Doctor of Veterinary Medicine : Entry requirements

You're considered a domestic student if you're an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or have a permanent humanitarian visa. This applies even if you're studying abroad or have dual Australian citizenship.

Admission criteria

Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Where our admission criteria includes a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and/or specific subject criteria, these are based on University of Melbourne grades and subjects. If you've studied elsewhere, we'll assess your relevant prior studies and equivalent grades. Your final WAM may be adjusted depending on your previous institution's accreditation, subject grading, and pass marks.

Don't meet the prerequisite subject requirements?

You may have the option to enrol in specific single subjects through the University's Community Access Program, even if you are not enrolled in a course. Completing these prerequisite subjects may qualify you for entry into this course. This option is not available to student visa holders or applicants. Learn more about single subject study.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

English language test score requirements
If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

IELTS

7.0

with written 7.0 and no band less than 6.0
TOEFL

94+

with writing 27; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13
PEARSON

72+

with written communicative skill of 75 and no other communicative skill below 60
CAMBRIDGE

185+

with no less than 185 in writing and no less than 169 in each other skill
*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

About selection

When assessing applications, the Selection Committee will consider your previous studies and academic performance.

The Selection Committee may request additional information to clarify any aspect of an application, according to the University’s Academic Board rules regarding selection instruments.

Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

The Selection Committee will also assess your application on the basis of your personal statement and the results of your CASPer® Situational Judgment Test.

Additional information

This course contains core participation requirements. A full description of these requirements is provided in the University handbook.

Do you want to know more?

View Frequently Asked Questions about the DVM's entry requirements.

Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM)

We encourage domestic students to explore eligibility for Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM). GAM offers an opportunity for admission to this course even if your tertiary marks are below the standard entry requirements. GAM applicants may also be considered for financial bursaries and Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) where available.

GAM categories include coming from a rural area, being an Indigenous Australian, experiencing financial hardship or personal difficulties, having refugee status, or living with a disability or medical condition. In assessing applications, we look to balance opportunity and your capacity to succeed.

Advanced Standing

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).

If you have completed a Bachelor of Agriculture from the University of Melbourne, you may be eligible for up to 25 points of credit towards the first year of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, if you have successfully completed all the following subjects:

AGRI10049 – Animal Production Systems
ANSC20002 – Comparative Nutrition and Digestion
ANSC30003 – Applied Animal Behaviour
ANSC30005 – Animal Welfare and Ethics
ANSC30006 – Production Animal Health.

There is no option for partial credit for those who have completed some but not all of the subjects listed above.

For additional, in-depth details on entry requirements and admissions for this course, refer to the University Handbook.

Need more information on the University’s general entry requirements?

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