Massey’s Master of Veterinary Studies (MVS)  is an internationally recognised degree, most suitable for those who would like to undertake a combination of taught courses and a research project. The programme can be built around your area of interest. For example you could choose an endorsement in epidemiology or public health, or you can develop your expertise across other areas of veterinary science by choosing a MVS with no endorsement. There are a wide range of taught courses for you to choose from, depending on your area of interest and the endorsement that you choose.

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. Our staff cover a wide range of veterinary disciplines and collaborate on research projects with other related disciplines including animal production, physiology and nutrition.

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 Enquire button on this page to discuss.

Graduates of this programme have gone on to become world leaders in veterinary epidemiology and veterinary public health.

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.