Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience)

Keep animals happy and healthy

Veterinarians are dedicated to the wellbeing of animals. They are scientists, surgeons, carers, and lifelong learners.

What will you do?

Join a tight-knit community of students at the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences - the only one in South Australia. Our educators use real-world experience and practical training in their teaching, with many currently practicing in the veterinary industry. In this program, you will:

  • explore the anatomy, physiology and behaviour of normal animals and identify the pathogenic organisms that attack them
  • learn about animal handling and husbandry
  • experience real industry settings including farms and intensive production facilities
  • undertake a significant amount of hands-on animal work, starting in semester 1
  • access our $37 million purpose-built veterinary teaching and research facilities.

Where could it take you?

This is the first part of the veterinary science program. Graduates gain direct entry into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. Completing both degrees makes you eligible to register as a veterinarian, where you might own a practice or travel to farms around the country treating animals. Veterinary bioscience could also lead to roles in research in equine, zoo animal or wildlife medicine. You might even work in biosecurity, managing programs to prevent disease and pollution.


  • Top 51-70 in world for Veterinary Sciences*
  • #1 in Australia for learner engagement**
  • Purpose-built veterinary teaching hospital

*QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2022
**Good Universities Guide – Veterinary Sciences, 2021

Entry Requirements

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Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 324491
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake

February

Prerequisites

SACE Stage 2: Biology or Chemistry or Mathematical Methods (if Maths subject was studied prior to 2017, the subject required was called 'Mathematical Studies'); OR IB: Biology (SL grade 4/HL grade 3) or Chemistry (SL grade 4/HL grade 3) or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL); OR University equivalent. MathTrackX is an online bridging program available as a recognised alternative to Mathematical Methods.

Assumed Knowledge

SACE Stage 2: Physics IB: Physics

Additional Entry Requirements

All applicants are advised to read the Veterinary Bioscience Admissions Guide before applying for the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience). This website sets out the eligibility requirements, the selection process and extra requirements such as (but not limited to) the Inherent Requirements and Vaccination Guidelines. Failure to read and comply with the guidelines will not be grounds for special consideration.

There are inherent requirements associated with the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) that prospective students need to be aware of before applying. These requirements include, but are not limited to, physical fitness, physical capacity to learn how to handle a range of large and small animals; required vaccinations (specifically Q fever); and effective written communication; and effective written communication. It is a condition that all students enrolled in this program must be vaccinated against Q Fever (unless initial skin test indicates pre-existing immunity). This must be completed as soon as possible and by no later than the end of Semester 1 in the first year. 

Applicants must read the Inherent Requirements and Vaccination Guidelines before submitting their application. By applying for this program, applicants are accepting these Inherent Requirements and Vaccination Guidelines.

Note: entry is highly competitive and subject to availability each admissions year. Selection for the program will be based upon:

1. The applicant's best selection rank such as: 

    • Year 12: Selection Rank (ATAR) of 90 or above (including any applicable bonus points) or equivalent;
    • Higher Education/Tertiary Transfer: Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 or more (on a 7-point scale) or equivalent (see below for further requirements);
    • STAT: Rank in the top decile

AND 

2.  Applicants must also complete a prescribed questionnaire about their life experiences and their knowledge and interest in veterinary science 

AND

3. *Applicants must also complete the Acuity Insights assessment Casper.

Note for Tertiary Transfer applicants: Tertiary Transfer applicants who have studied Chemistry I and/or Biology I at the University of Adelaide (or equivalent) must have achieved at least a credit grade average in each of these courses. Alternatively, Tertiary Transfer applicants who do not meet this requirement can subsequently meet the requirement if they obtain a minimum Pass grade in a course at a higher year level for which Chemistry I and/or Biology I are prerequisite courses.

*Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants may elect to follow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander application process as detailed in the Admissions Guide.

Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education

Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling.

You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors).

Please refer to Additional entry requirements section for details of other entry requirements to the Veterinary Bioscience program. 

Higher Education Study

You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You are ranked on the basis of your best GPA.

Please refer to the Additional entry requirements section for details of other entry requirements to the Veterinary Bioscience program.

Applicants who have completed level one (1st year) or higher of the Bachelor of Science (Animal Science) (including a Level 1 physics course) at the University of Adelaide and wish to enter the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) can only be considered for direct entry into level two (2nd year) of the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience). Places in level two are extremely limited and not guaranteed to be available each year. These applicants will only be considered for entry on the basis of their GPA in the Bachelor of Science (Animal Science), and not on any other academic score. Applicants must still apply via SATAC and complete the questionnaire and Acuity Insights assessment, *Casper.

*Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants may elect to follow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander application process as detailed in the Admissions Guide.

Work and life experience

To be eligible to sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as a pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2025. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2025 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2024 or 2023), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2023).

If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Please refer to the Additional entry requirements section for details of other entry requirements to the Veterinary Bioscience program. 

Other Entry Pathways

2024 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 90.05
Median ATAR to receive an offer 91.75
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 99.7
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer n/a
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer n/a
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer n/a
Minimum eligibility score 90
Additional criteria considered Additional criteria
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2024
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    41 44.6%
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study N/A N/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    N/A N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    N/A N/A
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    28 30.4%
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    N/A N/A
    International students 23 25.0%
    All students 92 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

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Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $10,745

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.

Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.

To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships

To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships

Careers

Career Readiness


As a graduate of the bachelor degree, you'll find employment opportunities in:

  • government agencies
  • livestock and agricultural management
  • livestock production and nutrition
  • private companies
  • zoos and animal welfare organisations.
As a graduate of the postgraduate degree, you'll find employment in private and public veterinary practices as a veterinarian.

 

 

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.
  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Industry Placement


Throughout your degree, you’ll undertake several placements at locations such as farms and intensive production facilities. Placements can often be undertaken throughout Australia. Overseas placements are also possible, pending approval.

You must complete 12 weeks of Animal Husbandry Extra Mural Studies (AHEMS) during the University vacations.

This includes specific requirements for gaining experience with particular groups of animals, especially cattle, sheep and horses.

Some courses have further requirements for extra mural experience.

Professional Accreditation


Our veterinary science program is comprised of two degrees: the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) and the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (Masters by Coursework (Extended).

To practice as a veterinarian, you must complete both degrees, which is six years in total.

The veterinary science program at the University of Adelaide is accredited by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), the Veterinary Surgeons' Board of Hong Kong and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (UK). 

This means when you graduate from your Masters, you’ll be eligible for registration as a veterinarian in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Pathway to Veterinary Medicine

Degree Structure

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience), students must satisfactorily complete a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 72 units, comprising:
  • Core courses to the value of 72 units
  • Work based training / extra mural studies
The first year level involves studies at both North Terrace and Roseworthy campuses, while later year levels of the program will be based at the Roseworthy campus.

Students must satisfactorily complete 12 weeks of Animal Husbandry Extra Mural Studies (AHEMS).

Students will undertake placements at various locations, including farms and intensive production facilities. After consultation with the Extra Mural Studies coordinator, placements can be undertaken, throughout Australia. Overseas placements are possible, pending approval.

Students will be expected to travel to locations and the capacity to drive would be an advantage.

There are inherent requirements associated with the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) that prospective students need to be aware of before applying. These requirements include, but are not limited to, physical fitness, physical capacity to learn how to handle a range of large and small animals; required vaccinations (specifically Q fever); and effective written communication. Applicants must read the inherent requirements and vaccination guidelines before submitting their application. By applying for this program, applicants are accepting these Inherent Requirements and Vaccination Guidelines.

 

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience)

Example Study Plan

Core Courses

All courses are 3 units unless stated otherwise.

Year I
All of the following courses must be completed: ANIML SC 1017RW Animal Handling and Husbandry I (Vet Bio)
ANIML SC 1018RW Principles in Animal Behaviour and Welfare Ethics I (Vet Bio)
BIOLOGY 1510 Biology I: Molecules, Genes and Cells (Vet Bio)
BIOLOGY 1520 Biology I: Organisms (Veterinary Bioscience)
STATS 1000 Statistical Practice 
and courses to the value of 6 units from the following:
  • CHEM 1510 Chemistry IA (Veterinary Bioscience)
  • CHEM 1520 Chemistry IB (Veterinary Bioscience)
or
  • CHEM 1511 Foundations of Chemistry IA (Vet Bioscience)
  • CHEM 1521 Foundations of Chemistry IB (Vet Bioscience)
and courses to the value of 3 units from the following: PHYSICS 1501 Physics for the Life and Earth Sciences I (Vet Bio)
PHYSICS 1508 Physical Aspects of Nature I (Vet Bioscience)
Year II
All of the following courses must be completed: VET SC 2500RW Professional Skills in Veterinary Bioscience II
ANIML SC 2505RW Animal Nutrition and Metabolism II (Vet Bio)
ANIML SC 2508RW Genes and Inheritance II (Vet Bio)
VET SC 2510ARW Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology II Part 1
VET SC 2510BRW Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology II Part 2 (12 units)
VET SC 2530RW Animal and Plant Biochemistry (Vet-Bio) II
Year III
All of the following courses must be completed: VET SC 3520ARW Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology III Part 1
VET SC 3520BRW Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology III Part 2 (9 units)
VET SC 3512RW Veterinary Immunology and Infectious Diseases III (6 units)
VET SC 3514RW Professional Skills in Veterinary Bioscience III
VET SC 3515RW Veterinary Parasitology
VET SC 3516RW Veterinary Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine III


Work Based Training / Extra Mural Studies

To satisfy the requirements for Work Based Training / Extra Mural Studies students must adhere to the following:

In order to qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) degree students must complete a total of 12 weeks (where 1 week is equivalent to a minimum of 40 hours over 5 working days) of Extra Mural Studies (EMS) including satisfactorily completing all associated paperwork. Participation in EMS can begin after the successful completion of ANIML SC 1017RW Animal Handling and Husbandry I (Vet Bio) (or equivalent) and must be completed before the end of the mid-semester break in semester 2 of Level III of the program.

Assessment

Varies with individual courses and includes a combination of verbal presentations, written assignments, individual or group projects and theory and practical exams.

Testimonial

My degree gave me theoretical and practical skills in a multitude of animal species that I wouldn't have gotten anywhere else, and I use those skills on a day-to-day basis in my job.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Friday, 25 Oct 2024