Nursing

The Master of Nursing provides registered nurses with an advanced postgraduate qualification that opens up senior roles across policy, clinical practice, research, education or management. You will advance your knowledge and application of evidence-based practice, extend your understanding of professional issues and develop your ability to independently undertake research.

This program is designed to develop your ability to expertly apply modes of inquiry to identify and investigate questions, issues or problems to inform nursing and health care practice, knowledge and research.

As a graduate, you may wish to pursue further study in research or apply your advanced skills to the increasingly complex health care environment.

You will be well positioned to further your career, equipped with the necessary skill set to take on leadership and governance opportunities in the workplace.

You can choose to study this program externally, online, with attendance at some on-campus workshops required.

The program consists of 54 units of study offered over 1.5 years of full-time or part-time equivalent. 

All content in the first 18 units of studies is underpinned by research evidence and teaching and learning activities foster critical analysis of research evidence and translation of research evidence in specialty nursing practice. These courses develop the ability to expertly apply modes of inquiry to identify and investigate questions, issues or problems to inform nursing and health care practice, knowledge and research. Students also undertake 18 units of core research studies which includes learning activities that reflect the processes of research, followed by 18 units of minor thesis.

Applicants are required to:

• hold a Bachelor degree in Nursing or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution; and have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 (credit average) in the program; OR
• have completed hospital based training in Australia as a Registered Nurse; AND have successfully completed the Graduate Certificate in Nursing or Graduate Diploma of Nursing offered by the University of South Australia, or an equivalent qualification from another Australian university and have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5 (credit average) in the Graduate Certificate/Graduate Diploma.

In addition, applicants must:

• hold a Current Practising Certificate as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia or, for international students, be eligible to be licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in their own country or place of residence; AND
• have completed a minimum of two years of clinical experience as a Registered Nurse.

English language entry requirements

In addition, international students who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at the University of South Australia. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.

English language test

• IELTS total: - 6.5
• IELTS reading: - 6.5
• IELTS writing: - 6.5
• IELTS speaking: - 6.5
• IELTS listening: - 6.5

Each year, more than 2,500 students at the University of South Australia benefit from scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. We welcome high achieving students from developing countries who are supported by the Australian government program, Australia Awards. We also host around 500 students who are sponsored by their home government, university or employer.