This course is part of an articulated program of study. Articulated programs allow you to build on your study to achieve the right level of qualification for you.
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This veterinary biology and veterinary science degree aims to provide highly competent veterinary graduates with a strong commitment to animal health, welfare and research, and to the development and protection of animal industries.
Besides your workplace learning placements and clinical rotations, you'll study at a single rural site for the six years of your course. Placements create a strong sense of connection between staff and students at all levels of the program. Charles Sturt University also enjoys the support of an enthusiastic and engaged regional community; ready access to a wide range of veterinary practices and farms; and the relaxed, enjoyable and affordable lifestyle which comes with living in a thriving regional centre of more than 60,000 people.
You'll develop skills in the diagnosis and management of disease in all common species of farm animals (cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and fish) and companion animals (horses, dogs and cats). The course provides a solid grounding in agricultural production systems and the integration of nutrition, genetics, economics and epidemiology for the optimal management of herds and flocks. Practical experience with live animals start in your first week and continue throughout the course. In addition to your scientific and clinical skills training, you'll also develop a range of life and business skills that will help you in your work as a rural and/or regional veterinarian.
Admission to this course is highly competitive, with approximately 450 applications received for the 66 available places each year. To successfully meet the admission criteria, applicants are required to demonstrate excellent academic achievements, superior communication skills, and a genuine commitment to animals, livestock industries and to working in rural and regional communities.
This course is professionally accredited by -
Please refer to the Charles Sturt Professional Accreditation resource for specific information and a link to the accreditation body.
When you graduate, you'll be ready to make your mark in a wide range of careers, including:
For each 8-point subject you are enrolled in, you should expect to spend 10 to 12 hours per week working on assignments and assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, and attending lectures, intensive schools, or examinations. If you are studying four subjects per session, this is equivalent to a full-time job. The workload for some subjects may vary as a result of approved course design.
You may need to attend an online or on-campus intensive school for certain subjects in this course. These schools usually involve lectures, tutorials and practicals that will give you a deeper understanding of your subject.
| ASC221 | Animal Genetics | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC262 | Veterinary Reproduction | 8 credit pts | ||
| ASC273 | Animal Nutrition | 8 credit pts | ||
| ASC370 | Ruminant Production and Welfare | 8 credit pts | ||
| BCM210 | Foundations and Techniques in Biochemistry | 8 credit pts | ||
| CHM102 | Chemistry for Dental and Veterinary Sciences | 8 credit pts | ||
| IKC101 | First Nations Foundations: Knowing, Relating and Understanding Country | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC110 | Animal Production and Welfare | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC113 | Fundamentals of Veterinary Biology | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC115 | Pastures and Profits in Grazing Systems | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC122 | Veterinary Practice 1 | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC222 | Veterinary Practice 2 | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC223 | Veterinary Histology and Immunology | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC224 | Veterinary Anatomy | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC225 | Comparative Anatomy | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC226 | Veterinary Physiology | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC227 | Applied Veterinary Physiology | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC310 | Principles of Pathobiology | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC321 | Principles of Clinical and Systematic Pathology | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC323 | Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC324 | Veterinary Pharmacology, Diagnostics and Therapeutics | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC329 | Applied Veterinary Epidemiology | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC331 | Diagnosis and Critical Thinking in Veterinary Science | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC333 | Applied Veterinary Nutrition and Production | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC415 | Population Medicine | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC416 | Production Animal Medicine 1 | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC417 | Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery 1 | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC418 | Public Health and Biosecurity 1 | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC425 | Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery 2 | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC426 | Production Animal Medicine 2 | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC427 | Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery 3 | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC410 | Clinical Practice 1 | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC420 | Clinical Practice 2 | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC450 | Clinical Practice 3 | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC451 | Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery 4 | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC453 | Public Health And Biosecurity 2 | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC455 | Transition to the Profession | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC471 | Clinical Rotation 1 - Equine Practice | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC472 | Clinical Rotation 2 - Small Animal Practice | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC473 | Clinical Rotation 3 - Dairy Cattle Practice | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC474 | Clinical Rotation 4 - Rural Practice | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC475 | Clinical Rotation 5 - Veterinary Diagnostic Services | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC479 | Clinical Rotation 9 - State Veterinary Medicine | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC480 | Clinical Rotation 10 - Clinical Extramural Studies 3 | 8 credit pts | ||
| VSC460 | Veterinary Professional Practice | 8 credit pts |
Brush up on your skills with our short, online subjects that prepare you for university. Topics range from essay writing and grammar, to maths, statistics, and chemistry - best of all they're free for most Australian residents. Visit Study Link to see our full range of subjects.
As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.
This is an estimate
Applications for the 2027 intake will open in June 2026.
90
Learn about how our selection ranks are calculated (including ATARs and adjustment factors).
View the course profile for this course.
Veterinary Science applicants are expected, via the admission process, to be able to demonstrate their commitment to veterinary science through leadership activities and involvement in rural and regional communities, animals and livestock industries.
Applicants will be assessed both on their academic performance and on the breadth and depth of their experiences in rural/regional communities, workplaces/environments, veterinary practices and other veterinary or animal production enterprises. Additionally, applicants will be assessed on their ability to communicate how these experiences combine to show their leadership skills and commitment to rural/regional communities.
The admission process for domestic students in the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science consists of 3 stages, as outlined under Application Process.
Stage 1
3-Step Application Pack:
Stage 2
Selected applicants will be invited to an interview with Charles Sturt University staff and representatives.
Stage 3
The applicants who meet the academic requirements and receive the highest interview scores will receive an offer into the course.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
APPLICANTS WITH RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION
A completed Higher School Certificate (or equivalent), with a minimum ATAR of 90.00, inclusive of adjustment factors.
Although there are no formal prerequisites for the Veterinary Science course at Charles Sturt, it is highly recommended that school leavers will have studied one or more science disciplines and high-level mathematics in Year 12. If you have not studied these subjects and are accepted to the course, it is strongly recommended you undertake a StudyLink subject before commencing the degree.
School leavers who will not have completed their final exams at the time of application will be required to meet the minimum ATAR of 90.00.
For applicants to be eligible to receive the Charles Sturt Regional Location Adjustment, they must have attended a non-metropolitan school for their final two years of high school. This is based on the school address and not the student’s home address.
Conditional interviews may be offered to applicants who are awaiting their final scores but offers will not be made until ATAR results are received and are deemed eligible.
STAT test scores will not be considered.
APPLICANTS WITH UNIVERSITY STUDY
Successful completion of one year full-time student load (EFTSL) university level study (AQF level 7 Bachelor Degree or higher) meeting the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) that is equivalent to an ATAR of 90.00 as set by UAC each year. GPAs are calculated from subjects with completed substantive grades (FL to HD or equivalent) from the most recent program of study that completes at least one EFTSL.
GPA is calculated at the time of application close for any students who have completed a minimum of one EFTSL in their current course. First year students will have the opportunity to establish a valid GPA using the results from their current session of study which will be available after the applications close but before the end of the current year.
Tertiary study must have been undertaken within the last seven years. For study that was completed more than seven years ago, evidence must be provided of continuing professional development related to the area of study.
UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS
POSTGRADUATE APPLICANTS
Graduate Diploma or Master:
APPLICANTS WITH A PhD:
For consideration of other postgraduate qualifications not listed, please contact the Veterinary Science Course Administration Team via email: FOSH-Course@csu.edu.au
NON-ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Applicants will be asked to provide evidence in the form of written documents/references from the relevant supervisor of work experience, or other leadership experience (relating to formal positions and/or personal leadership and group activities).
This may include work experience in rural/regional communities/workplaces/environments, veterinary practices and other veterinary or animal production enterprises, including the family farm, where they have gained experience relevant to livestock industries, veterinary science and regional and rural communities.
It is expected that applicants will have a minimum of three experiences that demonstrate their commitment to Veterinary Science in regional and rural communities. The depth and breadth of these experiences will be considered when evaluating applications
Completion of the situational judgement CASPER test on the allocated test dates as outlined in the Supplementary Application Pack is also required.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Stage 1 - Supplementary Application Pack
The Supplementary Application Pack provides the opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to animals, livestock industries, veterinary science and rural/regional communities.
A link to the Supplementary Application Pack will be available on the website when applications open in early June each year.
Late applications and incomplete applications will NOT be accepted.
Stage 2 - Interviews
Stage 3 - Offers
Vaccination Requirements required prior to study
Students commencing the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Veterinary Science will be required to be vaccinated against both Q Fever and Tetanus before commencing study on campus.
The Q Fever vaccine, Q-Vax, will require pre-vaccination screening and can be delivered by your general practitioner. Please refer to the Government Q Fever Vaccination Fact Sheet for further information.
The Tetanus vaccine is also available from your general practitioner and requires to be updated with a booster every 10 years. If you have already received your Tetanus vaccination you will need to provide evidence that his has been received within the indicated timeframe. Please refer to the Government Tetanus Fact Sheet for further information.
More information regarding vaccination requirements can be found in the Requirements tab on the Workplace Learning website.
Applicants must have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America) including at least two years between years 7 and 12. If this requirement is not met, you must provide IELTS results (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or equivalent test
Inherent requirements are the academic and other requirements of a course that all students must meet to achieve the course learning outcomes, and the knowledge, abilities, skills and qualities students will need to have in order to achieve them. Please visit our inherent requirements page for more general information about them.
If you’ve completed relevant tertiary study, or work experience related to your course, you could receive credit towards your degree. Which would mean completing your qualification quicker. Find out how to apply for credit and see our credit policy.
Check your eligibility for credit
We also have several admission pathways to help you take the step into your preferred course, even if you don't quite meet the entry requirements at first. Find out what admission pathways are available to you.
Applying to Charles Sturt University is easy. Choose how you want to apply below, or get in touch with Charles Sturt University and we can help you with your application.
Important dates
12 September 2025
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science - Application Closing Date
This course does not accept late or extended applications. Only on-time applications will be considered for admission.
Having a rural vet course situated in the country makes the course very relevant and the people who go here are very like-minded.
