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.
*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:
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
| SATAC Code | |
|---|---|
| Deferment | Yes - 2 year |
| Intake | February |
Selection Criteria
Fees 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: $12,720
|
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
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
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.- 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
Professional Accreditation
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
- Core courses to the value of 72 units
- Work-based training / extra mural studies
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
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
Related Degrees
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: Monday, 4 Dec 2023
