2025 Admissions guide
The integrated Bachelor of Science / Doctor of Veterinary Medicine course prepares students for a career as a veterinarian, and for the many varied ways in which veterinarians and veterinary scientists can contribute to society. Veterinarians are professionals who are highly trained in diagnosing, problem solving, treating, preventing, researching and communicating health problems in pets, domestic livestock, horses, wildlife and laboratory animals. Veterinarians are essential for improving the productivity and welfare of animals, and maintaining standards of food production and safety, animal research and public health.
This integrated five-year course leads to a professional qualification in veterinary medicine, registrable in many countries as well as Australia. Eligibility for the award of Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Biology) is achieved after the first six semesters of the course and is a prerequisite for entry into the final two years of study, which lead to award of the internationally recognised, Masters-level degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
This course requires students to undertake work-based training through multiple compulsory work-based placements as part of their studies.
Entry pathways
Domestic and international applicants may be admitted into the veterinary course via the following pathways:
- School Leaver Pathway: directly from secondary school, with academic performance assessed from ATAR or equivalent (achieved within the last 2 years).
- Tertiary Pathway: after completing at least one year of relevant university study in a natural science-based course, with academic performance assessed from tertiary GPA.
- Waardong Pathway: for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants who do not achieve entry by the above pathways, based on holistic review and performance in residential testing and selection procedures. Please email Waardong@murdoch.edu.au to be in direct contact with a department specifically there to assist you, and be a part of the First Choice for First Nations.
How to apply
All domestic students (school leaver and tertiary pathways) must apply through TISC.
All international students (school leaver and tertiary pathways) must apply directly through MyAdmission
All Waardong applicants must apply through TISC, and send a notification email to Waardong@murdoch.edu.au
All applicants must read the School of Veterinary Medicine Inherent Requirements Statement prior to submitting their application.
Deadlines
The deadline for all applications to start the course in 2025 is 31st August 2024.
Applications will not be accepted until May 1st 2024.
Minimum requirements
All applicants must meet the following minimum criteria to be eligible for admission:
- Completion of the Bachelor of Science Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Application Form (2024/2025 cycle) and associated declarations.
- Completion of Casper assessment. Casper is an open-response situational judgement test (SJT) that evaluates social intelligence and professionalism (for example, collaboration, equity, problem solving, empathy, ethics and self-awareness).
- Complete the asynchronous interview.
- Proof of English language proficiency requirements.
- Minimum academic performance (after any equity adjustment for domestic applicants):
- >94 ATAR (or equivalent), or
- tertiary GPA >2.5 (out of 4) or >5.5 (out of 7)
Applicants via the tertiary pathway must additionally meet the following criteria:
- Minimum of one week (35 hrs) of veterinary-related experience, i.e. work experience with a veterinarian (this can be either paid or unpaid work but must be of clinical nature - observing surgery, diagnostics, and not of general animal experience). You must provide evidence of this (see Bachelor of Science Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Application Form (2024/2025 cycle) for details).
- Minimum of 1 year (full-time equivalent) or 21 credit points (or equivalent) of tertiary study in a natural science-related course.
- Applicants via the school leaver pathway are not required to demonstrate veterinary related experience.
See Veterinary admissions FAQs for more information
Exclusion criteria
Applicants may be excluded from further consideration for the following:
- Any ‘red flag’ from Casper assessment, or Casper Z-score below -1.75
- Any substantiated misconduct or professionalism issues, or criminal record
- Provision of fraudulent or deliberately misleading information in the application
- Incomplete applications.
Equity adjustments
Domestic applicants who demonstrate educational disadvantage may have equity adjustments applied to academic performance scores, prior to determining minimum requirements and Z-score rankings. Only academic criteria are adjusted, non-academic criteria including Casper and interview performance are not subject to adjustment.
