Veterinary Science breaks into global top 20 in QS Rankings

Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s Veterinary Science programme continues to shine, building on last year’s strong performance of 21st globally. This year, it climbed even higher, securing a place in the top 20 worldwide and maintaining its position as the top veterinary programme in Australasia and Asia.

Head of Tāwharau Ora School of Veterinary Science Professor Jon Huxley says he’s thrilled to see the continuous efforts to refine and enhance the programme yielding such positive results.

“To see our Veterinary Science programme ranked so highly is a fantastic achievement, and a true reflection of the dedication and passion from everyone involved in making it exceptional for our students. We remain committed to continually improving the programme, ensuring it meets the highest standards in education, research and animal health, all while benefiting our students, the veterinary profession and our wider communities. The quality of teaching and our state-of-the-art facilities are key, but it’s the people at the heart of the programme who truly make it outstanding. I want to express my sincere thanks to our entire community for their invaluable contributions to the success of our programme.”

With over 60 years of nurturing veterinary talent, the School of Veterinary Science has undergone significant changes to continue delivering excellence and ensuring graduates are fully prepared to make meaningful impact across animal health, welfare, production and conservation.

In recent years, additional facilities have been added or improved to enhance the student experience, including the Clinical Skills Laboratory, where students hone their practical skills using models before they work with live animals. The award-winning models are a key part of the school’s commitment to reducing, replacing and refining animal-use when possible, by providing practical alternatives. These models exemplify a sustainable approach to education, offering high-quality, environmentally conscious methods of training to support the development of the next generation of veterinarians.

Students engage with live animals through a range of facilities, including the Large Animal Teaching Unit (LATU) which celebrates 30 years of shaping veterinary education this year. Over the past three decades, the LATU has expanded significantly to provide hands-on training while maintaining a strong focus on animal welfare. The unit is home to a variety of animals, including horses, cows, sheep, pigs, alpacas, llamas and donkeys, with herds rotated regularly and handling schedules carefully managed to ensure their wellbeing.

Another avenue for hands-on learning is through the four teaching hospitals, which provide final-year students the opportunity to participate in a range of animal health activities, all under the supervision of highly qualified veterinary teams. These hospitals include the Companion Animal Hospital, offering routine and specialist care for pets; the Equine Veterinary Clinic, providing medical and surgical care; the Farm Services Clinic, delivering treatment for livestock and lifestyle animals; and Wildbase Hospital, which specialises in the treatment of Aotearoa New Zealand’s native wildlife.

Other additions include the Student Learning Complex, which opened in 2022 and features two large learning spaces with fit-for-purpose facilities and flexible learning environments for teaching. The Pathology Laboratory, which opened in 2021, offers world-class amenities, including an open-plan postmortem area, preparation and storage facilities.

Currently under construction is the new Ngā Huia building, which will house research laboratory spaces, alongside office accommodations for staff, technicians and postgraduate research students. It will also feature areas for veterinary students, including lockers, changing rooms, study and relaxation areas and food preparation facilities.

The programme’s curriculum has recently been renewed to ensure it is fit-for purpose for the modern veterinary profession, alongside a 25 per cent increase in class size. The current intake is 125 domestic students per year, with an additional 50 international students.

The establishment of the Veterinary Māori and Pacific (VetMAP) student pathways initiative, which supports indigenous access to veterinary education, has led to a threefold increase in Māori and Pacific students. The holistic wraparound programme ensures the profession benefits from Māori and Pacific worldviews.

Research is another top priority within the school, driving innovation in animal health and improving veterinary practices. This focus also ensures our academics are global leaders in their areas of expertise, such as Professor David Hayman, a specialist in infectious disease ecology, who has been playing a pivotal role in shaping the influential Nexus Assessment on global crises. Professor Naomi Cogger was appointed Vice President of the World Organisation for Animal Health’s Scientific Commission last year, where she works on strategies for disease prevention and control. Professor Chris Rogers has recently been appointed to the newly formed role of the New Zealand Equine Trust Chair in Equine Health, Welfare and Performanceto assist advancing the field of equine science. Co-Director and Manager of the Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre Professor Ngaio Beausoleil recently collaborated with the Department of Conversation to conduct a welfare assessment on South Island captive kākā, Charlie Girl.

Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of Sciences Professor Ray Geor says the new ranking reflects the quality of the programme.

“To have Massey’s Veterinary Science qualification recognised within the top 20 in the world is a significant achievement for all the staff involved, and a testament to the university’s commitment to land based and animal sciences. This is Massey’s core expertise and aligns to Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading role in the primary production industries. We are the leading university in New Zealand for the study of animals and we provide an exceptional education that prepares graduates for the dynamic veterinary profession. The changes that have taken place over the last few years, and those planned for the future of the school, have set us up for continued success and delivery of this flagship qualification. As a vet myself, I am particularly proud of the School of Veterinary Science’s success; my sincere thanks and congratulations are extended to Professor Jon Huxley and his team.”

The 2025 QS World University Subject Rankings examined 5,200 institutions in 148 countries across 55 subjects and five broad faculty areas. Universities are evaluated according to five metrics: academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per paper, H-index and International Research Network. 

Learn more about Massey’s other QS Ranking results here.