Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - Faculty of Veterinary Science

Doctor of
Veterinary Medicine
World-class
veterinary training
for canadian
science graduates
in australia

World-class veterinary training
The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
(DVM) is an outstanding opportunity
to turn your passion for animals and
your sense of adventure into the study
experience of a lifetime.
• Join the number one ranked university
in Australia.*
• Gain an internationally-recognised
veterinary qualification, including one
full year of clinical, lecture-free training.
Develop the right skills
• Become job ready: We are ranked
number nine in the world for
graduate employability.**
The Melbourne School of Veterinary
Science joins an elite group of veterinary
schools outside of North America which
have achieved American Veterinary
Medical Association (AVMA)
accreditation. Accreditation from the
AVMA means that the University of
Melbourne DVM is recognised in the
United States or Canada, making our
graduates eligible to sit the North
American Veterinary Licensing
Examination – a prerequisite for
all veterinarians who seek to practise
in North America.
We are the only university in Australia
to offer a postgraduate professionalentry
veterinary program.
We recognise that you are graduate
learners, bringing to the classroom
a vast range of prior knowledge,
skills and experiences. We believe that
learning occurs in multiple hands-on
settings; in the dissection room, the
laboratory, the post mortem room,
the clinic or the paddock. We focus
on the progressive development
of graduate attributes required
of a veterinarian, across multiple
learning domains, from the
beginning of the course.
Course structure
FIRST AND SECOND YEARS
(PARKVILLE AND WERRIBEE
CAMPUSES)
Introduction to the scientific basis of animal
health and disease with integrated studies in:
• Veterinary bioscience (anatomy, physiology,
pathology and pharmacology of each
organ system).
• Applications in animal health (determinants
of disease in populations and in production
animal systems)Infections, populations and
public health (infectious agents as causes
of disease in individual animals and
populations).
Increased opportunities to practice
solving “real life” problems, with a focus
on syndicate and team work (four hours
per week of case based group work).
THIRD YEAR (WERRIBEE CAMPUS
AND VETERINARY HOSPITAL)
Commence your clinical training with
an introduction to the principles of
clinical practice and to species-based
medicine and surgery.
FOURTH YEAR (PRACTICAL YEAR)
A practical year conducted under supervision
in the Veterinary Hospital and via external
placements. Apply knowledge gained during
the course to clinical cases. It includes a final,
intensive two-week professional practice
program, which consolidates knowledge and
prepares you for the transition into the
workforce.
2
* Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2012-2013.
** QS World University Rankings 2012-2013.

Innovative, accredited and
student-focused
The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
(DVM) is a four-year graduate program.
Like in the USA, students are required
to undertake an undergraduate degree
in science before entering the program.
The final year of the program is a
lecture-free clinical year.
INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED
AND RENOWNED
The quality of our program is reflected in its
accreditation by the Australasian Veterinary
Boards Council, the Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons (UK) and the
American Veterinary Medical Association.
Accreditation allows our graduates to practise
in many other countries without further
qualification. We are also the only university
in Australia to offer the DVM —
a postgraduate professional-entry veterinary
program. Plus, our teaching staff comprises
leaders in their field, who possess an
important mix of research, teaching
and clinical experience.
LATEST TECHNOLOGIES
Our education programs and our teaching and
hospital facilities embrace the latest clinical
technologies and evidenced-based practices.
Our students learn and practise clinical skills
in one of Australia’s leading veterinary
hospitals (based at our Werribee campus).
The Veterinary Hospital includes a general
practice, referral practice and equine centre,
as well as a 24-hour small animal emergency
and critical care service. Its facilities include
state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging capabilities
and on-site diagnostic pathology laboratories.
A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY
Our students experience particularly strong
bonds with teaching faculty and fellow
students — relationships you can rely on in
years to come and that are broadened by
strong national and international links with
the veterinary profession, research agencies
and the agricultural and animal health
industries.
A DIVERSE STUDENT MIX
We welcome students from across Australia
and around the world. International students
comprise 30 per cent of the student
population and typically come from Canada,
the USA, South-East Asia and Europe.
The best and brightest students choose to study at Melbourne. Diversity is valued,
multiculturalism is celebrated and the integrity of the individual is respected. Make
lifelong friends from around Australia and the globe. We have a beautiful campus,
with historic sandstone architecture, with the city right at your doorstep. Not only
will you achieve an internationally-accredited degree, but you will also establish
important connections, as you become a member of our alumni community of more
than 240,000 worldwide.
3

