Veterinary Medicine

1     Course codes

2     Attendance pattern

(1) The attendance pattern for this course is full time.

3     Master's type

(1) The master’s degree in these resolutions is a professional master's course., which is externally accredited.

4     Admission to candidature

(1) Admission to this course is:

(a) subject to the availability of places; and assessment of submissions and activities specified in subclauses 3 and 4.

(b) on the basis of qualifications specified in subclause 2 and assessment of submissions and/or activities specified in subclauses 3 and 4.

(2) Candidates may be admitted to this degree if they:

(a) hold a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification; and

(b) have successfully completed one semester of study in each of:

(i)  Chemistry

(ii) biology; and

(iii) biochemistry.

(3) Applicants must submit a DVM admissions statement including relevant work experience and animal handling experience.

(4) Applicants must complete Faculty stipulated situational judgement tests and may be required to complete other synchronous or asynchronous assessment in the form of video responses or interviews.

(5) English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English.

(6) Applicants will be ranked by academic performance and aptitude for the practice of veterinary medicine.

(a) In order to rank applicants for offer of available places, the Head of School and Dean will appoint a selection panel to:

(i) assess components of the applications outlined in subclauses 3 and 4; and

(ii) conduct interviews if the panel considers them to be necessary; and

(iii) make recommendations for admission.

5     Deferral

(1) Applications for deferral of enrolment following an offer of a place in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine:

(a) require the approval of the Associate Dean; and

(b) will only be considered under exceptional circumstances.

6     Course Structure

(1) The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is structured as a four-year program with learning integrated across units of study in each year:

(a) Year 1 - Function of the Normal Animal Body

(b) Year 2 - Principles and Approach to Clinical Disease

(c) Year 3 - Animal Health and Disease Management

(d) Year 4 - Professional Practice Program

7     Progression

(1) Candidates for the degree may enrol in the units of study prescribed for Year 2 of candidature only after successful completion of all Year 1 units of study.

(2) Candidates for the degree may enrol in the units of study prescribed for Year 3 candidature only after successful completion of all Year 1 and Year 2 units of study, including industry placement units of study.

(3) Candidates for the degree may enrol in the units of study prescribed for Year 4 of candidature only after successful completion of all Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3, including preparatory clinical placement units of study and the abattoir placement unit of study.

8      Assessment

(1) The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is an integrated program and assessment can occur outside the designated University of Sydney examinations periods.

(2) Details of assessment requirements will be provided in the unit of study outline.

9      Requirements for award

(1) The units of study that may be taken for the course are set out in the table for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

(2) To qualify for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine a candidate must successfully complete::

(a) a prescribed program of 192 credit points, and

(b) the prescribed placement units of study as listed in the unit of study table including:

(i) 4 weeks of preparatory clinical placements;

(ii) 8 weeks of industry placements; and

(iii) 2 days of abattoir placements.

10    Reassessment

(1) Subject to subclause 10(2), students enrolled in a postgraduate unit of study prescribed for Year 1, Year 2, or Year 3 of candidature of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, who:

(a) after completion of all applicable special consideration processes,

(b) fail one unit of study only within a semester may be offered the opportunity for re-assessment for the failed unit of study.

(2) Students who have been awarded an Absent Fail (AF) grade for a unit of study will not be eligible for re-assessment for that unit of study.

(3) The re-assessment:

(a) will encompass all topics and learning outcomes within the unit of study; and

(b) assessment type may differ from those used in the original delivery of the unit.

(4) Re-assessment will only be offered to eligible students on the dates prescribed in the year schedule, and it is the student's responsibility to be available to attend at these times. Further special consideration will not be available, and no further opportunities for re-assessment will be provided.

(5) The final result awarded for a unit of study after reassessment will be:

(a) based on the re-assessment alone; and

(b) will be either:

(i) Pass (50-PS) for units of study with Mark and Grade assessment type; or

(ii) SR for units of study with Grade only(pass/fail) assessment type.

(6) For a student who fails the re-assessment, the final result after re-assessment will be:

(a) based on the re-assessment alone; and

(b) will be either:

(i) Fail (0-49 FA) for units of study with a Mark and Grade assessment type; or

(ii) FR for units of study with Grade only (pass/fail assessment type).

11    Remediation

(1) Students enrolled in a postgraduate unit of study prescribed in Year 4 of candidature of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, who after completion of all applicable special consideration processes, receive an unsatisfactory on a placement within a unit of study students will be required to undertake remediation.

(2) Remediation

(a) May differ from the original delivery of the placement

(b) Will assess performance against the criteria of the Supervisor Report Form

(c) Will only be offered once for each placement within a unit of study.

(3) If remediation has occurred and a satisfactory grade (SR) has not been achieved by the student, a fail grade (FR) will be awarded for the unit of study.

(4) Students may not be permitted to undertake final year extramural placements until the successful completion of intramural units of study.

12    Time limits

(1) A candidate for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine must complete the requirements for the degree within six calendar years.

(2) The Dean (or relevant delegate) may in exceptional circumstances, extend the time limit for completing the requirements for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine to a maximum of 10 years.

13    Recognition of Prior Learning

(1) Recognition of prior learning is only available for Industry Placement units of study (VETS6131-VETS6138) and is subject to approval by the relevant delegate and in accordance with the Coursework Policy 2021

(2) Recognition of prior learning may only be granted for up to 25% (2 weeks) of the Industry Placement preclinical WIL requirement (i.e. up to two units of study), in recognition of recent prior learning or relevant qualifications or experience.

(3) Candidates must apply for recognition of prior learning at the time of their application for candidature, providing a clear description of their relevant experience, including supporting documentation such as tertiary course descriptions, results, and written references for experience gained through directly relevant employment or other life experience

14    Award of the degree

(1) The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is awarded as a Pass degree only.

14    Transitional Provisions

(1) These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January 2026.

(2) Students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January 2026 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement.