Overview
Level
- Postgraduate, NZQF Level 8
Distance learning
- Available
Duration
- 1 year(s) full-time. Available part-time.
International
- Available for international students via distance learning
Other
- Not all listed subject course options are on offer every year.
If you are interested in a postgraduate programme that is predominantly taught, a postgraduate diploma may be right for you.
Postgraduate diplomas provide education training in specialist disciplines and involve taught courses, although often a project may be included.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Science (Veterinary Medicine) is a course of study open to graduates or those who have been able to demonstrate extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
Courses or other work prescribed will be at an advanced level that builds on attainment in the academic field of the prior degree.
Internationally relevant research
Massey University has a unique strength in veterinary public health. We are internationally renowned in this area. You’ll be able to work with and learn from groups that are actively working on different aspects of research and training, including:
- mEpiLab
- The EpiCentre
- IDRec, our infectious diseases centre.
Multi-disciplinary expertise
The area of public health crosses over into many other scientific disciplines. You’ll be able to take advantage of Massey’s expertise and specialised equipment in relevant areas. That could include microbiology, molecular biology, mathematics, genomics and other areas.
Find out more about specific courses and our lecturers at www.massey.ac.nz/mvm
Careers and further study
Careers
Earn more
A 2017 Ministry of Education publication, The post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates, found that, in New Zealand, earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed.
Entry requirements
University admission
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Programme admission
Required
To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Science (Veterinary Medicine) you will have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor of Veterinary Science, or an equivalent qualification.
International students requiring a study visa and studying onshore in New Zealand will not be able to include courses from the Veterinary Medicine endorsement in their programme of study.
You will provide verified copies of all academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
English language requirements
To study this programme you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
If you do not have the entry requirements
English language and foundation courses
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and programmes that may help.
Courses and planning
Credit summary
120 credits
From the Schedule to the Diploma including:
- 120 credits of courses
- An endorsement
A specialisation (endorsement) is compulsory, requiring at least 120 credits in the endorsement.
Also attend field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials and laboratories as required.
See ‘Courses for this programme’ below for schedules of courses.
Courses for this specialisation
At least 90 credits from
118751 | Canine and Feline Gastroenterology | 15 |
118752 | Canine and Feline Endocrinology | 15 |
118753 | Canine and Feline Oncology | 15 |
118754 | Diagnostic Imaging for Small Animal Veterinarians | 15 |
118755 | Clinical Pathology in Small Animal Practice | 15 |
118756 | Canine and Feline Neurology | 15 |
118757 | Cardiorespiratory Medicine for Small Animal Veterinarians | 15 |
118758 | Avian Medicine | 15 |
118759 | Ophthalmology in Small Animal Practice | 15 |
118761 | Canine and Feline Emergency Medicine | 15 |
118762 | Dermatology for Small Animal Veterinarians | 15 |
118763 | Canine and Feline Orthopedic Surgery | 15 |
118764 | Canine and Feline Soft Tissue Surgery | 15 |
118771 | Advances in Ruminant Nutrition for Veterinarians | 15 |
118772 | Calf Medicine, Health and Management | 15 |
118775 | Advanced Mastitis Management for the Production Animal Veterinarian | 15 |
118776 | Lameness Investigation and Control for Cattle Veterinarians | 15 |
118777 | Veterinary Clinical Reproduction and Fertility | 15 |
118778 | Advanced Studies in Equine Lameness for Veterinarians | 15 |
118779 | Advanced Studies in Equine Diagnostic Imaging | 15 |
118780 | Equine Gastroenterology | 15 |
118785 | Principles of Veterinary Epidemiology | 15 |
Plus up to 30 credits from 117, 118 and/or 194 course prefix series.
Planning your programme
Planning overview
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
International students
Note that if you are an international student that requires a study visa to study in New Zealand you will not be able to include courses from the veterinary medicine endorsement in your programme of study.
