0 overall, with written 7.0 and no band less than 6.0
TOEFL Internet-based test: 94 + ; Writing 27; Speaking 18; Reading 13; Listening 13;
Pearson Test of English Academic: 65 + written communicative skill of 65 and no other communicative skill below 50
Cambridge English: Advanced/ Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 185 + no less than 185 in Writing and 169 in each other skill