Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

PLEASE NOTE: The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine does not offer direct entry. Entry is only available after completion of the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) program at the University of Adelaide.

Achieve your goals in veterinary practice

Our Doctor of Veterinary Medicine provides the necessary training and qualifications for registration as a veterinarian. 

What will you do?

  • learn about the causes, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of domesticated animals including dogs, cats, horses, ruminants, camelids, pigs and poultry
  • explore wildlife ecology, conservation medicine and ecohealth
  • hone your scientific and technical skills for research and clinical practice
  • gain advanced professional experience through a structured internship program
  • complete a further 23 weeks of extramural practical work.

Where could it take you?

You could work in clinical veterinary practice, treating small and/or large animals. You might work in biosecurity, managing programs to prevent disease incursion. Perhaps you’ll be a researcher or pursue pathways to government work, academia, consultancy, discipline specialisation (e.g. surgery, dermatology) or species specialisation (e.g. equine, wildlife, zoo animal).

Note: From Semester 1, 2022, this program not being offered for direct entry. Applicants must have completed a Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) from the University of Adelaide in order apply. 
This program cannot be studied part-time.


  • Top 60 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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I am a:

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine does not accept direct entry applications. It is only available to students who have successfully completed the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) at the University of Adelaide. If you wish to apply for the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience), please refer to the Admissions Guide.

Domestic applicants

Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February
Selection Criteria
Graduate entry


Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $13,245

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

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

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program aims to allow registration as a veterinarian in Australasia.

Graduates may also advance to research training via the Master of Philosophy and/or PhD route or to clinical specialty training via the residency and specialty examination route.

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

Professional Accreditation

To practice as a veterinarian in Australia, it is necessary to have completed a professional accredited veterinary program.

The Veterinary program at the University of Adelaide has been granted accreditation by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), the Veterinary Surgeons' Board of Hong Kong, and the Royal College of Veterinarian Surgeons (UK).

Potential careers

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

Life Scientist;  Agricultural Consultant;  Agricultural Scientist;  Livestock Production;  Agriculture, Agricultural Service Industry;  Livestock Scientist;  Animal Breeding;  Animal Health Officer;  Animal Scientist;  Animal Technician ...

Degree Structure

To qualify for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, 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 two years of the program aim to develop the scientific and technical skills needed to become a veterinarian and include a theme of professional development.

In your final year, you'll complete a structured internship program in where you'll learn the latest practical veterinary skills.

There is also a requirement for a further 23 weeks of extramural practical work during the program that must be completed.

There are inherent requirements associated with the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine 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 applications. 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.

Example Study Plan

All courses are 3 units unless stated otherwise.

Core Courses

Year I
All of the following courses must be completed: VET SC 7001RW DVM Professional Skills
VET SC 7002RW Fundamentals of Vet Anaesthesia, Diagnostic Imaging and Surgery
VET SC 7004RW Intensive Production Medicine
VET SC 7005RW Clinical Research Project
VET SC 7006RW Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology
VET SC 7009RW General Pathology
VET SC 7010RW Systems Pathology
VET SC 7011RW Veterinary Clinical Pathology and Theriogenology
Year II
All of the following courses must be completed: VET SC 7213RW Wildlife and Conservation Practice
VET SC 7223RW Veterinary Public Health and Biosecurity
VET SC 7230ARW Companion Animal Practice Part 1 (0 units)
VET SC 7230BRW Companion Animal Practice Part 2 (6 units)
VET SC 7240ARW Ruminant Health and Production Part 1 (0 units)
VET SC 7240BRW Ruminant Health and Production Part 2 (6 units)
VET SC 7250ARW Equine Clinical Practice Part 1 (0 units)
VET SC 7250BRW Equine Clinical Practice Part 2 (6 units)
Year III
All of the following courses must be completed: VET SC 7300ARW Equine Practice Rotation A (0 units)
VET SC 7300BRW Equine Practice Rotation B
VET SC 7301ARW Rural Mixed Animal Practice Rotation A (0 units)
VET SC 7301BRW Rural Mixed Animal Practice Rotation B
VET SC 7302ARW Companion Animal Practice Rotation A (0 units)
VET SC 7302BRW Companion Animal Practice Rotation B
VET SC 7303ARW Anaesthesia and Analgesia Rotation A (0 units)
VET SC 7303BRW Anaesthesia and Analgesia Rotation B
VET SC 7304ARW Pathology and Diagnostic Services Rotation A (0 units)
VET SC 7304BRW Pathology and Diagnostic Services Rotation B
VET SC 7305ARW Veterinary Public Health Rotation A (0 units)
VET SC 7305BRW Veterinary Public Health Rotation B
VET SC 7306RW DVM Elective Topics
VET SC 7308ARW Transition to the Veterinary Profession A (0 units)
VET SC 7308BRW Transition to the Veterinary Profession B


Work Based Training / Extra Mural Studies
  • To complete the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, students must complete 26 weeks of clinical Extra Mural Studies as prescribed in the EMS guidelines for the relevant calendar year.
  • The EMS must be completed no more than 1 year after DVM Level 3 courses have been completed.
  • In order to be eligible for early conferral and registration as a Veterinarian in January of the year following completion of studies, students must ensure that their EMS have been finalised by the relevant conferral deadlines as set out by the University.
  • Before beginning a period of extra mural studies, students are required to ensure that the placement will be acceptable by consulting the Placements Coordinator, and the placement attendance has approval of the Head of School.
  • Upon completion of each period of extra mural studies, students are required to complete and submit all placement associated documentation and tasks to a satisfactory standard, including certification of attendance by the placement supervisor for approval by the Placements Coordinator.

Assessment

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

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: Thursday, 12 Sep 2024