If you’re someone who is passionate about animals, and you are equally interested in healing, then a career as a veterinarian would be a great option for you. Despite the years of learning, most veterinarians enjoy their career as it’s very rewarding and has diverse career opportunities. And because you are investing a significant amount of time and money for your education to become a veterinarian, it’s obvious that you’d want to select one of the best veterinary universities in Australia to ensure your education is of the best quality.
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How to know if a university is worth your time and money?
In order to select the best university, you must first know what the criteria are for ranking as the top universities in the world.
- Accreditation – in simple terms, this means that the university meets high education standards (set by relevant authorities). This is crucial to check when it comes to medical education, as it will ensure that the quality of education that you expect will be met. Studying at an accredited university also increases your chances of gaining employment in the field after the completion of your education.
- Curriculum and specialization – specialization allows students to focus on specific areas of their chosen interests. This inevitably helps them excel in their career. Likewise, a well-designed curriculum ensures that the students receive an up-to-date education.
- Research opportunities – like having a good curriculum, a university that provides research opportunities also tends to be very particular about the quality of education they provide. In addition to this, offering research opportunities also tends to attract a better quality of students; enviably meaning there is a diverse culture and healthy competition among the students.
- Facilities and resources – While having qualified and interesting professors is the game changer of university life, students must be aware that quality facilities and quality resources also enrich their university experience. Up-to-date libraries as well as well-equipped clinics and laboratories are some of those facilities that will make for a comprehensive veterinary education.
- Student outcome – this gives you a general idea about the success rate of students coming from this university. It includes graduation rates, employment rates as well as students’ satisfaction upon completing their education at this university. Again, as you’re investing both your money and time, you must try to ensure your satisfaction once you’ve completed your education.
What are the 10 best veterinary universities in Australia?
With Australia being as vast and diverse as it is, it’s not surprising that we have over 30 great options when it comes to good universities. But among them too, are the crème de la crème; the best options among the great universities. To make selecting easier for you, here is our list of the top 10 universities in Australia:
- Australian National University, Canberra – known for its excellent research and high educational standards, this university provides programs like veterinary services that offer training, advice and support for animal welfare; an experience that is valuable for any veterinarian student.
- University of South Wales, Sydney – offering top ranked programs and a comprehensive curriculum, this university prides itself for offering modern equipment that provides its students a chance to experience working with a wide range of animals as well as medical conditions.
- James Cook University, Townsville – an excellent choice for those looking to work in remote areas and challenging settings. Along with its invaluable practical experiences, this university is also high ranking and well recognized.
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide – known for its excellent teaching, research and clinical practices, this university is a great choice as it offers students to engage in ground breaking research, which in turn will help them with their own careers.
- University of New England, Armidale – offering comprehensive animal science programs and hands-on training as well as excellent facilities and competitive research options, the university is located in a relatively remote location. This makes it a great choice for those looking for cheaper accommodations.
- Monash University, Clayton – known for its strong emphasis on research and an inclusive and diverse curriculum, this university also offers students a chance to involve themselves in engaging projects related to their chosen field.
- Murdoch University, Murdoch – with accredited programs and a focus on research, this university prides itself for the opportunities it provides its students for hands-on learning opportunities. With placements ranging from animal shelters to the Perth Zoo, students are sure to gain plenty of useful experiences as well as connections that help them in the real world.
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne – regarded highly as one of the top veterinary schools in the world, this university prides itself on its modern facilities, comprehensive curriculum as well as its ability to offer students a chance to get hands-on experiences in a diverse setting of interesting placements.
- University of Sydney, Sydney – ranked 1st in Australia and 18th globally, there is no doubt that this university is a great choice for any veterinarian student. With excellent and modern facilities that include the veterinary teaching hospitals of Camperdown and Camden, as well as placements in various settings that include wildlife reserves, this university also boasts of a world class education.
- University of Queensland, St Lucia – this internationally accredited university has a strong reputation for its teaching excellence, overall academic performance, and research. Ensuring high quality education and an unparalleled university experience, you will also find its facilities state-of-the-art, and curriculum excellent. Having an internationally accredited qualification makes it easy for you to work in any part of the world without an issue.
How to choose the correct veterinarian university for you?
Now that you know what makes a good university and which are the best universities of Australia, it is time to choose one for yourself that will suit all your requirements. Of course you need to check on the previously mentioned accreditation, curriculum, facilities, specialization, and resources. But apart from that, you also need to check on:
- Location – the distance from home, the climate in that city, the cost of travelling, the cost of living in the university city…these can make a huge difference on your university experience. You will not be able to fully focus on your studies if you must worry about making rent or if you’re having a hard time adjusting to the climate.
- Tuition and financial aid – as rewarding as it is to become a veterinarian, veterinarian universities are not cheap. Doing a price comparison (for tuition) and checking if your chosen university offers scholarships, student loans or financial aid is a must.
- Average class size – choose a university that has a smaller class size. Though it might mean the acceptance rate is a bit smaller than those universities with larger classes, at least you know you’ll actually be able to get the necessary attention that is vital for your education.
- Student support services – any university that truly cares for its students will have adequate support for its students in the form of mental health support services. In addition to this, if they also provide academic advising and career guidance, then you know you’ve got a winner!
- Reputation and alumni support – while this may not directly affect your university experience, it does have an impact on you when job hunting. Students applying from universities that have a good reputation automatically get looked at favorably. Likewise, it doesn’t hurt to have seniors in your field looking out for you (or even hiring you!), simply because they are alumni of your university.
As an aspiring veterinarian, here’s how to ensure your application gains attention
Because of the high competition in university admissions, it’s vital that you make your application stand out to your chosen universities. Below are a few tips that you can apply to increase your chances of being selected:
Academic excellence is vital – this means universities generally tend to look closely at your GPA. Since you’re aiming for the best veterinarian universities in Australia, make sure to concentrate and excel in subjects such as physics, biology and chemistry.
- Work with a pre-vet advisor – as the application and which courses to select can be confusing, it’s always best to get someone more knowledgeable than you( a pre-vet in this case to help you out. This can not only ensure you fill in the application correctly but also increase your chances of getting selected.
- Make sure to keep yourself organized – if you’re applying to multiple universities (as you should be), make sure to be aware of each deadline and the individual requirements that each university asks for. The last thing you want to do is accidentally miss the deadline of a university that you really like!
- Accumulate experiences with animals – now would be the time to volunteer/work part time with animals under a reputed veterinarian. This will help you not only with your university admission but also give you an idea if this is the career path you really want to choose.
- Acquire favorable letters of recommendation – if you do the above, and you do well, acquiring a strong and favorable letter of recommendation from those you work with will not be difficult. This letter can prove to the university of your serious interest in working with animals.
- Make your personal statement thoughtful – this is the place where you mention how passionate you are about becoming a veterinarian. A good tip to remember is to avoid repeating information you have mentioned previously in your application.
- Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through – most universities are looking for individuals who are not only bright and shiny when it comes to education, but also those who can communicate well and collaborate with others.
And finally, be prepared for interviews. Practice answering common or frequently asked questions. Be prepared to bare your heart about your passion for animals or why you want to be a veterinarian. Don’t forget to find a way to weave in your experience as well!