- How long it takes
- 3 to 4 years
- full time
- Level
- Masters degree (extended)
- University
- Leads on to
- Veterinarian
- $125,500 median pay, In demand
- Taught by
- 3 providers
- NSW, VIC, SA
Is this course right for you?
What the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
Before you start
Each provider sets its own entry requirements, so check the ones you are considering.
Where this course can take you
Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.
Jobs you can do with it
Veterinarian
Veterinarians diagnose and treat sick and injured animals, and advise their owners on keeping them well.
What else you need
Complete an accredited veterinary program, including its clinical placements, and register with the veterinary board in the state or territory where you will practise. The degree alone does not confer registration.
Median pay$125,500
In demand
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.
Where you can study this course
There are 3 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
Adelaide University
Adelaide University, Roseworthy, SA
4.5from 1,262 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers and staff are helpful and professional
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Website for The University of Sydney (opens in a new tab)
The University of Sydney
The University of Sydney, NSW
4.5from 2,084 Google reviews
- Website for The University of Melbourne (opens in a new tab)
The University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne, VIC
4.5from 1,845 Google reviews
What you’ll learn
The main topics covered in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
- Animal anatomy, physiology and disease
- Medicine and surgery for companion animals
- Livestock and equine health
- Clinical placements in veterinary practice
- Biosecurity and animal welfare
Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Who arranges the work placement, and how many hours does it involve?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?