Study from five streams of learning

Our DVM curriculum has been developed around five learning domains, which are infused in every subject and are based around the attributes of a veterinary scientist:

• The scientific basis of clinical practice
• Ethics and animal welfare
• Biosecurity and population health
• Clinical skills
• Personal and professional development

Follow your clinical interests

Stand out from the crowd upon graduation. Take part in our Tracks program that prepares you best for your chosen career path. You can build professional networks in a particular area of clinical interest and gain complementary industry-ready skills and knowledge. Four tracks are available:

• Small animal track (pets like cats and dogs, plus exotics like rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs)
• Production animal track (livestock and mixed rural practice)
• Equine track (horses)
• Government, industry and conservation health track (wildlife health, population health, policy, research and industry)

Build skills for your veterinary career

You will gain the skills to communicate and empathise with pet owners in a professional setting, first in mock consultations and clinical skills classes, then with real clients.

External placements and first class facilities

Throughout your degree you will have access to practical and clinical training in our world-class U-Vet animal hospital and via external placements. Our veterinary hospital includes a general practice, referral practice, equine centre and 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 as well as our new clinical skills centre.

A lecture-free year of practice-based learning

You will spend your fourth and final year fully immersed in the veterinary profession, working with animals and owners under expert supervision in the University of Melbourne’s veterinary hospital and external placements.

You will gain at least 40 weeks’ experience at a broad range of clinical settings and gain the medical and surgical experience to be confident in your ability as a veterinarian from the day you graduate.

Do you want to know more?
Find out more about studying this course at the Course guide for DVM students or Frequently asked questions about the course.