Domestic students
Qualify and apply
School leavers
If you’re a recent school leaver, you’ll be selected based on ATAR and enter the first year of a Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Biology) degree.
You should apply through TISC, and will need to have achieved the following:
- WA Certificate of Education (WACE) achieved at high school graduation, or its equivalent
- scaled mark of 50 or more in English, Literature, or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (all Stage 2 or 3), or equivalent English competency
- Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) between 95.00– 99.99 (indicative); in 2021 the minimum ATAR was 98.00.
All students seeking entry to Veterinary Science at Murdoch University must also undertake the Casper situational judgement assessment.
Non-school leavers
If you’ve previously studied at tertiary level, you will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Academic standing from previous university study (50% weighting)
You will generally need to have achieved a distinction average (70%) or better in your previous studies. Pre-tertiary study and TAFE qualifications are not considered. - A 500-word typed and signed personal statement (30% weighting)
Your statement should outline your reasons for wanting to be a veterinarian while demonstrating that you have an appropriate and realistic understanding of a veterinary career. You should also explain how past study and experiences would help you succeed in this course and as a veterinarian. - Written references (20% weighting)
References should attest to your recent and relevant animal-related experience, such as work experience at a veterinary practice, animal shelter, wildlife centre or farm.
You need to apply through TISC, supplying your curriculum vitae and references along with your application and personal statement. The references should provide evidence of animal-related work, and you may also wish to include references from employers or teachers as well as any other documentation you feel will strengthen your application.
The first year of the course will include units in chemistry (if not achieved at a high standard at school), cell biology, statistics, animal structure and function, and animal production and handling. Selected applicants who have completed the first-year prerequisites will enter straight into the four years of veterinary-specific units, while those who still have some of the first-year units to complete will be offered a place to finish those units before progressing.
Suggested tertiary courses at Murdoch University that will provide an alternative pathway into the veterinary program are Animal Science and Animal Health majors.
The number of places available in the course for non-school leavers varies each year. A successful transfer will depend on the standard of the applicant, their competitive ranking against other applicants, and the number of places available.
All students seeking entry to Veterinary Science at Murdoch University must also undertake the Casper situational judgement assessment.
How to apply
If you’re an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident of Australia, you can apply through TISC.
Not sure if you qualify?
We offer a number of alternative entry pathways if you are from a non-traditional academic background. Contact our admissions team and let us know a bit more about your circumstances so we can identify a suitable pathway.
International students
Qualify and apply
International applicants will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Academic standing from previous university study (50% weighting)
You will generally need to have achieved a distinction average (70%) or better in your previous studies. Pre-tertiary study and TAFE qualifications are not considered. - A 500-word typed and signed personal statement (30% weighting)
Your statement should outline your reasons for wanting to be a veterinarian while demonstrating that you have an appropriate and realistic understanding of a veterinary career. You should also explain how past study and experiences would help you succeed in this course and as a veterinarian. - Written references (20% weighting)
References should attest to your recent and relevant animal-related experience, such as work experience at a veterinary practice, animal shelter, wildlife centre or farm.
You should supply official copies of your academic transcripts (in English), a curriculum vitae, and references along with your application and statement. The references should provide evidence of animal-related work, and you may also wish to include references from employers or teachers as well as any other documentation you feel will strengthen your application.
High achieving school leavers will be offered a place in the first year of the five-year veterinary course. The first year includes units in chemistry (if not achieved at a high standard at school), cell biology, statistics, animal structure and function, and animal production and handling. Recommended school subjects include chemistry, mathematics, biology and physics.
Recommended tertiary courses and units that will provide a suitable pathway are those that cover the first-year units – particularly cell and animal biology and statistics. Selected applicants who have completed the first-year prerequisites will enter straight into the four years of veterinary-specific units, while those who still have some of the first-year units to complete will be offered a place to finish those units before progressing.
Applications are assessed at four times during the year: at the end of March, June, September and November. Intake is usually at the start of the university year in February.
English proficiency
In order to gain admission to Murdoch University, students must satisfy Murdoch University English requirements by demonstrating competency in the English Language.
The veterinary course has specific English language proficiency requirements above the standard University requirements, as defined by AVBC accreditation standards.
For the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the minimum proficiency is an IELTS score of 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each component (listening, reading, writing and speaking), achieved in a single test sitting within two years of application.
English competency is assumed for students both born and educated in English-speaking countries (Australia, UK, Ireland, Canada, USA, New Zealand, South Africa).