Our rankings
- 16th in the worldWe’re ranked 16th globally for veterinary science by the 2021 QS University Rankings by Subject.
- 1st for employabilityOur graduates are ranked 1st in Australia and 4th globally for employability by the 2020 QS Graduate Employability Rankings.
University Of Sydney Vet School Overview
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availab…more informationCourse detailsFaculty/University School: Faculty of ScienceCredit points required: 192Course abbreviation: DVMUSyd code: MAVETMED1000UAC code: N/AStudy mode: On-campus day, Professional practice, Clinical experienceStudy type: PGCWLocation: Camperdown/Darlington & Camden campusGraduate AttributesDuration full time: 4 years full time for Domestic and International studentsDuration part time: N/AAvailability for international studentsAvailable to student visa holders and other eligible international studentsCRICOS code: 079224JVisa information
What you’ll study
To qualify for the award of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, you must complete a total of 19…more informationUnits of Study
Work component
Mandatory work component = 2172 hours.
This mandatory work component must be completed as part of the award requirements for the course.
This is conducted as rotations as veterinary student interns.
University Of Sydney Vet School Prerequisites
Applicants must have successfully completed one semester of study in general chemistry (physical and inorganic), organic chemistry, biology and biochemistry at bachelor’s degree level to be eligible for entry.
Students seeking advice on eligibility of units should make an assessment based on the information for the University of Sydney units provided.
Please note that the School cannot assess pre-requisites prior to application.
DVM Pre-requisite requirement | University of Sydney Unit that meets this requirement |
---|---|
General chemistry (physical and inorganic) | CHEM1111 Chemistry 1A or CHEM1911 Chemistry 1A (Advanced) |
Organic chemistry | CHEM1112 Chemistry 1B or CHEM1912 Chemistry 1B(Advanced) |
Biology | BIOL1006 and/or BIOL1007 |
Biochemistry | AVBS2005 or VETS1032 or BCMB2001 or BCMB2002 |
For more information visit the Handbooks website.
What is “one semester” of study?
You must have completed the equivalent of a standard, semester-long unit of study at the University of Sydney i.e. 6 credit points. A full time load for one year at the University of Sydney is 48 credit points. Therefore a 6 credit point unit of study at the University of Sydney is equivalent to 1/8 or 12.5% of a standard full time load for one year (0.125 EFTSL)
What documentation about prerequisites is required?
As part of your application, you must submit an official academic transcript and a detailed outline for each of the units of study you have completed in fulfilment of the pre-requisite requirements. This documentation must be submitted with your online application or your application will not be assessed.
The unit of study outlines should come from an official publication of the Provider University, such as the Faculty Handbook. The outline and transcript together must demonstrate that each unit you have completed in fulfilment of the pre-requisites is equivalent to 6 credit points at the University of Sydney and in the correct subject area.
The outline must provide sufficient information for the School admission panel to determine whether you have covered the essential prerequisite material. In general, a one paragraph unit of study overview will not be sufficient.
What units of study will be accepted as prerequisites?
The School will consider as prerequisites any bachelor degree level units of study, provided the documentation submitted demonstrates that each unit/s is in the required subject area and is equivalent to 6 credit points at the University of Sydney. It is the student’s responsibility to identify and rectify any specific gaps in knowledge or understanding.
Students should note that there need not be a one-to-one correlation between units previously completed and the prerequisite subject. For example, two smaller units of biochemistry that together are equivalent to the 6 credit point prerequisite will be considered. View the faculty handbook
University Of Sydney Vet School Admission requirement
Admission to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is based on the following criteria:
- Grade Point Average (GPA) from a completed Bachelor’s degree, minimum credit average required*
- Successful completion of prerequisite units (see above)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Admission Statement including a minimum of 28 days of relevant work experience and animal handling experience, using the prescribed form
- Have met the University’s English language requirements
*These are the minimum admission requirements for the DVM. As entry to this course is highly competitive, students who meet the minimum requirements are then ranked according to academic performance and admission statement.
Please download the DVM admission guide and DVM admission statement for further information.
