The University of Melbourne

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Graduate

Details

University Location Melbourne, Victoria
City Population 5.3 million
Student Population 53,000
Int'l Student Population 23,850
Main Campus Parkville (Melbourne)
Program Campus Parkville (Years 1 & 2); Werribee (Years 3 & 4)
Program Duration 4 years
Estimated Annual Tuition AUD$84,000 (2025 fees; subject to increase)
Semester Intake February/March
Next Available Intake 2026
Application Deadline TBA*
International Places 60 (160 total)

Overview

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at the University of Melbourne is based on the latest global thinking in veterinary science practice, teaching, and learning. It’s an experience-based degree, accredited by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA), and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

The University of Melbourne is the #1 university in Australia and ranks #13 in the World (QS World University Rankings 2024). It is a world-recognized leader in veterinary research, particularly animal disease, animal welfare, and veterinary public health.

As a Melbourne veterinary student, you’ll study at Australasia’s most modern veterinary teaching facilities. This includes purpose-built learning spaces at Melbourne’s Parkville campus as well as state-of-the-art labs, and an onsite commercial veterinary hospital at the Werribee campus. These world-class facilities provide an active and flexible learning environment that has been designed specifically to suit the veterinary sciences. You’ll also 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.

Program

The Melbourne DVM curriculum has been developed around 5 learning domains, which infuse every subject and are based around the attributes of a veterinary scientist:

1. The scientific basis of clinical practice
2. Ethics and animal welfare
3. Biosecurity and population health
4. Clinical skills
5. Personal and professional development

Melbourne Tracks Program
You’ll be able to undertake Pre-Track (third year) and Track (fourth year) rotations, exploring your interests in a variety of veterinary practice areas alongside clinical placements. You can build professional networks in a particular area of clinical interest and gain complementary industry-ready skills and knowledge. Choose from 4 tracks:

  • Small animal track (common household pets or companion animals such as dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and some reptiles)
  • Production animal track (livestock and mixed rural practice)
  • Equine track (horses)
  • Government, industry. and conservation health track (wildlife health, population health, policy, research, and industry)

You may choose different tracks in third and fourth year and explore different areas of veterinary science.

Melbourne DVM students gain the skills to communicate and empathize with pet owners in a professional setting, first in mock consultations and clinical skills classes, then with real clients.

External Placements
As a Melbourne DVM student, you’ll have access to practical and clinical training at the Greencross Veterinary Hospital at the Werribee campus and via external placements. The hospital includes a general and referral practice, and 24-hour small-animal emergency and critical care service. Its facilities include state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging capabilities and onsite diagnostic pathology laboratories.

Classes for the first two years of the DVM are held primarily at Parkville campus—generally with one day per week at the Werribee campus.

Third year classes are held at the Werribee campus, and the fourth year of the DVM is a lecture-free program involving experience-based learning at veterinary clinics, zoos, research laboratories and more. Fourth-year students will be fully immersed in the veterinary profession, working with animals and owners under expert supervision in the Greencross Veterinary Hospital and external placements.

You will gain 40 weeks’ experience in different clinical settings and develop the medical and surgical skills to confidently practice as a veterinarian from the day you graduate. This experiential learning includes extramural placements with the ability to focus on areas you’re interested in, in metropolitan, rural and regional areas, interstate and overseas.

Admission Requirements

1. Completed bachelor’s degree
You must have a completed undergraduate science degree (minimum three-year degree) and have completed prerequisite subjects: one semester of study in each of cell biology or general biology, and one of biochemistry.

Acceptable degrees from Canadian universities include (but is not limited to) science degrees with majors in agriculture, biochemistry, biomedicine, biotechnology, cell biology, dentistry, domestic animal science, ecology and conservation science, forensic science, genetics, marine science, medicine, microbiology, nutrition, pharmacology, pharmacy, physiology, physiotherapy, veterinary biosciences, veterinary medicine, and zoology.

