These inherent requirements reflect the physical, cognitive and behavioural capabilities needed to meet academic and professional outcomes in the Bachelor of Veterinary Science, and to practise as a veterinarian safely and ethically in Aotearoa, New Zealand and in other jurisdictions around the world. These requirements are stipulated by the organisations that accredit the BVSc, which include:
- the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), which acts on behalf of the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ; the statutory body that registers veterinarians) and the Australian State regulators;
- the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, which acts on behalf of the States and Territories regulators of the USA and Canada; and
- the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the regulator of veterinary practitioners in the UK.
This means that these requirements must be met to progress in the BVSc and – ultimately – to graduate. Where appropriate, students may access reasonable adjustments to support equitable participation. These adjustments must not compromise animal welfare, the safety of humans and animals, or legal requirements. All students must meet the Day One Competencies stipulated by the accrediting bodies and the Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs) of the BVSc, in order to graduate. We strongly encourage early disclosure of any health conditions or disability to enable appropriate planning, and to work with students to support their success.
In applying to the Bachelor of Veterinary Science, an individual must consider their own current capability and identify any disability / health conditions which may need assistance or may prevent them being able to complete the qualification.
1, Sensory abilities
What you need to demonstrate
You need to demonstrate sufficient vision, hearing and tactile ability to safely assess, handle and treat animals, and to monitor a wide range of environmental cues. This includes interpreting results, recognising pain, distress or abnormalities in animals and their environments, and responding appropriately.
Why this is required
Veterinary work relies heavily on accurate sensory input. Subtle visual, auditory, and tactile cues are often the first indicators of illness, distress, or procedural issues. Being able to identify and interpret these signs is fundamental to:
- Protecting animal welfare
- Ensuring safe handling
- Preventing harm to yourself, others, and animals
- Delivering effective veterinary care across diverse environments.
This aligns with the Day One Competency that veterinarians “obtain, and record information sufficient for analysis, diagnosis and retrieval".
Examples
- Observing subtle changes in an animal’s heart rate and sounds, breathing, gait and posture, or responsiveness
- Feeling for heat, swelling or abnormalities during exams
- Performing surgery, suturing and giving injections all require fine motor control based on a combination of visual acuity and tactile ability.
Adjustments and supports
Modifications may be possible where they enable you to perform tasks safely and effectively without compromising animal welfare, safety, or clinical standards.
Examples of possible adjustments include:
- Use of adaptive tools (eg, visual magnifiers or amplified stethoscopes)
We encourage early disclosure of any sensory needs so appropriate plans can be explored.
2, Strength, mobility and manual dexterity
What you need to demonstrate
You need to demonstrate sufficient physical strength, motor ability, dexterity and fine motor control and mobility to safely handle, restrain, examine and treat animals across a variety of settings. This includes sustaining consistent physical effort, focus and resilience over time such as standing for extended periods, moving through confined or uneven spaces and performing physical procedures that require lifting or manoeuvring.
Why this is required
Veterinary care often involves large or unpredictable animals, physically demanding tasks and dynamic environments such as farms or clinics. Being able to move confidently, respond quickly and manage the physical aspects of clinical care is essential for:
- Maintaining animal and human safety including minimising stress or harm to animals during handling
- Performing procedures and examinations effectively
- Manual dexterity and fine motor control to effectively manipulate small objects including suturing, surgery and dissection
- Meeting health and safety expectations during placements at university and at external farms and clinics.
This is also required by the Veterinary Council of New Zealand, who expect veterinarians to be “fit to practise” (includes mental and physical health conditions) in order to practise veterinary medicine competently and safely.
Examples
- Lifting and restraining a 20–30kg animal (eg a medium-sized dog) safely onto an exam table
- Manoeuvring in a relatively confined space with a horse, cow or sheep in a yard, race or crush
- Performing prolonged tasks while standing (eg surgery, examination of cattle) or walking long distances across rural properties
- Placements such as spring calving require a variety of movement that includes lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting and bending.
- Performing complex manual tasks such as surgery, which require high levels of dexterity and fine motor control skills.
Adjustments and supports
Where appropriate, adjustments may be considered to support students’ functional capacity while ensuring safe and effective practice.
Examples include:
- Use of mechanical aids or team-based lifting procedures
Please discuss any mobility or physical capacity concerns early, as the qualification covers working with many different types of animals across a range of environments.
In most instances, temporary incapacity can be managed by deferring some learning experiences but permanent incapacity will likely mean that the student will not be able to demonstrate some of the Day One competencies.
3, Ethical, legal and professional behaviour
What you need to demonstrate
You need to demonstrate behaviour that aligns with the legal, ethical, and professional expectations for veterinarians and Massey’s BVSc Student Code of Conduct. This includes the highest standards of honesty, integrity, personal accountability, reliability, patience, respect and compassion for others, confidentiality and compliance with laws and codes of conduct.
Why this is required
Medical professionals, including veterinarians, are afforded a position of trust and esteem by society. In return, the general public expect high standards of professional conduct. Your actions can directly affect animal welfare, public safety, and the reputation of the profession. Ethical and legal conduct ensures:
- Safe and lawful veterinary practice
- Protection of clients, animals and the public
- Readiness for professional registration and regulation.
These expectations are outlined in the VCNZ Code of Professional Conduct which guides professional behaviour and are Day One Competencies of our accrediting bodies.
Examples
- Maintaining confidentiality and accurate clinical records
- Access to and recording of Controlled Drugs
- Reporting animal welfare or safety concerns
- Complying with legislation on medications, consent and animal treatment
- Understanding and working with New Zealand and International laws and regulations during all aspects of your study.
Adjustments and supports
Adjustments may be made to support learning or understanding, but cannot compromise legal obligations, animal welfare or ethical standards. After graduation and once registered with a professional regulator, failure to comply with codes of professional conduct can result in loss of the right to work as a veterinarian.
4, Intellectual tasks
What you need to demonstrate
You need to demonstrate the cognitive ability to acquire, filter, process, prioritise and apply complex information. This includes problem-solving, critical thinking, clinical reasoning, decision-making and reflective practice.
Why this is required
Veterinary work requires real-time decision-making based on evolving information and diverse sources, from clinical signs to lab results, patient history and ethical considerations. Cognitive ability is essential to:
- Critique information and assess its veracity (including that generated by AI)
- Develop options and assess and compare their respective merits
- Diagnose and manage animal health conditions
- Evaluate risks and make informed choices
- Apply knowledge safely and accurately in high-stakes environments
- Respond flexibly in unpredictable clinical situations and when it isn’t possible to run all diagnostic tests
- Identify and learn from experience to improve outcomes in the future (continuous learning).
This aligns with as the Day One Competencies of "analysing information to enable accurate diagnosis and develop appropriate treatment" and "implementing safe and effective veterinary procedures and therapeutic strategies".
Examples
- Analysing clinical symptoms and lab results to form a treatment plan
- Prioritising care in an emergency or triage situation
- Applying legal, ethical, or scientific frameworks to guide decisions.
Adjustments and supports
Adjustments may assist with learning, processing, or demonstrating understanding, provided the student can apply knowledge effectively and safely in clinical contexts.
5, Communication
What you need to demonstrate
You need to demonstrate effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication in English. This includes understanding and expressing information clearly and respectfully in a variety of professional settings, in clinical documentation and with colleagues and clients from a range of cultural backgrounds.
Why this is required
Veterinarians work with people as much as with animals. Clear, respectful communication is critical to:
- Building trust with clients and colleagues
- Ensuring informed consent and shared understanding
- Coordinating care in teams
- Recording clinical decisions accurately for legal and continuity-of-care purposes.
Effective non-verbal communication needs to be respectful, attentive, compassionate and non-judgmental. Veterinarians and veterinary students must also demonstrate professional accountability, and the safe handling of a range of animal species through calm and confident communication and client interaction.
Examples
- Explaining procedures, risks and diagnoses to animal owners
- Reading and comprehending information presented in a variety of formats such as clinical notes, test results and journal articles
- Writing clear, accurate clinical notes or referral letters
- Responding sensitively to emotional or high-pressure situations including unexpected outcomes, death and euthanasia of animals
Adjustments and supports
Support may be available to enhance clarity, structure, or confidence in communication. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with our Wellbeing team.
6, Interpersonal, social interactions and cultural competency
What you need to demonstrate
You need to demonstrate respectful, stable and professional interactions with others – including clients, colleagues, peers and members of the public. This includes compassion, teamwork, emotional regulation and the ability to adapt to diverse and sometimes challenging social and cultural environments.
There may be some circumstances where your personal, social, cultural, religious or moral beliefs may need to be reconciled with the expectations of veterinary practice – for example, around issues of euthanasia, working with farm animals or working on a day of religious observance. Flexibility, personal self-awareness and an ability to negotiate are important competencies.
Why this is required
Veterinary care is delivered in settings that rely on collaboration, compassion, trust and excellent communication. The ability to work respectfully with others, especially during high pressure, emotionally charged or ethically complex situations is essential to:
- Work effectively with colleagues and clients from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds
- Ensure effective teamwork and client relationships
- Maintain a safe and supportive environment
- Provide care that is sensitive to cultural, social and emotional factors
- Manage stress, feedback and interpersonal conflict professionally
- Respect personal and professional boundaries.
This supports the Day One Competency to “communicate effectively” and with cultural awareness and empathy.
Examples
- Understanding the cultural context of veterinary practice in Aotearoa, New Zealand and how these principles can be applied to other countries in which our graduates may work
- Working constructively in a multidisciplinary team – including student group work on assignments
- Remaining calm and professional when communicating with distressed clients
- Demonstrating respectful behaviour and awareness of different cultural or social backgrounds.
Adjustments and supports
Adjustments may support the development of interpersonal strategies or emotional regulation, provided professional behaviour and team functioning are maintained.