Overview
About this course
The Sydney School of Veterinary Science offers a combined master by coursework and master by research degree in practical advanced clinical training in selected disciplines for veterinarians who want to enhance their clinical skills and/or seek to become veterinary specialists in areas such as:
- Small Animal Medicine
- Small Animal Surgery
- Small Animal Cardiology
- Avian Health
- Ruminant Medicine
- Equine Surgery
- Equine Medicine
- Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Livestock Health and Production
- Veterinary Anaesthesia
- Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
- Veterinary Pathology
- Veterinary Oncology
- Avian Medicine
- Canine Medicine
- Feline Medicine
- Veterinary Behaviour
- Veterinary Dermatology
- Veterinary Emergency Medicine and Critical Care
- Veterinary Epidemiology
- Veterinary Neurology
- Veterinary Ophthalmology
This combined program is aligned to assist candidates to obtain credentials required to be considered eligible by Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVSc) to sit Fellowship examinations. Many of these credentials are also required to fulfill the requirements of the equivalent European or American Diplomat/Specialist bodies.
On successful completion, the candidate will graduate with two degrees: a Master of Veterinary Studies (Clinical Residency Program) (a coursework degree) and a Master of Veterinary Clinical Studies (a research degree).
For postgraduate research in veterinary science, there is no better place to train than the University of Sydney. Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney is ranked 1st in Australia and 23rd in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023. We are one of the few schools outside North America to receive accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). These numbers mean that as a Masters candidate in our faculty, your research will thrive in a multi-disciplinary environment with global significance.
The international research profile of veterinary science at the University of Sydney gives you the opportunity to conduct work with real impact. You will work alongside researchers who are addressing challenges that are of the utmost concern to society: solving problems in food security, elucidating the connections between animal and human health, and improving the health of our ecosystems and wildlife.
In our urban and rural faculty clinics (Camperdown and Camden) you will have access to world-class facilities that support research in feline and canine epidemiology, disease diagnosis and control.
As well as an environment of high-level research performance, your Masters studies will benefit from strong guidance, inclusion and support at both personal and professional levels. The faculty encourages students to develop high-level communication skills and present their research for international recognition. Our strong connections with the production animal industries, welfare organisations and the veterinary profession will provide you with a network that will enrich your career opportunities.
Please note, students undertaking this course must concurrently enrol in the Master of Veterinary Studies (Clinical Residency Program) course.
Subject areas
Shared pool
Your entry requirements
English language proficiency
Find out if you need to prove English language proficiency (depends on your country of origin and educational background).
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
Your fee
How to apply
The number of places and streams available are limited and will depend on the Clinical Residency Supervisors’ current demands. Admissions to this program will open at the beginning of the Main Semester 1 and 2 periods. Internal School applications will normally open four months prior to the start of each Main Semester period.
The application form and documentation for the available Clinical Residencies must be submitted to the Sydney School of Veterinary Science at vetsci.education@sydney.edu.au by the advertised closing date.
The first stage of the application process is managed by the Sydney School of Veterinary Science and all short-listed candidates will be interviewed. Successful candidates who receive an offer from the Clinical Residency Program Director will be able to apply for admission to the program through the University’s admission system.
Starting date
Research Period 1: 1 January
Research Period 2: 1 March
Research Period 3: 1 July
Research Period 4: 1 October
Refer to key research dates on the `How to Apply website.
Work component
Mandatory work component = 2250 hours.
This mandatory work component must be completed as part of the award requirements for the course.
Applying for admission
Please note: Before applying through this page, applicants must complete the Combined Masters of Veterinary Studies application form (docx, 46kb) and submit it, along with two academic reference reports and other completed supporting documents, to vetsci.education@sydney.edu.au
Completion requirement
Thesis submission requirements and examination procedure as set out in the Academic Board resolutions for this course and the Higher Degree (HDR) Rule 2011.
Admission requirement
To be eligible for admission to the Master of Clinical Veterinary Science, you must have completed the equivalent of a Bachelor of Veterinary Science, or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Additional application requirements
You will be required to upload all the following documents when you submit your application:
- certified academic transcripts for all your previous tertiary study, if they were not completed at the University of Sydney
- CV, providing a summary of your work experience
- two academic reference reports
- cover letter outlining your reasons for applying
- research proposal
- evidence that your supervisor supports your application. This can be PDF copies of emails between you and your supervisor
- proof of your Australian residency status (a certified copy of the main page your Australian passport, or a certified copy of the main page(s) of your own passport with evidence of your permanent resident visa)
- English language qualifications (if your prior study was completed at an institution where English is not the medium of instruction).
Career Pathways
Enhance your existing veterinarian skills with specialisations in these areas:
- Small Animal Medicine
- Small Animal Surgery
- Small Animal Cardiology
- Avian Health
- Ruminant Medicine
- Equine Surgery
- Equine Medicine
- Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Livestock Health and Production
- Veterinary Anaesthesia
- Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
- Veterinary Pathology
- Veterinary Oncology
- Avian Medicine
- Canine Medicine
- Feline Medicine
- Veterinary Behaviour
- Veterinary Dermatology
- Veterinary Emergency Medicine and Critical Care
- Veterinary Epidemiology
- Veterinary Neurology
- Veterinary Ophthalmology
Domestic students
International students
