Enabling Course

Waardong

Waardong is a special entry and enabling program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who want to study veterinary medicine and other animal and biological science based courses at Murdoch University. The program provides academic, social and cultural support for students enrolled in Veterinary Medicine and other participating science courses.

What type of student are you?

Domestic International

Murdoch code: N1022
Study mode: Full Time
Duration: 5
Selection rank
CRICOS code

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Overview

Waardong provides academic, social and cultural support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in veterinary medicine and other animal and biological science based courses.

At initial entry, students may undertake their first year over two years, with the option of taking Orientation Chemistry units over two semesters if they do not have a background in chemistry. Additional enabling units are conducted alongside the core and elective units for the main course being undertaken, throughout that whole course, to provide scaffolded supplementary support for each specific unit, through the use of academics and tutors.

Entry to Waardong is restricted to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and requires enrolment in an undergraduate course, either veterinary medicine, or other related animal and biological science degrees. There are three avenues for entry:

Candidates who apply through TISC or directly to Murdoch University and are accepted into both the main course and Waardong
Candidates who attend the one week residential testing and selection process and are subsequently recommended for entry into both the main course and Waardong
Candidates who undertake K-Track and then subsequently are accepted into a main course and Waardong.

The testing and selection week is particularly targeted at candidates who have not met standard entry criteria, such as those without an ATAR or those who have not previously undertaken post-secondary study.

For more information contact the Waardong Lecturer.

Testing and selection week is in early December, and the deadline for submission of applications for testing and selection is 30 September each year.

Study areas

Veterinary Science

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Structure

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Unit code	Unit name	Credit points

Progress to entry requirements

Entry requirements

Select which option best describes your path to university :

Higher Education

You have completed university study in Australia, including a bridging or enabling course.

Recent Secondary Education

You are finishing high school this year or have done so in the last two years.

Vocational Education & Training

You have completed an apprenticeship or a VET course at TAFE or another private training provider.

Work & Life Experience

You have completed an aptitude test or spent time away from study for work.

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
University study	Read further information on the admissions process for Veterinary Science	Successful completion of at least 2 years. "For the 2025 intake, successful completion of 1 year of study at AQF level 7 has been approved."

University study
Minimum academic requirement Read further information on the admissions process for Veterinary Science
Minimum English requirement Successful completion of at least 2 years. "For the 2025 intake, successful completion of 1 year of study at AQF level 7 has been approved."

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
Overseas Year 12	Please refer to the information under the country of study.	Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)	CPS 78 or higher.	75% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS).
Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)	94	Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent): English ATAR Literature ATAR English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).
Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)	Overall Position (OP) of 2 or lower.	Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following: English English Extension (Literature) English for ESL Learners. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Extenuating circumstances	Extenuating circumstances will not be granted for direct entry into the Veterinary Science program. If you have extenuating circumstances please apply for a pathway course in Animal Health or Animal Science.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma	Total score of 36 or higher.	Higher level (HL): 7 or better. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
GCE A Levels	Aggregate of 14 points from: A maximum of the best three A-level subjects; OR A combination of A-level and AS-level subjects At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be included A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1) AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5)	A Levels: C in English Language or English Literature or Knowledge and Inquiry. AS Level: B in English Language or English Literature or Knowledge and Inquiry.

Overseas Year 12
Minimum academic requirement Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Minimum English requirement Please refer to the information under the country of study.

Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)
Minimum academic requirement CPS 78 or higher.
Minimum English requirement 75% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS).

Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)
Minimum academic requirement 94
Minimum English requirement Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent): English ATAR Literature ATAR English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).

Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
Minimum academic requirement Overall Position (OP) of 2 or lower.
Minimum English requirement Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following: English English Extension (Literature) English for ESL Learners. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).

Extenuating circumstances
Minimum academic requirement Extenuating circumstances will not be granted for direct entry into the Veterinary Science program. If you have extenuating circumstances please apply for a pathway course in Animal Health or Animal Science.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Minimum academic requirement Total score of 36 or higher.
Minimum English requirement Higher level (HL): 7 or better. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).

GCE A Levels
Minimum academic requirement Aggregate of 14 points from: A maximum of the best three A-level subjects; OR A combination of A-level and AS-level subjects At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be included A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1) AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5)
Minimum English requirement A Levels: C in English Language or English Literature or Knowledge and Inquiry. AS Level: B in English Language or English Literature or Knowledge and Inquiry.

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
AQF Certificate Level	No direct entry.	No direct entry.

AQF Certificate Level
Minimum academic requirement No direct entry.
Minimum English requirement No direct entry.

Means of admission	Minimum academic requirement	Minimum English requirement
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)	No direct entry.	Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
Mature Age Pathway (MAP)	No direct entry – consider Animal Science pathway.	No direct entry.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Minimum academic requirement No direct entry.
Minimum English requirement Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).

Mature Age Pathway (MAP)
Minimum academic requirement No direct entry – consider Animal Science pathway.
Minimum English requirement No direct entry.

This special entry and enabling support course is available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are enrolled in veterinary medicine, and other animal and biological science based courses. Entry can be obtained through recommendation after attendance at the one-week residential Testing and Selection process. Alternate entry may be permitted through K-Track, with approval from the relevant Academic Chair. Students entering relevant courses via TISC or direct university application will also be permitted, with approval from the relevant Academic Chair.

English Requirements

You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.

Progress to fees and scholarships

Fees and scholarships

How much will it cost?

Instead of paying an overall course fee, you pay for the individual units you enrol in. The total course cost will vary depending on the units you choose.

Following your successful application, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer which will contain specific course and fee information.

If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Postgraduate programs are full fee paying, unless indicated otherwise in your Letter of Offer.

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Progress to how to apply

How to apply

Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have any of the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Download and complete the Waardong Application Form.
A Letter of Expression addressing why you would like to be a Veterinarian. Outline your experience working with animals and how your family feel about you wanting to study in this field.

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Where could a science degree take you?

Higher Education

Recent Secondary Education

Vocational Education & Training

Work & Life Experience

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

Minimum English requirement

Minimum academic requirement

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English Requirements

Scholarships

How much will it cost?

How much will it cost?

Scholarships