Undergraduate Course

Bachelor of Science / Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Becoming a qualified veterinarian through Murdoch’s internationally accredited Veterinary Science course will enable you to provide the full range of care for animals.

What type of student are you?

Domestic International

Murdoch code: B1402
Study mode: Full Time
Duration: 5
Selection rank: 98
CRICOS code: 108256A
First year fee (domestic): $10,722
First year fee (international): $58,560
Full course fee (domestic): $64,332
Full course fee (international): $351,360

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The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first year student at Murdoch University of 24 credit points. The indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported Fee.

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Overview

Do you want to be a veterinarian? Western Australia’s only Veterinary Science course will provide you with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and practical experience necessary to solve the existing and emerging problems of our companion animals, livestock and wildlife.

A science-based approach and hands-on experience will prepare you for the highest standard of work in the veterinary industry.

To become a qualified veterinarian, you will need to complete an integrated Bachelors-Masters degree over five years.

Students with prior university study in a relevant discipline may be eligible for advanced standing for first year units, with an opportunity for an accelerated option to complete an additional mandatory first year unit over summer. These students can be considered for entry into the second year of the veterinary course, thereby completing the degree over 4 calendar years.

3 reasons to study Veterinary Science at Murdoch

Our veterinary science course is accredited with a number of leading associations around the world, including the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc, American Veterinary Medical Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Learn real-world skills in our state-of-the-art facilities that include veterinary teaching hospitals, clinics and a working farm, all located on the Perth campus.
Extend your experience with all species of animals by completing placements with animal shelters, the Perth Zoo and a wide range of farms and veterinary practices, both in Australia and internationally.

What you’ll learn

Build the knowledge and skills you need to meet your career or study goals. Here are some of the things you’ll learn:

Veterinary structure and function
Principles of surgery, anaesthesia and diagnostic imaging
Processes in animal disease
Veterinary pharmacology and radiography
Health and management of production animals
Avian, wildlife and exotic pet medicine

Your future career

When you graduate you will be prepared for a career in animal health related fields, with animals of all species and sizes. You could work in primary care or emergency hospitals, in small animal practice, in large animal or mixed practice, or as a government veterinarian. Careers could include:

Veterinary Clinician in private practice or academia
Industry Consultant in agriculture, equestrian sport, animal welfare, animal behaviour
Government Veterinarian, working on biosecurity, food security, herd disease and management
Researcher in all aspects related to animal health and welfare, including animal models of disease

You could undertake specialist training in a wide range of clinical disciplines such as surgery, medicine, pathology, reproduction, or dermatology.

Professional recognition

On graduation, you will be qualified to register immediately and practise as a veterinarian in Australia and other countries, including New Zealand, the UK, Singapore, Malaysia and North America. Full accreditation of the Murdoch course by the American Veterinary Medical Association means that you would be in the same category as North American graduates and eligible to sit the USA National Veterinary Licensing Examination.

Previous admission information is available at Murdoch Admission Information - Veterinary Science

Structure

To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.

Unit code	Unit name	Credit points

Progress to entry requirements

Entry requirements

I have completed studies in

Select which option best describes your path to university :

Higher Education

You have completed university study in Australia, including a bridging or enabling course.

Recent Secondary Education

You are finishing high school this year or have done so in the last two years.

Vocational Education & Training

You have completed an apprenticeship or a VET course at TAFE or another private training provider.

Work & Life Experience

You have completed an aptitude test or spent time away from study for work.

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum english requirement
University study	4 units successfully completed at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA). Entry will also be based on a personal statement and evidence of animal related experience. Read further information on the admissions process for Veterinary Science	Successful completion of at least 2 years.

University study
Minimum academic requirement 4 units successfully completed at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA). Entry will also be based on a personal statement and evidence of animal related experience. Read further information on the admissions process for Veterinary Science
Minimum english requirement Successful completion of at least 2 years.

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum english requirement
Overseas Year 12	Please refer to the information under the country of study.	Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Extenuating circumstances	Extenuating circumstances will not be granted for direct entry into the Veterinary Science program. If you have extenuating circumstances please apply for a pathway course in Animal Health or Animal Science.
GCE A Levels	Aggregate of 15 points from: A maximum of the best three A-level subjects; OR A combination of A-level and AS-level subjects At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be included A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1) AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5)	A Levels: C in English Language or English Literature or Knowledge and Inquiry. AS Level: B in English Language or English Literature or Knowledge and Inquiry.
Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)	Overall Position (OP) of 2 or lower.	Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following: English English Extension (Literature) English for ESL Learners. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma	Total score of 38 or higher.	Higher level (HL): 7 or better. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)	CPS 85 or higher.	75% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS).
Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)	98	Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent): English ATAR Literature ATAR English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).

Overseas Year 12
Minimum academic requirement Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Minimum english requirement Please refer to the information under the country of study.

Extenuating circumstances
Minimum academic requirement Extenuating circumstances will not be granted for direct entry into the Veterinary Science program. If you have extenuating circumstances please apply for a pathway course in Animal Health or Animal Science.

GCE A Levels
Minimum academic requirement Aggregate of 15 points from: A maximum of the best three A-level subjects; OR A combination of A-level and AS-level subjects At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be included A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1) AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5)
Minimum english requirement A Levels: C in English Language or English Literature or Knowledge and Inquiry. AS Level: B in English Language or English Literature or Knowledge and Inquiry.

Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
Minimum academic requirement Overall Position (OP) of 2 or lower.
Minimum english requirement Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following: English English Extension (Literature) English for ESL Learners. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Minimum academic requirement Total score of 38 or higher.
Minimum english requirement Higher level (HL): 7 or better. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).

Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)
Minimum academic requirement CPS 85 or higher.
Minimum english requirement 75% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS).

Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)
Minimum academic requirement 98
Minimum english requirement Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent): English ATAR Literature ATAR English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum english requirement
AQF Certificate Level	No direct entry.	No direct entry.

AQF Certificate Level
Minimum academic requirement No direct entry.
Minimum english requirement No direct entry.

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum english requirement
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)	No direct entry.	Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
Mature Age Pathway (MAP)	No direct entry – consider Animal Science pathway.	No direct entry.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Minimum academic requirement No direct entry.
Minimum english requirement Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).

Mature Age Pathway (MAP)
Minimum academic requirement No direct entry – consider Animal Science pathway.
Minimum english requirement No direct entry.

Students will be admitted into the five-year veterinary course either directly from secondary school for high ranking school-leavers, or after completing at least one year of prior university study. Students with prior university study in a relevant discipline may be granted advanced standing for the first year, and enter into second year of the course, commencing on-campus in January. Australian students who have completed some tertiary study, and all international students, are selected on the following criteria: • Academic standing from previous university study (or school study for international school leavers); • A 500-word typed and signed personal statement; • Evidence of recent, relevant, refereed animal-related experience, such as work experience with veterinarians, and; • Performance in an online situational judgement test, CASPer. Australian school-leavers are selected on the basis of: • Academic performance from ATAR ranking, and; • Performance in an online situational judgement test, CASPer. Recommended Preparation: Chemistry ATAR is strongly recommended; Mathematics: Methods ATAR, Physics ATAR and Biology ATAR are also recommended.

English Requirements

You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.

Other Requirements

Veterinary Science is an animal-based course. Students are required to participate in practical work involving living and dead animals and/or tissues from animals throughout the course. Casper Situational Assessment All students seeking entry to Veterinary Science at Murdoch University must undertake the Casper assessment. The Casper is an online assessment where you will be asked to respond to written and video based scenarios. For more information, search for 'Casper" on the Murdoch website.

Advanced Standing

Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.

Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.

Find out more

Adjustment for Murdoch RISE

Murdoch RISE is a selection rank adjustment, as part of our commitment to helping students from regional, Indigenous and low socio-economic backgrounds gain university entry.

If you achieve an ATAR of 60.00 - 89.95, a Murdoch RISE adjustment factor of up to 10.00 points may help you get into your preferred course. Murdoch RISE can increase your selection rank up to a maximum of 90.00.

There’s no application or need to register. If you are eligible, the adjustment factor is automatically added to your raw ATAR score when you apply.

Advanced Standing

Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.

Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.

Find out more

This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.

Enabling pathways

If you don’t currently meet our admission requirements, we have a range of enabling pathways to help build your skills.

Progress to fees and scholarships

Fees and scholarships

How much will it cost?

Instead of paying an overall course fee, you pay for the individual units you enrol in. The total course cost will vary depending on the units you choose.

Following your successful application, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer which will contain specific course and fee information.

If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Postgraduate programs are full fee paying, unless indicated otherwise in your Letter of Offer.

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Progress to how to apply

How to apply

Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have some or all of the following documentation ready for a quick application.

School leavers:

Completed official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion
ATAR results
Evidence of Casper assessment booking or completion

Non-school leavers:

Evidence of recent, relevant, refereed veterinary and animal related work experience
A typed, signed 500-word personal statement outlining your motivation and ability for Veterinary Science
A recent Curriculum Vitae
Evidence of Casper assessment booking or completion

Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have some or all of the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Complete or incomplete official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion – both original and English translated versions
English Language Proficiency Document (if available)
Evidence of recent, relevant, refereed veterinary and animal related work experience (if available)
A typed, signed 500-word personal statement outlining your motivation and ability for Veterinary Science
A recent Curriculum Vitae
Evidence of Casper assessment booking or completion

Applications are assessed five times a year, so ensure your documents are submitted by 31 March, 30 June, 30 September, 31 October or 30 November. Successful applicants will commence at either the start of Semester 1 or 2, depending on the assessment of your application and recognition of any prior learning.