Maximum time limits for completion
There are maximum time limits to complete some undergraduate and all postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the programme if you wish to continue your studies.
Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit
For postgraduate qualifications where they are completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with a class of Honours, or Distinction or Merit.
Look for information on ‘Student Progression’ in the:
- General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates, or
- General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
More information
- Read the regulations for this programme thoroughly
- Contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
Fees and scholarships
Fees and finance
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
If you already know which courses you are going to take, you can use our fees calculator to get an estimate of your fees.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students will find their National Student Number on their student homepage.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student homepage login

Accreditations and rankings
The BVSc programme is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Massey University’s veterinary programme is ranked 19th in the world by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
Massey University is ranked no.1 in New Zealand for veterinary science by the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Regulations
Review this important information before you apply for this programme. This gives you full details of the rules and regulations about what you need to study and what you must achieve in order to graduate with this qualification. That includes structure, courses and requirements. These regulations should be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including the below.
Postgraduate regulations
General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
Applying and enrolling
Applying for the programme
Check you are ready
If you are ready to apply, have a look at our application checklist. It will help you get prepared with what you need. Please also check the entry requirements carefully before you apply.
Choose your programme and click on Apply now
You will apply for the programme using the Apply now button on this page. You’ll also choose your specialisation (major, subject or endorsement) if applicable.
Some programmes have additional requirements such as the submission of a portfolio or CV. Click on Apply now and you will be able to submit those documents as part of the application process.
Receive and accept an Admission Offer of Place
You will receive an Admission Offer of Place when you have been accepted into the programme. You need to accept this before you can enrol in your courses. International students also need to pay their fees at this point.
Enrolling in courses
You’ll then get access to your own student homepage (also known as the student portal). This is where you can enrol in courses. Any updates on your application or enrolments will also be on your student homepage. Make sure you check this regularly.
When you choose courses, ensure you check for any requirements that apply including:
- prerequisites (courses you have to do before the one you are enrolling in)
- corequisites (courses you have to do at the same time as the one you are enrolling in)
- restrictions (courses that you cannot enrol in if you are completing or have completed another identified similar course)
- location – for instance some distance-based courses still have an on-campus element, so double check that the way the course is taught is suitable for your situation.
Each of our courses has its own webpage where you can find this information. You can use our course search to find course pages.
More information on courses is in the ‘Courses for this programme’ section on this page.
You can find information on application due dates and semester dates on the key dates page.
We look forward to welcoming you to Massey!
If you have any questions, contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
What are courses and credits?
What are courses and credits?
Each Massey programme is made up of courses (in some tertiary institutions they are called ‘papers’).
You will have some compulsory courses and some you can choose from.
Each course is worth a certain amount of credits (often 15 credits, but this does vary). You must gain a set number of credits to be able to graduate from this programme.
There may also be some rules about which courses you need to pass to progress to the next year, or stage, of your study (known as progression). There are also courses you must pass to graduate with a specialisation.
- See the ‘Courses for this programme’ section for the list of courses.
- Courses search
Understanding course numbers
The first three digits of our course numbers show you which subject the course is about.
The second three digits show you the level and course ID number. For instance:
- sub-degree courses are '0' (i.e. xxx.0xx)
- undergraduate study begins at 100-level, (i.e. xxx.1xx)
- as you progress through 200- and 300-level courses this number changes to 2 and 3 respectively. The higher the number that starts the second three digits, the higher the level of study.
1 | 6 | 2 | . | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
Subject area | Level | Course ID number |
Workload and time management
Use this tool to help determine how much time you will need each week to complete your studies.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the programme or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these programmes go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
Scholarships and awards
Scholarships related to this programme
- Graham Chalmers Allen Memorial Scholarship in Veterinary Science
- Joan Berry Fellowships in Veterinary Science - Postgraduate
- Muriel Caddie Scholarship in Vet Science
There are a number of scholarships available for new and current students. They could relate to your situation, achievement or interest.