Master of Veterinary Studies

The Master of Veterinary Studies (MVetStud) is the opportunity to build the program you need to support the career you want - through this flexible postgraduate program in a range of animal-related areas.

Overview

This flexible postgraduate coursework program in Veterinary Studies allows you to select a major or an alternative program of study that best suits your career goals. You can build your program by selecting from all postgraduate units of study offered in the Faculty of Veterinary Science, subject to the availability of supervisors in some areas.

A major in small animal clinical studies is associated with the small animal clinical internships offered by the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. These are highly competitive and only a few are available each year. Applicants for these internships must have a degree registerable in NSW Australia, and be an Australian citizen/permanent resident or have a visa which allows them to work full time while studying part-time.

If you are unsure of the area in which you wish to study, please contact us and we will try to help you build a program that best suits your needs. Common pathways include:

• veterinary public health studies on campus for international students
• combination of veterinary public health and wildlife studies
• combination of animal genetics and veterinary epidemiology online

Applicants should note that clinical units of study are only available to veterinarians registered to practice in NSW. Units of study that are designated as ‘supervised’ are subject to the availability of a suitable supervisor.

University of Sydney Advantage

You will be studying at the oldest veterinary school in Australia, and host to arguably the world’s best postgraduate coursework program in animal and veterinary science - we receive visits from veterinary schools all over the world seeking out advice on offering postgraduate studies.

Program Expectations

Veterinary studies without a major will allow students the opportunity to tailor a program to their career goals. It is expected that, at Graduate Certificate level (GradCertVetStud), students will successfully complete units of study that support the core skills they need in their career. At Graduate Diploma level (GradDipVetStud) students will explore higher-level aspects of their chosen field, or aspects that may be helpful as their career progresses or supports research. Masters students will complete research in an animal-related field, to a publishable
standard.

Students who complete the small animal clinical studies major will possess the core practical and theoretical skills and knowledge of their chosen field. At Graduate Diploma level, they will have sought further specialisation through electives. At Masters level they will possess the ability to conduct and communicate research to a publishable standard.

Mode of Delivery

Because you are choosing from all of our units of study, it is possible to study either by distance, on-campus, or a combination of both. If you have a need or preference for one or the other, be sure to look out for the mode of study in the lists of units of study - see our website for details, or talk to Faculty staff who will be happy to help you.

Admission Requirements

A Bachelor degree in a relevant field, such as animal science, veterinary science, agriculture and many science degrees. Some areas of study will require a veterinary qualification registerable in NSW. Please contact us to seek advice if needed.

Program Requirements

GradCertVetStud:

• 24 cp of units of study

GradDipVetStud:

• 36 cp of units of study, which may include some case-based research

MVetStud:

• 48 cp of units of study and research, including 12 cp of research

Units of Study

For an up-to-date list of units of study, see the program outlines of each of the
postgraduate courses at postgraduate courses or browse the list of all units of study offered by the Faculty.

We always recommend contacting us to discuss your ambitions and your options.

After Graduation

Your career is as unique as you are, which is why we have created this flexible program. We encourage you to talk to us about the type of work you would like to do in the future so we can help you to tailor a program program that will assist you in reaching your goals. Kindly note, however, that it is not possible to study at Masters level to become a veterinarian, nor do we offer training that assists international veterinarians to be registered in NSW.

People who study with us are often taking the first step towards veterinary specialist training or wish to work in a specific area, such as laboratories, government, policy, research or wildlife. Many of these areas of work are available to non-veterinary animal health professionals as well.

Credit for Previous Study

Credit for previous study is available in some circumstances. See the Veterinary Science website for details.

Annual intake

There is no quota for this course, but admission is often dependent on the availability of a suitable supervisor.

Minimum Program Duration - Part Time

GradCertVetStud - 1 semester

GradDipVetStud - 2 semesters

MVetStud - 2 semesters

Maximum Program Duration

GradCertVetStud - 4 semesters

GradDipVetStud - 6 semesters

MVetStud - 8 semesters

Is Mid-Year Entry Available?

Yes