Why Study/Key Benefits

The Master of Veterinary Studies (MVS) is a Level 9 postgraduate qualification designed for qualified veterinarians who want to develop advanced knowledge, research capability and evidence-based skills in veterinary science.

Massey describes the MVS as an internationally recognised degree combining taught courses with research. Students can tailor their studies to their interests through a broad selection of veterinary science courses. The programme is particularly suitable for veterinarians who want to:

• Develop advanced knowledge in a specific veterinary discipline.
• Develop research and analytical skills.
• Apply evidence-based thinking to professional veterinary work.
• Begin or strengthen a research career.
• Prepare for further postgraduate research.
• Develop expertise in non-clinical areas of veterinary science.
• Build knowledge relevant to veterinary epidemiology, animal welfare, biosecurity, veterinary public health, wildlife health, equine health, production-animal health and companion-animal health.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The MVS uses a flexible parts-based structure.

Part One

Students select at least 60 credits from relevant 700-level veterinary courses. The available course selection allows students to construct a programme around their research or professional interests.

Examples of current courses include:

• 118705 Decision Making with Animal Health Data – 15 credits
  • Animal-health and economic data
  • Production monitoring
  • Information management
  • Farm-level decision making
  • Veterinary-service systems
  • Animal-health economics
• 118706 Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Epidemiologic Data – 15 credits
  • Epidemiological surveillance
  • Spatial and temporal patterns
  • Data visualisation
  • Quantifying epidemiological patterns
• 118708 Current Topics in Epidemiological Methods and Data Analysis – 15 credits
  • Observational-study design
  • Epidemiological data analysis
  • Multivariable modelling
• 118716 Analysis of Epidemiologic Data – 30 credits
  • Epidemiological data
  • Bias
  • Confounding
  • Effect modification
  • Model error
• 118726 Veterinary Public Health – 60 credits
  • Relationship between veterinary science and human health
  • Food safety
  • HACCP
  • Food-borne disease
  • Zoonoses
  • Disease prevention and control.

Other available course areas include:

• Canine and Feline Gastroenterology
• Canine and Feline Endocrinology
• Canine and Feline Oncology
• Diagnostic Imaging for Small Animal Veterinarians
• Clinical Pathology in Small Animal Practice
• Canine and Feline Neurology
• Avian Medicine
• Ophthalmology in Small Animal Practice
• Canine and Feline Emergency Medicine
• Dermatology for Small Animal Veterinarians
• Canine and Feline Orthopedic Surgery
• Canine and Feline Soft Tissue Surgery
• Advances in Ruminant Nutrition for Veterinarians
• Calf Medicine, Health and Management
• Advanced Mastitis Management for the Production Animal Veterinarian
• Lameness Investigation and Control for Cattle Veterinarians
• Veterinary Clinical Reproduction and Fertility
• Special Topic courses.

Research Methods courses are also available within the programme structure. The research-methods content can cover:

• Philosophy of science
• Research ethics
• Literature searching and review
• Research project development
• Project management
• Scientific writing
• Oral presentation
• Statistics terminology
• Quantitative data analysis
• Research proposal development.

Part Two

Students choose one of two research routes:

1. 120-credit thesis pathway

The thesis can be completed as:

• 118897 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 – 60 credits
• 118898 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 – 60 credits

or:

• 118899 Thesis – 120 credits

The thesis involves supervised independent research and is designed to provide substantial research experience.

2. 60-credit research report pathway

• 118811 Research Report – 60 credits

The research report involves detailed examination of a specific veterinary-science topic and may include original research, investigation of a problem, analysis of existing data or examination of published literature.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The current regulations list the following MVS subjects:

• Advanced Veterinary Practice
• Conservation Veterinary Medicine – no new enrolments
• Epidemiology – no new enrolments
• Veterinary Pathology – no new enrolments
• Veterinary Public Health – no new enrolments
• Without Specialisation.

Therefore, for a new applicant, the principal currently available options are:

• Advanced Veterinary Practice
• Without Specialisation

The current live programme page specifically provides the Without Specialisation option.

Advanced Veterinary Practice is a 180-credit subject. Its courses include:

• 118710 Advanced Veterinary Practice I – 60 credits
• 118711 Advanced Veterinary Practice II – 60 credits
• 118712 Advanced Studies in Veterinary Practice I – 30 credits
• 118713 Advanced Studies in Veterinary Practice II – 30 credits.

Programme Highlights

Key features of the MVS include:

• NZQF Level 9 master's qualification.
• 180-credit programme.
• 1.5 years full-time.
• Part-time option.
• Manawat campus and distance/online study options.
• International students can study on campus in New Zealand or online from outside New Zealand.
• Flexible taught-course component.
• 60-credit or 120-credit research component.
• Broad veterinary-science course selection.
• Access to research areas including epidemiology, biosecurity, animal welfare, wildlife health, veterinary public health, equine health, production animals and companion animals.
• Minimum B average required for progression from Part One to Part Two.
• At least 60 credits must be at 800 level.
• Advanced Veterinary Practice provides a specialist professional pathway but has an additional interview-selection requirement.
• The qualification may be awarded with Merit or Distinction where the applicable requirements are met.

Career Outcomes

Massey reports that MVS graduates have gone on to become leaders in veterinary epidemiology and veterinary public health.

Potential professional and research directions include:

• Veterinary epidemiology
• Veterinary public health
• Animal-health research
• Animal welfare science
• Biosecurity
• Wildlife health
• Equine health and performance
• Production-animal health
• Companion-animal health
• Veterinary pathology research
• Veterinary research and academia
• Government veterinary and animal-health agencies
• Research organisations
• Animal-health industry
• Further doctoral research

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

Several current points are especially important for applicants in 2026–2027:

• The current MVS is 180 credits and normally takes 1.5 years full-time.
• Advanced Veterinary Practice is currently available and requires an interview for selection.
• Conservation Veterinary Medicine, Epidemiology, Veterinary Pathology and Veterinary Public Health are marked "No new enrolments" in the current qualification regulations.
• The programme is research-focused and does not provide clinical-skills development.
• Completing the MVS does not meet New Zealand veterinary registration requirements.
• Students need at least a B average across Part One to progress to Part Two.
• At least 60 credits must be at 800 level.
• Not all listed courses are offered every year, so applicants should confirm course availability for their intended intake.
• Courses may include required field trips, workshops, tutorials or laboratory attendance.
• A suitable research area and supervisor should be discussed with the School of Veterinary Science when the applicant has a specific research interest.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students who study the MVS on campus in New Zealand will generally require a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that this visa:

• Costs from NZD 850.
• Can allow a stay of up to four years, depending on the circumstances and period of study paid for.
• Requires an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Requires evidence of tuition-fee payment or sufficient funds/scholarship to pay tuition.
• Requires evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Requires acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Requires applicants to meet health and character requirements.
• Requires genuine intentions to study.
• Requires evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.