Coursework

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

  • CRICOS code: 071999D

Course overview

  • 4 years full time
  • On Campus (Parkville)
  • Available to domestic and international students

Overview

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) is based on the latest global thinking in veterinary science practice, teaching and learning.

A degree that helps you to be the veterinarian you want to become

The University of Melbourne’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree gives you the experience and flexibility to succeed in your choice of veterinary career: as a small or large animal veterinarian, an animal welfare supervisor in the agricultural industries, an equine health professional, a government veterinarian monitoring wildlife health or a zoo veterinarian.

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is a graduate degree, meaning that students must complete a suitable science-based Bachelors degree before they can study this course.

After developing a strong core of veterinary science knowledge, you will be able to follow your own area of interest and gain a wealth of professional experience via our Tracks program. You can take clinical or research placements anywhere in Australia or overseas, and even prepare yourself for leadership or industry roles with a concurrent diploma.

You will benefit from the experience and research expertise of our world-class academics, and an innovative, evidence-based curriculum. Training throughout the degree will help you to develop strong communication and teamwork skills, and a final lecture-free year of clinical experience supports our students to become confident, professional, resilient and compassionate veterinarians.

Internationally recognised qualifications

Work around the world with international recognition through accreditation by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

Our students' 5-year average pass rate on the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) is 92% – the AVMA Council on Education’s Outcomes Assessment standard is 80%.

Be part of a global community of veterinarians

At the University of Melbourne, you’ll be part of a global community of students and alumni. Our degree is known for the diversity of our students – you will study and graduate with classmates from not just Australia, but the United States, Canada, South and East Asia, Europe and other regions.

Your lecturers will be leaders in their fields: pharmacologists and vaccine developers, surgical and medical specialists, public health experts. You’ll have the opportunity to gain professional experience on a wide variety of placements at veterinary clinics, other universities and organisations, from caring for pets in a city hospital in California, to monitoring farm animals and wildlife for disease in Vietnam or treating camels in Dubai.

Brand new, student-oriented learning and clinical facilities
Image showing the new Veterinary Hospital

Our recently redeveloped veterinary teaching hospital at Werribee is complemented by brand new teaching facilities, giving you access to the most modern veterinary facilities in Australasia, including specialist clinical skills laboratories, a new surgical teaching laboratory, extensive animal anatomy laboratories and a veterinary student-specific lounge, library and study areas.

Facilities at Parkville include a new dissection room for anatomy classes, student collaboration and socialisation spaces and an open aspect to the historic and tranquil Systems Garden.

A supportive staff and student culture

As a veterinary medicine student, you will be able to build social and industry networks at events organized by student special interest groups that focus on: small pets, animal welfare, exotics and wildlife, horses, student welfare, emergency and critical care, bovines and marine animals. You will develop lifelong friendships with other students in the course and our friendly teaching staff will be your mentors long after you graduate, whether you work in Australia or overseas after your degree.

Our course places special emphasis on building resilience, strong written and verbal communication and supporting our students to succeed both in the DVM program and their professional careers.

Learn from research leaders

The University of Melbourne is a world-recognized leader in veterinary research, particularly animal disease, animal welfare, veterinary public health, specialist referral services like neurology and radiology, equine sports medicine and emergency and critical care.

Your lecturers are also researchers whose work has a global impact on animal and human health. As a student, you will work with them in your classes and on veterinary research projects that contribute to both your own knowledge and the wider veterinary profession.