FAQs Future Students
Course information
- What courses does the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery offer?
- What is the difference between a pre-registration and post-registration course?
- Does the Faculty offer an Honours course and how do I apply?
- Does the Faculty recognise academic achievement within their courses?
- What facilities are offered at the Mallett Street campus?
Application information
- How do I apply for a pre-registration, post-registration or postgraduate course?
- How much does University study cost?
- Is there any assumed knowledge required in the pre-registration course?
- Does the Faculty offer a Preparation Program?
- Do I need to have a first-aid certificate before I start?
- If I am accepted into a course am I able to defer my acceptance?
- Where can I find out more about studying nursing at Sydney?
- Can I count previous study towards my current degree?
- Where can I get a copy of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery handbook?
Course structure information
- Is there much Mathematics in the Master of Nursing or combined degrees?
- How much practical experience is there in the courses?
- What are the approximate number of hours per week that students attend class?
- I want to work in a specialised area, how do I go about this?
- How can I get advice on selecting units of study?
- Are there any compulsory subjects in the pre-registration (graduate entry) course?
Fees and funding information
Course information - answers
What courses does the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery offer?
The Faculty offers the following courses:
Pre-registration
Master of Nursing
This course is a graduate entry program designed for students who have an existing undergraduate tertiary qualification. There are a number of entry points and prospective students should contact the Faculty for further information.
Bachelor of Arts/Master of Nursing
Bachelor of Health Sciences/Master of Nursing
Bachelor of Science/Master of Nursing
Post-registration
Bachelor of Nursing (Post-registration)
Postgraduate coursework
Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing
Graduate Certificate in Emergency Nursing
Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing
Graduate Diploma in Cancer Nursing
Graduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing
Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing
Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing
Master of Cancer Nursing
Master of Clinical Nursing
Master of Emergency Nursing
Master of Intensive Care Nursing
Master of Mental Health Nursing
Research degrees
Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Philosophy (Nursing)
Master of Nursing (Honours)
Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)
What is the difference between a pre-registration and post-registration course?
A pre-registration course (Master of Nursing or combined degree) is designed for those students who wish to become registered nurses in the state of NSW.
The post-registration course (Bachelor of Nursing (Post-registration) is a course for those students who are already registered nurses. Local students must be registered to practise nursing in NSW and hold a qualification at certificate or diploma level.
International students must be registered to practise nursing in a country other than Australia and hold a qualification at certificate or diploma level (or Australian equivalent). The BN (Post-registration) does not lead to registration as a nurse in NSW for International students. Overseas nurses who wish to become registered in NSW must undertake the Master of Nursing.
Does the Faculty offer an Honours course and how do I apply?
There are a number of different entry methods into the honours stream in both graduate entry and postgraduate coursework. Students should contact the Faculty for further information.
Does the Faculty recognise academic achievement within their courses?
The Faculty encourages students to work to their highest potential and recognises this in a number of ways. There are prizes and scholarships awarded on an annual basis to those students who display exceptional academic merit.
What facilities are offered at the Mallett Street campus?
The campus has a Nursing library, Student Union facilities including a cafeteria and food outlet. The Student Union also has a student counsellor who visits the site two to three times per week. There is also a Sydney University Nurses Association who have an office on site to assist students. The campus is only a short 15 minute walk to the main University campus where students in the Faculty can participate in the many activities and organisations offered.
Application information - answers
How do I apply for a pre-registration, post-registration or postgraduate course?
Students wishing to undertake any course, other than a combined degree course, offered by the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery should apply directly to the Faculty. For further information please contact the Faculty on 9351 0693 or email info@nursing.usyd.edu.au. Students wishing to undertake a combined degree course must apply through the University Admissions Centre (applications close end September).
How much does University study cost?
Local students
Local students who are offered a HECS place in either the BN (Post-registration), Master of Nursing or one of the combined degrees and any one of the postgraduate graduate certificate offerings are required to pay the government designated HECS cost for that course. This varies from approximately $509 per unit of study upwards depending upon the unit of study. Students may elect to pay this upfront or defer until such time as their income exceeds a specified limit. Students who pay their fees upfront are eligible for a discount. Further information may be obtained from the goingtouni.gov.au website.
Registered nurses who wish to study a masters level course will be required to pay fees. These vary from approximately $11,000-$22,000 per annum. The majority of courses are at the lower end of the scale. Scholarships will be available for these courses.
Permanent residents and New Zealand citizens
Students who have been permanent residents in Australia for less than three years and students who hold New Zealand nationality are eligible for HECS places but are required to pay all fees prior to commencing the course.
International students
International students are required to pay fees that vary depending upon the course undertaken. These are in the order of A$20,000 to A$23,000 per annum.
Other costs
Students should also factor additional funds for textbooks and additional reading materials. Students enrolled in the Master of Nursing or a combined degree will also be required to purchase a uniform that is compulsory wearing on all clinical placements.
Does the Faculty offer a Preparation Program?
The Faculty runs, during February, a preparation program that incorporates maths and science. Students who are interested in this program should contact the Faculty.
The Centre for Continuing Education at the University also runs bridging courses during February each year. Their contact number is (02) 9036 4789.
Do I need to have a first-aid certificate before I start?
It is not a requirement of the Faculty that students have a first-aid certificate.
If I am accepted into a course am I able to defer my acceptance?
Ability to defer is not automatic and if you wish to consider this option you should talk to an academic advisor at the Faculty.
Where can I find out more about studying nursing at Sydney?
The University runs a Courses and Careers day every year in late August and you should consult the website close to this date to find out more. Additionally, there is an Information day in January, usually the first Monday after New Years Day.
Can I count previous study towards my current degree?
The Faculty may recognise previous studies that have been successfully completed at the University of Sydney or another recognised university or tertiary institution. You should consult an academic advisor at the Faculty to ascertain if your previous studies are eligible to be credited towards your proposed course.
Where can I get a copy of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery handbook?
University of Sydney handbooks can be ordered and paid for on line from the University Printing Service. Alternatively you can access a pdf file of the handbook from the Handbook website and download it at no charge.
Is there much Mathematics in the Master of Nursing or combined degrees?
Mathematics as a subject is not taught within the award but its application is integrated within relevant units of study. For example, students will learn how to calculate drug dosages during their simulated nursing laboratory sessions. This type of calculation is comprehensively tested and because of its importance to the safe practice of nursing, students are required to achieve a mark of 100% on tests. Additionally, a basic understanding of statistics is used in reading nursing research articles.
Students studying a Bachelor of Science/Master of Nursing are required by the Faculty of Science to study mathematics as part of their first year program.
How much practical experience is there in the courses?
The Master of Nursing and the combined degrees provide clinical placements in over 50% of the units studied. Students undertake approximately 30 weeks of clinical placements over the period they study the Master of Nursing.
The Bachelor of Nursing (Post-registration) does not have a clinical component. Postgraduate coursework students may be required to complete a clinical component, depending upon the specialty area chosen.
What are the approximate number of hours per week that students attend class?
Full time students enrol in 24 credit points per semester and may be required to attend the Faculty 3-4 days per week however, the exact pattern of attendance is determined on an annual basis. Students undertaking a clinical placement may be required to attend the clinical setting up to 5 days per week.
The Bachelor of Nursing (Post-registration) and postgraduate coursework is undertaken predominantly in an intensive mode. Students enrolled in this mode may be required to attend a residential school of approximately 2-3 days per unit of study. Some units have compulsory residential schools.
I want to work in a specialised area, how do I go about this?
Once you have completed your Master of Nursing or if you are already a registered nurse, you may apply to undertake graduate study at either the Graduate Certificate or Masters level.
How can I get advice on selecting units of study?
On enrolment day you are able to speak with an academic advisor from the Faculty who will assist you with your unit of study selection.
Are there any compulsory subjects in the pre-registration (graduate entry) course?
All units of study within the Master of Nursing follow a set pattern and students are required to successfully pass all of them to graduate. There is no provision for students to undertake electives.
Fees and funding information - answers
What scholarships are available?
The Faculty offers a number of scholarships to both local and international students. Postgraduate research students should contact the Research Office on (02) 9351 3250 for further information. All other students should refer to the scholarships section of this website.
Does the Faculty offer any fee-paying courses?
The Faculty offers fee-paying places in all of its courses.