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Bachelor of Arts/ Master of Nursing

Course resolutions

The course resolutions detailed in this page apply to all courses included in the table below under section 1 (course codes).

These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2021 (the 'Coursework Policy'), the Learning and Teaching Policy 2019, the Resolutions of the Faculty, University of Sydney (Student Academic Appeals) Rule 2021, the Academic Integrity Policy 2022 and the Academic Integrity Procedures 2022. Current versions of all policies are available from the Policy Register: http://www.sydney.edu.au/policies

1  Course codes

Code Course title
BPARTNUR-01 Bachelor of Arts/Master of Nursing

2  Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for this course is full time or part time according to candidate choice.

3  Streams

(1)  The Bachelor of Arts and Master of Nursing is available in the following streams:

(a) Dalyell.

(2)  Completion of a stream is not a requirement of the Bachelor of Arts and the Master of Nursing. The requirements for the completion of the Dalyell stream are as specified in Table D of the Shared Pool for Undergraduate Degrees and Part 7 of these resolutions. Candidates who wish to exit the stream should do so through the enrolment system or by contacting the Student Centre.

4  Masters type

The masters degree in these resolutions is a professional masters course, as defined by the Coursework Policy.

5  Cross faculty management

(1)  Candidates will be under the general supervision of the University of Sydney Nursing School for the duration of the combined degree.

(2)  The Head of School and Dean of the University of Sydney Nursing School and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences shall jointly exercise authority in any matter concerned with the combined course not otherwise dealt with in these resolutions.

6  Admission to candidature

(1)  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. Admission standards set by regulatory bodies, accrediting agencies and government for teacher education must also be met. Special admission pathways are open for 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. Details of admission requirements are found in the Coursework Rule and Coursework Policy.

(2)  English language requirements for this course are detailed in the Coursework Policy.

(3)  Applicants who have completed:

(a) Units of study as part of an undergraduate bachelor’s degree at the University of Sydney; or

(b) Units of study as part of an undergraduate bachelor’s degree (or Australian equivalent) at another tertiary institution are required to have met the progression rules outlined in clause 9(1).

(4)  Where an applicant has not yet completed 48 credit points at the time of admission, the assessment will be based on completed study as the basis for admission and any units completed as part of this combined degree to the value or 48 credit points before the applicant can be granted entry to the Master of Nursing component of the degree.

(5)  This course requires applicants to have the ability to undertake clinical placements. The Sydney Nursing School - Clinical Placement Provisions 2015 contains further details of the requirements.

(6)  In addition, this course is not available to applicants who are registered to practise as a nurse in an Australian state or territory.

(7)  Admission to the Dalyell Stream requires achievement of a minimum tertiary admission rank (ATAR) set by joint agreement of the Deans and Heads of School and Deans of University schools of all the faculties and University schools administering degrees offering the Dalyell Stream, or equivalent.

7  Requirements for award

(1)  The units of study that may be taken for the Bachelor of Arts are set out in;

(a) Table A for the Bachelor of Arts;

(b) Table S from the Shared Pool for Undergraduate Degrees;

(c) Table O from the Shared Pool for Undergraduate Degrees.

(d) For students enrolled in the Dalyell stream, Table D of the Shared Pool for Undergraduate Degrees.

In these resolutions, except where otherwise specified, Table A, Table S, Table O and Table D mean Table A, Table S, Table O and Table D as specified here.

(2)  The units of study that may be taken for the Master of Nursing are set out in the Units of Study table for the Bachelor of Arts/Master of Nursing.

(3)  Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts/Master of Nursing:

To qualify for the award of the combined Bachelor of Arts/Master of Nursing, a candidate must complete a total of 192 credit points, including:

(a) a major (48 credit points) from Table A;

(b) for students not enrolled in the Dalyell stream, 6 credit points of units from the Open Learning Environment as specified in Table O;

(c) for students enrolled in the Dalyell stream;

(i) a minimum of 12 credit points of Dalyell units of study as specified in Table D.

(d) for students previously but no longer enrolled in the Dalyell stream who have completed at least 6 credit points of Dalyell units of study are not required to complete any units of study in the Open Learning Environment;

(e) a minimum of 36 credit points of elective units from Table A, Table S, Table O or, for students enrolled in the Dalyell stream, Table D.

(f) if enrolled in a stream, complete the requirements for the stream as specified in Table D; and

(g) 96 credit points of core units as specified in the Units of Study table for the Bachelor of Arts/Master of Nursing.

Candidates are required to attend clinical simulation and fieldwork as required for the Master of Nursing component. Where appropriate, the faculty may require individual candidates to undertake further or remedial theoretical, clinical or practical study in addition to the above requirements.

(4)  Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts:

To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Arts, a candidate must complete 144 credit points, comprising:

(a) 96 credit points specified in 7 (3) (a) - (f) above; and

(b) 48 credit points of units as specified for years 2 and 3 from the Units of Study Table for the Bachelor of Arts/Master of Nursing which shall take the place of the compulsory minor specified in the resolutions for the Bachelor of Arts.

(5)  Requirements for the Master of Nursing:

To qualify for the award of the Master of Nursing, a candidate must complete 96 credit points as specified in the Units of Study Table for the Bachelor of Arts/Master of Nursing of which 48 credit points are completed in years 2 and 3 of the degree.

8  Majors and Programs

(1)  Completion of a major from Table A is a requirement for this combined degree.

9  Progression rules

(1)  Candidates are required to successfully complete 48 credit points of 1000-level units in the first year (or part time equivalent) with a weighted average mark of at least 65 including credit granted from previous study to remain in the combined degree program and commence Master of Nursing units of study. Candidates who do not achieve this mark may not continue in the program; however, they may elect to transfer to the single Bachelor of Arts degree.

(2)  Candidates may not commence Master of Nursing units of study until satisfactorily completing 48 credits points in the Bachelor of Arts component as specified in clause 7 (4). The Bachelor of Arts as specified in clause 7 (3) component must be completed before commencing 6000-level Master of Nursing units in in the fourth and final year (or part-time equivalent) of the combined degree.

(3)  All candidates must successfully complete all Year One Master of Nursing (5000 level) units of study before progressing to Year Two (6000 level) 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 University of Sydney Nursing School.

(5)  Except with the permission of the relevant delegate, candidates must pass all 1000-level units of study within a major, before proceeding to 2000-level units within that major or minor, or else undertake those 1000-level units concurrently with the 2000-level units. Except with the permission of the relevant delegate, candidates must pass all 2000-level units of study within a major, before proceeding to 3000-level units, or else undertake those 2000-level units concurrently with the 3000-level units.

(6)  Candidates must achieve a Cross-Semester Average Mark (CSAM) at a level determined by joint agreement of the Deans and Heads of School and Deans of University schools of all the faculties and University schools administering degrees offering the Dalyell Stream in each year of study or over each 48 credit point block to continue in the Dalyell Stream. Candidates who do not maintain a CSAM at the level determined by joint agreement of the Deans and Heads of School and Deans of University schools of all the faculties and University schools administering degrees offering the Dalyell Stream may continue in any other major, minor, program or stream into which they were admitted, but will not remain in the Dalyell Stream.

(7)  With the permission of the Dalyell coordinator in the Faculty of Arts and Social Science, candidates in the Dalyell stream may attempt units at higher levels than the usual sequence through a major or minor within the Bachelor of Arts.

(8)  Candidates enrolled in the Dalyell stream who do not satisfy requirements for the Dalyell stream but who otherwise meet requirements for the award course in which they are enrolled will graduate from the award course without the Dalyell stream. Students may not study units additional to the maximum credit points for their award course except with approval of the Associate Dean.

10  Requirements for the award with Honours

(1)  Honours in an area of study within the Bachelor of Arts is available to meritorious candidates by enrolling in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and completing an appended honours component after completion of requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Nursing combined degree.

11  Award of the degree

(1)  Candidates will be awarded a separate testamur for each degree completed.

(2)  The Bachelor of Arts is awarded at pass level. Honours is taken by enrolling in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and completing an appended honours program.

(3)  Candidates who attempt the Bachelor of Arts with an appended honours program in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) who do not meet the requirements for honours but who meet the requirement for the pass degree, may be awarded the relevant degree or combined degree at pass level for which they fulfil requirements.

(4)  The Master of Nursing is awarded at the Pass level only.

12  Time limits

(1)  A full time candidate must complete all the requirements for the combined pass degree within six calendar years of first enrolment, including periods of suspension.

(2)  A part time candidate must complete all the requirements for the combined pass degree within eight calendar years of first enrolment, including periods of suspension.

13  Course transfer

(1)  A candidate may abandon the combined degree program and elect to complete the Bachelor of Arts in accordance with the resolutions governing that degree at the time of transfer. Completion of the Master of Nursing in the future will require a new application for admission to candidature for that course and completion in accordance with the resolutions governing that degree.

14  Credit for previous study

(1)  Credit awarded for previous study at another institution will not exceed 24 credit points and credit awarded for previous study at the University of Sydney will not exceed 96 credit points. Credit will not be awarded for clinical nursing units.

(2)  Credit for nursing units of study will not be granted for recognised prior learning older than five years at the time of first enrolment.

15  Transitional provisions

(1)  These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January 2024 

(2)  Students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January 2024 should complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement.