Discover the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Our rankings
We're ranked 16th globally for veterinary science by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021.
Our graduates are ranked 1st in Australia and 4th globally for employability by the 2020 QS Graduate Employability Rankings.
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in Semester 1, 2021.
Some units of study and/or placements relating to this course cannot be delivered remotely or online for students commencing their study in Semester 1, 2021. You will be required to attend in-person on campus from the commencement of studies in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Note: The University intends to offer as many units of study as possible in a remote as well as face-to-face learning method of delivery in Semester 1, 2021 and subject to ongoing border closures and public health orders impacting attendance on campus, in Semester 2, 2021. However, some units of study and courses require students to study in-person at the relevant University of Sydney campus/es and host locations for placements and will not be available remotely.
About this course
The Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is a vertically integrated masters, which provides you with both a scientific foundation and specialist clinical and medical experience. With its integrated approach designed for understanding real-world situations, the six-year course will turn you into a global professional at the cutting edge of modern veterinary medicine.
This six year course will provide you with both a scientific foundation and specialist clinical and medical experience. In the first and second years of the degree, you will learn the fundamentals of biomedical and animal sciences that underpin veterinary sciences. The difference, though, is that this learning will be done in an integrated, cross-subject way that sets you up for understanding real-world situations.
From your third year of study we will immerse you in real-world medicine. We have a strong focus on clinical cases, applied problems, and practical experience means you will leave thoroughly prepared to launch straight into a career as vet. You’ll start training to be a professional by applying this knowledge in clinical settings, such as at our hospitals located on campuses in Sydney and Camden. Your final, lecture-free year will be spent entirely doing clinical rotations through a variety of placements. These will give you a taste of the many career options available, including small animal practice, rural mixed practice and government agencies, or more specialised options like equine and wildlife health.
Once you leave us, you’ll be a veterinary professional able to view issues from a population health framework, with a strong animal welfare consciousness, and the skills and confidence to be at the forefront of the industry.
Please visit the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine course page for more information on the postgraduate component of this combined degree.
Ancillary costs associated with the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Students will be provided with an enrolment pack when commencing the DVM including a breakdown of associated costs which will be incurred over the course of the four years of the DVM. These costs are a guideline only and may vary. The costs are associated with equipment, clothing and footwear, travel and accommodation relating to placements, and incidentals. Although we recommend students budget for approximately $1,000 - $2,000AUD per annum, costs may be significantly higher during the final year of the DVM depending on location and accommodation charges. To assist students with their planning, we provide a guide on additional costs associated with this course
Students may be able to apply for financial support to assist with study and living cost from the University Financial Support Service.
Depends on your qualification, citizenship status
Please note: Once you begin the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine component of this degree, you are subject to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine course fees. For a guide to the fees that apply, visit the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine course page. Once on this page, please select your residency/citizenship status and year of study to display the appropriate fees.
Additional course costs
This course has specific additional course costs that are important to note. To assist students with their planning, we provide a ‘guide’ on these additional course costs.
Every year, we provide hundreds of scholarships, awards and prizes to students of all backgrounds and levels.
Every year, we provide hundreds of scholarships, awards and prizes to students of all backgrounds and levels.
Recent school leavers (i.e. secondary students completing Year 12) must apply for the entry to the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine through the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for a Commonwealth Supported Place . Refer to the UAC website for key dates.
At the time of application, all applicants must upload their 'Commitment to Veterinary Science form' as a supporting document via UAC or Sydney Student (for direct applicants).
Current students at the University of Sydney applying to transfer from another bachelor degree to the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine must apply directly to the University. For more information and instructions on how to apply, please visit the transferring courses page. Transfer applicants must email their 'Commitment to Veterinary Science form' to: admissions.mail@sydney.edu.au.
Information on enrolments and withdrawals is available on the current students webpage.
Refer to the UAC website. Separate Scholarship deadlines apply - visit the scholarships webpage for details.
Semester 1 (March)
International applicants apply for entry to the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine directly through the University of Sydney. Click the 'Apply' button on the right hand side of this course page to begin the online application process through our Sydney Student system.
At the time of application, all applicants must upload their 'Commitment to Veterinary Science form' as a supporting document via UAC or Sydney Student (for direct applicants).
Direct applicants
For entry in 2022 onwards, the application timing and offer process will be conducted over four offer rounds throughout the year.
The application period for direct applicants will open on 1 April 2021 and close by 19 November 2021.
The commitment statement form for 2022 admission will be released within the first months of 2021 and must be submitted at the time of application.
However, please note that recent school leavers with Australian secondary qualifications (e.g. international students undertaking the NSW HSC) are eligible to apply for entry to the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine through the Universities Admission Centre (UAC). Refer to the UAC website for key dates. UAC applicants must upload their 'Commitment to Veterinary Science form' to UAC, so it can be attached to their UAC application.
