Thinking veterinary studies? Think Australia!

 

Australia’s unique wildlife, varied climate and cosmopolitan society, as well as a mix of established and brand new veterinary schools, make studying in Australia an obvious first choice for those wanting to pursue any of the myriad opportunities provided by a veterinary degree.

 

Australian veterinary schools are accredited throughout Australia, New Zealand and the UK, making our graduates immediately qualified for registration to enter practice. Several of the schools are also accredited with the AVMA, allowing graduates to enter the US/Canadian profession at the same level as local graduates.

 

If variety is the spice of life then veterinary science has it all. You can choose the smaller, more intimate class sizes of the newer schools, or the larger, cosmopolitan student intakes of the metropolitan Universities. If you seek quick gratification in your studies, some faculties offer intermediate degrees on the way to your veterinary qualification. 5-year courses are available, some starting from post–secondary school level and some accepting students after 1 to 3 years of university studies. If you would prefer to take a little longer, two faculties offer 6-year veterinary degrees to allow time for the colossal course load to be assimilated.

 

Australian veterinary graduates work all around the globe, from the ‘traditional’ post-graduation UK practice experience to managing the research division of major pharmaceutical corporations in the US. Australian veterinarians are serving aid organisations around the world, helping to train locals in animal husbandry and provide a leg up to relief from poverty and hunger. Public health authorities employ many Australian veterinarians in policy, research and quality capacities such as food safety.

 

Many veterinarians in Australia run successful small businesses, involving either clinical practice, or consulting in a variety of fields such as research management, pharmaceutical regulatory affairs or disease control in developing countries. State and federal governments employ veterinarians in disease control, public health, advisory and research capacities. Veterinarians are employed by corporations such as integrated poultry, pig and cattle companies, or pharmaceutical companies where opportunities in marketing, development, regulatory affairs, sales and management are available.

 

Animal welfare is an area of increasing importance in terms of science and regulation.  It is important in academic, research and industry organisations and requires veterinary input in all of these areas. Animal behaviour is another area where more veterinary input is helping owners deal with behaviour problems, and train new pets to avoid them!

You can choose from studies with a tropical bent in far North Queensland’s James Cook University, which has a history of postgraduate veterinary opportunities and has recently been enhanced by a new undergraduate program. With the Great Barrier Reef nearby, the opportunities for recreation breaks are numerous. The University of Queensland has offered a veterinary degree for many years. This course is located in relaxed Brisbane and also offers postgraduate studies in tropical veterinary medicine.

 

In Western Australia, Murdoch University offers an initial Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Biology course, followed with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. The course is being restructured to further emphasise training in clinical skills. A brand new faculty at the University of Adelaide in South Australia is accepting students for the first time in 2008. They will offer an initial 3 year Bachelor of Science (Animal Science Pre-veterinary) followed by another 3 years to obtain a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. This course will focus on the needs of Australian livestock production, equine health, aquaculture and biosecurity issues.

 

Melbourne University and Sydney University have been educating veterinarians longer than other Australian universities and offer well-rounded veterinary degrees with outstanding companion animal and equine facilities. Melbourne University’s McKinnon Project provides practical links with southern extensive animal production systems. Over the last few years Sydney has upgraded its commitment to teaching production animal medicine with the support of local industry groups. Both Sydney and Melbourne offer cosmopolitan lifestyle and attractions for the precious free hours students will find for relaxation.

 

If you are seeking the quiet and solace of a country education, Charles Sturt University in Wagga in the Riverina district of NSW has been operating its 6-year course for three years with an emphasis on those seeking rural veterinary careers. Like the other new veterinary schools, CSU has been seeking innovative ways of teaching and training veterinary students.

 

Places in veterinary faculties in Australia are limited, but there have never been more faculties or places available for enthusiastic and committed students. Below is a list of websites for information on enrolling in the best veterinary faculties in the world.

 

http://www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au/online_enrolments/programs/vet_science.html

http://www.csu.edu.au/faculty/science/savs/

http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/bms/veterinary_science.shtml

http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/

http://www.vetbiomed.murdoch.edu.au/

http://www.uq.edu.au/nravs/

http://www.vetsci.usyd.edu.au/