The Selection Committee determines the suitability of the science-based degree by reviewing the content completed, not by the qualification title. Selection is based primarily on results in subjects from tertiary study, taken at final and penultimate year levels. The DVM weighted average mark (WAM) is calculated using these results and is weighted 75:25 in favour of final-year-level subjects. A minimum DVM WAM of 75% (UoM equivalent) based on final and penultimate year level subject results is required.

2. Situational judgement test
Melbourne DVM applicants must complete an online situational judgement test (SJT) via Casper (a method of assessment used by Acuity Insights). Melbourne recognizes that skills and attributes such as resilience, critical thinking, and communication are essential for veterinarians, but are not always reflected in academic performance alone. The situational judgement test will be used to select and identify applicants who are best suited to the rigors of veterinary science and the profession. OzTREKK must submit your application to Melbourne before you can write the test, as Casper registration requires a University of Melbourne student ID.

Admission Timeline

*Applications for the 2025 intake closed November 13, 2024. For information about the 2026 intake and to apply, please contact OTREKK. You are strongly encouraged to apply to an early round as this program can fill quickly.

2025 Intake Admissions Timeline

Round 1: May 15, 2024 (offers expected June 13)
Round 2: July 10, 2024 (offers expected August 8)
Round 3: September 4, 2024 (offers expected October 3)
Round 4: November 13, 2024 (offers expected December 12)

Applicants for Round 4 who are not already studying in Australia should note that they may be at risk of not receiving a student visa in time for class commencement. Applicants who are offshore should apply in time for an earlier offer round. Late arrival for this course will not be accommodated.

1/7

“…instructors very friendly and willing to help”

Pros: facilities, location, community, class size, working in small groups, case based learning, instructors very friendly and willing to help. Cons: some instructors struggle to stay within time restraints of lecture time. Go to O week events through uni to meet new people. Lots of Canadians in program that will help you to feel more at home.

University of Melbourne horizontal logo Kiarra G
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Melbourne, 2023

“Love the people and opportunities. ”

Love the people and opportunities. Program is my dream program—so happy to be here. The university/faculty lacks a bit in communication and organization.

University of Melbourne horizontal logo Jasleen B
The University of Melbourne, 2023

“It is a very welcoming and inclusive environment.”

It is a very welcoming and inclusive environment. However, they could be more organized with releasing exam dates and schedules. I love the teaching style and the hybrid form of learning online and offline. Be open to making friends and study groups!

University of Melbourne horizontal logo Mikaela K
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Melbourne, 2023

“I really like the instructors, they are all super supportive”

The facilities and labs on campus are brand new and have so many resources to really solidify learning. The clubs you can join really do their best to organize events/dances/trivia night and it feels like your own little community.  The program is currently getting back on their feet this year.... I understand covid played a massive role in this and the university is using student feedback for upcoming years. I really like the instructors, they are all super supportive and you ... Read More

University of Melbourne horizontal logo Peyton M
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Melbourne, 2022

“…the instructors and fellow classmates are very approachable”

Likes: facilities on campus, the environment, diversity, staff. I enjoy the course material and how involved the instructors are. The teaching methods could be more consistent. This whole experience can be very exciting, overwhelming, and stressful. But the instructors and fellow classmates are very approachable especially since you will get a staff mentor. While it can be isolating to be an international student, the school provides services that we can reach out to but also within the program, they are here to support you.

University of Melbourne horizontal logo Stephanie L
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Melbourne, 2022

“They have lots of support systems available”

Facilities are great, program itself is great and educational. They have lots of support systems available for students. Class sizes and course material is good, a lot of material and stressful however that is to be expected with a DVM program. There is a level of disorganization with scheduling and classes sometimes.

University of Melbourne horizontal logo Morgan P
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Melbourne, 2022

“I love how passionate and caring the professors are.”

I love how passionate and caring the professors are. They create an environment that fosters learning while trying to remove the competitive atmosphere among the students.

University of Melbourne horizontal logo Peter S.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Melbourne, 2018