^Applicants who have not been able to undertake planned work experience due to Covid-19 should indicate this in the ‘Additional Information’ section of the admission statement form and attach any supporting evidence such as a letter from the establishment where work experience was planned to be undertaken.
Admission pathway
The Cadigal program is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants – for details, please visit the Cadigal program website. Please note that completion of this application does not guarantee that you will receive an offer for the DVM.
Inherent requirements
In addition to the academic requirements set out in the Veterinary Science Handbook, you will be required to satisfy a number of inherent requirements to complete this course. Please review the Inherent Requirements for Veterinary Medicine before completing your application.
The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Handbooks Online and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents.
Vaccinations
Q Fever
Students undertaking this course will come into contact with animals and may be exposed to the risk of infection with Q Fever. The safety of our students during their studies at the University of Sydney is extremely important and it is a requirement that students be vaccinated against Q Fever. This must be undertaken at least 2 weeks prior to the commencement of semester 1.
- Q Fever Information Sheet (PDF 27kb)
Tetanus
You must also be currently immunized against tetanus. You are responsible for ensuring that your tetanus immunisation is valid and up-to-date and you will need to provide evidence when requested.
Travel requirements for University farms and Placements
During the first and second year of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, students must travel to the University farms in Camden on a weekly basis. Camden is about 60km south-west of Sydney and the location of all large animal teaching facilities. Transport and other costs associated with travelling to and from the Camden campus must be covered by students. Public transport to this site from the nearest railway station is infrequent and students requiring transport are encouraged to join a carpool on a shared cost basis.
During the third year of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, all teaching and practical classes will be based in Camden, and students are advised to either keep the same travelling arrangements as in previous years or to make on-campus living arrangements.
During the course of the program, students will be required to undertake a range of placements. These placements are undertaken at a range of locations and students will be required to travel around and out of Sydney as well as interstate. Transport and other costs associated with travelling must be covered by the students. It must be noted that public transport to these sites may not be possible and students will need to organise their own transport.
During the fourth year students will be required to undertake intramural placements at both the University of Sydney Veterinary Hospital based on Camperdown as well as the University of Sydney Veterinary Hospital based at Camden. In addition, students will be required to undertake extramural placements, at a partner site.
University Of Sydney Vet School Professional accreditation
We hold and maintains continuous accreditation through the transition to a new veterinary program. Graduates of accredited programs are immediately eligible for registration with the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board in each state and territory in Australia. The course is also recognised internationally by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (UK) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Students graduating from an AVMA accredited School have their degree recognised in North America and are entitled to sit the US National Veterinary Licensing Examinations.
Visit our accredited programs page to learn more.
Professional registration
In order to be eligible for registration, the University of Sydney must inform the Veterinary Practitioners Boards that you have completed the requirements of your degree.
The SSVS Board of Examiners will meet to confirm results after the end of the examinations. A list of graduates will be sent from the School Office to the different Veterinary Boards across Australia. Students seeking to practice Veterinary Medicine overseas, should consult the local registration authority for legislative and registration information.
Please visit the relevant Veterinary Practitioners Boards websites for further information:
- Veterinary Practitioners Board NSW
- Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia
- Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria
- Veterinary Surgeons Board Queensland
- Veterinary Surgeons Board Western Australia
- Veterinary Practitioners Board Australia Capital Territory
- Veterinary Board of the Northern Territory
- Veterinary Surgeons Board Tasmania
Information on registration in the UK and North America can be found online at:
Careers & future study
University Of Sydney Vet School Career Pathways
The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine will equip you to become a veterinary medical professional in the global community and you can choose from a wide range of exciting fields including:
- Private veterinary practice in livestock, equine, small animal or mixed practices
- corporate Veterinary medicine including the pharmaceutical industry or corporations that produce animal-related products
- private or public animal welfare agencies ensuring health and wellbeing of animals
- government agencies and departments working on research, biosecurity, public health, public policy, infectious disease units, food safety
- agricultural industries, animal health, inspection, environmental quality
- education sector, research or teaching
- international animal health and welfare and food production
- diagnostic services
- veterinary public health.