Program Overview

---

Bachelor of Veterinary Science Pre-Selection – BVScPre-Sel

The Bachelor of Veterinary Science Pre-Selection (BVScPre-Sel) is a 6-month full-time program offered at the Manawatū campus in Palmerston North. This program is the pre-selection phase of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) degree, which is a 5-year undergraduate program.

Type of Qualification

• Bachelor's degree
• Undergraduate study
• NZQF level 7

Time to Complete

• 6 months full-time (60 credits)

Where You Can Study

• Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

International Students

• Open to international students on campus in New Zealand

Key Dates

• Admission application due dates
• Course enrolment dates for accepted students
• Semester dates

Study a Bachelor of Veterinary Science Pre-Selection – BVScPre-Sel

By studying at Massey, you will join a highly ranked, world-class veterinary science qualification that will open up career options in a wide variety of rewarding areas relating to animal and human health. Massey's veterinary degree is highly ranked globally and widely accredited.

Great Facilities

Massey University is the veterinary school for the whole of New Zealand, with some of the best facilities in Australasia.

Degree Structure Overview

The Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) is a 5-year qualification offered solely on the Manawatū campus in Palmerston North. The first semester (starting in February) is referred to as the 'pre-selection' semester. Depending on your performance in the pre-selection semester courses and selection assessments, you may be selected to the 'professional phase' (4.5 years long) beginning in July.

Professional Veterinary Training

If you are selected into the professional phase, you will be well-trained in a broad range of animal species. You will get hands-on experiences from day 1 and develop problem-solving skills, while learning everything you need to work as a veterinarian.

International Students

Many international students study veterinary science at Massey. We understand it takes a special kind of person to choose to complete their veterinary degree abroad, and we welcome you to join us.

Fast Track Your Veterinary Career

In New Zealand, professional training qualifications (like medicine, vet, and law) are undergraduate degrees, so you don't need a previous degree to study. Whether you have recently completed high school or have already done a couple of years or even a degree at university, you can join us to become a veterinarian in a total of 5 years or less.

Entry Requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific Requirements

The Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) is a 5-year degree divided into 2 phases:

• Pre-selection phase (a minimum of 1 semester)
• Professional phase (9 semesters – 4.5 years)

Expected High School Preparation

Successfully completing the following NCEA subjects (or equivalent in Cambridge International Examinations, International Baccalaureate, etc.) should give you the background knowledge to pass the prerequisite courses:

• At least 14 credits in NCEA Level 3 Biology
• At least 14 credits in NCEA Level 3 Chemistry
• At least 14 credits of NCEA Level 2 Physics
• At least 14 credits of NCEA Level 2 Mathematics

Phase 1: Pre-Selection Semester

The pre-selection semester for the BVSc is offered at the Manawatū Campus in Semester One beginning in late February each year.

Phase 2: Professional Phase

The professional phase of the BVSc is essentially 'vet school'. It starts in Semester Two (mid-July) at the Manawatū Campus.

Selection Overview by Group

The selection process for each group is summarized below:

Domestic Students

• Have you already studied at least 1 full-time semester of tertiary study in a level and area in which you could gain a university degree?
  • If not, you are considered a 'new to university' applicant
  • If you have, then you are a 'prior university' experience applicant

Group A: Domestic New to University Applicants

• A1 – New to university - General pathway
• A2 – New to university - VetMAP pathway

Group B: Domestic Prior University Experience Applicants

• B1 – Prior university - General pathway
• B2 – Prior university - VetMAP pathway

Group 1: International Applicants

• Group 1 international students complete the pre-selection semester at Massey University in order to prove their capability for the professional phase

Group 2: International Applicants (Includes VMCAS Applicants)

• Group 2 international students apply for entry into the professional phase of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) based on their academic performance in an appropriate undergraduate or postgraduate science degree at a university or college overseas

Casper

Casper is a 2-hour online assessment. In this assessment, you will be presented with a set of written or video format scenarios that might be experienced by people in everyday life.

