Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) [Embedded]

From cats and dogs to cattle, horses, sheep, to wildlife and coral reef species, the clinical range is unlike any other vet program in Australia. You'll develop the skills to diagnose, treat, manage and prevent disease across companion, production, aquatic and native animals, and gain knowledge in busy rural, urban and tropical veterinary contexts that most programs simply don't offer.

Core studies span animal handling, anatomy and surgery, alongside animal health and welfare, epidemiology, zoonoses and public health. Professional ethics and legislation are central to the program throughout. JCU’s veterinary career development program builds the soft skills that matter in practice too: communication, teamwork, self-management and resilience. A One Health lens runs through the whole degree because in the environments JCU graduates work in, animal health, human health and ecosystem health are rarely separate problems.

The on-campus Veterinary and Emergency Centre and Hospital, the JCU Fletcherview Research Station (a working cattle station west of Townsville), a veterinary clinical training facility in Malanda and an equine clinic in Townsville, along with exposure to our clinical simulation facility, will all provide in-depth clinical exposure well before graduation. In your final two years, placements across both rural and urban veterinary practices bring that preparation into professional settings.

You'll also develop the research and communication skills to evaluate evidence, make sound clinical decisions, and work confidently across different teams, species and settings and help manage yourself through a broad range of life challenges. This extends to JCU's connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, where the relationship between animal and community health is particularly direct.

The Honours component is embedded throughout the course.

Note: Students who complete the first 45 prescribed credit points of the Bachelor of Science (Animal and Veterinary Bioscience) major may be eligible to transfer to the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) if the student meets the admission requirements via GPA, written application and external tests.

If you live (or have previously lived) in a rural or remote area of Australia, the Rural Access Scheme may open a dedicated pathway into the degree.

View the Handbook for a full subject overview and pre-placement requirements.

JCU's Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) is accredited by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council, making graduates eligible to register and practise in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa.

Graduates work across a wide range of settings including veterinary clinics and hospitals, government agencies, universities, pharmaceutical industries, agriculture, biosecurity and quarantine, public health, and in zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.

The rural and tropical focus of the degree is recognised by employers working in North Queensland and beyond.  The practical experience embedded in the course structure means graduates enter the workforce with existing clinical placement experience.

Graduates may wish to pursue research in animal science or other fields such as allied health.

Courses are charged per year of full-time study. International course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

A Student Services and Amenities Fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.

Student Visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their Student Visa (except Norwegian, Swedish and Belgian citizens). Costs depend on the length of study and the number of dependants accompanying the student. For more information see Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Scholarships and financial aid are also available for international students.

Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.

Gather the documents you need to apply and submit an application via JCU's online application portal.