Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Veterinary Public Health for your Master of Veterinary Studies at Massey
You may be in a government position and needing to know more about disease surveillance and/or food safety. Or, you may come from a veterinary background and be interested in learning more about animal health and the transmission of pathogens to humans (zoonosis).
In the Master of Veterinary Studies (Veterinary Public Health) you’ll learn from our world-leading experts how to help create solutions to reduce the impact of animal pathogens on human health. This includes the prevention and control of food and water-borne pathogens.
Focus on food, water and disease
The Master of Veterinary Studies (Veterinary Public Health) is a research-focused qualification. It has a focus on issues around food safety, water quality and zoonotic diseases. These are issues that have a crossover between animal and human health.
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.
Wide range of facilities
Massey University hosts the only veterinary school in New Zealand. Its well-equipped facilities include the Wildbase wildlife hospital, an equine hospital, 24-hour pet hospital and sheep, beef, dairy and deer farms, all located near campus.
Our courses are led by internationally recognised lecturers and have a reputation for their use of real-life case studies and high staff to student ratios.
Research flexibility
You can choose from two different levels of research for this degree. You can complete a 60-credit research report, or if you would like to complete more in-depth research, you can undertake a 120 credit thesis.
If you have a specific area of research in mind, we advise you to contact the School of Veterinary Science Postgraduate Office through the Get advice button on this page to discuss.
Other postgraduate veterinary programmes
If you want to improve your knowledge in aspects of veterinary science but are unsure about doing research, then you could consider a Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Science.
If you are interested in studying via distance then our Master of Veterinary Medicine may be suitable (there are entry restrictions to this qualification).
A Master of Veterinary Studies in Veterinary Public Health is a good fit if you:
- are passionate about epidemiology and public health
- wish to gain a more in-depth and global perspective on epidemiology
- have specific solutions you would like to research.
Planning information
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
The Master of Veterinary Studies (Veterinary Public Health) is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second.
The first part gives you good knowledge and skills that will help you with the research part of your qualification.
To be able to progress to Part Two of the Master of Veterinary Studies, a B grade average is needed for the Part One courses.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.
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 qualification 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 qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Courses you can enrol in
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Course code: 118716 Analysis of Epidemiologic Data 30 credits
This course provides students with the basic skills necessary to undertake analysis of data in the health and biosecurity context. Throughout the course students will work with data collected during epidemiological studies (complete with missing data) and will learn how to interpret results in the light of bias, confounding, effect modification and model error.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118726 Veterinary Public Health 60 credits
The application of veterinary science to the promotion of human health. Interrelations between agricultural practices and the environment significant to animal and human health. Food safety including undesirable residues and the HACCP concept. Food-borne diseases, zoonoses and emergence of diseases from animal reservoirs. The application of epidemiological principles to the investigation, prevention and control of diseases.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118785 Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice 15 credits
Students will study the principles of veterinary epidemiology to provide them with the skills necessary to critically evaluate the literature for the purposes of evidence-based medicine. Examples and case studies will be drawn from a range of species including production animals, wildlife, companion animals and horses.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118705 Decision Making with Animal Health Data 15 credits
This course covers topics related to utilising health and economic data to make decisions around the control of animal health. The focus is on applying the principles of production monitoring, information management and decision-making processes at farm level in a practical way. A broader context is provided of the structure and operation of veterinary services, industry-level process control, and the importance of animal health economics.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118706 Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Epidemiologic Data 15 credits
This course provides students with the basic skills necessary to undertake the analysis of epidemiologic data that is clustered in space and time. Throughout the course students will work with data collected via epidemiologic studies or as part of surveillance and will learn how to visualise spatial and temporal patterns, describe and quantify those spatial and temporal patterns and explain the observed patterns.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118708 Current Topics in Epidemiological Methods and Data Analysis 15 credits
An in-depth view of topics in epidemiology. Students will focus on issues related to the design and management of observational studies and learn one or more multivariable modelling approach for non-linear data.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118786 Applied Veterinary Epidemiology 15 credits
Students will gain the skills necessary to design an epidemiological study in a clinical setting and investigate an outbreak of disease. Examples and case studies will be drawn from a range of species including production animals, wildlife, aquatic species, companion animals and horses.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118854 Advanced Topics in Epidemiologic Data Analysis 15 credits
The course focuses on advanced quantitative methods used to analyse data from epidemiologic studies.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Master of Veterinary Studies (Veterinary Public Health) you will have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor of Veterinary Science, with at least a B grade average, or equivalent.
You will need to provide verified copies of all academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Fees and scholarships
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.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
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 can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Scholarship and award opportunities
- Graham Chalmers Allen Memorial Scholarship in Veterinary Science
- Joan Berry Fellowships in Veterinary Science - Postgraduate
- Muriel Caddie Scholarship in Vet Science
Fees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Careers and job opportunities
Careers for those with the Master of Veterinary Studies (Veterinary Public Health) include:
- community health workers
- environmental specialists
- health educators
- epidemiologists.
You may gain a role as a public health adviser in a central or local government role, or within a pharmaceutical company. Or, you may work with other health professionals in providing solutions to public health related issues.
Many of the students in this qualification are already employed in a related area and are using this qualification to upskill.
Earn more
A 2017 Ministry of Education publication The post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates, found that in New Zealand:
- young master’s graduates earn more than one and a half times more than the national median (five years after study)
- earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed
- five years after completion, the median earnings of young master’s graduates are 15% higher than for those with a bachelor’s degree.
International students
New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.
Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.
As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.
Accreditations and rankings
OIE Collaborating Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health
Massey's EpiCentre along with mEpiLab and China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center (CAHEC) are recognised by the World Assembly of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as a Collaborating Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health.
QS Ranking - Veterinary Science
The Massey is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as 29th in the world for veterinary science.
ShanghaiRanking - veterinary science
Massey ranks 42nd in the world for veterinary science — and in the top 4 in Australasia — in ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
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Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz