• Intro
• Overview
• Application Process
• Application FAQ
• Financial Matters
• The Program
• Clubs & Organizations

• Living in Perth, Australia
• Cost of Living
• Housing - Classifieds
• Restaurants - Nightlife
• Public Transportation
• Shopping
• Pets
• Living in Perth, An International Student's Perspective
• Jobs
• Examples of Extramural Experiences

Imagine being able to wash the days worries and the days cows off of your arms at a beautiful beach only 15 minutes up the road. There are not many veterinary schools where you would be able to do this but at Murdoch University in Perth WA you can do exactly that. Having such a great location is just one of the many perks of obtaining your veterinary degree at Murdoch.

The school has a great history, national, and international accreditation and in 2003 was the first veterinary program to receive accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association. Not only can you practice in the US and Canada once you have graduated but you can travel to Great Britain, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia and have your degree recognized there as well.

Veterinary Science is a five year program. with a whole new curriculum commencing in 2008. This new curriculum allows for more time for the students to develop special interests through extramural experience, externships, and non core rotations.

The recent Veterinary Professional Life stream has also been added for students to get hands on experience in a clinical setting much earlier in their studies than the previous program allowed. The life stream incorporates time spent in clinics, farm experience and extramural rotations as well. The program will allow students to have a smoother transition from the course into their future careers.

Students can further their knowledge and enrichment in their future careers by joining one of the many clubs and organizations available on campus. The Murdoch Veterinary Student Organization (MVSA) organizes many student related activities, helps in fundraising for student causes, and is the voice for veterinary students at Murdoch. The brand new internationally recognized Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) is there to help that transition from student to new grad run as smoothly as possible. With discussions and lectures from top notch speakers from all over the world in subjects such as “communicating to clients” and “what employers look for in new grads,” it is definitely an organization worth joining.

If you are interested in wildlife and being involved in the many rescue organizations there is the Murdoch University Wildlife Association (MUWA). For those interested in cattle and production animals there is a Bovine Interest Group, and if cows are not your thing and you like the fast paced life of an equine vet than join the Equine Group. They are highly involved in the ever present racing industry in Perth.

Some of the very new interest groups being created as you read this article are the Holistic Interest group and an Animal Interests and Welfare Group.

Whatever your interest you are bound to find a group to be a part of to help expand your knowledge and connections in that area and don’t forget to become part of the student chapter of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) or donate to the Veterinary Trust if you can.

If furthering your education in a post graduate study is high on your list of priorities then Murdoch offers a range of courses. You can obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in Veterinary Conservation Medicine or a Masters of Veterinary Studies in Conservation Medicine. There is a Masters of Veterinary Studies in Veterinary Surveillance and the brand new Postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Practice.

The facilities 5. that Murdoch students have access to are excellent and from an international student perspective they are all located on campus or close by. There is the 24 hour emergency clinic known as MPEC, and is one of only two 24 hour emergency hospitals in WA. There is a farm and equine service with excellent staff and surgical facilities and a small animal general practice and teaching hospital where students get hands on experience in fourth and fifth years. The teaching farm where students learn the ins and outs of farm animal handling before they go out on their farm practical rotations has horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs and alpacas all located on a huge property right behind the campus.

Incorporated in and around these facilities are research and diagnostic laboratories of a highly recognized international standard. Ultrasound, sophisticated imaging, transmission and scanning electron microscopes, laboratories for anatomical and clinical pathology, a cancer care unit and the brand new nuclear medicine facility are all located right on campus and able to contribute to the students enrichment in the veterinary science program.

The staff at Murdoch are very friendly, understanding and approachable on course subjects and even just general life subjects. The course is world renowned and demanding but you can still sense that laid back lifestyle and happy attitude that is Perth and WA. Do not be surprised to see your professor out at student social gatherings or one of the many fun events put on like the Vet Revue or Annual Great Vet Debate.

Murdoch by no means is a giant inner city university, and if you are looking for the fast paced big city life or would miss it terribly then it might not be the university for you.