Discover Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital of Victoria
and home to nearly four million people.
It is the second largest and most
cosmopolitan city in Australia.
Melbourne is a city of culture,
including being named a City
of Literature by UNESCO.
Melbourne is consistently
ranked as one of the most
livable cities in the world.
There are many museums, libraries,
markets, parks and gardens, fashion
boutiques, interesting laneways, public art
and an acclaimed food and wine scene and
coffee culture. We are even home to the
biggest free Wi-Fi site in Australia, at
Federation Square.
In Melbourne everything is within easy reach,
via a comprehensive public transport system
that is being continually improved and
extended, lots of bike lanes and a public bike
hire system. Melbourne hosts national and
international sporting events, from tennis,
cricket, horse racing to our own Australian
Rules Football. Melbourne is a truly
multicultural city and home to people
from 140 different cultures.
There’s always something new to discover.
Just out of Melbourne, you can explore
a wealth of diverse regional areas and
attractions, from sweeping coastline
and pristine beaches (including the worldrenowned
Great Ocean Road) to national
parks and forests teeming with wildlife to
wineries, lakes and mountains offering skiing,
climbing and hiking.
“I chose Melbourne because of its international reputation. Many...staff members...
have contributed greatly to the world of veterinary science...Melbourne was ranked
in the top 30 universities in the world...(and) AVMA accredited, which would allow
me to...pursue further career opportunities...anywhere in the world...(And) it was the
perfect opportunity to learn while going on an adventure in...the most liveable city in
the world...Going to Melbourne was the best decision I have ever made...(It) is a vibrant
young city that is very student friendly...Beautiful scenery...and the food is top notch!...
(I) am now connected world wide and still keep in touch with my mentors, who
genuinely care about me...Melbourne prepared me for my career as a veterinarian
by giving me the fundamentals to solve any problem..and the clinical experience
(so) I saw my capacity as a future veterinarian grow!...I am currently getting myself
ready for a small animal rotational internship in Rochester New York...My mentor,
Dr. Sam Long (a neurologist at Melbourne)...inspired me...and now I endeavor to
become a neurologist, hopefully under his tutelage...Melbourne not only gave me
the time to develop my skills as a veterinarian, but also to develop me as a person;
to excel in leadership opportunities...I keep in touch with most of my classmates...
We are friends for life...”
Stef Lim, Canadian University of Melbourne veterinary science graduate
4

The city of Melbourne was judged as the Most Liveable City in the world
for 2012 for a second consecutive year* and has also been ranked the fourth
most student-friendly city in the world in 2012.**
MELBOURNE
5
* The Economist Intelligence Unit.
** The QS Best Student City Rankings 2012.

Application information
Duration
4 years
Location
Teaching and clinical training takes place
on the Parkville and Werribee campuses
in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Semester intake
Orientation and an animal handling course
takes place in late February and lectures
commence in March.
Places available
There are 125 places available each
year of which there are 50 places for
international students.
Entry requirements
Applicants for the DVM must have
completed a three year Bachelor of Science
or an equivalent degree recognised by the
Faculty of Veterinary Science, including at
least a semester in biology (cellular/general)
and in biochemistry. The completed degree
must include a significant proportion of
science study (i.e. at least two thirds of
the program). Selection is on the basis of
academic merit. Students must meet the
University’s English language requirements.
Please note selection is based on:
• Academic performance in
undergraduate degree.
• There is no entry exam, interview or
veterinary work experience required.
Visas
All non-Australian students require a
student visa, which is easily obtained
following an offer of admission into our
program. For further information, please
visit: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/
international/visas
Fees
For information about course fees
and living expenses, please visit: www.
futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/int/fees
Scholarships, grants and
sponsorship
For information on scholarships,
grants and sponsorship, please visit:
www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/
admissions/scholarships
Application dates
International applications will be accepted
throughout the year with applications closing
in December. However, if all places are filled
before this time applications will be closed
earlier. Applications will be considered as
soon as they are received and students
are generally advised of outcomes within
four weeks.
To apply, please visit: www.vet.unimelb.edu.
au/futurestudents/international.html
Contact us
For further information, please contact
the Melbourne School of Veterinary Science
Phone: + 61 3 8344 7357
Visit: www.vet.unimelb.edu.au
Our passion is about advancing animal, human and environmental well-being, and
ensuring our wealth of knowledge is transferred to each new generation of veterinary
scientists and to the community.
8995 02/13
Publication produced by Veterinary Science Marketing and Communications E: vet-communications@unimelb.edu.au
Disclaimer: the information in this publication was correct at the time of printing and the University reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.
February 2013