International Student Admissions Guide

Change in immigration status during the application process

• If you are an international applicant to the University of Adelaide’s veterinary program and your residency status changes during the application process (i.e. you obtain permanent residency or some other immigration status that entitles you to the educational benefits of permanent residency), you will no longer be eligible for an international student place.
• If you are an international student and your immigration status changes prior to 30 September 2024 and you have NOT lodged a parallel domestic application and/or you do not meet the additional entry requirements for domestic applicants, you cannot be considered for a domestic offer and can no longer be considered for an international offer. You will need to re-apply for domestic entry the following year, in accordance with the entry policy of that year.
• If you are an international student and your immigration status changes after 30 September 2024 and prior to the release of international offers, you will no longer be considered for the international cohort. You will need to re-apply for domestic entry the following year, in accordance with the entry policy of that year.

Change in immigration status prior to release of offers

• Offers for international places in the University of Adelaide’s veterinary program degree cannot be made to applicants who are Australian/ New Zealand citizens or Australian Permanent Residents.
• If you obtain permanent residency (or some other immigration status that entitles you to the educational benefits of permanent residency) after 30 September 2024 and prior to acceptance of your international offer, you will not be eligible for an international offer and you will need to re-apply for domestic entry the following year, in accordance with the entry policy of that year.

Change in immigration status after accepting an offer

Due to strict domestic quotas for commencing students, if you obtain permanent residency (or some other immigration status that entitles you to the educational benefits of permanent residency) after you accept your offer and before you complete your first year of study in the University of Adelaide’s veterinary program, you will not be able to remain in the degree. 

Change in immigration status during studies

If you are an international student and you obtain permanent residency (or another applicable immigration status that entitles you to the educational benefits of permanent residency) after you complete your first year of study, you will only be able to remain in the University of Adelaide’s veterinary program if there is a domestic place available at that time. With strict quotas across the breadth of the veterinary program, availabilities of domestic places at any given time cannot be guaranteed. These are at the discretion of the Executive Dean and subject to availability. 

If a domestic place is available, you must pay domestic tuition fees for the remainder of your studies in the University of Adelaide’s veterinary program (i.e., you cannot be transferred to a Commonwealth Supported Place). If a domestic place is not available, you may not be able to remain in the veterinary program.

Should your place in the program cease due to a lack of available domestic places, you could apply again for entry to the B.Sc (Veterinary Bioscience) program through the domestic applicant process, meeting minimum admission requirements and following the admission process in place at the time of your proposed commencement in the program in a Commonwealth Supported Place. If your application ranks competitively and is successful, prior study will be considered and you would then receive either an offer into the B.Sc (Veterinary Bioscience) or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, dependent on the assessment of your prior study, noting program content and structure is subject to change each academic year.

Similarly, should you obtain permanent residency (or another applicable immigration status that entitles you to the educational benefits of permanent residency) after you complete your first year of study, and wish to move to study in a Commonwealth Supported Place, you will need to apply for entry again for entry to the B.Sc (Veterinary Bioscience) program through the domestic applicant process, meeting minimum admission requirements and following the admission process in place at the time of your proposed commencement in the program in a Commonwealth Supported Place. If your application ranks competitively and is successful, prior study will be considered and you would then receive either an offer into the B.Sc (Veterinary Bioscience) or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, dependent on the assessment of your prior study, noting program content and structure is subject to change each academic year.

Prerequisite subjects

Prior to submitting an application for admission, all applicants are advised to check that they have either completed, or are in the process of completing, the prerequisite subjects:

You must have successfully completed the prerequisite subjects.

• Australian Year 12, SACE Stage 2: Biology or Mathematical Methods or Chemistry.
• IB Biology (SL grade 4/HL grade 3) or IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL); or IB Chemistry (SL grade 4/HL grade 3).
• International qualifications: Biology or Mathematics or Chemistry.

FAQ: I don't meet the subject prerequisites

Academic score

Students who don’t meet the academic requirements or who have other qualifications may be eligible to apply for a Pre-University Pathway to prepare for or gain entry into the University’s undergraduate academic programs.

Secondary school qualification and score

• Selection Rank (International) - 90
• Alternative academic entry requirements

English language requirements

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic Test is the preferred English language proficiency qualification, but the University may accept other evidence of proficiency in English in individual cases.

English Tests accepted by the University of Adelaide

Australian Year 12 / IB

All international students who have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 program and have met the overall selection rank (based on ATAR or equivalent) as well as any specific program prerequisite requirements will be deemed to have met the English Language Proficiency requirements of the University. Additional English Language preparation programs, e.g. Academic English Pre-Enrolment English Program (PEP) can also be arranged upon request.

Successful completion of the International Baccalaureate Diploma meets the English language requirements of the University of Adelaide.

Inherent requirements and vaccination guidelines

There are inherent requirements associated with the University of Adelaide’s veterinary program that prospective students need to be aware of before applying.

These requirements include, but are not limited to, physical fitness, physical capacity to learn how to handle a range of large and small animals; required vaccinations (specifically Q fever); and effective written communication.

