Bachelor of Nursing Science
Pursue your passion for health care and helping people while developing scientific knowledge of anatomy and physiology, drug therapy, comprehensive health assessment and evidence-based practice. Receive hands-on experience, preparing for work in the healthcare industry upon graduation. After completing our program, apply for registration as a nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
In this program you will:
- Gain practical skills through 800 hours of placement in clinical settings
- Learn about anatomy and physiology
- Understand the different health requirements for people of all ages and backgrounds
- Appreciate cultural differences in delivering health care
- Work with registered nurses, who will teach you latest techniques for health care
Location
CRICOS code
Entry threshold
ATAR/RankDuration
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 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
Semester 1 commencement: 3 years full time or equivalent part time. Semester 2 commencement: 3.3 years full time or equivalent part time ( 3 years plus an 8 week Nursing Internship)
Semester 1 commencement: 3 years full time or equivalent part time. Semester 2 commencement: 3.3 years full time or equivalent part time ( 3 years plus an 8 week Nursing Internship)
Semester 1 commencement: 3 years full time or equivalent part time. Semester 2 commencement: 3.3 years full time or equivalent part time ( 3 years plus an 8 week Nursing Internship)
Semester 1 commencement: 3 years full time or equivalent part time. Semester 2 commencement: 3.3 years full time or equivalent part time ( 3 years plus an 8 week Nursing Internship)
Semester 1 commencement: 3 years full time or equivalent part time. Semester 2 commencement: 3.3 years full time or equivalent part time ( 3 years plus an 8 week Nursing Internship)
- Start
-
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Delivery mode
-
- Blended Learning
- Total courses
- 26
- Total units
- 288
- Duration
- 3.3 years 3.3 years
- CRICOS code
- 078086M
- UniSC program code
- SC391
Courses in this program structure will be offered progressively from 2022, and are accredited by the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).
Introductory courses (10) 114 units
HLT100 Communication and Thought
HLT103 Anatomy and Physiology
LFS103 Professional Health Communication
NUR100 Introductory Bioscience
NUR104 Contexts of practice: child, youth and family
NUR111 Contexts of Practice: The Older Person and Family
NUR116 Practice Foundations
NUR117 Preparation for Practice 1(6 units)
NUR121 Nursing Practice 1
NUR131 Health Care and the Professions
Developing courses (8) 78 units
NUR222 Research Foundations for Health Practice
NUR226 Health, Law and Ethics
NUR227 Preparation for Practice 2(6 units)
NUR231 Nursing Practice 2
NUR241 Drug Therapy
NUR272 Contexts of Practice: Health AlterationΔ
NUR286 End of Life Care(6 units)
NUR287 Preparation for Practice 3(6 units)
Graduate courses (7) 84 units
HLT301 Nursing Practice 3
NUR300 Contexts of Practice: Mental Health Care(24 units)
NUR302 Nursing InternshipΔ
NUR303 Leadership in Clinical Practice(6 units)
NUR304 Preparation for Practice 4(6 units)
NUR331 Nursing Practice 4
NUR332 Contexts of Practice: Complex CareΔ
Elective course (1) 12 units
Select 1 course (12 units) from:
HLT206 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety
HLT303 Neonatal and Infant HealthΔ
NUR312 Perinatal and Infant Mental HealthΔ
OR another course with the approval of the Program Leader.
Δ refer to Program notes
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all UniSC courses are available on every UniSC campus.
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).
Minimum entry threshold
Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.
| Location | ATAR/Rank |
|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast | 60.00 |
| Gympie | 60.00 |
| Fraser Coast | 60.00 |
| Caboolture | 60.00 |
| Moreton Bay | 60.00 |
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.
- Recommended prior study
- English; General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics; at least one science subject
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 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 (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 before commencing clinical practice
- Complete the QLD Health student orientation requirements
- Travel to attend clinical placements
- Have a level of computer literacy, including word processing and email
Students who do not comply with these requirements will be unable to complete the clinical practice component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements
Note: Students 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 12 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
- Preparing for study at SCHI
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- International students on a Student visa please note:
- NUR300 Session 4 offering is only available to students admitted in the program in Semester 2
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- CSP estimate
- A$5,944 - 2023 Fees
- Annual tuition fee (A$, 2025)
- A$29,400
- Estimated total tuition fee (A$, 2025)
- A$88,200