Equity adjustments may be applied for the following contextual factors, where they have disadvantaged academic performance:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status
- Disadvantaged socio-economic background
- Disability, medical condition or neurodiversity
- Carer responsibilities
- Difficult life circumstances
- Disadvantaged or rural/remote secondary school (for ATAR only)
To receive equity adjustments, applicants must provide (i) a statement describing the contextual factor, and its impact on the applicant’s academic performance relevant to selection criteria, and (ii) supporting evidence or documentation.
The overall equity adjustment will be scaled from 1-5 based on the number, extent and cumulative impact of all contextual factors. The maximum equity adjustment will be:
- +5 to ATAR (or equivalent) for school leavers
- +0.5 to GPA for tertiary applicants
Selection criteria
Applicants will be ranked according to the following selection criteria. From 2025 onwards, selection will be determined by a two-step process, using pre-interview rank to shortlist for invitation to interview (multiple mini interview, MMI), then post-interview rank to determine final ranking for offer of admission.
See Admissions interviews for further information about the interview component
See Veterinary admissions FAQs for more information
| Selection Criteria | Measure | Pre-interview Weighting | Post-interview Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic performance | ATAR rank, or calculated equivalent | 70% | 30% |
| Non-academic attributes (SJT) | Casper Z-score | 30% | 20% |
| Interview performance | MMI score | - | 50% |
From 2025 entry
| Selection Criteria | Measure | Pre-interview Weighting | Post-interview Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic performance (overall) | Tertiary GPA from most recent complete degree (if any) and any subsequent study | 35% | 15% |
| Academic performance (recent) | Recent GPA from last 12 months (FTE or load equivalent) of relevant study in a natural science-based course | 35% | 15% |
| Non-academic attributes (SJT) | Casper Z-score | 30% | 20% |
| Interview performance | MMI score | – | 50% |
Waardong pathway applications may be assessed by either the above School Leaver or Tertiary pathway selection criteria with relevant equity adjustments, or by holistic review (defined as a flexible, individualised way of assessing an applicant’s capabilities by which balanced consideration is given to experiences, attributes, and academic metrics and, when considered in combination, how the individual might contribute value as a veterinary student and veterinarian).
Confirmation of Australian Indigeneity (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander ancestry) is an essential requirement for holistic review consideration at application.
From 2025 entry
| Selection Criteria | Measure | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status | Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent and identity, confirmed by referee | Essential |
| Equity adjustments | Statement against disadvantage | Holistic review |
| Academic performance (academic history plus recent trends) | ATAR or TAFE/K-TRACK/Tertiary GPA (of natural science-based course) | Holistic review |
| Relevant work and life experience | Application form and curriculum vitae | Holistic review |
| Personal references | 2 referees | Holistic review |
| Non-Academic attributes (SJT) | Casper Z-score | Holistic review |
| Interview performance | MMI score | Holistic review |
| Residential Testing and Selection (where required in absence of ATAR or GPA) | Scores from Maths and Science testing | Holistic review |
English proficiency requirements
See the higher standard requirements for Veterinary Science.
Domestic applicants meet the minimum English requirement by completion of Years 11 and 12 in Australia.
To be admitted to the veterinary course, students who have not received secondary schooling taught and assessed solely in English in recognised countries* for at least 2 years must pass additional English proficiency tests, to meet the standards of the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council.
(*Recognised countries are: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa)
Advanced Standing
- Applicants with prior university study in a relevant discipline may be eligible for credit and/or exemption under the university Advanced Standing Policy and Procedure, determined at the point of admission.
- Applicants who receive an offer to the course will receive instruction for how to apply for Advanced Standing and are required to submit this documentation when accepting their course offer.
- Applicants awarded advanced standing for all first year core units, and 24 points of credit may enter directly into the second year of the course, commencing on-campus in January.
- Applicants awarded advanced standing for all-but-one first year core units (i.e. missing only one unit) may, subject to compatibility, be allowed to overload one first-year unit in combination with second year units.
Not sure if you qualify?
We offer a number of alternative entry pathways if you are from a non-traditional academic background.
View our course rules and requirements for more information or contact our admissions team to let us know a bit more about your circumstances so we can identify a suitable pathway.
Need more information? Get in touch
Murdoch veterinary school
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