Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) course guide
Resources for current students of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). The DVM will equip you with the clinical and professional skills and experience you need to succeed from day one of your veterinary career.
For personalised support or assistance, get in touch with Stop 1. Stop 1 can connect you with the full range of student services to support you while studying at the University.
Stop 1 services include Academic Skills, Course Planning, Student Equity and Disability Support, Special Consideration, Counselling and Psychological Services, the University Health Service, Careers and Employability, Study Overseas and more.
Getting started
Congratulations on receiving your offer to study the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine! We know that you have lots of questions about your studies and we want to ensure that you have a smooth transition to university life here at the Melbourne Veterinary School (MVS).
Accepting your offer
Accept your offer via the Student Portal or the Application Portal.
Getting started
Become an official University of Melbourne student with Get Started at Melbourne: your step-by-step guide to accepting your offer and completing your uni admin.
Here’s a handy checklist to make sure you’ve taken care of administrative tasks, including getting your student card, accessing your student email, and accessing the LMS.
Orientation
Students met the Head of School and first-year subject coordinators at the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Orientation, held on Fri 23 Feb 2024. They settled into their studies by hearing about important course information and were introduced to the various enrichment opportunities at the University. They then joined our other Science Post Graduate students for some refreshments and mingling at the student expo.
You can find a recording of the welcome session below.
Check out other key semester dates on the University dates page.
Important note: Some of our courses start on dates other than those above. Please check your letter of offer for your course’s start date.
Planning your course
Remember to regularly check in on the University’s Current Students Hub, where you can access a range of study resources and information.
Before you enrol in subjects you will need to start planning your course. This involves checking the course rules and structure in the Handbook and your faculty resources. If you need assistance, you can book an appointment with a Course Adviser.
Course planning tool
To make the most of your course, it’s important to understand your course structure, choose the right subjects and explore the options available to you. These tools do not replace the normal enrolment process. They are to be used as a guide only to plan out your subjects and specialisations. You will still need to add and enrol in subjects via your Study Plan.
Class timetable
MyTimetable is the tool you use to plan and build your class timetable. Class timetabling is a preference-based process where you rank your preferred class times, and MyTimetable's sorting process finds the best fit for everyone's individual timetable. Each step has a deadline, so be aware of the key dates.
Learning Management System (LMS)
The Learning Management System (LMS) is the online home of everything related to your enrolled subjects. Once you've enrolled in subjects, you'll use the LMS to access readings, lecture recordings and assignment information, and to submit your assignments as well as check your grades.
Subject selection and enrolment
Find out how to plan your course, enrol in subjects and set out your timetable by visiting the Manage Your Course page.
You can explore your subject options and get to know the course structure in the University of Melbourne Handbook – your official source of course and subject information.
Clinical and practical placements
Students in third and fourth years are required to attend clinical and practical placements at a range of different locations. There are opportunities to undertake these placements in rural and regional areas, interstate and overseas. In addition, in the first and second years of the DVM students are required to complete pre-clinical extramural placements ('farm work') totalling 12 weeks across summer vacation and mid-year breaks.
You will need to travel to and from your placement location yourself, and if you complete your placement at a regional/rural-based enterprise you will need to pay for accommodation. More information on placements is available to current students on the LMS, and more information on these and other non-tuition costs are available at Additional costs for the DVM.
What you'll need to know for the DVM
Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria
DVM graduates wishing to practice as veterinarians in the state of Victoria must be registered with the Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria. Information on applying for new graduate registration with the board can be found on the VetBoard Victoria website.
North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE®) Guide for DVM4 students
The NAVLE is a requirement for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in all licensing jurisdictions in North America (US and Canada). The NAVLE is offered throughout North America and at certain overseas sites at computer testing centres during a four-week testing window in November and December, and also a two-week window in April.
Q Fever Screening and Vaccination
If you are a student in the DVM (or a Bachelor of Science student undertaking the Veterinary Bioscience major), providing evidence of Q Fever inoculation is compulsory as part of your enrolment and participation in the course.
Learn more about Q Fever vaccinations
Accreditation
Learn more about which bodies the Melbourne Veterinary School is accredited by around the world.
Moving to Melbourne
Many of you will be moving to Melbourne for the first time next year and for some of you it may be the first time you are living away from home.
Find accommodation
Looking for a trusted and comfortable place to call home? University Accommodation offers graduate-only residences, including The Lofts at Melbourne Connect. Other options include shared apartments, studio rooms, dorms and colleges.
To apply and for more details, view accommodation options.
International students
Aim to submit your visa application at least 6 weeks prior to your course commencement date, which you can find on your offer letter. You are expected to be on campus in time for Melbourne Orientation. If you can’t commence your course on time (e.g. due to visa processing delays), you may be required to defer to a later intake.
Find a detailed guide to student visa processing.
The Welcome to Melbourne webinars are designed to support international students with their transition to Melbourne with the opportunity to ask questions.
Thousands of international students move to Melbourne every year and it can take some time to understand the city and the culture. Read the University's International Student Checklist to find everything you need to know about studying and living in Australia.
Your fellow DVM students from the Veterinary Students' Society of Victoria (VSSV) have prepared some information for you that is specific to the DVM. You can read their tips and hints on the DVM International Student Guide.
Transport
Find out about transport options in and around Melbourne.
Campus information
Want to get to know your campus better? Check out some maps and key campus services at Campus information page.
Fees and other costs
Your fees will vary depending on what type of student you are (e.g. domestic or international, undergraduate or graduate) and the course you are studying. Learn more about what fees you're required to pay and how they're calculated here:
Domestic students
If you are intending to use FEE-HELP to pay your tuition fees, please lodge your FEE-HELP application immediately after you enrol in subjects. Some subjects have early census dates. Applications for FEE-HELP must be lodged by the subject census date if you wish to defer payment to a FEE-HELP loan. If the census date has passed you must pay the fee for the subject upfront to the University.
More information about FEE-HELP
International students
When you accept your offer to study, you must pay a minimum tuition fee deposit of $17,000 (AUD). This fee deposit will be deducted from your remaining tuition fees. The deposit can be paid with your Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) as outlined in your offer letter.
Fees for international students
Non-tuition costs
In addition to tuition fees for the course, there are additional costs relating to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) that you should be aware of.
Academic progress
Keeping track of your academic progress is important during your time as a student. At the end of each semester you should be aware of your results in each subject and know what to do if you have any problems.
Course progression
Your academic progress is reviewed at the end of each year. Refer to the detailed course progression rules in the DVM Handbook entry to find out more about these requirements and what is expected of you.
An overview of what happens if you do not meet academic requirements can be found on the University’s Academic Progress webpage.
Changing your study load
If you withdraw from a subject, make sure it is not required as a pre-requisite for subjects you intend to study in the future or that it is not required as a co-requisite for subjects you are currently studying.
For students in the DVM, reducing your study load is not permitted. If you need to withdraw from a subject, we recommend seeking advice from a course adviser.
Find information on withdrawing from a subject.
Leave of absence
Sometimes life is unpredictable. If circumstances arise that mean you need to take a break from study, you will need to apply for a leave of absence. For DVM students, we strongly recommend speaking with a course adviser prior to applying for a leave of absence. Please note that leave of absence requests are not auto-approved in the DVM and must be accompanied by supporting documentation. The Head of School will consider all leave of absence requests.
Withdrawal
Course withdrawal means you have permanently withdrawn from your course prior to completion with no plans for readmission. Find out more about course withdrawal.
Before you apply to withdraw from your course, it is recommended that you seek course advice to ensure that course withdrawal is right for you. If you withdraw from your course but decide in the future to resume your studies in the same course, you will need to reapply.
For more information, see: Course withdrawal and re-admission.
Help
For information about changing from full-time to part-time study: Stop 1 FAQs
International students, read more here: Reduced study load information and application form.
Further information
Assessment information and policies
Find information about assessment, including extensions, academic integrity, and more.
Student code of conduct
Students – especially students working with animals – must abide by certain standards of behaviour. The Veterinary and Agricultural Student Code is to be followed alongside and in addition to the University of Melbourne's policies on student conduct.
Writing style guides
Resources to help you achieve consistency and accuracy in your writing, formatting and referencing of essays and reports.