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.
*QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2022
**Good Universities Guide – Veterinary Sciences, 2021
Entry Requirements
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions
information for this program.
I am a:
Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.
Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.
Domestic applicants
| 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. 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:
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. |
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. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander application process. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
|---|---|
| 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. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander application process. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Work and life experience | To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as a pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), 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 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander application process. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Other Entry Pathways | |
2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
| ATAR (raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors) |
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer | N/A |
|---|---|---|
| Median ATAR to receive an offer | N/A | |
| Highest ATAR to receive an offer | N/A | |
| 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 2023 Number of students Percentage of all students (A) Higher Education study
(includes a bridging or enabling course)N/A N/A (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)
65 73.9% - 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 26.1% All students 88 100.0% - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
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.
ApplyFees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees |
Commonwealth-supported place: $10,460
|
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
These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.
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.
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.- Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
- Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
- Teamwork and communication skills
- Professionalism and leadership readiness
- Intercultural and ethical competency
- Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
- Digital capabilities
- 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
- Core courses to the value of 72 units
- Work based training / extra mural studies
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.
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: |
or |
| 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.
Related Degrees
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: Thursday, 14 Mar 2024