STAT

The STAT (Special Tertiary Admissions Test) is a 2-hour multiple-choice question test designed to assess your ability to understand, analyze, and think critically about written and numerical material.

Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)

The MMI consists of a round of 8 short, structured interviews each lasting 8 minutes (for a total of 64 minutes).

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The grade point average (GPA) is a calculation that gives a number (0-9) representing an applicant's average academic performance over time.

Prior Learning, Credit, and Exemptions

If you are already a student in a veterinary degree elsewhere and you are interested in transferring into our veterinary degree, contact us.

English Language Skills

International applicants who are from a country where English is not the first language must show evidence of English language competence that meets the requirements of the Veterinary Council of New Zealand.

Can't Meet the Entry Requirements?

Contact one of our veterinary advisors. They can talk to you about your options to get prepared for the pre-selection semester.

Fees and Scholarships

2026 Tuition Fees

• Domestic students: $15,318
• International students: $84,220

Course Fees

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student Loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free Scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

Fees for BVSc Pre-Selection Semester

There is a fee to apply for selection into the BVSc professional phase.

Careers and Job Opportunities

Most veterinary graduates initially work in clinical practice for a few years. Some continue in clinical roles for the rest of their careers, while others may take the opportunity to develop further skills through clinical specialization or postgraduate study.

Registering as a Veterinarian

Once you successfully complete the requirements for your Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc), you will be able to register to practice as a veterinarian in New Zealand through the Veterinary Council of New Zealand.

Accreditations and Rankings

• QS Ranking - Veterinary Science: The Veterinary School is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as 19th in the world for veterinary science, the highest ranked school in the southern hemisphere.
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): Massey's BVSc is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education; graduates can work in North America.
• Australasian Veterinary Board Council (AVBC): Accredited
• Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS): Accredited

Related Study Options

• Animal Genetics and Breeding – Bachelor of Animal Science
• Animal Nutrition and Growth – Bachelor of Animal Science
• Animal Science – Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology
• Animal Science – Master of Science
• Animal Welfare – Bachelor of Animal Science
• Bachelor of Veterinary Science – BVSc
• Equine Science – Bachelor of Animal Science
• Master of Veterinary Medicine – MVM
• Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Science – PGDipVSc
• Without Specialisation – Master of Veterinary Studies

Structure of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science Pre-Selection

The Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) is a 5-year degree divided into 2 phases: a pre-selection phase (a minimum of 1 semester) followed by a professional phase (9 semesters – 4.5 years).

Practical Experience During the Degree

Once selected into the professional phase of the BVSc, you will complete approximately 21 weeks of farm and veterinary practical work.

Withdrawal from Veterinary Study

Veterinary students have the option to take some time out of their studies.

Courses and Specialisations

• Course code: Chemistry for Biological Systems
• Course code: Biophysical Principles
• Course code: Cell Biology
• Course code: Animals and the Environment

Before You Start

• Pre-entry veterinary practical work experience: You will need to complete 40 hours of observation/work experience in a veterinary clinic/hospital in New Zealand or overseas.

Veterinary School Faculty

If you would like to know more about the School of Veterinary Science faculty, there is a list of staff in the veterinary school.

School of Veterinary Science Policies

• BVSc Student Code of Conduct
• Progression, Re-Entry, and Transfer into the Professional Phase of the BVSc
• BVSc Supplementary Assessment Policy
• Veterinary Student clinical teaching hours, on-call activities, and stand-down period policy

Vaccination Against Zoonotic Diseases

Te Whatu Ora / Health New Zealand recommends that veterinarians and veterinary students be fully vaccinated with:

• Tdap – tetanus, diphtheria & acellular pertussis (whooping cough)
• IPV – inactivated polio vaccine
• MMR – measles, mumps, and rubella
• Annual/seasonal influenza vaccination

Fees Disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalized on confirmation of enrollment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages, you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.