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Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Nursing

The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.

Sydney Nursing School’s Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Nursing combined degree is designed to provide you with a broader range of competencies than a stand-alone nursing qualification. In addition to being able to register for practice as a nurse in Australia, this course will enhance your career and employment opportunities by offering you a broader knowledge of the health sciences in areas such as health promotion and prevention, behavioural health science, project management and design, health administration and health technology.

Majors

Units of study

Course Structure

Full units of study list

Further course information

Study plan

Students complete a total of 192 credit points (cp) to be awarded the Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Nursing combined degree, including 96cp from the Bachelor of Health Sciences and 96cp from the Master of Nursing. First year of this combined degree requires 48cp of studies exclusively in the Bachelor of Health Sciences, including a unit of study in human biology. Over second and third years, students continue to study 48cp of health sciences units of study (24cp each year). The Master of Nursing units of study are introduced from second year. Students are expected to complete their health sciences degree before continuing to the fourth and final year of their combined degree. Fourth year involves studies entirely in the Master of Nursing. Students will be placed within a clinical school and undertake units of study and four week of clinical placements in their chosen area. All students must also meet other requirements for this combined degree as outlined in the course resolutions.

Progression rules

(1) Candidates are required to complete their first 48 credit points with an average mark of at least 65 to remain in the combined degree program. Candidates who do not achieve this mark may not continue in the program; however, they may elect to transfer to the single Bachelor of Health Sciences degree.
(2) Candidates may not commence Master of Nursing units of study until satisfactorily completing 48 credits points in the Bachelor of Health Sciences component. The Bachelor of Health Sciences component must be completed before continuing to the fourth and final year of the combined degree.
(3) All candidates must successfully complete all first year Master of Nursing units of study before progressing to second year Master of Nursing units of study.
(4) In exceptional circumstances a candidate may be allowed to progress to the next stage with approval by the Dean of the Sydney Nursing School.

What is a major?

Completion of core units, six junior electives and four senior health science electives in the Bachelor of Health Science is a requirement of this combined degree. These units count toward a health science major.

What is an elective?

An elective is a unit of study within a degree, usually an option within a course. Electives allow more detailed study of a particular subject and may contribute to the completion of a major. Electives can be selected from the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sydney Nursing School or from other faculties and schools within the university, subject to permission from the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sydney Nursing School.

Course opportunities

The Master of Nursing component of this course requires completion of clinical placements which prepare graduates for professional practice. Students undertake more than 900 hours of clinical placements over their course of study and practise skills in the Sydney Nursing School's clinical laboratories and high fidelity simulation wards. During the final year of the course, students complete a four week clinical placement in an area in which they may choose to specialise: paediatrics, mental health, high acuity, or clinical nursing. Due to the requirements of professional practice and the integrated structure of the course, exchange units of study in both arts and nursing are not available.

Course outcomes and further study

Graduate opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Nursing combined degree will be eligible to apply for registration to practise as a nurse in Australia.

As a graduate of this course you will be highly employable in both clinical and non-clinical settings such as forensic science, journalism, environmental science, media and communications and community organisations. In addition to nursing, you will be ideally placed to work in health promotion and prevention, data management and health policy or go on to study for a research degree. Potential employers include government departments, private health care suppliers, scientific firms, and medical and pharmaceutical firms.

Course accreditation

Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, the accrediting body for professional nursing practice in Australia.

In addition to nursing, students are encouraged to become members of professional associations concerned with their health sciences areas of study. Association membership for students is often heavily discounted and may provide: opportunities for networking; conferences on topical issues providing local and international perspectives; research on areas of practice, quality and innovation; interest groups in specific areas of industry; regular journals and other publications; access to current salary information based on surveys conducted by the association; advice on workplace agreements; events offering professional development and ongoing learning; scholarships, awards and prizes; further study (including short courses, professional accreditation programs, or postgraduate qualifications).

Further study

Graduates of this course who wish to further their studies in these fields may choose from a broad range of courses offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sydney Nursing School. Eligible candidates may proceed to an honours year in the Bachelor of Health Sciences.

Sydney Nursing School offers a range of advanced learning postgraduate courses in a range of nursing specialty areas, including cancer and haematology nursing, clinical nursing, clinical trials practice, emergency nursing, intensive care nursing, mental health nursing and nurse practitioner. Master’s degrees include capstone projects which prepare students for higher degrees by research.

Admission

Admission requirements

Admission to this course is on the basis of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), tertiary study or an approved preparation program. English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English. Special admission pathways are open for domestic mature aged applicants who do not possess a school leaving qualification, educationally disadvantaged applicants and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants are ranked by merit and offers for available places are issued according to the ranking.
In addition, it is required that applicants have the ability to undertake clinical placements and the School’s Clinical Policy contains further details of the requirements.
Please note this course is not available to applicants who are already registered to practise as a nurse in an Australian state or territory.

Assumed knowledge

Mathematics and HSC 2-unit Biology; recommended previous study includes Physics and Chemistry. Students who have not completed HSC Biology (or equivalent) are strongly advised to take the Biology Bridging Course (in February).

How to apply

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications for the University's undergraduate courses are made though the Universities Admission Centre (UAC). On-time applications for the March Semester close on 30 September 2011.

International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University's International Office, (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent), or (iii) through the Universities Admissions Centre, for students applying on the basis of a current Australian Year 12 secondary school examination, or studying either an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.

Fee disclaimer

Domestic students

Indicative Undergraduate Student Contribution Amount

This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2011 your student contribution may differ.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Future Student's online webpages at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/domestic_undergraduate/costs/calculating_costs.shtml

Annual review

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

International students

Indicative international tuition fees for undergraduate students

This international tuition fee is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact tuition fees that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total tuition fees, please refer to the University's webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_undergraduate/costs_scholarships/index.shtml

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_undergraduate

In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.