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
Starting on 1 July 2025, eligible students can receive $319.50 per week during their mandatory placement.
Find out more about the Commonwealth Prac payment
Applications will be direct to UniSC. More information to come in early 2025.
Location
CRICOS code
Entry threshold
ATAR/RankDuration
Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.Indicative fees
Indicative 2025 fees (A$)
CSP Annual feeQTAC code
Start
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
Career opportunities
- Aged care
- Community
- Indigenous health
- Mental health
- Nurse in acute care
- Regional and remote
Memberships
Graduates may be eligible to become members of:
- Australian College of Nursing
Accreditation
Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as nurses in Australia with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, which is a Board of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has a number of registration standards that graduates must demonstrate in order to be eligible for registration. For example, graduates must demonstrate English language skills at IELTS level 7, with 7 in all subtests, or equivalent before being considered for professional registration. For full details of the AHPRA Registration Standards, visit the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia website.
- 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
- Program coordinator
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 Anatomy and Physiology
HLT103 Professional Health Communication
LFS103 Introductory Bioscience
NUR100 Contexts of practice: child, youth and family
NUR104 Contexts of Practice: The Older Person and Family
NUR111 Practice Foundations
NUR116 Preparation for Practice 1
NUR117 Nursing Practice 1(6 units)
NUR121 Health Care and the Professions
NUR131 Research Foundations for Health Practice
Developing courses (8) 78 units
NUR222 Health, Law and Ethics
NUR226 Preparation for Practice 2
NUR227 Nursing Practice 2(6 units)
NUR231 Drug Therapy
NUR241 Contexts of Practice: Health Alteration
NUR272 End of Life CareΔ
NUR286 Preparation for Practice 3(6 units)
NUR287 Nursing Practice 3(6 units)
Graduate courses (7) 84 units
HLT301 Contexts of Practice: Mental Health Care
NUR300 Nursing Internship(24 units)
NUR302 Leadership in Clinical PracticeΔ
NUR303 Preparation for Practice 4(6 units)
NUR304 Nursing Practice 4(6 units)
NUR331 Contexts of Practice: Complex Care
NUR332 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural SafetyΔ
Elective course (1) 12 units
Select 1 course (12 units) from:
HLT206 Neonatal and Infant Health
HLT303 Perinatal and Infant Mental HealthΔ
NUR312 Life CrisisΔ
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.
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
Students who meet the following criteria are required to take the Clinical Connections module before they can commence 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).
- Those who have withdrawn from a clinical placement course prior to census date or have withdrawn retrospectively and have not completed a preparation for practice course within 12 months.
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.
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
- 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.
WIL notes
This program includes compulsory placements in settings that require full COVID-19 vaccination.
It is a Queensland Government requirement that students undertaking a placement within a clinical setting are fit tested annually for an approved respirator. Clinical settings include hospitals, residential aged care facilities, residential disability care facilities, prison health services, youth detention health services, community health care settings, and vaccination clinics). If the Fit Testing requirement applies to placement activity within your Program it will appear in your mandatory checks on Sonia Online. In accordance with Australian Standards, you must be clean shaven for your fit test. Facial hair that lies along the sealing surface of a tight-fitting respirator prevents an effective seal. Therefore, it is a requirement that there is no hair growth between the skin and the facepiece sealing surface in order to achieve a fit. At this stage, there is no exemption in Queensland to this requirement for religious or other reasons and USC is unable to waive this requirement.
- Before undertaking clinical placement, students must obtain and maintain a current first aid and CPR certificate, provide evidence of hepatitis B and a number of other immunisations, undergo a criminal history check and obtain a Blue Card. Refer to clinical placement details for more information.
This study sequence reflects the current program structure. Continuing students must follow their commencing structure, which can be found in the previous student handbooks.
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| Applicant background | No. of students | % of all students |
|---|---|---|
Notes
<5 - the number of students is less than 5
N/A - Students not accepted in this category
N/P - Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than five students.
Adjusted ATARs are a calculation of a student's ATAR + eligible adjustment factors and are used to determine admission. The raw ATAR is the student's rank before any adjustments are applied.
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 |
Special selection criteria
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
In addition, students are required to complete individual health service requirements as directed by the placement provider.
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.
Post admission 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).
- Those who have withdrawn from a clinical placement course prior to census date or have withdrawn retrospectively and have not completed a preparation for practice course within 12 months.
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
Prospective students must consider the Inherent Academic Requirements before applying to study this program.
Refer to Bachelor of Nursing Science (and Graduate entry) - Inherent Academic Requirements
UniSC strongly supports the rights of all people to pursue studies. The University embraces diversity and endeavours to accommodate all students.
What are Inherent Academic Requirements (IARs)?
The IARs of a program are those fundamental skills, capabilities and knowledge that students must be able to demonstrate in order to achieve the essential learning outcomes of the program, while maintaining the academic integrity of that program.
Students with a disability or chronic health condition may be able to have reasonable adjustments made to enable them to meet these requirements.
UniSC is committed to making reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, placement and other activities to enable students to participate in their program.
Reasonable adjustments must not fundamentally change the nature of the IAR.
Consideration is given to a student's cultural and religious background/beliefs, which may impact on participation in their program or course. For further information contact Student Support.
Why are Inherent Academic Requirements (IARs) important?
IARs ensure the academic integrity of a program is maintained and preserves the University's learning, assessment and accreditation processes. They must be met by all students.
How does this affect you?
To successfully complete a program at UniSC, you need to be able to meet all the Inherent Academic Requirements.
If you are applying for a program, you should read the IAR statement carefully to ensure you are able to meet them.
If you have a disability or chronic health condition, contact a UniSC Disability Advisor to talk about the adjustments that may be put in place so you can meet the requirements.
Headstart Program - Years 10 to 12
The Headstart program lets you study uni subjects while you’re still in high school. If you successfully complete two Headstart courses, you’ll get a selection rank that you could use to get into uni.
Early Offer Guarantee scheme - Year 12
The Early Offer Guarantee scheme enables Year 12 students to be offered a place at UniSC on the basis of their Principal's recommendation.
Prior study or work experience
If you:
- have completed Year 12 (no matter how long ago)
- have a TAFE/VET qualification
- have relevant work experience, or
- have studied at university before (even if you didn’t complete your studies)
You may be eligible for a selection rank, which can help you get into uni. For more detailed information selection ranks and how applications are assessed, visit Admissions explained.
Tertiary Preparation Pathway
If you don’t have qualifications or experience that will give you a selection rank, you can complete the Tertiary Preparation Pathway as a stepping stone into most degrees. You can also use TPP to complete subject prerequisites.
If you haven’t studied in a while, TPP is also a great way to brush up on essential study skills like critical reading, assignment writing and referencing.
It can also build your knowledge and confidence in the subject areas you’ll need for your degree, like science or maths. TPP courses are fee-free for eligible domestic students.
Indigenous Direct Entry and Access Scheme (IDEAS)
You may be eligible for direct entry into a UniSC degree based on your potential to succeed, under UniSC’s Indigenous Direct Entry and Access Scheme (IDEAS). All you have to do is complete an online application through our website.
High-school leavers completing year 12 are not eligible, and must apply through QTAC.
- CSP estimate
- A$6,671 - 2025 Fees
- Annual tuition fee (A$, 2025)
- A$31,030
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth supported places are substantially subsidised by the Australian Government so that students only pay 'student contribution" amounts. The student contribution amount will vary depending on the course you are studying and how much funding the Government provides.
If you accept a Commonwealth supported place you are a Commonwealth supported student. As a Commonwealth supported student you must make a contribution towards the cost of your education (unless you are enrolled in Enabling or Tertiary Preparation Pathway courses) with the majority of the cost met by the Commonwealth Government.
Commonwealth supported places are only available to domestic students. As a domestic student you are entitled to a Commonwealth supported place in an eligible program if you:
- meet the citizenship and residency requirements
- complete an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)
- meet the University's entry requirements for your chosen program.
International fee-paying places
Annual tuition fees are based on 2025 rates and the equivalent full-time student load as per the recommended study sequence in the relevant program.
Actual fees payable are based on the actual enrolment load in a teaching period (excluding Study Abroad and Postgraduate Qualifying Pathway).
All prices quoted are in Australian Dollars (A$).
Domestic applicants apply for admission through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). Some applicants may be eligible to apply direct to UniSC if they meet certain criteria.
Find out about how to apply and key application closing dates.
No matter what kind of future you’re looking for, you can find it at UniSC. Our programs offer the choice and flexibility you need to get started on any career goal.
Visit How to apply for simple steps to submit your international student application and start your UniSC experience today.
Need help with submitting your application?
UniSC has appointed representatives to assist you with submitting your application and provide information about the steps you need to complete to begin your studies. You can contact a UniSC Representative in your area.
Any questions? Contact us.
QTAC code
| Location | QTAC code |
|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast | 013401 |
| Gympie | 013501 |
| Fraser Coast | 019101 |
| Caboolture | 018601 |
| Moreton Bay | 014021 |
Student story
"It was the education and support that UniSC provided that strengthened and scaffolded my beliefs which transformed me into a better version of myself."
Need advice on what to study or how to apply?
Our Student Central team can help.
Call us +61 7 5430 2890
Email us information@usc.edu.au
For locations and opening hours, visit Student Central.