Admissions

2024 Admissions guide

The integrated Bachelor of Science / Doctor of Veterinary Medicine course prepares students for a career as a veterinarian, and for the many varied ways in which veterinarians and veterinary scientists can contribute to society. Veterinarians are professionals who are highly trained in diagnosing, problem solving, treating, preventing, researching and communicating health problems in pets, domestic livestock, horses, wildlife and laboratory animals. Veterinarians are essential for improving the productivity and welfare of animals, and maintaining standards of food production and safety, animal research and public health.

This integrated five-year course leads to a professional qualification in veterinary medicine, registrable in many countries as well as Australia. Eligibility for the award of Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Biology) is achieved after the first six semesters of the course and is a prerequisite for entry into the final two years of study, which lead to award of the internationally recognised, Masters-level degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).

This course requires students to undertake work-based training through multiple compulsory work-based placements as part of their studies.

Entry pathways

Domestic and international applicants may be admitted into the veterinary course via the following pathways:

• School Leaver Pathway: directly from secondary school, with academic performance assessed from ATAR or equivalent (achieved within the last 2 years).
  
• Tertiary Pathway: after completing at least one year of relevant university study in a natural science-based course, with academic performance assessed from tertiary GPA.
  
• Waardong Pathway: for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants who do not achieve entry by the above pathways, based on holistic review and performance in residential testing and selection procedures. 

How to apply

All domestic students (school leaver and tertiary pathways) must apply through TISC. 

All international students (school leaver and tertiary pathways) must apply directly through MyAdmission

All Waardong applicants must apply through TISC.

All applicants must read the School of Veterinary Medicine Inherent Requirements Statement prior to submitting their application. 

Deadlines 

The deadline for all applications to start the course in 2024 is 31st October 2023.

Minimum requirements

All applicants must meet the following minimum criteria to be eligible for admission:

• Completion of the BSc/DVM Admissions Statement and associated declarations
  
• Completion of Casper assessment. Casper is an open-response situational judgement test (SJT) that evaluates social intelligence and professionalism (for example, collaboration, equity, problem solving, empathy, ethics and self-awareness).
• Proof of English language proficiency requirements. Domestic school leavers must attain a scaled mark of 50 or more in English, Literature, or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (all Stage 2 or 3). 
• Minimum academic performance (after any equity adjustment for domestic applicants): 
  • >94 ATAR (or equivalent), or
  • tertiary GPA >2.5 (out of 4) or >5.5 (out of 7)

 Applicants via the tertiary pathway must additionally meet the following criteria:

• Minimum of one week (35 hrs) of veterinary-related experience, i.e. work experience with a veterinarian. You must provide evidence of this (see BSc/DVM Admission Statement for details).
• Minimum of 1 year (full-time equivalent) or 21 credit points (or equivalent) of tertiary study in a natural science-related course.

Exclusion criteria

Applicants may be excluded from further consideration for the following:

• Any ‘red flag’ from Casper assessment, or Casper Z-score below -1.75
• Any substantiated misconduct or professionalism issues, or criminal record
• Provision of fraudulent or deliberately misleading information in the application
• Incomplete applications.

Equity adjustments

Domestic applicants who demonstrate educational disadvantage may have equity adjustments applied to academic performance scores, prior to determining minimum requirements and Z-score rankings. Only academic criteria are adjusted, non-academic criteria including Casper and interview performance are not subject to adjustment.

Equity adjustments may be applied for the following contextual factors, where they have disadvantaged academic performance:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status
• Disadvantaged socio-economic background
• Disability, medical condition or neurodiversity
• Carer responsibilities
• Difficult life circumstances
• Disadvantaged or rural/remote secondary school (for ATAR only)

To receive equity adjustments, applicants must provide (i) a statement describing the contextual factor, and its impact on the applicant’s academic performance relevant to selection criteria, and (ii) supporting evidence or documentation.

The overall equity adjustment will be scaled from 1-5 based on the number, extent and cumulative impact of all contextual factors. The maximum equity adjustment will be:

• +5 to ATAR (or equivalent) for school leavers
• +0.5 to GPA for tertiary applicants

Selection criteria

Applicants will be ranked according to the following selection criteria. From 2025 onwards, selection will be determined by a two-step process, using pre-interview rank to shortlist for invitation to interview (multiple mini interview, MMI), then post-interview rank to determine final ranking for offer of admission.

English proficiency requirements

See the higher standard requirements for Veterinary Science

To be admitted to the veterinary course, students who have not received secondary schooling taught and assessed solely in English in recognised countries* for at least 2 years must pass additional English proficiency tests, to meet the standards of the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council.

 (*Recognised countries are: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa)

Advanced Standing

• Applicants with prior university study in a relevant discipline may be eligible for credit and/or exemption under the university Advanced Standing Policy and Procedure, determined at the point of admission. 
• Applicants who receive an offer to the course will receive instruction for how to apply for Advanced Standing and are required to submit this documentation when accepting their course offer.
• Applicants awarded advanced standing for all first year core units, and 24 points of credit may enter directly into the second year of the course, commencing on-campus in January. 
• Applicants awarded advanced standing for all-but-one first year core units (i.e. missing only one unit) may, subject to compatibility, be allowed to overload one first-year unit in combination with second year units.  

Not sure if you qualify?

We offer a number of alternative entry pathways if you are from a non-traditional academic background. 

View our course rules and requirements for more information or contact our admissions team to let us know a bit more about your circumstances so we can identify a suitable pathway.

Need more information? Get in touch