Applicants must read the inherent requirements and vaccination guidelines before submitting their application.

All international applicants for the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience), including International students studying in Australia, should submit an application online to the University’s International Application System.

Applications must be submitted prior to 11:59pm (ACST time) 30 September 2024.

Even if you have not yet completed your current qualification, you will still be required to apply by this date. Late applications will not be accepted.

Declaration

Submission of your application (by yourself or an agent acting on your behalf) is your agreement that you have:

• Read and understand the 2025 Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) Admission Guide (this web document).
• Read, understand and believe you will meet the Inherent Requirements
• Read, understand and agree to the Vaccination Guidelines

and is your agreement to the requirements below:

The Australian Veterinary Board Council Inc (AVBC) is the Australian body responsible for accrediting veterinary science programs. At the University of Adelaide, the veterinary science program comprises of two degrees: the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) and the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. To practice as a veterinarian, students need to complete both degrees (6 years in total). Graduates are eligible for registration as veterinarians in all states and territories of Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Kingdom. In order to meet these professional expectations, graduates must be able to demonstrate their ability to perform various animal handling, manipulative, therapeutic and diagnostic techniques. The Veterinary Surgeons Board or Veterinary Practitioners Board in any state or territory of Australia may refuse to register a person not deemed fit to practise veterinary science by reason of infirmity, injury, mental or physical illness, habitual drunkenness or addiction to a deleterious drug. In order to meet and maintain accreditation standards with the AVBC, the University of Adelaide is required to train graduate students who are eligible to be registered as veterinarians.
 
The Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) and the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine together form a broad program; it is a requirement of the accreditation of the program that graduates have the skills to practice veterinary medicine and surgery across all species of domestic animals and common wildlife species. All veterinary science students must demonstrate the ethical, physical and emotional capacity to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the level of competence required by the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences in order to graduate and be registrable as a veterinarian.
 
There are inherent requirements associated with the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) that prospective students need to be aware of before applying. These requirements include, but are not limited to, physical fitness, physical capacity to learn how to handle a range of large and small animals, required vaccinations (specifically Q fever), and effective written communication. Applicants must read the Inherent Requirements and Vaccination Guidelines before submitting their applications. By applying for this program, applicants acknowledge these Inherent Requirements and Vaccination Guidelines.
 
If you have a temporary or permanent medical condition or disability that may impact on your study in the veterinary science degrees, you should visit Disability Support or contact them on +61 8 8313 5962 as soon as possible to discuss whether reasonable study adjustments can be made without compromising the inherent requirements for veterinary registration. Such conditions may include, but are not restricted to, learning disabilities, mental health problems, sensory and physical disabilities, life threatening allergies, and immunosuppressive conditions.

Apply now 

As part of the application process, applicants are required to complete and submit a prescribed questionnaire.

Accessing the questionnaire

Upon submission of an application in the University’s International Application System an email will be sent to the applicant containing a unique link and security code to access a Supplementary Form. The Supplementary Form will contain the Questionnaire component of the application, and this must be completed and submitted for the application to progress. Prior to submission of this form, applicants may access the Supplementary Form multiple times if necessary, using their unique link and security code. Once submitted the applicant will no longer be permitted access to the Supplementary form.

Questionnaire content

As part of the questionnaire, applicants will be asked about their life experiences and their knowledge and interest in veterinary science. Applicants will also be required to provide information about their experience with animals and the veterinary industry.

Animal and veterinary experiences

These experiences can range from, but are by no means limited to:

• Animal rescue organisations
• Animal welfare centres or shelters
• Zoos, wildlife sanctuaries or reserves
• Research centres or organisations
• Veterinary clinics or hospitals
• Farms, stud or breeding facilities, stables, pet shops
• Pet sitting
• Pet grooming services
• Animal training organisations
• Pet boarding facilities
• Personal pet(s)

These could also be in a role of:

• Work experience
• Employment
• Family farm
• Responsible for husbandry of and facilitating veterinary care of your own pet

There are no right or wrong examples, no minimum/maximum durations required or experience with specific species required, and there is no expectation you have worked in the veterinary industry previously.

If you have more examples of experience than the questionnaire allows submission of, you will need to use your own best judgement to narrow down to what you feel are the most relevant and will give your application the most strength.

Questionnaire documentation

Supporting documentation for responses provided to the experience with animals and the veterinary industry is required. Questionnaires will not be considered without supporting documentation. Documentation will be spot checked for verification.

Examples of documentation types are, but are not limited to:

• Letter of reference or statement of recommendation from host organisation
• Placement or work experience report
• Testimonial from non-professional acquaintance (e.g. neighbour, friend, relative)
• Personal statement (statutory declaration)
• Photos (not usually sufficient without other documentation)

Documentation from an organisation should be in the most formal format as possible, i.e. on official company or organisation letterhead, and should signed and dated by a representative from the organisation, including relevant contact details for verification purposes.

Evidence preferably should include details such as the date range, frequency of activities (e.g. 1 day a week for 4 weeks) and your responsibilities or tasks undertaken or observed.

When discussing personal pets, you should elaborate on the scope of your responsibility with respect to aspects of care such as feeding, grooming, exercise, training, medical attention, etc. If you have a good relationship with the veterinarian you have regularly seen with your pet(s), a letter from them outlining what you have been responsible for (ie. yearly vaccination visits, daily medication administration, wound management at home etc.) would be accepted.

The preferred document format is pdf, although doc, docx,, jpg and jpeg files will also be accepted. Files must not have security features enabled.

Supporting documentation must be in English. Where the original document is not in English, English translations completed by a National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) accredited translator or a locally accredited translator plus the original document must be supplied.

Questionnaire responses must be the applicant’s own work. Responses generated through Artificial Intelligence (AI) software, such as ChatGPT violate this application requirement. Questionnaire responses and supporting documentation will be scrutinised by plagiarism and AI detection software. Applications that return a positive result for plagiarism and/or AI generated content in the Questionnaire component will not progress and will be deemed unsuccessful. 

Appeals for failing to submit the questionnaire by the deadline will not be considered.

Requests for amendments or additions to the questionnaire after submission will not be considered.

All applicants applying to the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) program, at the University of Adelaide, are required to complete the Acuity Insights Assessment for the 2024/2025 admissions cycle.

International applicants must register for the Acuity Insights Assessment with the (seven digit) International Application System application number for their B.Sc (Veterinary Bioscience) application. In the instance an applicant is applying as both a domestic and international applicant, they must register with both their (nine digit) 2025 SATAC reference number AND their (seven digit) International Application System application number.

The Acuity Insights Assessment is a standardized, online assessment that measures different competencies and attributes that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. This assessment will complement the other tools that we use for applicant review and evaluation. In implementing the Acuity Insights Assessment, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process. 

The Acuity Insights Assessment consists of: 

• Casper: 90-110 minute online, open-response situational judgment test (SJT)

How to complete the assessments

In order to take the assessments, you will be responsible for securing access to a laptop or desktop computer with webcam and audio capabilities and a reliable internet connection with an internet speed of at least 1.5 Mbps and upload speed of at least 2 Mbps. You will require the following for both account creation and completing the Acuity Insights Assessment:

• Government-issued photo ID (English/French) for account validation
• Valid email address (the same one you will use to submit your application)
• Desktop or laptop computer
• Working webcam
• Working microphone
• Reliable high-speed internet connection

1. Please go to www.acuityinsights.app to sign up for Acuity Insights Assessment for CSP-10411 - AUS/NZ Undergraduate Health Sciences, under your specific country, and register using your International Admissions System number and a piece of government-issued photo ID. 
2. Select a Casper test date. You will be provided with a limited number of testing dates and times, which have been pre-arranged/approved by your program(s) in accordance with their admissions timelines. Please note that these are the only testing dates available for your Casper test based on your program selection(s). There will be no additional tests scheduled. Please use an email address that you check regularly and that you have used for your application; there may be updates to the test schedule.

• Important: To account for identity verification and payment processing timelines, ensure that you register for your test at least 3 days before your preferred test date and time. Last-minute bookings are not recommended.

1. Ensure you have selected Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) for distribution before the posted distribution deadline. Likely, there will be no additional tests scheduled, but the most up-to-date information can be found by browsing the Test Dates and Times on acuityinsights.app.
2. Please direct any inquiries on the Acuity Insights Assessment to support@acuityinsights.app. Alternatively, you may use the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your screen on the acuityinsights.app website.

Accommodations: Applicants requiring testing accommodations to complete their Acuity Insights Assessment should submit an Initial Request Form (Part 1 and 2) at least four (4) weeks prior to their scheduled Casper test date. More information regarding the accommodations policy can be found via the How to apply for accommodations page.

Requests to take Casper after the last test date published by Acuity Insights for the B.Sc (Veterinary Bioscience) program with the University of Adelaide will not be considered.

Offer outcomes are based on a combination of the following components:

• Questionnaire results
• Acuity Insights Assessment result

The University of Adelaide’s International Admissions Service will make offers progressively as applications are assessed. They will issue conditional offers pending final results for International applicants.

If you applied through an agent, your offer will be forwarded to the agent’s email address submitted in your application.

To accept your offer, you must return the required acceptance payment and documents before the acceptance closing dates specified in your offer letter. 

Please note: Feedback on your performance will not be released by the University. Information regarding applicants and the status of their applications is confidential and will only be released to the applicant or their agent. No appeals on behalf of an applicant will be considered.

Students offered a place in the B.Sc (Veterinary Bioscience) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs should familiarize themselves with the University’s Coursework Academic Programs Policy. Particular attention should be drawn to Section 4 Completion of Programs and Courses. The B.Sc (Veterinary Bioscience) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs by definition are a Vertically Integrated Degree Program and as such have a 10 year Maximum Duration, which includes any periods in which the student is not enrolled at the University.