Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours)*

Domestic Snapshot

The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours)* is a five-year, full-time degree offered at the Northern Rivers (Lismore) campus in NSW. It will be a reimagined veterinary medicine course which is student-centred and co-designed with the veterinary profession to produce practically and clinically skilled, resilient graduates.

The degree includes early development of clinical problem-solving skills by connecting basic and clinical sciences. There will be extensive opportunities to practise and hone core clinical, communication, and teamwork skills. Training covers a wide variety of contexts, from companion animal veterinary practice to large-scale production animal and mixed rural practice, critical care, native wildlife, regulatory practice, and surgery.

For detailed information on the course, refer to the Course Information Package.

Work integrated learning in veterinary and animal industry settings will be at the core of the curriculum. From first year, students will engage with work integrated learning that is supported and administrated by the university after achieving necessary safety and skill competencies in veterinary and animal-related businesses, supporting the development of positive role models, professional identity, and confidence in the practicalities of these working environments.

This experiential learning approach is supported by the Southern Cross Model, which focuses on active, immersive learning within a calendar of two units per term, with the term being six learning weeks and one assessment week. Content is highly interactive, favouring engaged, active learning formats, delivering a deeper, immersive learning experience for students centred on greater interactivity and connection with real-world applications.

Please note the course structure and course progression are currently being finalised and will be published soon.

Important Information:

• Students must receive compulsory vaccinations (Q-Fever and Tetanus) prior to commencement of study in Term 1. Other recommended vaccinations (not compulsory) are Lyssa Virus (rabies), COVID, and annual Influenza.
• Students are expected to fund and organise their own travel to external partner locations and will need to provide some of their own equipment (PPE, boots, overalls). 

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for entry into the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours), applicants must:

Academic Factors

1. Meet at least one of the required achievement standards:

1. Year 12 studies that meet the minimum ATAR/rank specified; or
2. Tertiary studies of at least 1 year or full time equivalent, of a Bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 5.5 or above; or
3. Completed tertiary studies (Bachelor’s degree or above) with a GPA of 5.0 or above

Non-Academic Factors

2. Demonstrated previous experience working with animals and an aptitude for understanding veterinary or animal health sector workplaces by providing a personal statement and evidence detailing:

• Practical experience working with animals
• Motivation for application and interest in the veterinary profession

3. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview, which will assess:

• Communication skills
• suitability for the veterinary profession

Students within the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours) are assumed to have foundational knowledge in one or two subjects such as advanced mathematics, biology, agriculture, chemistry or physics.

English Language Requirements:

Applicants will meet the Language Admission requirements if they have:

• Completed at least 2 years of senior secondary studies which was taught and assessed solely in English in Australia, Canada, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
• Have successfully completed and attained a tertiary (equivalent AQF 7 Bachelor degree or higher) of at least 1 year full time duration which was taught and assessed solely in English in Australia, Canada, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America

Alternatively:

• A valid IELTS Academic test score overall 7.0 with no sub score below 7.0 (or equivalent scores in a SCU approved English language proficiency test in a single sitting

Credit for prior learning

Advanced Standing or Recognised Prior Learning will be assessed on a case by case basis. Due to the relatively unique nature of veterinary training, granting of unit credit is not common.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours), students must complete the equivalent of 38 units (480 credit points), comprising:

• 38 core units (480 credit points), and

• Successful completion of Animal Husbandry WIL (10 weeks), Pre-Clinical WIL (4 weeks), Extra-Mural WIL (12 weeks) and Intra-Mural Clinical WIL (30 weeks), and

• Successful completion of all practical and clinical skills assessments

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet professional regulatory requirements must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

Additional Costs

There will be additional costs associated with your course.  Please refer to the attached Additional Costs Guide for an indication of extra costs. 

Attendance Requirements

Due to the requirements for experiential learning as well as compliance with professional accreditation standards, attendance at tutorials, workshops, practicals and field trips is expected. Some learning experiences will be hybrid, but daily attendance at the Northern Rivers campus will be typically expected.