Study plan

In the first three years of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science you will develop knowledge in the biomedical sciences relevant to veterinary science. You have an opportunity to undertake animal husbandry placements on horse, pig, beef and dairy cattle, sheep, and poultry farms and at an abattoir. Classes in dog and cat handling are also included in the course. All students will start their visits to local veterinary practices from first year to gain an appreciation of the context and relevance of their veterinary studies. Your fourth and fifth years involve observation and participation in clinical activities at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals located at the Camperdown and Camden Campuses. Clinical cases and methods of dealing with real-life veterinary problems are emphasised in the course. All students in their fifth year will undertake rotations at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals (Camperdown and Camden Campus), extramural small animal practices, extramural rural practices, livestock health and pest authority and at other sites on nomination.

Progression rules

(1) Candidates for the degree may enrol in the units of study prescribed for the fourth year of candidature only after completion of first year to third year.
(2) Candidates for the degree may enrol in the units of study prescribed for the final year of candidature only after completion of fourth year.

Course opportunities

A key focus of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science is to provide students with real veterinary industry experience. As part of the course, students complete an extramural studies program of practical work in pre-clinical (animal husbandry) and preparatory clinical (veterinary practice) placements during vacation periods from the completion of first year to the start of fourth year. In the fourth year of the course students also attend a placement at an abattoir. Students in their fifth year, complete a minimum of 40 weeks of clinical rotations at approved extramural sites and the University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals (Camperdown Campus and Camden Campus). The extramural studies program of this course meets requirements set by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and is an essential component of this degree.

Graduate opportunities

Bachelor of Veterinary Science graduates will be able to work as veterinary scientists participating in the care and welfare of animals in a range of career options including vet practice; organisations that investigate and control disease outbreaks, quarantine or the eradication of disease in farm animals; diagnostic and research laboratories; wildlife conservation departments; zoos; and pharmaceutical companies.

Course accreditation

Graduates of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science are eligible for registration for practice by all state and territory veterinary surgeons' boards in Australia and are recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the United Kingdom and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Further study

After the completion of third or fourth year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science, students may choose to suspend their study in the Bachelor of Veterinary Science for one year and enter to the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary) http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/vet_sci/undergraduate/b_science_vet.shtml a one-year course of supervised research in an area of veterinary science. Outstanding students of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science may also apply for honours study after the completion of their fourth year of the pass degree.

In addition, outstanding graduates seeking further academic studies in veterinary science may consider our advanced learning master’s courses, including courses in animal science, veterinary public health, veterinary public health management and veterinary studies. Honours graduates are eligible to pursue a higher degree by research.

About honours

Honours in the Bachelor of Veterinary Science is awarded to meritorious students who achieve a year 2-4 WAM of >70 and complete an alternative set of units of study in the final year of the course. Admission to the honours year is by permission of the program coordinator after the completion of fourth year. Honours is awarded in classes ranging from First Class to Second Class according to the rules specified in the course resolution.

Admission requirements

Admission to this course is on the basis of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents) or tertiary study. English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English. Special admission pathways are open for educationally disadvantaged applicants and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants are ranked by merit and offers for available places are issued according to the ranking.

A limited number of applicants may be eligible for admission to the course under the Rural Entry Scheme http://sydney.edu.au/vetscience/bvsc/rural.shtml

In addition, admission to this course requires all applicants to sit the Multi-choice STAT and submit a "Commitment to Veterinary Science" Form. The results of this process will form part of the ranking of non-year 12 applicants and be applied as a filter for year 12 applicants.

Assumed knowledge

HSC level chemistry, mathematics and physics. Study in biology would be a distinct advantage.

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications for the University's undergraduate courses are made though the Universities Admission Centre (UAC). On-time applications for the March Semester close on the last working day of September.

Further requirements

Applicants should demonstrate a firm and continuing commitment to the study of Veterinary Science. Evidence of such commitment could include work experience in veterinary practice or in primary animal production and membership of organisations such as WIRES. Commitment to veterinary science is to be detailed on the prescribed Faculty form. Please attach documentation supporting claims of commitment and return forms to the Faculty Office at the following address: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Undergraduate Admissions, Room 218, JD Stewart Building (B01), University of Sydney, NSW 2006 by 30 November 2012. Please do not send original documents with your application, only certified copies. Click here to download the Commitment Statement http://sydney.edu.au/vetscience/bvsc/entry.shtml

Ancillary expenses

Students are required to purchase protective clothing for practical and placements including laboratory coats, overalls and protective footwear. Students are responsible for the travel and accommodation expenses related to all extramural placements.

International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University's International Office, (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent), or (iii) through the Universities Admissions Centre, for students applying on the basis of a current Australian Year 12 secondary school examination, or studying either an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.

Further admission requirements

Applicants should demonstrate a firm and continuing commitment to the study of Veterinary Science. Evidence of such commitment could include work experience in veterinary practice or in primary animal production and membership of organisations such as WIRES. Commitment to veterinary science is to be detailed on the prescribed Faculty form. Please attach documentation supporting claims of commitment and return forms to the Faculty Office at the following address: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Undergraduate Admissions, Room 218, JD Stewart Building (B01), University of Sydney, NSW 2006 by 30 November 2012. Please do not send original documents with your application, only certified copies. Click here to download the Commitment Statement http://sydney.edu.au/vetscience/bvsc/entry.shtml

Ancillary expenses for international students

Students are required to purchase protective clothing for practical and placements including laboratory coats, overalls and protective footwear. Students are responsible for the travel and accommodation expenses related to all extramural placements.

Domestic students

Indicative Undergraduate Student Contribution Amount

This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2012 your student contribution may differ.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Future Students' website.

Annual review

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

International students

Indicative international tuition fees for undergraduate students

This international tuition fee is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013, for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact tuition fees that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total tuition fees, please refer to the University's Future Students' website.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.

In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.