Type of qualification
Level of study
Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.
Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
Time to complete
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Science – PGDipVSc
The Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Science is for those who have been able to demonstrate extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
Courses and other work is at an advanced level that builds on your achievements in your prior degree.
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Science you will have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor of Veterinary Science, or an equivalent qualification.
You will provide copies of all official 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.
Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit
Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit.
- Look for information under ‘Student Progression’ in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
- Contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
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 Get advice button on this page.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
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 qualification if you wish to continue your studies.
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 be 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.
Structure of the Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Science
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
Courses and specialisations
Key terms
- Courses
- Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
- Course code
- Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
- Credits
- Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
- Specialisations
- Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Credit summary
120 credits
- Courses from the schedule – 120 credits
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.
Schedule for the Postgraduate Diploma (Choose 120 credits from)
Course 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: 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: 118751 Canine and Feline Gastroenterology 15 credits
The principles of gastroenterology of dogs and cats for veterinary graduates. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of diseases of the alimentary system.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118752 Canine and Feline Endocrinology 15 credits
The principles of endocrinology of dogs and cats for veterinary graduates. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of diseases of the endocrine glands.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118753 Canine and Feline Oncology 15 credits
The principles of oncology of dogs and cats for veterinary graduates. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of neoplastic disease.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118754 Diagnostic Imaging for Small Animal Veterinarians 15 credits
The principles of diagnostic imaging in small animal practice for veterinary graduates. Principles of radiography and other imaging modalities. Radiologic interpretation of all body systems, primarily of dogs and cats, and integration with case management.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118755 Clinical Pathology in Small Animal Practice 15 credits
The principles of clinical pathology in dogs and cats for veterinary graduates. It includes the indications, application and interpretation of haematological, biochemical, urine, cytological and special testing of dogs and cats.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118756 Canine and Feline Neurology 15 credits
The principles of neurology in dogs and cats for veterinary graduates. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of diseases of the nervous system.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118757 Cardiorespiratory Medicine for Small Animal Veterinarians 15 credits
The principles and practice of cardiorespiratory medicine in dogs and cats for veterinary graduates. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of cardiac and respiratory disease.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118758 Avian Medicine 15 credits
The principles and practice of avian medicine in companion birds and aviary collections, for veterinarians. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of diseases of birds.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118759 Ophthalmology in Small Animal Practice 15 credits
The principles of ophthalmology in dogs and cats for veterinary graduates. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of diseases of the eye.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118761 Canine and Feline Emergency Medicine 15 credits
The principles and practice of emergency medicine in dogs and cats for veterinarians. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of conditions seen in emergency practice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118762 Dermatology for Small Animal Veterinarians 15 credits
The principles of dermatology in dogs and cats for veterinarians. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of skin diseases.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118763 Canine and Feline Orthopedic Surgery 15 credits
The principles and practice of orthopaedic surgery in dogs and cats for veterinarians. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of orthopaedic diseases.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118764 Canine and Feline Soft Tissue Surgery 15 credits
The principles and practice of soft tissue surgery in dogs and cats for veterinarians. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of soft tissue diseases.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118771 Advances in Ruminant Nutrition for Veterinarians 15 credits
An advanced course on ruminant nutrition and feeding practices for veterinarians. Principles of microbial digestion in the rumen, absorption and utilisation of nutrients. Practical nutrition for enhancement of animals’ performance and health, including critical study of the evaluation of feeds, feed intakes and nutrient requirements. Practical assessments of animal and feed resources; ration formulation. Current developments in ruminant feeding technologies, including genetic modification of feeds and rumen flora.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118772 Calf Medicine, Health and Management 15 credits
An advanced course on specific aspects of calf rearing, health management and medicine for veterinarians. A critical study of the systems and environments utilised in calf rearing, nutrient and health requirements with respect to disease prevention, herd biosecurity, health, welfare and productivity.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118775 Advanced Mastitis Management for the Production Animal Veterinarian 15 credits
An advanced course on mastitis for production animal veterinarians. This course will provide in-depth study of mastitis causing agents and their treatment and control within the herd and at an individual level. It will address the epidemiology of disease, mastitis prevention, herd biosecurity, herd/animal health, welfare and productivity.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118776 Lameness Investigation and Control for Cattle Veterinarians 15 credits
An advanced course on cattle lameness for veterinarians. This course will provide in-depth study of lameness diagnosis, treatment and control within the herd. It will address the epidemiology of disease, lameness prevention, herd biosecurity, welfare and productivity.
View full course detailsCourse code: 118777 Veterinary Clinical Reproduction and Fertility 15 credits
An advanced course on clinical reproduction for veterinarians. Comparative veterinary reproductive anatomy, physiology, and technology across a range of species. In-depth study of reproductive management in a nominated elective species. Use of scientific literature to inform decision making on reproductive issues.
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: 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 detailsEstablished Endorsements
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
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.
Accreditations and rankings
QS Ranking - Veterinary Science
The Veterinary School is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as 21st in the world for veterinary science, the highest ranked school in the southern hemisphere.
ShanghaiRanking - veterinary science
Massey ranks among the top 75 in the world for veterinary science — and in the top 5 in Australasia — in ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz