Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
at The University of Queensland, Queensland.
A five-year veterinary science (Honours) degree at UQs Gatton campus, host to the UQ Veterinary Medical Centre. Australias longest-established veterinary school with strong production-animal, equine and companion-animal programs.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the The University of Queensland Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours). We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ATAR cutoff not published | QTAC |
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | QTAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | QTAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official QTAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
The UQ Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) is a five-year AVBC-accredited degree taught largely from the Gatton campus, home to the UQ Veterinary Medical Centre. The early years build the biomedical foundations: animal anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, microbiology and the structure and function of the major domestic species. Practical work in dissection, histology and animal handling runs alongside lectures from the outset. The middle years move into the mechanisms of disease and clinical sciences: pathology, pharmacology, parasitology, immunology, nutrition, reproduction and the medicine and surgery of companion, equine and production animals. Students develop clinical reasoning, diagnostic skills and an understanding of animal welfare, biosecurity and veterinary public health, with increasing hands-on practical and husbandry work. The final years are clinically intensive, centred on rotations through the UQ Veterinary Medical Centre and external placements across small-animal, equine, livestock, mixed and emergency practice. Students consolidate surgery, anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging and medicine, complete the Honours research component, and undertake substantial extramural and clinical placement before transitioning to registration-ready practice.
Example first-year subjects
- Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
- Animal Biology and Cell Function
- Biochemistry for Veterinary Science
- Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology
- Animal Husbandry and Handling
- Genetics and Introductory Statistics
How you will be assessed
- Written and practical exams across biomedical and clinical units
- Anatomy and histology practical (spot) exams
- Clinical-rotation assessment and competency sign-off in final years
- Case-based reasoning and diagnostic assignments
- Honours research project and dissertation
- Practical skills and animal-handling assessment
Career outcomes
- Graduates are registered veterinarians, working in companion animal, equine, livestock and mixed practice across Queensland and nationally.
- First-year jobs typically include rural mixed practice across Queensland, small animal clinics in Brisbane, equine practice in the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba, and roles with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
- Many alumni pursue specialty registration, move into research at UQs School of Veterinary Science, or work in biosecurity, livestock production and wildlife veterinary medicine.
Professional accreditation
- Australasian Veterinary Boards Council accredited
- Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland registration eligible
Typical first jobs
- Rural mixed-practice veterinarian across regional Queensland
- Small-animal veterinarian in Brisbane companion-animal clinics
- Equine veterinarian on the Sunshine Coast and around Toowoomba
- Production-animal and livestock veterinarian
- Veterinary officer with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
- Emergency and after-hours veterinarian
- Biosecurity or animal-health officer in government
Graduate starting salary
$58,000 - $70,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-24.
After graduation
Graduates are eligible for registration as veterinarians with the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland (and interstate equivalents), and most enter clinical practice directly in companion, equine, livestock or mixed settings. From there, vets can pursue specialty pathways through internships, residencies and membership or fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. Other directions include government roles in biosecurity, animal health and veterinary public health, livestock production and industry, and wildlife or conservation medicine. Research-minded graduates can enter MPhil and PhD study, often building on the embedded Honours research project.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students deeply committed to animal health across many species
- Those comfortable with intensive bioscience, clinical and practical workloads
- People able to handle livestock, horses and companion animals confidently
- Students resilient under emotionally demanding clinical and welfare situations
- Those willing to relocate to Gatton and complete extensive placements
It is probably not for you if
- Students wanting a shorter degree or city-only campus experience
- Those uncomfortable with surgery, blood, dissection or animal euthanasia
- Anyone hoping to avoid heavy bioscience, exams and long clinical placements
Related courses at UQ
Sources
- https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/programs/bachelor-veterinary-science-honours-2401
- https://www.qtac.edu.au/
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the The University of Queensland handbook and on QTAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/uq/bachelor-of-veterinary-science.