The MVSc Veterinary Microbiology, also known as the Master of Veterinary Sciences in Veterinary Microbiology is a full-time postgraduate program designed to provide a solid theoretical understanding and technical skill development in the various aspects of Veterinary Microbiology discipline, including, Animal Disease Diagnostics, Microbial Pathogenesis and Host Interaction, Vaccine Development and immunization and Advanced Molecular Techniques.
The course duration is 2 years and to be eligible for the same, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in Veterinary Science or Animal Husbandry with a minimum aggregate score of 50%-60%. They are also required to pass the necessary entrance exam, such as the ICAR AIEEA PG or PGEE and in some cases, are also required to appear for a personal interview round.
In India, the average course fee ranges between INR 60,000 - INR 5,00,000 with Banaras Hindu University, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mumbai Veterinary College and Indian Veterinary Research Institute being among few of the leading Indian colleges offering this comprehensive program currently.
With the average entry level salary ranging between INR 2.5-5.5 LPA and experienced level salary ranging between INR 12-30 LPA, the course graduates can work with both private and public sectors in the positions of Diagnostic Lab Scientist, Veterinary Microbiologist, Assistant Professor, Product Development Officer (Animal Health), Principal Scientist , Director – Animal Health Division and more.
Table of Contents
- MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Highlights Table
- What is MVSc Veterinary Microbiology?
- Why Study MVSc Veterinary Microbiology?
- Who should study MVSc Veterinary Microbiology?
- MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Eligibility Criteria
- MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Entrance Exams 2025
- MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Colleges in India
- MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Admission Process 2025
- MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Syllabus
- MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Job Opportunities in India
- MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Vs MVSc in Veterinary Pathology
- MVSc Veterinary Microbiology FAQs
MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Highlights Table
Refer the table below for some essential details of the 2-year MVSc Veterinary Microbiology course:
What is MVSc Veterinary Microbiology?
The 2-year MVSc Veterinary Microbiology is a highly advanced and specialised degree in the field of Veterinary Microbiology at the postgraduate level. The course aims to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of veterinary microbiology through core and specialized theoretical courses, analytical techniques, lab practical and clinical exposure, seminars, and applied research activities.
Bacteriology, Mycology and Mycoplasmology, Virology, Immunology and Molecular Diagnostics are the major areas covered under the course curriculum, thereby enabling learners to diagnose diseases in animals, carry out advanced research on these diseases and the microorganisms that cause them, and ultimately contribute to the development of their vaccines.
Aside from that, following the 2-year course study, learners are able to make a significant contribution to public health as well, by learning about the prevention and management of diseases transmitted from animals to humans. In order to create precise vaccines to stop this kind of spread, they are also qualified to carry out research in public health and allied fields.
Why Study MVSc Veterinary Microbiology?
A specialised and advanced education in Veterinary Microbiology with a very rigorous, research-oriented, and lab-intensive curriculum is not much preferred by individuals, making this degree relatively less desirable. However, it must be noted that MVSc Veterinary Microbiology is truly a transformational degree in the area of animal health sciences, with a variety of benefits to offer, including:
- High employability: One of the largest employers of MVSc Veterinary Microbiology graduates is undeniably the animal health and pharmaceutical sector, which has seen a rapid growth of 14% in the past decade and is even expected to see a 12.2% more growth by 2033, which directly means more jobs in the sector and thus high employability of the course graduates.
- Multidisciplinary and industry relevant skill set: The primary goal of this 2-year program is to provide learners with intensive technical training and research exposure, allowing them to master skills such as data analysis and interpretation, scientific writing and reporting, vaccine development and QC, biosafety and biosecurity, and microbial diagnostics, thereby equipping them with a highly multidisciplinary skill set.
- Groundwork for research prospects: An MVSc in Veterinary Microbiology equips learners with solid theoretical and practical knowledge in Bacteriology, Virology, Immunology, and Molecular Diagnostics, laying a solid groundwork for them to pursue research opportunities in Veterinary Microbiology and allied fields.
Who should study MVSc Veterinary Microbiology?
Individuals who can be considered ideal to pursue the 2-year MVSc Veterinary Microbiology course are the ones who:
- Have completed their bachelor degree in Veterinary Science or Animal Husbandry fields with a minimum aggregate of 50%-60%.
- Working professionals in the animal health and pharmaceutical industries who desire to rise to senior-level roles through specialised research and lab oriented education.
- Passionate animal lovers aiming to help animals by contributing their efforts towards diagnosis and treatment of diseases in them.
- Research enthusiasts with a passion to conduct independent research in Veterinary Microbiology or related fields.
- Individuals having a natural curiosity about the microorganisms that affect animals and their immunity and their diagnosis and treatment procedures.
MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Eligibility Criteria
In India, the eligibility for MVSc Veterinary Microbiology is either merit-based or entrance-based, and is determined by each university and its state’s admission policy. A detailed breakdown of this eligibility criteria is as follows:
- Candidates must have completed a bachelor degree in Veterinary Science or Animal Husbandry discipline from a recognized university.
- They must have a minimum of 50%-60% aggregate score in the bachelor’s degree, the merit requirement may vary and candidates belonging to the reserved category are often provided with a 5% relaxation as compared to the other candidates.
- At the majority of colleges, candidates are also required to qualify the relevant national, university or state level entrance exam, like the ICAR AIEEA PG or PGEE.
- In some cases, they are also required to appear for a personal interview round with the college’s faculty.
Students interested in medicine can check MVSc Veterinary Medicine
MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Entrance Exams 2025
To be eligible to apply for the MVSc Veterinary Microbiology course, individuals in majority of cases are required to pass the relevant university or state level entrance exam.The table below covers significant details of the exams that are accepted by the majority of Indian colleges for the course admissions:
MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Colleges in India
The MVSc Veterinary Microbiology course is offered by a variety of prestigious and recognized private and public colleges in India and the table below contains the details of the leading Indian colleges that currently offer this 2-year comprehensive program:
Click here to know more about MVSc Veterinary Anatomy & Histology
MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Admission Process 2025
Admissions to the MVSc Veterinary Microbiology program is majorly done via a structured counseling process on the basis of a candidate’s entrance exam and bachelor degree scores. A step-by-step guide to this procedure at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research is as follows:
Step 1: Download the MVSc application form from the institute’s official website. The link to the same is www.river.edu.in. The form is only available for a specific period when PG admissions are open at the institute.
Step 2: Fill the admission form by providing the relevant personal and academic history information requested in the form. Make sure to double check all the information to avoid future complications.
Step 3: Pay the non-refundable application form fee costing INR 1,000 online. The fee amount must be transferred to the following account: RIVER SNA A/C No. 69480100010548, Bank of Baroda, RAGACOVAS Branch, IFSC Code: BARB0VJRAJI.
Step 4: Take a snapshot of the successful payment of the application fee, which should include the transaction details.
Step 5: Mail the filled application form and attach the scanned copies of the relevant documents (mentioned below) to pgadmriver@gmail.com before the deadline.
Step 6: Once admissions are closed, the institute reviews all the applications received for the course and releases a list of the shortlisted candidates for the next steps. This list can be viewed on the institute’s official website only.
Step 7: The shortlisted candidates are required to appear for the PGEE entrance exam as per the schedule shared by the institute via the candidate’s registered email address.
Step 8: Candidates are required to carry the original copies of all the documents that were attached by him/her in the application form mail on the date of the PGEE Exam for physical verification purposes.
Step 9: On successful verification of the same, a PGEE Admit card is issued to the candidate and they are allowed to appear for the same.
Step 10: Once the results of the PGEE Exam are announced, the institute releases merit lists, containing the names of the candidates shortlisted to pursue the MVSc Veterinary Microbiology course. Candidates are shortlisted based on a combination of their bachelor's and entrance exam scores.
Step 11: If shortlisted, candidates are required to submit their original documents to the institute and are also required to pay the first semester course fee. They are notified of the documents that need to be submitted through their registered email ids.
Documents Required:
- Bachelor degree documents (transcripts and consolidated marksheet)
- 10th and 12th marksheets and passing certificates
- Proof of date of birth
- Caste certificate (If applicable)
- Snapshot of the application fee payment
- Nationality certificate.
MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Syllabus
The MVSc Veterinary Microbiology syllabus is spread across 4 semesters and includes a blend of core and specialised courses combined with applied research and diagnostic techniques and methodologies. The program's detailed syllabus, however, has not been released by the colleges that offer it. For reference, this syllabus covers the following core and specialisation-specific subjects at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute.
If you have strong background in Chemistry, you can check MVSc Veterinary Biochemistry
MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Job Opportunities in India
MVSc Veterinary Microbiology graduates can find employment in both private and public sectors, with the animal health and pharmaceutical industry being the largest employer of the same. Some of the most lucrative and renowned MVSc Veterinary Microbiology jobs are listed in the table below, along with their top recruiters and average salary details:
MVSc Veterinary Microbiology Vs MVSc in Veterinary Pathology
Despite belonging to the same field of para-clinical veterinary education at the postgraduate level, MVSc Veterinary Microbiology and MVSc Veterinary Pathology are highly different courses in terms of their curriculum focus, training, and scope. For a more detailed explanation on the same, refer the table below:
MVSc Veterinary Microbiology FAQs
What is an MVSc degree? Is it similar to an MSc degree?
An MVSc degree is often referred to as a master of veterinary science degree, which is a postgraduate study in the field of animal health and treatments. No, it is not similar to an MSc degree, the focus of both the degrees and their curriculum is entirely different, with MVSc being an advanced study of animal health and associated disciplines, and MSc being an advanced study of human health and related disciplines, scientific principles, and so on.
What is the job description of a veterinary microbiologist?
A veterinary microbiologist's primary responsibility is to examine microorganisms and viruses that cause disease in animals and, using suitable data analysis and interpretation techniques, conduct research initiatives to invent accurate vaccinations for them. A veterinary microbiologist spends about 98% of his/her time in a laboratory researching various microorganisms and collaborating with other scientists and departments to develop effective antidotes and vaccinations for them.
Can a BSc Nursing graduate pursue a MVSc Veterinary Microbiology course?
No, a BSc Nursing graduate cannot undertake an MVSc Veterinary Microbiology study, owing to the significant difference in the subject matter of such studies. A BSc Nursing course focuses on human health and treatment, whereas an MVSc Veterinary Microbiology course is concerned with animal health and treatment. As a result, only those with a bachelor's degree in veterinary science or animal husbandry are eligible to enroll in this two-year program.
What is the syllabus of the MVSc Veterinary Microbiology entrance exams conducted at the state or national levels?
The syllabus of the MVSc Veterinary Microbiology entrance exams often contains basic and slightly higher level questions about the courses studied in the Bachelor of Veterinary Science and associated disciplines. The exam is divided into four sections, each of which focuses on a different aspect of veterinary science. Some of the major topics covered under the same include veterinary anatomy and physiology, zoology, veterinary microbiology, immunology, and pathology, and veterinary medicine, surgery, and radiology.
What further study options are available for MVSc Veterinary Microbiology course graduates?
Graduates of the MVSc Veterinary Microbiology program can pursue a PhD in veterinary microbiology or other related fields such as zoology, animal husbandry, molecular biology, and more. Furthermore, if the graduate does not intend to pursue a PhD or a research-oriented course, they can opt for another master's in a different area of veterinary science, such as an MVSc in Veterinary Biochemistry, Veterinary Public Health, or Veterinary Pathology.
How can someone pursue a career as an Assistant Professor (Vet Microbiology) after completing the MVSc Veterinary Microbiology course?
To pursue a career as an Assistant Professor (Vet Microbiology) after completing the MVSc Veterinary Microbiology course, course graduates must first qualify the NET exam, which is a national-level exam conducted in India to determine eligibility for Assistant Professor positions. Once the exam is cleared, the candidate can apply for job openings, previous teaching experience or a PhD in veterinary microbiology would be an added advantage in getting such jobs.