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Doctor of Veterinary Studies

I'm a domestic student, commencingstudent, looking to commence studying in 2025.
There are no upcoming offerings for the year 2025.
This course has no domestic offering.
This course has no international offering.

Establish yourself as an expert in the management, care and welfare of animals. The Doctor of Veterinary Studies from Charles Sturt University provides clinical and research skills and knowledge to prepare you for specialist veterinary practice of a national and international standard.

The highest qualification available in the profession, the Doctor of Veterinary Studies provides a unique opportunity for practising veterinarians to gain a critical understanding in a complex field and conduct research that makes an original contribution to your discipline.

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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    Key information

    Study mode and sessions

    On Campus
    Next session start: July 14, 2025
    Session 1 : March 3, 2025
    On Campus
    Wagga Wagga
    Session 2 : July 14, 2025
    On Campus
    Wagga Wagga

    Duration

    Minimum time - 4 year(s)
    Maximum time - 8 year(s)

    Entry score

    TBA
    View entry requirements

    Indicative fees

    Domestic on campus
    Fee paying postgraduate:
    Full-time - $12,800.00 pa
    Part-time - $6,400.00 pa

    View costs

    Course points and codes

    Credit Points: 192
    AQF: Level 10
    Cricos:

    Additional information

    • Work-integrated learning

    Applications close February 12

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    Find out more

    Why study with us?

    The Doctor of Veterinary Studies is a highly regarded degree that provides advanced research and clinical specialty training in veterinary science. It satisfies the Australian Qualifications Framework level 10 requirements for professional doctorates.

    Clinical training and research

    Beginning with advanced clinical training in your chosen field and related disciplines, you'll go on to plan, develop and conduct an original research project and write a dissertation. You'll develop the analytical, problem-solving, clinical research and technical skills required to attain specialist status.

    Multiple and varied assessments

    The Doctor of Veterinary Studies incorporates assessments that are different from those of a PhD. you'll contribute to scholarly inquiry, provide undergraduate clinical teaching and clinical practice, generate and deliver presentations and reports, and produce peer-reviewed publications.

    Unique learning environment

    You'll benefit from the world-class facilities and technology at our Wagga Wagga campus, which includes veterinary clinical and pre-clinical centres, a veterinary diagnostic laboratory and an equine centre. You may also have opportunities to embark on short study tours in Australia or internationally.

    Leaders in research

    When you study veterinary studies in Australia at Charles Sturt, you'll join a vibrant research community and complete your doctorate under the supervision of renowned discipline experts.

    Scholarships

    We offer merit-based scholarships to help you realise your study or career goals.

    Career opportunities

    Your Doctor of Veterinary Studies will give rise to a range of opportunities. As an expert in your field, you could pursue policy, research or leadership roles and work in private specialist practice, university referral veterinary hospitals, industry or government. Your professional training may also support examinations for membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists and/or North American or European veterinary specialty colleges.

      What you will study

      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.

      Intensive school

      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.

      The course structure involves integration between subjects. In Session 1, VSC712 and VSC714 are undertaken to develop clinical research skills and plan the research project in the context of professional practice. Concurrent exposure to professional workplace settings is integral to the subject for students to acquire knowledge, understanding and skills required for research, identify areas for the research and planning for the development of new knowledge and advancement of professional practice, which underpins the purpose of a professional doctorate degree. Research skills and experience are developed and increased as students progress throughout the course. Development of knowledge and skills in professional practice, including integration of evidence for research-led practice, is undertaken in sessions 2 and 3.

      The research project is completed in the dissertation subject (VSC713) during sessions 4-6. The progression through the course and assumed development of knowledge and skills requires students to complete the subjects in chronological order.

      For the research project and VSC713, the students, under the direction of supervisors, identify gaps in the existing knowledge relevant to the selected veterinary discipline, formulate research questions and hypotheses and develop a proposal and planning for the project to address the identified problem(s) confronting professional veterinary practice. Students develop a systematic understanding of a complex field of learning in their chosen discipline and advanced cognitive, technical, and communication skills to generate new knowledge for the advancement of professional practice through significant original contributions to discipline knowledge. Students apply expert knowledge and skills to progress and finalise the research project. Students will produce a body of significant and original research outcomes in the form of a dissertation for independent examination by external examiners of international standing.

      Core subjects192 Credit Points

      Legend:
      • Intensive school
      • Workplace learning
      VSC711Advanced Veterinary Clinical Skills32 credit pts
      VSC712Doctorate Research Plan16 credit pts
      VSC713Clinical Research Dissertation96 credit pts
      VSC714Advanced Clinical Research Internship16 credit pts
      VSC715Advanced Integration of Theory, Knowledge and Practice32 credit pts
      For enrolment pattern please refer to the handbook.
      View handbook to learn more

      Study link

      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.

      Graduation requirements

      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.

      Students must satisfactorily complete the core subjects, including successful completion of a dissertation in accordance with CSU Academic regulations, to graduate.

      Costs

      Calculate my fee

      The section below is designed to allow you to select the option specific to your circumstances to discover the course fee and course offering information appropriate for you.

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      How is this calculated?

      This is an estimate

      • Fees calculated based on 1 year of full-time study (ETSL).
      • Fees dependant on chosen subjects.
      • Subject to annual increase each year.

      Not included

      Additional costs, fees and incidentals

      Scholarships

      We have scholarships and grants, totalling over $11 million annually!

      They cover various areas such as academic performance, volunteering, sports achievements, community service, specific courses, on-campus living and individuals in unique circumstances.

      Explore scholarships

      Entry requirements

      Selection rank:

      TBA

      Learn about how our selection ranks are calculated (including ATARs and adjustment factors).

      View the course profile for this course.

      The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of the University holds the delegated authority to approval for admission to a research higher degree program.

      Basis of Approval for Admission to the Doctor of Veterinary Studies
      The RAC shall base its decision on admission to a proposed Doctor of Veterinary Studies candidature upon the following evidence, that:

      • the  proposed  area of research  falls  within  an  approved University  field  of  research  for  admission  to  a higher degree by research;
      • the proposed supervisors are sufficiently expert in the area of research, and have the time and commitment to be able to provide appropriate supervision, and that adequate physical resources are available;
      • the applicant has the background and ability to undertake the proposed course (refer also to Entry Qualifications, below);
      • the applicant has given the necessary commitment to work regularly on the approved program of study and research and maintain regular contact with the supervisor(s).

      For admission to the Doctor of Veterinary Studies, applicants would need to demonstrate that they:

      • Have a veterinary science degree with class 1 or class 2(i) honours which enables candidates to be registered by the Veterinary Practitioners Board of New South Wales or equivalent academic and/or research experience,
        and
      • Have a minimum of 1 year of veterinary professional experience.

      Applicants with a first language other than English must satisfy Charles Sturt University’s normal requirements for language competency.

      Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements apply.  Click here to view the specific international course entry requirements.

      Supplementary application forms

      To apply for this course you will need to complete the following and upload it with your application:

      Credit and pathways

      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.

      How to apply

      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.

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