Current students
Current students at the University of Sydney applying to transfer from another bachelor degree to the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine must apply directly to the University. For more information and instructions on how to apply, please visit the transferring courses page. Transfer applicants must email their 'Commitment to Veterinary Science form' to: admissions.mail@sydney.edu.au
Information on enrolments and withdrawals is available on the current students webpage.
Intrenational applicants studying in NSW do apply through the UAC website.
Semester 1 (March)
Students in first and second year are given a sound grounding in the basic biomedical sciences relevant to veterinary science. Examples of clinical cases and actual problems in veterinary practice are used to promote integrated learning in many subject areas.
Emphasis then shifts to applying this knowledge in clinical settings. The University of Sydney's Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program incorporates a lecture-free year in which students are assigned as 'interns' in university and commercial partner practices.
Mandatory work component = 2172 hours.
This mandatory work component must be completed as part of the award requirements for the course.
This is completed in rotations as veterinary student interns.
| Year | Sem | Unit of study | ||||
| 1 | 1 | Life and Evolution | Chemistry 1A | Introduction to Statistical Methods | Elective | |
| 2 | From Molecules to Ecosystems | Chemistry 1B | Concepts of Animal Management | Elective | ||
| 2 | 1 | Genetics and Genomics | Animal Energetics and Homeostatis | Animal Structure and Function | Elective | |
| 2 | Introductory Veterinary Pathogenesis | Animal Nutrition | Animal Structure and Function | Elective | ||
| 3 (DVM) | Foundations of Veterinary Science A & B Professional Skills 1A & 1B The Veterinary Professional 1 Animal Management Systems 1Research and Enquiry 1A & 1B |
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| 4 (DVM) | Principles of Animal Disease A & B Professional Skills 2A & 2B The Veterinary Professional 2 Animal Management Systems 2 Research and Enquiry 2A & 2B |
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| 5 (DVM) | Small Animal Practice A & B Veterinary Public Practice Veterinary Practice Management Clinical Foundations Research and Enquiry 3B Small Practice A & B Livestock Practice A & B Equine Practice A & B Exotic and Wildlife Practice Intensive Animal Practice |
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| 6 (DVM) | Small Animal Clinics A, B, C & D Large Animal Clinics A & B Lab Investigations of Clinical Disease Public, Industry or Community Placement Extramural Placement 1, 2, 3 & 4 |
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Until 2024: Mathematics Advanced or higher, Chemistry and Physics. Biology is recommended.
From 2024: Mathematics Advanced or higher, Chemistry and Biology. Physics is recommended.
Honours in Veterinary Biology is available to meritorious candidates who complete an additional year of full time study, after the successful completion of year 3. Students must complete the requirements for the honours course full-time over two consecutive semesters. If the Faculty is satisfied that a student is unable to attempt the honours course on a full time basis and if the Dean so recommends, permission may be granted to undertake honours part-time over four consecutive semesters.
Students who qualify to undertake honours in the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology may elect to enrol in the honours programme by suspending candidature from the Bachelor Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine for one year after successful completion of year 3, with the permission of the Faculty or by undertaking the honours course after completion of both degrees in the combined programme.
Admission to this course is on the basis of the following criteria:
Please note additional details for domestic and international applicants below.
Domestic applicants
Admission pathways are open to domestic applicants on the basis of equity or other adjustment factors, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. For details, visit admission pathways.
International applicants
International applications for entry in 2022 will be open from 1 April 2021 and offers will be made over 4 rounds. In each round, all considered applicants will undergo a ranking process and will be notified regarding the status of their application at the completion of each round.
# The University of Sydney currently has credit articulation partnerships for this course with:
Eligible applicants with prior tertiary study may only be offered a place in Year 1 or Year 2 of the course, subject to availability of places in the relevant year group. No offers will be made from Year 3 onwards. Students seeking credit for prior learning must indicate this on application and will only be granted credit for relevant units of study at the time of admission.
^ 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 commitment form and attach any supporting evidence such as a letter from the establishment where work experience was planned to be undertaken.
Inherent requirements are the essential tasks and activities necessary to be able to achieve the core learning outcomes of a course. They are specific to a particular course or discipline. To assist students to make informed choices about their study, we have identified and set out the Inherent Requirements for this course.
Mathematics Advanced (Band 4) or Mathematics Extension 1 or 2 (Band E3). For details on the prerequisite, and how it applies to you, visit: Mathematics course prerequisites.
For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.
During your lecture free final year program you will undertake clinical rotations through a variety of career option placements. As a student intern you will complete rotations at our University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals and with our Partners in Veterinary Education. Core placements are within the areas of small animal practice, rural mixed practice and government agencies. Elective rotations may be in a wide variety of areas and enable you to focus on particular career interests such as government, industry, research specialist practice, equine and wildlife.
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.
Selection is on the basis of ATAR and a statement of commitment to veterinary science
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.
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:
Information on registration in the UK and North America can be found online at:
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