Program Overview

Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours)

The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours) is a five-year, full-time degree offered at the Southern Cross University Northern Rivers (Lismore) campus. It provides a comprehensive, skills-intensive and academically rigorous education, preparing graduates for a rewarding career in veterinary medicine.

Course Snapshot

• Start Date: March
• Duration: 5 years full-time
• Location: Lismore
• Placement: Yes
• ATAR: 85
• Inherent Requirements: Yes
• Language Requirements: IELTS Overall Score 7
• Entry Requirements: View full entry requirements
• Course Abbreviation: BVetMed(Hons)
• Course Code:
• Credit Points: 480
• Equivalent Units: 40
• Scholarships: Learn more
• Indicative Fee: Commonwealth supported

Overview

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.

Career Outcomes

Graduates will be eligible to be registered to practise as veterinarians in Australia and New Zealand in settings including veterinary practices and clinics, veterinary hospitals, agricultural businesses, zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.

Requirements

To be eligible for entry into the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours), applicants must meet certain academic and non-academic factors, including:

• Academic Factors: Meet at least one of the required achievement standards, such as Year 12 studies that meet the minimum ATAR/rank specified, or tertiary studies of at least 1 year or full-time equivalent, of a Bachelor's degree with a GPA of 5.5 or above.
• Non-Academic Factors: 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 and motivation for application and interest in the veterinary profession.

Course Structure

The course progression is in the recommended order students should complete their course in. It is essential to follow this to ensure meeting the course requirements.

First Year

• VETS1001: Foundations of Veterinary Professionalism and Communication
• ANIM1001: Animal Husbandry, Handling and Behaviour
• BIOL1005: Cells and Molecules
• BIOL2007: Biochemistry
• ANIM1002: Animal Production, Husbandry and Handling
• VBIO1001: Anatomy and Physiology 1
• VBIO1002: Anatomy and Physiology 2
• VMED1001: Clinical Integration 1

Second Year

• VBIO1003: Anatomy and Physiology 3
• VBIO1004: Anatomy and Physiology 4
• VETS2002: Applied Veterinary Microbiology
• VBIO1006: Introduction to Pathophysiology
• VBIO1005: Anatomy and Physiology 5
• VETS2011: Animal Nutrition for Health, Performance and Production
• VBIO2001: Introduction to Pharmacology and Toxicology
• VMED2001: Clinical Integration 2

Third Year

• VETS2013: Veterinary Professionalism and Communication 2
• VMED2002: Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 1
• VMED2003: Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 2
• VMED2004: Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 3
• VMED2005: Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 4
• VMED2007: Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 5
• VMED2006: Behavioural Medicine, Welfare, Ethics and Meat Science
• VMED3001: Clinical Integration 3

Fourth Year

• VMED3002: Applied Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
• VMED3003: Applied Equine Medicine and Surgery
• VMED3004: Applied Cattle Medicine and Surgery
• VMED3005: Population Medicine, VPH and One Health
• VMED3006: Intensive Animal Production Systems
• VMED3007: General Medicine
• VMED3008: Small Ruminants, Avian, Exotics, Wildlife and Emerging Industries
• VMED3009: Clinical Integration 4

Fifth Year

• VMED4001: Veterinary Clinical Rotation 1
• VMED4002: Veterinary Clinical Rotation 2
• VMED4004: Veterinary Professionalism and Communication 3
• VMED4003: EMS: Clinical Placement 1
• VMED4005: EMS: Clinical Placement 2
• VMED4006: Veterinary Professionalism and Communication 4

Fees and Scholarships

• Domestic Students: The course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place.
• International Students: The annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) can be found on the International Courses and Fees page.
• Scholarships: Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support students while they study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements.