Top 10 reasons to study veterinary medicine at Murdoch University

Aug 21
3 min read

If you want to study veterinary medicine in Australia, Murdoch University’s School of Veterinary Medicine stands out as a premier destination for students from North America.

Murdoch University, home to WA's only veterinary school

Why Study Veterinary Medicine at Murdoch?

Choosing Murdoch means joining a community dedicated to animal welfare, health, and cutting-edge research.

Here's the top 10 reasons why students from the U.S. and Canada are choosing Murdoch on their journey to becoming a vet:

1) Integrated Degree

Murdoch offers a unique degree in which students study an integrated Bachelor of Science / Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (BSc/DVM) and complete it in just five years.

This path is open to U.S. applicants straight out of high school, those who have undertaken some university studies, as well as those who have already completed a bachelor's degree.

Students who have already taken college-level classes may even be able to receive some credit (advanced standing).

2) International Accreditation

Murdoch's degree is recognized globally, accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RVCS) in the UK, and the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) in Australia and New Zealand.

This means when you graduate, you are eligible to practice in Australia, North America, the UK, and beyond without further study.

3) Unique On-Campus Farm

Murdoch is the only Australian city-based university with a fully operational working farm right on campus!

This means you won't need to move to another campus for your clinical years, which is unusual for veterinary medicine programs overseas.

You won't just read about livestock; you can look out of your classroom and see it right there.

4) The Animal Hospital at Murdoch University (TAHMU)

Gain experience in Murdoch's state-of-the-art teaching hospital.

From emergency and critical care to exotic pet medicine, you’ll observe and assist specialists using the latest diagnostic tools like 1.5 Tesla MRI and 80-slice CT scanners.

5) Five-Star Teaching Quality

Murdoch consistently earns a five-star rating for teaching quality in Veterinary Science, ensuring you learn from industry-leading experts who are pioneers in fields like infectious diseases and wildlife conservation.

6) Learning by Doing

Murdoch's curriculum is built around Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), ensuring you are career-ready the moment you graduate.

Their Clinical Skills Lab allows you to practice suturing, injections, and anesthesia techniques using high-tech simulators and virtual reality before you ever enter a real surgery suite.

7) Extramural Placements

Murdoch vet med students will complete at least 25 weeks of extramural placements.

This includes time spent at animal shelters, the Perth Zoo, and various rural farms, giving you a broad perspective on the veterinary industry.

8) Specialized Facilities

Explore the Veterinary Anatomy Museum, which houses an extensive collection of skeletons and plastinated specimens, helping you master the complex structure of different species.

9) Various Career Options

A degree from Murdoch opens doors to a diverse range of careers.

While many of Murdoch vet graduates become Small Animal Clinicians, others pursue paths as:

Wildlife Conservationists: Protecting endangered species.
Government Veterinarians: Managing biosecurity and public health.
Equine Specialists: Working with high-performance athletes in the racing and equestrian industry.
Researchers: Solving global health challenges through a "One Health" approach.

10) Western Australia Biodiversity

Located in the beautiful city of Perth, Murdoch is home to Western Australia’s only veterinary school.

From black swans to endangered Carnaby’s cockatoos, the state's unique biodiversity offers veterinary cases you simply won't see anywhere else in the world.

And just a short ferry ride away is Rottnest Island, home to the world-famous quokka.