Bachelor of Nursing Science (Graduate Entry)
Switch to a rewarding career in nursing. Use credit from another undergraduate degree you’ve completed to make the career change. Learn about anatomy and physiology, drug therapy, comprehensive health assessment and care of people. Learn via placements in hospitals, aged-care facilities, health agencies and community settings. When you graduate from this program, apply for registration as a nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
In this program you will:
- Complete 800 hours of work placements in clinical settings
- Learn about anatomy and physiology, comprehensive health assessment, and drug therapy
- Assess and care for patients
- Continue learning through an honours or Master’s program to specialise in nursing
Location
CRICOS code
Duration
Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.Indicative fees
Indicative 2025 fees (A$)
CSP Annual fee / Estimated total feeQTAC code
Start
- Semester 2
- Semester 2
- Semester 2
- Start
-
- Semester 2
- Semester 2
- Semester 2
- Delivery mode
-
- Blended Learning
- Total courses
- 18
- Total units
- 198
- Duration
- 2.3 years 2.3 years
- CRICOS code
- 072637M
- UniSC program code
- SC392
Courses in this program structure will be offered progressively from 2022, and are accredited by the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).
Introductory courses (3) 36 units
HLT100 Participation in Occupation
HLT101 Introduction to Psychology B
NUR141 Anatomy and Physiology
Developing courses (8) 78 units
NUR222 Health and Wellness across the Lifespan
NUR226 Introduction to Nursing Practice
NUR227 Health, Law and Ethics(6 units)
NUR231 Preparation for Practice 2
NUR241 Nursing Practice 2
NUR272 Drug Therapy
NUR286 Contexts of Practice: Health Alteration(6 units)
NUR287 Palliative, Rehabilitation and Continuing Care(6 units)
Graduate courses (7) 84 units
HLT301 Preparation for Practice 3Δ
NUR300 Nursing Practice 3Δ(24 units)
NUR302 Contexts of Practice: Mental Health Care
NUR303 Nursing Internship(6 units)
NUR304 Leadership in Clinical Practice(6 units)
NUR331 Preparation for Practice 4
NUR332 Nursing Practice 4
Δ refer to Program notes
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Admission requirements
Applicants must complete an (unspecified) Australian bachelor degree (AQF Level 7), or equivalent degree from an international university.
Completed graduate diplomas, masters and/or doctorates are accepted equivalents, with a minimum post-secondary volume of study of 3.00 years full-time (or equivalent) of which 1.00 year full-time (or equivalent) must have been completed within the past ten years.
Places in this program are limited, eligibility for an offer of admission will be based on the applicants Grade Point Average in their undergraduate degree.
Applicants from a non-English speaking background refer to English language requirements.
Entry requirements
For entry into most USC undergraduate degree programs, you need to have completed a minimum level of education similar to successful completion of Australian Year 12 with good grades.
Further studies, for example, a semester or more at college or university, can also be considered for entry and may give you credit transfer towards a degree.
Some examples of upper secondary qualifications and a guide to the minimum grades that USC will consider are listed here. These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee entry. Some programs may require higher grades. Alternative qualifications may also be considered on a case by case basis.
If your qualification (grouped by country) is not listed, send the qualification transcripts with your application form to the International Office for assessment.
English language requirements
You will also need to meet the English language requirements for this program. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you may be able to enrol in our English Language Programs to reach the required level for most of UniSC’s programs (exceptions apply to non-standard English requirement programs).
Post admission requirements
Before undertaking a clinical placement, students must comply with the Pre-Clinical Mandatory Checks including:
- Hold a valid Blue Card (Working with Children Check) from QLD Government Blue Card Services throughout the duration of your program. You should allow 12 weeks for Blue Card Services to issue the card.
- Obtain a National Criminal History check through the Australian Federal Police
- Comply with QLD Health vaccination requirements
- A current First Aid and CPR certificate is required from an organisation recognised by the Australian Resuscitation Council, and a Mental Health First Aid online learning certificate, before commencing clinical practice
- Complete the QLD Health student orientation requirements
Refer to the Pre-Clinical Mandatory Checks for further information. In addition, students are required to complete individual health service requirements as directed by the placement provider.
Students in the program will be registered as students with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
Program special requirements
Students who meet the following criteria are required to take the Clinical Connections module before they can enrol in a clinical placement course in any given year of study:
- Those who have passed a preparation for practice course but subsequently failed the clinical placement course.
- Those who have transferred from another university with credit for a preparation for practice course but not the clinical placement course.
- Those who have taken a break from their study for two or more consecutive semesters (including students transferring from another university with credit).
Completion of the Clinical Connections module formalises reintroduction to theory and supported practice, and ensures that students can proceed to clinical placement and meet NMBA professional standards relevant to practice at their level of study.
Additional entry information
All applicants must either be able to declare that English is their primary language (ie they have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English. At least two years of this education must have been between grades 7 and 12. This education must have been completed in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, or United States of America.); or they must attain an Academic IELTS score of at least 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each subtest (obtained within two years prior to the commencement of the program).
For more information visit English language requirements.
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 198 units as outlined in the Program Structure
In order to commence clinical placement you must comply with the Pre-Clinical Mandatory Checks including:
- Hold a valid Blue Card from the Public Safety Business Agency (PSBA), throughout the duration of your program. You should allow 12 weeks for PSBA to issue the card. Note: students who do not possess a valid Blue Card will be unable to complete the clinical practice component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements
- Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority)
- Show evidence of complete Hepatitis B vaccination (3 inoculations over a period of six months)
- Hold a current First Aid and CPR certificate from an organisation recognised by the Australian Resuscitation Council
- Hold a Mental Health First Aid online learning certificate
- Travel to attend clinical placements
- Have a level of computer literacy, including word processing and email
Note: You are required to commence action of the above requirements immediately after enrolling. Hepatitis B immunity can take up to six months to determine and the processing of your USC Blue Card Application Form can take up to 10 weeks. Visit Nursing and Midwifery - Clinical Placement for more information about these requirements before you apply.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- For Sippy Downs students some courses in this program will be taught at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute
- HLT301 (if enrolling in Semester 1) MUST be completed at Sunshine Coast Health Institute, not the Sippy Downs campus.
- Preparing for study at SCHI
- NUR300 Session 4 offering is only available to specific student cohorts
- Currently NUR272 , NUR302 and NUR332 are ONLY offered via online mode.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- CSP estimate
- A$2,994
- Annual tuition fee (A$, 2025)
- A$29,000
- Estimated total tuition fee (A$, 2025)
- A$59,813